Flexible Polymeric Surgical Drill Bit for Angular Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical drill bits face challenges such as difficulty in controlling twisting torque, limited orientation and angular adjustment, increased weight, sanitization issues, high costs, and complex assembly/disassembly processes, leading to potential breakage and inefficiencies during bone tissue interventions.
Innovation Solution
A surgical drill bit with a flexible stem made entirely of polymeric material, featuring a three-dimensional reticular structure with bilobed elements and nodes for enhanced flexibility and angular offset, allowing direct connection to tools without separate articulated shafts, and a gripping bushing for improved torque control, produced using low-cost methods like 3D rapid prototyping or injection molding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If articulated shafts are used for angular orientation, then the drill bit can be positioned in difficult-to-reach work zones, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible stem is divided into multiple articulated segments that can rotate relative to each other, allowing angular orientation without requiring a complex separate articulated shaft assembly. Each segment is a simplified component that contributes to the overall flexibility and positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of the stem and the articulated shaft are merged into a single integrated flexible stem structure. This eliminates the need for separate articulated shaft components, reducing device complexity while maintaining the capability to reach difficult-to-access work zones with angular adjustment.
2Force
If metal articulated shafts are used, then torque transmission is strong, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible stem is constructed from composite materials that provide high strength-to-weight ratio, enabling effective torque transmission while significantly reducing the weight compared to traditional metal articulated shafts. The composite structure maintains mechanical integrity under surgical loading conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible stem uses a thin-walled flexible structure that can bend and articulate while maintaining sufficient structural strength for torque transmission. This flexible shell design eliminates the need for heavy metal construction while preserving the necessary mechanical properties.
3Ease of manufacture
If drill bits are made reusable with articulated shafts, then cost is reduced, but sanitization becomes difficult and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The drill bit is designed as a disposable single-use component that can be discarded after one use, eliminating sanitization requirements and ensuring complete reliability. The low cost of the disposable drill bit offsets the elimination of sterilization processes, maintaining economic efficiency while guaranteeing infection prevention.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate articulated shafts are used, then flexibility is achieved, but assembly and disassembly processes become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible stem is integrated directly with the drill bit, eliminating the need for separate articulated shaft assemblies. This merging of components simplifies the assembly and disassembly processes to basic attachment and detachment operations, while the flexible stem itself provides the necessary articulation and positioning flexibility.
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
The drill bit provides controlled torque transmission, increased flexibility for precise orientation, reduced weight, ease of assembly, disposable convenience, and cost-effectiveness, minimizing the risk of breakage and sanitization challenges while maintaining cutting efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The flexibility of the shaft is due to the modulus of elasticity of the material
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a surgical drill bit able to be connected to a surgical tool, comprising a flexible stem. The invention also concerns a corresponding method to produce the surgical drill bit.