Optical Drill Depth Gauge for Accurate Bone Screw Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current depth-measuring devices for determining the length of bone screws are often inaccurate and require multiple devices for different drill bits, leading to risks of soft tissue irritation or loss of primary stability due to incorrect screw lengths.
Innovation Solution
A depth gauge device with a central longitudinal axis, a light-passing hole, an infrared laser source, an image sensor, and a processing unit that calculates the drill-bit's movement through the channel by analyzing successive images, providing accurate and fast measurements compatible with various drill bits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mechanical measuring devices are used for different drill bits, then compatibility with various drill bits is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to mechanical inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical measuring devices with an optical measurement system. A light source emits light through a light-passing hole to illuminate the drill bit surface, and an image sensor captures images of the illuminated surface. The processing unit analyzes these images to calculate drill bit depth, eliminating mechanical contact and associated inaccuracies while maintaining compatibility with various drill bit sizes through the adjustable clamp mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides universal compatibility with different drill bit sizes through a single integrated system. The clamp mechanism with adjustable arms can accommodate various drill bit diameters, and the optical measurement system universally measures depth regardless of drill bit type, replacing the need for multiple specialized mechanical measuring devices.
2Device complexity
If mechanical measuring devices are used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to incorrect screw length selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical measuring devices with an optical measurement system. A light source emits light through a light-passing hole to illuminate the drill bit surface, and an image sensor captures images of the illuminated surface. The processing unit analyzes these images to calculate drill bit depth, eliminating mechanical contact and associated inaccuracies while maintaining compatibility with various drill bit sizes through the adjustable clamp mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides real-time feedback through a display that shows the measured drill bit depth. The processing unit continuously monitors the drill bit position via image analysis and provides immediate feedback on the current depth, allowing operators to adjust the drilling depth to achieve the precise screw length required, thereby improving reliability.
3Measurement precision
If optical measurement system is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light source, image sensor, and processing unit into a single integrated device housing. The light source and image sensor are positioned to work together through the light-passing hole, and the processing unit is integrated within the same housing to analyze images and calculate depth. This consolidation improves measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity through integrated design.
4Productivity
If real-time image analysis is performed, then measurement speed is improved, but use of energy increases due to continuous processing
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs image capture and analysis at periodic intervals during the drilling process rather than continuously. The image sensor captures images at specific frames per second, and the processing unit analyzes these periodic images to track drill bit depth. This periodic operation provides real-time measurement speed while reducing energy consumption compared to continuous processing.
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 device ensures precise measurement of drill-bit depth, reducing the risk of incorrect screw lengths and providing real-time feedback to prevent unnecessary trauma to surrounding tissue.
Implementation Method 1
the first light beam forming an incident light beam when reflected away from the drill-bit surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A depth gauge device including a body extending a central longitudinal axis and including a channel and a light-passing hole, the light passing hole open to the channel, a light source mounted in the body for generating a light beam, the light beam passing through the light- passing hole toward a surface of a drill-bit extending through the channel, the light beam forming an incident light beam when reflected away from the drill-bit surface, an image sensor mounted in the body for sensing the incident light beam and generating a plurality of successive images of the drill-bit surface to detect variations in the position of the drill-bit moving through the channel and an clamp coupled to the body, the clamp including a plurality of adjustable arms configured to clamp the device to a protection sleeve.