Depth Stop Adapter for Spinal Surgery Drill Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drill guides in medical contexts, particularly in spinal surgery, often lack a depth adjustment mechanism, making it difficult for surgeons to accurately determine the current depth of the drill bit.
Innovation Solution
A depth stop adapter with a housing, a depth stop guide tube, and a foot plate, which includes a depth control element and sensory feedback mechanisms to facilitate easy depth adjustment and indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a depth adjustment mechanism is added to the drill guide, then depth control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The depth stop adapter is divided into separate functional components: a housing, a depth stop guide tube, and a foot plate. Each component performs a specific function - the housing provides structural support, the guide tube directs the drill bit, and the foot plate indicates depth. This segmentation allows for precise depth control without creating a complex integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot plate acts as an intermediary element between the drill bit and the surgeon. It provides a visual indicator of depth through markings on its surface, allowing the surgeon to monitor drill depth without directly observing the drill bit. This intermediary approach simplifies the measurement process while maintaining precision.
2Loss of information
If indicia are added to the depth stop guide tube, then depth indication clarity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foot plate includes visual indicia such as markings or color indicators that change or become prominent as the drill depth increases. These visual cues provide clear depth information without requiring complex electronic displays or additional mechanical components, thus improving information clarity while maintaining simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the aperture is sized to accommodate different sized depth stop guide tubes, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing aperture is designed with a standardized size that can accommodate multiple different sized depth stop guide tubes. This universal design allows a single housing to work with various drill bits and guide tubes, improving adaptability. The aperture dimensions are chosen to provide sufficient clearance for different tube sizes while maintaining structural integrity, balancing versatility with manufacturing feasibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A depth stop adapter may include a depth stop guide tube. The depth stop guide tube may define a hollow interior configured to receive a drill bit such that the drill bit can extend through the depth stop guide tube. The depth stop adapter may include a housing comprising a first end and a second end. There may be a first aperture configured to receive the depth stop guide tube proximate the first end. There may be a second aperture between the first aperture and the second end. A foot plate may be configured to provide a depth indication. A rod may be configured to be received by the second aperture. A distal end of the rod may be configured to attach to the foot plate. A depth control element may be configured to adjust a position of the foot plate relative to the housing.