Surgical Handpiece Depth Module Assembly for Precise Bore Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical drills lack a reliable method to determine the end-to-end depth of bores drilled in tissue, which is crucial for selecting appropriate screw sizes, preventing insecure or excessively long screw placements that can damage surrounding tissue.
Innovation Solution
A measurement module is integrated into the surgical handpiece system, comprising a housing, a gear with teeth, a bushing, and a depth extension member with rack teeth, which are meshed to provide accurate depth measurements during drilling, allowing for real-time feedback to the surgeon.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional surgical drills are used without depth measurement capability, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of bore depth is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A depth extension member with rack teeth is introduced as an intermediary component between the drill mechanism and the measurement system. This member extends into the bore and engages with gear teeth to convert linear depth movement into rotational motion, enabling indirect depth measurement without requiring direct sensing at the drill tip
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic depth sensing systems with a mechanical gear-rack mechanism. The rack teeth on the depth extension member engage with gear teeth to provide mechanical feedback on depth, which can then be read through visual indicators or simple sensors, eliminating the need for sophisticated electronic measurement systems
2Measurement precision
If a measurement module with gear and rack teeth is integrated into the surgical handpiece, then the measurement precision of bore depth is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement module components (housing, gear, bushing, depth extension member with rack teeth) are merged into a single integrated assembly that attaches to the surgical handpiece. The gear is disposed within the housing, the depth extension member is disposed within the bushing, and both are fixed to the housing, creating a compact unified structure rather than separate attached components
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement module uses a nested arrangement where the gear is disposed within the housing, and the depth extension member with rack teeth is disposed within the bushing which is itself fixed to the housing. This nested configuration minimizes the overall size and complexity of the measurement module while maintaining all necessary functional components
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 precise bore depth determination, ensuring appropriate screw sizes are used, reducing tissue damage and enhancing the reliability of surgical procedures by providing real-time drilling depth information.
Implementation Method 1
a gear with a plurality of gear teeth disposed within and rotatably coupled to the housing... arranging the rack teeth of the depth extension member to be engaged by the gear teeth of the gear
Data Source
AI summary
A method of assembling a measurement module used for bore depth determinations in tissue. The measurement module has a housing. A gear having a plurality of gear teeth is disposed within and rotatably coupled to the housing. The measurement module further includes a bushing and a depth extension member having a plurality of rack teeth extending along a depth extension axis. The depth extension member is disposed within a bore of the bushing and the housing. The rack teeth of the depth extension member are arranged to be engaged by the gear teeth of the gear. The depth extension member is urged toward the gear so that the rack teeth are in meshed engagement with the gear teeth. The bushing is fixed to the housing while the depth extension member is urged toward the gear.