Flexible Drill Bit Structure for Angled Hip Joint Drilling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally-invasive surgical procedures for the hip joint are challenging due to its complex geometry and limited access, making it difficult for surgeons to maneuver instruments at angles offset from the approach, particularly for drilling into bone, which is essential for treatments like labral repairs.
Innovation Solution
A flexible drill bit with a 'unibody' construction, comprising a full diameter shaft, reduced diameter shaft, and fluted cutting tip, along with an angled drill guide that uses curvature and helical coils or over-molded sheaths to maintain alignment and torque, allowing for precise angled drilling within the hip joint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a rigid drill bit is used for drilling into bone, then drilling precision and torque transmission are improved, but the ability to navigate curved pathways and reach offset angles in the hip joint is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The drill bit is divided into multiple sections with different diameters: a full diameter shaft for torque transmission, a reduced diameter shaft for flexibility, and a fluted cutting tip for drilling. This segmentation allows each section to serve its specific function while collectively solving the contradiction between rigidity and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the drill bit have different structural properties. The full diameter shaft provides rigidity for torque transmission, the reduced diameter shaft provides flexibility for navigating curves, and the fluted tip provides cutting capability. This local differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction by having the right property in the right location.
2Force
If the drill bit diameter is increased to improve torque transmission, then drilling capability is improved, but the flexibility and ability to navigate tight spaces in the hip joint is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The drill bit uses a segmented diameter structure with a full diameter shaft for torque transmission and a reduced diameter shaft for flexibility. This allows the system to have both high torque capability and flexibility by having different diameters in different locations rather than a uniform diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill bit has different diameters at different locations to optimize local functions. The full diameter shaft locally provides high torque transmission, while the reduced diameter shaft locally provides flexibility, resolving the contradiction between force and adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the drill bit is made more flexible to improve ability to navigate curved pathways, then adaptability is improved, but torque transmission capability and drilling stability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The drill bit segments its structure into a flexible reduced diameter shaft and a rigid full diameter shaft. The flexible portion enables navigation of curved pathways while the rigid portion ensures adequate torque transmission, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and force transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the drill bit have different rigidity properties tailored to their functions. The reduced diameter shaft locally provides flexibility for navigating curves, while the full diameter shaft locally provides rigidity for torque transmission, solving the contradiction between adaptability and force capability.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally-invasive techniques are used for hip joint procedures, then patient trauma and recovery time are reduced, but the difficulty of performing procedures due to limited access and complex geometry is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The drill bit incorporates a curved configuration that matches the natural pathways of the hip joint. This curvature allows the instrument to navigate the complex geometry of the hip joint through limited access points, enabling minimally-invasive procedures while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The reduced diameter shaft acts as a flexible element that can bend and conform to the curved pathways of the hip joint. This flexibility allows the drill bit to navigate tight spaces and complex geometry through small incisions, reducing patient trauma while maintaining operability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A flexible drill bit comprising: a proximal shaft portion for connecting to a source of turning; a distal cutting tip portion for boring into a material; and an intermediate shaft portion extending between the proximal shaft portion and the distal cutting tip portion, the intermediate shaft portion being characterized by (i) sufficient longitudinal flexibility so as to permit the flexible drill bit to be passed along a curve, and (ii) sufficient torsional strength to permit the flexible drill bit to bore into the material. Apparatus for drilling a hole in material, the apparatus comprising: an angled drill guide comprising a curved distal section, a less-curved proximal section, and a lumen extending there between, wherein the less-curved proximal section comprises a flat extending there along for reducing the effective diameter of the less-curved proximal section so as to minimize interference between the angled drill guide and the side wall of an access cannula.