Self-Positioning Drill Guide for Centered Bone Tunnel Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical drilling techniques, particularly in open AC joint reconstructions, lack precision and often result in fractures due to free-hand drilling without a guide, necessitating improved methods for accurate and controlled tunnel drilling in bones.
Innovation Solution
A self-positioning drill guide with flexible wings that automatically center on the peripheral edges of bones, using a symmetrical spring system to ensure precise drilling at desired locations and angles, eliminating the need for free-hand techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If free-hand drilling is used without a guide, then the surgical procedure is simpler and faster to perform, but the drilling precision deteriorates and fractures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The drill guide automatically positions itself on the bone surface using its base that references the peripheral edges, and the flexible arms self-adjust to center the drill bit through the bone. This self-positioning mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual alignment while maintaining high drilling precision at the center of the bone.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible arms change their physical state from bent (when not in use) to extended (when engaged with the bone), allowing the drill guide to transition from a compact storage state to an active positioning state. This parameter change enables automatic adaptation to the bone surface geometry.
2Manufacturing precision
If a traditional drill guide is used, then drilling precision is improved, but the device complexity increases and control during drilling is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drill guide is divided into distinct functional segments: a base for referencing peripheral edges, flexible arms for automatic centering, and a drill bit passage for precise drilling. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible arms provide dynamic adaptation to the bone surface geometry, automatically adjusting their position to achieve optimal centering. This dynamic capability replaces complex static positioning mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If a drill guide with automatic centering is used, then drilling precision at the center of bone is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The drill guide automatically positions itself on the bone surface using its base that references the peripheral edges, and the flexible arms self-adjust to center the drill bit through the bone. This self-positioning mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual alignment while maintaining high drilling precision at the center of the bone.
4Productivity
If free-hand drilling is used, then the surgical procedure is faster, but the reliability deteriorates due to increased fracture risk
Solution Approach 1:
The drill guide performs preliminary positioning and centering actions before drilling begins. The base references the peripheral edges and the flexible arms automatically center the drill bit, ensuring the drill is properly positioned before any cutting occurs. This preliminary action prevents misalignment that could cause fractures while maintaining surgical efficiency.
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 drill guide provides precise and automatic concentric drilling, reducing the risk of fractures and enhancing control during bone tunnel formation, particularly in AC joint reconstructions, by accurately positioning the drill bit at the center of bones.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of flexible arms or wings 55 located at the distal end of the at least one cannulated shaft, wherein at least one of the plurality of flexible arms or wings 55 is adapted to reference a peripheral edge P1 of a bone 90 to be drilled
Data Source
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AI summary
Surgical constructs, assemblies and methods of tissue fixation are disclosed. A self-positioning drill guide can automatically reference a drill point or drill angle for drilling tunnels in bones by using peripheral edges. A self-positioning drill guide can be a center point drill guide configured to automatically center drill tunnels in bones by using peripheral edges that precisely reference the center point. A centering guide helps to automatically determine the center of bones as well as to provide increased control during drilling.