Medical Bone Drilling With Integrated Real-Time Depth Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bone drilling techniques are inconvenient, time-consuming, and unreliable, often requiring trial and error and multiple radiographs to achieve the correct depth for implant insertion, leading to increased radiation exposure and potential patient morbidity.

Innovation Solution

A medical drilling device with integrated rotational and axial drive controls, featuring a transducer for instantaneous depth measurement and a drill guide assembly, allowing precise control and measurement of tool penetration during bone drilling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional depth gauges are used to measure bore depth, then depth measurement is possible, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and requires interruptions to drilling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebore depth measurementVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the depth measurement function with the drilling device itself. The electronic depth gauge is integrated into the drilling device housing, allowing continuous depth monitoring during drilling without removing separate measurement tools or interrupting the drilling process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical depth gauges with an electronic depth measurement system using transducers and electronic displays. This electronic system provides continuous real-time depth feedback during drilling, eliminating the need for manual mechanical measurements that require stopping the drilling process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If multiple radiographs are taken to confirm depth and implant sizing, then accurate implant placement can be achieved, but radiation exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant placement accuracyVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements real-time electronic depth feedback during drilling through transducers and display systems. This continuous feedback allows the surgeon to monitor depth continuously and make immediate adjustments, eliminating the need for multiple post-drilling radiographs to verify depth and implant sizing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs depth measurement and implant sizing determination during the drilling process itself rather than after drilling is complete. The electronic depth gauge provides preliminary information that allows the surgeon to select the correct implant before insertion, avoiding the need for corrective radiographs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If trial and error methods are used for implant selection, then proper implant fit can be achieved, but hardware waste and procedure delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant fit accuracyVSAvoidprocedure efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces trial-and-error mechanical implant selection with electronic depth measurement and calculation systems. The electronic depth gauge provides precise depth data that is used to calculate the exact implant length needed, eliminating the need for trial implants and associated waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The drilling device itself performs the measurement and provides the information needed for implant selection. The integrated electronic depth gauge and calculation system allows the surgeon to determine the correct implant size directly from the drilling process data, without needing external measurement tools or trial-and-error methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If separate depth measurement steps are performed, then depth control is possible, but the drilling procedure is interrupted and complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth controlVSAvoidprocedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the depth measurement system with the drilling device housing. The electronic depth gauge, transducers, and display are all integrated into a single unified device, eliminating the need for separate measurement tools and procedures while maintaining accurate depth control throughout the drilling process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12383282B2Depth controllable and measurable medical driver devices and methods of use

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 QUARTUS ENGINEERING INC

AI summary

Disclosed are devices and methods for creating a bore in bone. The devices and methods described involve driving a rotating bit in an axial direction such that both rotation and linear movement are controlled and measurable. The instrument is useful for a surgeon to control and simultaneously measure the travel of the tool into the bone and prevent injury to surrounding structures.