Surgical Drill Breakthrough Sensing with Motor Status and Bit Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical drilling methods require additional devices for bore-hole depth measurement, compromising sterility and increasing surgical time, and there is a need for improved methods to determine screw length based on bore-hole depth.
Innovation Solution
A handheld surgical system with integrated depth measurement attachment that includes sensors to detect motor vibration and drill bit displacement, using algorithms to determine breakthrough events and screw length during drilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate depth gauge device is introduced into the patient's body to measure bore-hole depth, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and risk of compromising sterility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the depth measurement attachment with the surgical drill to form an integrated system. The attachment includes sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer) and processing electronics that are coupled to the drill, eliminating the need for separate depth gauge devices. This merging reduces the number of instruments needed while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The depth measurement attachment serves multiple functions: it measures drill bit displacement, determines breakthrough events, calculates bore-hole depth, and provides real-time feedback to the surgeon. This multi-functional attachment replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate devices, reducing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a separate depth gauge device is used to measure bore-hole depth, then measurement precision is improved, but surgical time increases leaving the patient exposed to the ambient environment
Solution Approach 1:
The depth measurement attachment operates continuously throughout the drilling procedure, providing real-time depth information and breakthrough detection. This eliminates the need to stop drilling to use separate measurement devices, maintaining continuous surgical action and reducing overall surgical time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback to the surgeon through visual or auditory signals when breakthrough is detected or when target depth is reached. This immediate feedback eliminates the need for post-drilling measurement verification, allowing the surgeon to make decisions without interrupting the surgical flow.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and algorithms are integrated into the surgical drill, then measurement precision and automation are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary component that receives data from multiple sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, displacement sensor), processes this information through algorithms, and generates output signals for breakthrough detection and depth calculation. This intermediary architecture manages the complexity by centralizing data processing rather than requiring direct integration of all sensor functions into the main drill control.
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 accurate and efficient determination of bore-hole depth and screw length without additional devices, maintaining sterility and reducing surgical time.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor that is configured to provide a vibration signal associated with a vibration of the motor during a drilling process
Implementation Method 2
a second sensor that is configured to provide a displacement signal associated with a displacement of a drill bit during the drilling process
Data Source
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AI summary
A handheld surgical system includes an instrument, a depth measurement attachment, and a controller. The instrument includes a housing and a motor that is positioned within the housing. The depth measurement attachment is removably coupled to the instrument. The depth measurement attachment includes a first sensor that is configured to provide a vibration signal associated with a vibration of the motor during a drilling process, a second sensor that is configured to provide a displacement signal associated with a displacement of a drill bit during the drilling process, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the vibration signal and the displacement signal. The controller is also configured to determine a characteristic of the motor based on the vibration signal using an algorithm and determine a breakthrough event based on the motor characteristic and the displacement signal.