Intraosseous Driver Assembly with Insulated Drill Bit for Impedance Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing driver assemblies lack the capability to effectively determine information such as voltage, impedance, and position within biological materials like bone or cerebrospinal fluid during medical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A driver assembly equipped with a controller, motor, drive shaft, trigger, and electrodes, which includes a drill bit with an insulator to prevent electrical communication between the core and the outer surface, allowing the assembly to determine voltage differences and impedances within biological materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a drill bit is used to penetrate biological material, then the drill bit can access target areas, but the inability to determine position and electrical properties leads to loss of information and reduced measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determinationVSAvoidvoltage and impedance information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The drill bit is designed to perform multiple functions: mechanical penetration of bone and electrical measurement of voltage and impedance. By integrating both drilling and sensing capabilities into a single tool, the system eliminates the need for separate measurement devices and provides real-time feedback on position and tissue properties during the penetration process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Electrodes are introduced as intermediary elements that facilitate electrical contact between the drill bit and biological material. These electrodes enable the measurement of voltage and impedance by serving as conductors that interface with the tissue, allowing the system to gather electrical information without interfering with the mechanical drilling function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If electrical measurement capabilities are added to the driver assembly, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage and impedance measurementVSAvoiddriver assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical measurement components (electrodes, controller) are merged with the mechanical driver assembly. The controller is integrated into the driver housing, and electrodes are attached to the drill bit, creating a unified system that performs both mechanical and electrical functions through a single device rather than requiring separate instruments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The driver assembly is transformed into a multi-functional device that combines mechanical drilling with electrical measurement capabilities. This universal tool eliminates the need for multiple separate devices, reducing overall system complexity despite adding measurement functions to the existing assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If the drill bit structure is modified to include insulators and electrodes, then measurement precision improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical measurement accuracyVSAvoiddrill bit fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The drill bit features localized functional zones: insulating material is applied only to specific portions of the shaft where electrical isolation is needed, while electrodes are positioned only at the tip and specific contact points. This localized approach to modifying the drill bit structure minimizes manufacturing complexity by avoiding complete redesign of the entire bit, focusing changes only where functional requirements demand them.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 driver assembly can accurately determine changes in impedance and voltage differences, enabling real-time monitoring and control of the drill bit's position and operation within biological materials, thus enhancing the precision and safety of medical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

an insulator disposed between the core and the outer surface configured to prevent electrical communication between the core and the outer surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

the controller is configured to determine at least one of a voltage difference between the core and the first electrode and an impedance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical impedance measurement: Electrical Impedance Tomography

Data Source

PatentEP3831317B1Drivers assemblies, drivers and intraosseous devices for determining voltages and/or impedances in biological material
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 TELEFLEX LIFE SCIENCES II LLC
  • EP3831317B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3831317B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP3831317B1 patent drawingFigure 1D~2

AI summary

Driver assemblies, drivers, drill bits, and methods for determining information (such as impedances, voltages, voltage differences, and changes in such information) about biological material during a medical procedure.