Surgical Drill Depth Control Apparatus with Hard Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical drilling and cutting instruments face issues with stability, accuracy, and depth control, particularly in confined spaces, leading to high failure rates and risks during procedures due to poor visibility, fast-moving parts, and lack of precise depth control, which can result in over-drilling or under-drilling.
Innovation Solution
A depth control apparatus comprising a body and collar portion that securely attaches to a drill bit, providing a hard stop mechanism to prevent over-travel and featuring a helical channel oriented in reverse to the cutting blades, along with a viewing window and detents for precise depth adjustment, allowing for customizable and patient-specific configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art drilling apparatus are used, then drilling operations can be performed, but stability and accuracy deteriorate due to fast moving parts, rotating parts and vibrating parts that prevent secure positioning and impair visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the depth control function from the rotating drill mechanism and places it in a separate, stationary depth control apparatus that attaches to the drill. This separates the cutting function (rotating drill) from the depth control function (stationary apparatus with hard stop), allowing the depth control apparatus to remain stable and visible while the drill performs cutting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The depth control apparatus serves as an intermediary between the surgeon and the drill mechanism. It provides a stable interface that translates the surgeon's depth control intentions into precise drilling depth limitations through the hard stop mechanism, while maintaining visibility and ease of operation.
2Measurement precision
If prior art drilling apparatus are used, then drilling operations can be performed, but depth control precision deteriorates due to lack of depth control measures
Solution Approach 1:
The depth control apparatus applies preliminary anti-action by pre-establishing a hard stop mechanism that prevents the drill from exceeding the predetermined depth. This preventive measure is in place before drilling begins, automatically counteracting any tendency toward over-drilling through the mechanical hard stop and safety features.
Solution Approach 2:
The desired drilling depth is predetermined and configured in advance using patient-specific data from MRI or CT scans. The depth control apparatus is pre-configured with the appropriate hard stop position before the surgical procedure, ensuring precise depth control accuracy is established beforehand rather than attempted during the drilling operation.
3Reliability
If patient-specific apparatus are used, then accuracy and safety improve, but device complexity increases due to customization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The depth control apparatus is designed with universal features that can be applied across different patient-specific scenarios. The modular design with interchangeable depth control components allows the same basic apparatus structure to serve multiple surgical procedures and patient anatomies, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining customization capability through patient-specific data integration.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to drill guides and depth control apparatus for use with a variety of customized or standardized surgical instruments. In embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least a body portion and a collar portion, one or more of which are configured to be coupled to a cutting instrument, such as a drill bit, in a specified location and manner to prevent unwanted movement. In embodiments, the assembly of the body and collar portions may be incrementally adjusted to alter the desired depth of the cutting instrument. Methods for using the foregoing apparatus are also disclosed herein.