Surgical Drill Breakthrough Depth Sensing for Bone Bore Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical procedures require separate depth gauges for measuring bore depth in bones, which is inconvenient and time-consuming, and existing technologies like US 2016/128704 A1 do not adequately address this issue.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system with a sensor to output displacement signals, a controller to determine breakthrough depth based on displacement and acceleration data, and a measurement module to facilitate precise drilling by correlating drill bit performance with bone type and type of surgical implant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate depth gauge is used to measure bore depth, then measurement capability is provided, but procedural time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the depth measurement function directly into the surgical drill system by incorporating a sensor assembly that detects breakthrough events. This merges the drilling and depth measurement functions into a single integrated system, eliminating the need for separate depth gauge operations and reducing procedural time while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill system performs self-measurement of bore depth through its integrated sensor assembly that automatically detects breakthrough events and calculates depth. The system uses its own operational data (rotational speed, breakthrough detection) to determine depth without requiring external measurement tools, making the system self-sufficient.
2Measurement precision
If a separate depth gauge is used to measure bore depth, then measurement capability is provided, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the depth measurement functionality with the drill system itself, so that the surgeon operates a single integrated device rather than coordinating between a drill and a separate depth gauge. The sensor assembly is built into the drill, making the measurement process automatic and eliminating manual intervention requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill system automatically performs depth measurement using its own sensor assembly and operational data, eliminating the need for the surgeon to manually operate a separate depth gauge. The system self-determines breakthrough depth using its own rotational speed and breakthrough detection capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If manual depth measurement with a depth gauge is performed, then depth information is obtained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly continuously monitors drilling parameters throughout the entire drilling process, capturing breakthrough events in real-time without interruption. This continuous monitoring eliminates the need to stop drilling for manual depth measurement, maintaining continuous productive action while obtaining accurate depth data.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill system uses its own operational data (rotational speed, breakthrough detection) to automatically determine depth, eliminating the need for separate manual measurement operations. This self-measurement capability allows the surgeon to maintain focus on the surgical procedure without diverting attention to manual depth gauging.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and efficient determination of bore depth in bones without the need for separate depth gauges, improving surgical precision and reducing procedural time.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to output one or more displacement signals associated with a displacement of the cutting tool during a cutting process
Implementation Method 2
The controller is configured to determine displacement data of the cutting tool relative to the bone from an initial cutting time to a final cutting time. The displacement data includes a displacement value indicative of a proximal surface of a proximal cortex of a bone and a displacement value indicative of a distal surface of a distal cortex of the bone.
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical system for determining breakthrough depth of a bore in a bone passing through a proximal cortical layer of bone and a distal cortical layer of bone. The surgical system includes an instrument for coupling to a cutting tool. A sensor is coupled to the instrument to generate one or more depth measurements of the cutting tool as the cutting tool cuts through the bone. The breakthrough depth is determined based on depth measurements made after the cutting tool passes through the proximal cortical layer of bone. The breakthrough depth is optionally based on a type of bone being cut, bone hardness, and cutting tool selection.