Self-centering drill guide with deflecting device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drill guides fail to accurately align drill bits with bone holes due to their larger bore diameter compared to the drill bit, leading to off-center drilling and potential damage to the drill bit and suture anchors, especially when the guide is curved.

Innovation Solution

A drill guide with a deflecting device featuring deflecting surfaces and slots that center the drill bit and allow for the passage of wider suture anchors, ensuring accurate alignment and preventing damage by maintaining the drill bit within a smaller diameter portion and accommodating wider anchors through larger diameter sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the bore diameter is increased to accommodate the suture anchor, then the anchor can be inserted through the guide, but the drill bit cannot be fully constrained leading to off-center drilling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor accommodationVSAvoiddrilling accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bore is segmented into two distinct diameter portions: a first portion with a smaller diameter that tightly constrains the drill bit for precise drilling, and a second portion with a larger diameter that accommodates the wider suture anchor for insertion. This segmentation allows each portion to optimize for its specific function without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the bore have different diameter qualities tailored to specific needs. The first portion (distal end) has a smaller diameter optimized for drill bit constraint and drilling precision, while the second portion (proximal end) has a larger diameter optimized for anchor accommodation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between drilling accuracy and anchor insertion capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the guide is curved to access difficult surgical sites, then surgical accessibility is improved, but the drill bit becomes unstable and may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical accessibilityVSAvoiddrill bit stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The deflecting surfaces are positioned at the distal end of the bore before the drill bit exits the guide. These surfaces preliminarily center and stabilize the drill bit within the bore, ensuring proper alignment and preventing contact with the curved guide walls before the drilling action begins, thus protecting the drill bit even in curved configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The deflecting surfaces act as an intermediary element between the curved guide structure and the drill bit. They mediate the interaction by providing a centering mechanism that compensates for the curvature-induced misalignment, allowing the drill bit to remain stable and protected while the guide maintains its curved shape for surgical accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the bore diameter is larger than the drill bit, then the guide structure can accommodate larger anchors, but the drill bit is not centered leading to potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor size accommodationVSAvoiddrill bit damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bore is divided into two diameter portions: the first portion provides tight constraint for the drill bit to prevent contact with guide walls and avoid damage, while the second portion provides sufficient clearance for larger anchors. This segmentation eliminates the harmful effect of drill bit contact while maintaining anchor accommodation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deflecting surfaces replace the need for a uniformly sized bore by providing mechanical centering through controlled contact surfaces. Instead of relying on a loose fit throughout the entire bore length, the deflecting surfaces create localized mechanical guidance that centers the drill bit precisely where needed, eliminating the risk of damage while allowing anchor-sized clearances elsewhere.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9101373B2Self-centering drill guide

Publication Date: 2015.08.11 BIOMET MFG LLC

AI summary

A drill guide including an inner surface, a tip, and a deflecting device. The inner surface defines a bore extending through the drill guide. The bore is configured to individually receive therein a flexible drill bit and an insertion tool with a suture anchor mounted thereto. The tip is at a distal end of the bore and defines a tip aperture of the bore. The deflecting device is proximal to the tip and includes at least one bearing surface configured to deflect the drill bit within the bore.