Interchangeable Drill Bits for Glenoid Bone Preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glenoid replacement surgical procedures are time-consuming and prone to drilling misalignment due to the need for multiple pre-drilled holes, and existing drill bits often become dull or damaged, requiring the entire drill assembly to be discarded.
Innovation Solution
A drill assembly with interchangeable drill bits and a mechanism to drill multiple peripheral peg holes simultaneously using a guide pin, featuring a spur gear system and snap-fit engagement for easy drill bit replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple pre-drilled holes are created sequentially using separate drilling operations with guides and anti-rotation pegs, then each hole can be drilled individually, but the process becomes time-consuming and increases the possibility of drilling misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple drilling operations into a single integrated drill assembly that can drill multiple peripheral peg holes simultaneously or sequentially without removing the drill bit. The drill assembly includes a housing with multiple drill bits arranged to drill holes at different positions and angles, eliminating the need for separate drilling operations with guide repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill assembly is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform multiple drilling functions with a single tool. The housing contains multiple drill bits that can drill holes for different numbers and configurations of peripheral pegs (e.g., 3-peg, 4-peg, or 5-peg glenoid components), making the assembly universally applicable to various surgical scenarios.
2Reliability
If the entire drill assembly is discarded when drill bits become dull or damaged, then new drill bits are always available, but this is not an economical solution
Solution Approach 1:
The drill assembly is segmented into replaceable components: the housing (which contains the drive mechanism and multiple drill bit mounting positions) and the individual drill bits. This segmentation allows the drill bits to be replaced independently of the housing, so when a drill bit becomes dull or damaged, only that specific bit needs to be replaced rather than discarding the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables recovery and reuse of the valuable housing component by allowing individual drill bits to be replaced. The housing with its精密 drive mechanism and multiple mounting positions is retained and reused, while only the consumable drill bits are discarded or replaced, reducing waste and cost.
3Manufacturing precision
If a guide is placed on the glenoid to provide paths for each peripheral peg hole, then drilling alignment can be maintained, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the guide function directly into the drill assembly housing. The housing is designed with built-in guides or guide structures that automatically align the multiple drill bits with the correct hole positions and angles. This eliminates the need for separate external guides to be placed on the glenoid for each drilling operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A drill bit (31) comprising a cutting portion (56) having an edge for penetrating bone and a resilient tine (52) configured to be inserted into a drill housing, the resilient tine including a tab (68) having an abutment surface (64) configured to establish a snap-fit connection with a drill gear (46) within the drill housing, and wherein the drill bit is capable of being removed from the drill housing by disengaging the abutment surface from the drill gear.