Implant Drill Tool with Pre-Cutting Edges for Cartilage Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing orthopedic drill tools for implant surgery often damage the cartilage tissue during drilling, leading to uneven recess edges and reduced implant stability, as they are designed primarily for drilling into bone without considering the cutting of cartilage.

Innovation Solution

A drill tool design featuring a first central drill part and a second drill part with shape cutting edges and sharp pre-cutting edges, where the sharp pre-cutting edges extend beyond the shape cutting edges to precisely cut through cartilage, creating a recess that matches the implant dimensions and provides a secure press fit, while the shape cutting edges correspond to the bone contacting surface of the implant.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional drill tool is used to drill into bone, then the implant recess can be created, but the cartilage tissue above the bone is damaged and mashed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecess shape accuracyVSAvoidcartilage damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drill tool is divided into two distinct functional parts: a first central drill part for drilling the bone recess and a second drill part with shape cutting edges for defining the recess shape. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function - the central drill part penetrates bone while the peripheral shape cutting edges cleanly define the recess boundaries without damaging cartilage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shape cutting edges act as an intermediary element between the drilling action and the cartilage tissue. These cutting edges first engage and cleanly cut through the cartilage layer before the main drilling action reaches the bone, preventing direct contact between the bone-drilling elements and the cartilage, thus avoiding cartilage damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the drill tool is designed to match the implant shape, then the recess fits the implant well, but the cartilage edges become uneven and damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplant fit precisionVSAvoidcartilage edge integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the drill tool have different local qualities optimized for their specific functions. The shape cutting edges have sharp, precise cutting surfaces designed to cleanly define the recess shape matching the implant, while the central drill part has properties optimized for bone penetration. This local differentiation allows precise implant fitting without compromising cartilage edge integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the drill bit drills a well-defined recess corresponding to the implant shape, then the implant can be fitted, but tissue damage occurs during drilling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplant fitting reliabilityVSAvoidtissue damage during drilling
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shape cutting edges perform a preliminary cutting action on the cartilage tissue before the main drilling operation. By pre-defining the recess boundaries and removing the cartilage layer in a controlled manner, the preliminary action prevents uncontrolled tissue damage that would occur if the main drill bit directly engaged the cartilage during the drilling process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3202339B1Implant specific drill tool
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 EPISURF IP MANAGEMENT
  • EP3202339B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3202339B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3202339B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a drill tool (10) for implant surgery comprising a first central drill part (11) having a first diameter (22) for drilling a recess for an implant post (41), and a second drill part (12) having a second diameter (24) for drilling a recess for an implant hat (43), the second drill part (12) comprising at least one shape cutting edge (14) arranged peripherally around the first central drill part (11), and at least one sharp pre-cutting edge (18) extending beyond the at least one shape cutting edge (14).