Skull Perforator With Rotary-to-Linear Cutting Without Forward Pressure

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing perforators for drilling holes in bone tissue, such as the skull, pose a risk of damaging underlying tissues like the dura mater due to the need for forward pressure during drilling, and are complex and prone to incomplete release mechanisms, leading to potential injuries and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A perforator design that converts rotational motion into linear motion using an anchor and conversion means, allowing the hole cutter to cut without requiring forward pressure, ensuring the hole is completed without penetrating further into the material and reducing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If forward force or pressure is applied to the drill head to drive it through the skull, then the drilling operation can be performed, but the drill head may penetrate into the cranium and damage the dura mater

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling operationVSAvoiddamage to dura mater

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional drill mechanism that requires forward pressure with a rotary saw mechanism that cuts through bone using rotational motion only. The saw blade rotates at high speed and cuts the bone without needing axial force, eliminating the risk of penetrating into the cranium. The anchor secures the saw to the outer skull surface, and the rotary cutting action separates the bone flap without forward thrust.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of pushing the cutting tool forward through the bone (conventional drilling), the patent inverts the approach by securing the tool to the outer surface and rotating it to cut through. The cutting action is achieved by rotational motion rather than linear advancement, fundamentally reversing the conventional drilling paradigm to eliminate the harmful forward pressure effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the drill head rotation is stopped immediately after cranium perforation to prevent damage, then dura mater protection is improved, but the release mechanism becomes complex and prone to incomplete release

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage to dura materVSAvoidrelease mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cutting function from a removable saw blade that attaches to the anchor after the anchor is secured to the skull. The saw blade is not permanently coupled to the drive shaft, allowing it to be detached. This separation simplifies the overall mechanism by eliminating complex clutch or brake systems needed to stop rotation, as the saw can simply be removed or the power can be cut when cutting is complete.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor is first secured to the outer skull surface before the cutting operation begins. This preliminary anchoring establishes a secure base that prevents any forward movement into the cranium during cutting. The rotation-only mechanism is enabled from the start, eliminating the need for complex release mechanisms because the anchor-pre-established constraint prevents penetration regardless of rotational stopping timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a conventional drill design is used, then the apparatus is simple, but forward pressure is required which increases the risk of penetrating underlying tissues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapparatus structureVSAvoidpenetration of underlying tissues

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus is segmented into distinct functional components: an anchor for securing to the skull, a rotary saw mechanism for cutting, and a conversion mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently. The anchor provides stable attachment without requiring forward pressure, the rotary saw performs cutting through rotation only, and the conversion mechanism translates rotational input into the appropriate cutting motion, collectively eliminating penetration risk while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 design eliminates the risk of penetrating underlying tissues by arresting linear motion when the material is separated, simplifies the apparatus, and reduces the risk of injury and operational complexity.

Implementation Method 1

conversion means for converting rotational motion of the hole cutter around the anchor into linear motion of the hole cutter towards the bone tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational to linear motion conversion: Worm Drive

Data Source

PatentUS12575838B2Perforator

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 ADEOR MEDICAL

AI summary

A perforator for cutting a hole in bone tissue is provided. The perforator comprises an anchor, a hole cutter configured to rotate around the anchor, and conversion means for converting rotational motion of the hole cutter around the anchor into linear motion of the hole cutter towards the material to be cut. The invention is usable to cut holes in a wide variety of materials, in particular for a perforator for cutting a hole in a skull of a human or animal. A kit of parts and a method of cutting a hole are also provided.