Self-orienting drill sleeve with internal collet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgeons face challenges in aligning drill sleeves with the nominal axis of orthopedic plate holes, especially in anatomic plates where structures for orientation are limited, leading to deviations up to 19.5° from the nominal axis, which complicates screw placement and increases procedure time.
Innovation Solution
A self-orienting drill sleeve with an internal collet and biasing mechanism that includes a trigger and leaf spring, allowing the drill sleeve to be quickly inserted and aligned with the nominal axis of the screw hole, securely engaging the screw hole using flexible blades and a locking ridge, and easily disassembled for cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If threaded drill guides are used to align with screw holes, then alignment accuracy is improved, but procedural time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drill sleeve performs self-alignment by utilizing the existing screw hole geometry itself as the guiding feature. The tapered distal end of the drill sleeve engages with the tapered internal surface of the screw hole, allowing the drill sleeve to automatically orient itself along the nominal axis without requiring external threaded guides or additional alignment structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a threaded guide that screws into the hole to achieve alignment, the invention inverts the approach by having the drill sleeve's distal end directly engage the screw hole's internal geometry. The alignment function is achieved through the reverse mechanism of direct geometric engagement rather than threaded connection.
2Manufacturing precision
If threaded drill guides are used to ensure accurate screw placement, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and utilizes the existing geometric features of the screw hole (tapered internal surface) for alignment purposes, rather than adding complex threaded guide structures. By taking out the alignment function from a separate guiding device and integrating it into the drill sleeve itself through direct engagement with the screw hole geometry, device complexity is reduced while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill sleeve serves multiple functions: it provides alignment with the screw hole nominal axis, guides the drill bit during drilling, and secures to the bone plate. By making the drill sleeve multi-functional and eliminating the need for separate threaded guides, device complexity is reduced while maintaining or improving manufacturing precision.
3Measurement precision
If complex alignment structures are added to drill sleeves, then orientation accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drill sleeve automatically orients itself to the correct nominal axis by engaging the screw hole geometry without requiring complex external alignment structures or multiple操作步骤. The self-service alignment mechanism simplifies the surgical procedure while maintaining high orientation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw hole is pre-formed with specific geometric features (tapered internal surface) that enable the drill sleeve to automatically align itself upon insertion. This preliminary preparation of the screw hole geometry allows for quick and accurate orientation without requiring complex alignment structures on the drill sleeve itself.
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 rapid and accurate alignment of the drill sleeve with the nominal screw hole direction, reducing procedural time and effort compared to threaded drill guides, while ensuring secure fixation and easy cleaning and reuse.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member configured to apply a biasing force between the handle and the trigger wherein the biasing force drives the inner sleeve into the outer sleeve
Implementation Method 2
the internal collet is configured to engage a screw hole in a bone plate, align the drill sleeve with a nominal axis of the screw hole, and secure the drill sleeve to the screw hole
Data Source
AI summary
A drill sleeve, including: an outer sleeve with an internal collet at a distal end of the outer sleeve, a slot, and an inner opening; a handle connected to the outer sleeve; an inner sleeve with an inner opening configured to receive and guide a drill bit, wherein the inner sleeve is configured to slide inside the inner opening of the outer sleeve; a trigger; a connection member connected to trigger and the inner tube, wherein the connection member passes through the slot in the outer sleeve and a biasing member configured to apply a biasing force between the handle and the trigger wherein the biasing force drives the inner sleeve into the outer sleeve, wherein when a distal end of the inner sleeve engages the internal collet, the internal collet is configured to engage a screw hole in a bone plate, align the drill sleeve with a nominal axis of the screw hole, and secure the drill sleeve to the screw hole.