Smart Bit Recognition Collet for Surgical Drill Torque Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for securing surgical screws in a patient's body, such as manual torquing, are prone to thread strip-out due to wobble and reliance on surgeon skill, and lack efficient speed without increasing the risk of strip-out, especially when using mechanical drill/drivers.

Innovation Solution

A surgical drill/driver with smart bit recognition and automatic torque control, which sets operating modes based on the bit type and prevents excessive torque to prevent thread strip-out, allowing for high-speed screw insertion in short time frames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual torquing is used, then surgeon skill and tactile feedback can prevent strip-out, but wobble in rotational axis and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethread strip-out preventionVSAvoidscrew insertion time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical torquing with an automated drill/driver system that uses electronic sensors and controllers to apply precise torque, eliminating the need for surgeon tactile feedback while maintaining reliability in preventing strip-out

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates torque sensors and controllers that provide real-time feedback on applied torque, automatically adjusting to prevent strip-out while maintaining consistent rotational axis without wobble

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If mechanical drill/driver speed is increased to reduce insertion time, then productivity improves, but the risk of thread strip-out increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrew insertion speedVSAvoidthread strip-out prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts torque and speed parameters during the screw insertion process, allowing high initial speeds for rapid insertion while automatically reducing torque when thread engagement is detected to prevent strip-out

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller dynamically changes operational parameters including torque magnitude, rotational speed, and insertion depth based on real-time feedback from sensors, enabling high productivity while maintaining reliability across different bone densities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If automated torque control is implemented, then consistency and speed improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrew insertion efficiencyVSAvoiddrill/driver system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drill/driver system is designed as a multi-functional platform that can accommodate different screw types, bone densities, and surgical applications through programmable control, justifying the increased complexity through enhanced versatility and automated precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10792050B2Surgical device with smart bit recognition collet assembly to set a desired application mode

Publication Date: 2020.10.06 BIOMET MICROFIXATION LLC

AI summary

A surgical device of a drill/driver with bit recognition to set a desired application mode and a method of utilization thereof is provided. Various operating modes of the drill/driver are automatically set by a sensor which recognizes the bit applied to the drill/driver. A method of utilizing the drill/driver allows the drill driver to apply surgical screws at very high speeds while automatically preventing excessive torque levels that would strip out the surgical screw from the patient's bone.