Segmented Drill Bit with Insulated Electrodes for Tissue Impedance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drill bits used in surgical procedures, such as dental and orthopedic surgeries, face challenges in accurately determining whether the drill tip is penetrating bone or soft tissue, as existing technologies struggle to differentiate between the two based on electrical impedance variations.
Innovation Solution
A drill bit design featuring a connector with a shank, a proximal electrically-conductive coupler, and a distal electrically-conductive coupler, along with an insulator to isolate them, and a drill shaft with an electrically-conductive outer and inner electrode, allowing for the measurement of tissue impedance, enabling differentiation between bone and soft tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single electrode is used on the drill bit with a remote external skin return electrode, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of local electrical properties of tissue is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The drill bit is segmented into multiple electrodes (first electrode on the drill shaft, second electrode on the connector) to enable localized impedance measurements at different positions, improving measurement precision of tissue electrical properties during penetration
Solution Approach 2:
An insulator is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second electrodes to electrically isolate them, enabling independent electrical connections to the impedance meter while maintaining mechanical continuity of the drill bit structure
2Measurement precision
If multiple electrodes with electrical isolation are implemented, then the measurement precision of tissue impedance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components (electrodes, insulator, connector, drill shaft) are merged into a single integrated drill bit assembly, allowing complex measurement capabilities to be achieved without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The drill bit serves multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical drilling through the drill shaft and localized electrical impedance measurement through distributed electrodes, enabling both tissue penetration and real-time tissue characterization
3Reliability
If electrical isolation between electrodes is implemented, then the reliability of impedance measurement is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
An insulator is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second electrodes to electrically isolate them, enabling independent electrical connections to the impedance meter while maintaining mechanical continuity of the drill bit structure
Solution Approach 2:
The insulator is designed to uniformly cover the interface between conductive components, ensuring consistent electrical isolation throughout the connector assembly and reducing variability in measurement reliability
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 real-time monitoring of tissue penetration by sensing electrical properties like impedance, facilitating safer and more precise surgical procedures by distinguishing between bone and soft tissue.
Implementation Method 1
a central unit that is configured sense electrical properties of the tissue penetrated by the drill shaft, such as impedance
Data Source
AI summary
A drill bit is provided that includes a connector, which includes a shank, configured to receive torque; a proximal electrically-conductive coupler, which is disposed at a distal end of the shank, rotationally fixed with respect to the shank; and a distal electrically-conductive coupler. The distal electrically-conductive coupler is rotationally fixed with respect to the proximal electrically-conductive coupler, electrically isolated from the proximal electrically-conductive coupler, and shaped so as to define a distal-electrically-conductive external contact surface. The drill bit further includes a drill shaft including an electrically-conductive outer electrode and an electrically-conductive inner electrode. Other embodiments are also described.