Surgical Drill Bit Identification for Accurate Bore Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical drills lack the ability to accurately measure the end-to-end depth of bores drilled in bone, leading to potential issues with screw length selection, which can result in improper fixation or tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an identification feature, such as magnets or optical markers, on the drill bits to differentiate their performance characteristics, coupled with a sensor system to identify the specific drill bit and adjust drilling parameters accordingly, enabling precise depth control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a surgical drill is designed to accept multiple types of drill bits (reamer, countersink, drill bit) for different bone preparation tasks, then the versatility and adaptability of the surgical system is improved, but the complexity of the device increases and the time required to change between different bit types increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color coding to drill bits (different colors for reamers, countersinks, and drill bits) and corresponding colored indicators in the surgical drill assembly. This allows rapid visual identification of bit type without complex electronic sensors or mechanical detection systems, resolving the contradiction by maintaining versatility while minimizing device complexity through simple optical differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary indicator mechanism within the surgical drill assembly that visually displays the type of drill bit loaded. This intermediary system translates the physical presence of different bit types into easily distinguishable visual signals, allowing the surgical system to maintain adaptability for multiple bit types while keeping the identification system simple and intuitive.
2Productivity
If a surgical drill allows quick changing of drill bits during surgery, then the productivity and efficiency of the surgical process is improved, but the risk of selecting the wrong bit type increases leading to potential errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded indicators that immediately display the type of drill bit loaded in the surgical drill. This visual feedback system allows surgeons to quickly change bits while maintaining high reliability by providing instant confirmation of the correct bit type, eliminating the need for manual verification and preventing selection errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the surgical drill assembly provides visual information about the loaded bit type through colored indicators. This immediate feedback loop allows the surgeon to verify bit selection instantly, ensuring reliability while maintaining quick changeover capability during surgical procedures.
3Ease of operation
If visual indicators are added to the surgical drill to show the type of drill bit loaded, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple color-coded visual indicators integrated into the surgical drill assembly that passively display drill bit type information. These indicators use basic optical differentiation through color coding rather than active electronic displays or complex mechanical detection systems, thereby improving ease of operation while minimizing increases in device complexity and manufacturing cost.
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical drill system includes a surgical drill and a drill bit assembly having an identification feature sensed by the surgical drill to identify the drill bit assembly when the drill bit assembly is coupled to the surgical drill. The identification feature may be a magnet that becomes at least partially demagnetized when heated above a certain temperature which may be included in a non-magnetic sleeve surrounding the drill bit assembly that melts if heated above its melting point. The surgical drill may include a measurement module having a measurement cannula, with a sensor included on the surgical drill that senses the magnetic field through the measurement cannula to identify the coupled drill bit assembly. The surgical drill may also have a controller configured for controlling the operation of the coupled drill bit assembly based on the identified drill bit assembly.