Multiple-Head Bone Drill for Variable-Diameter Bores

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone drilling tools are inadequate for creating bores with varying diameters required for procedures such as anchor insertion, drug administration, and implant placement in AVN treatment, as they often require multiple tools or complex systems.

Innovation Solution

A bone drilling tool with a shaft and multiple reaming heads positioned at varying distances, allowing for adjustable diameter changes using a single tool, featuring locking mechanisms to secure the heads and scale marks for precise depth control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single bone drilling tool is used to create bores with varying diameters, then the need for multiple tools is reduced and procedure efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple reaming heads and locking mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocedure efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drilling tool is segmented into multiple functional components: a shaft, multiple reaming heads with different diameters, and locking mechanisms. Each reaming head can be independently attached or detached to perform different drilling operations, allowing a single tool system to replace multiple dedicated tools while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bone drilling tool is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple reaming heads with varying diameters (e.g., 4mm, 5mm, 6mm) that can be interchangeably mounted on the shaft. This universal design enables the same tool to perform multiple drilling operations for different surgical requirements (anchor insertion, drug administration, graft implantation) without needing separate specialized tools

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple reaming heads are positioned at varying distances on the shaft, then adjustable diameter changes are enabled for different surgical procedures, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustable diameter changesVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The reaming heads are designed as separate, standardized segments that can be independently manufactured and then assembled onto the shaft at required positions. This segmentation allows each head to be produced using standard manufacturing processes, and the final assembly involves simple positioning and locking, reducing overall manufacturing complexity compared to creating a fully integrated multi-functional tool

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reaming heads are pre-positioned at specific distances along the shaft during assembly to correspond to predetermined depth markings. This preliminary positioning ensures that when a reaming head is attached, it automatically aligns with the correct depth indicator on the shaft, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms during surgical use and simplifying both manufacturing and operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If locking mechanisms are added to secure reaming heads to the shaft, then operational reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function is extracted as a separate, dedicated mechanism rather than being integrated into the reaming head structure itself. The locking mechanism operates independently to secure the reaming head to the shaft, allowing the reaming head design to remain simple and focused on its primary cutting function while the locking system provides the necessary reliability through a specialized attachment mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Measurement precision

If scale marks are added to the shaft for precise depth control, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth control precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft itself serves as the measurement reference by incorporating scale marks directly into its structure. These marks provide self-service depth indication that is inherently integrated with the tool's operation, eliminating the need for separate measurement devices or complex electronic sensing systems. The scale marks work automatically with the reaming heads' positions to provide precise depth control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3512440B1Multiple head drill
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 T A G MEDICAL DEVICES-AGRICULTURE COOPERATIVE LTD
  • EP3512440B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3512440B1 patent drawingFigure 1D~1E
  • EP3512440B1 patent drawingFigure 1F~1G

AI summary

A drill device including a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, one or more first reaming heads configured to be positioned along the shaft adjacent the distal end and one or more second reaming heads configured to be positioned along the shaft at a location axially proximally spaced from the first reaming head.