Surgical Drill Depth Gauge for Continuous Bone Bore Measurement

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical drills that measure bore depth obstruct the surgeon's view and require additional steps to measure bore depth, prolonging surgical procedures and increasing tissue exposure.

Innovation Solution

A surgical drill design with a depth gauge that includes a probe slidably mounted close to the drill bit, using a sensor to measure bore depth without obstructing the view and allowing continuous drilling, with end-of-bore determination by monitoring sensor signals or motor torque changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a separate depth gauge is used to measure bore depth, then measurement accuracy is improved, but procedural time increases and tissue exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebore depth measurement accuracyVSAvoidprocedural time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The depth gauge is integrated into the drill assembly, merging the depth measurement function with the drilling function. The depth gauge includes a probe that extends through the drill bit, allowing continuous depth measurement during the drilling process without requiring separate measurement steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The depth gauge probe is pre-positioned within the drill bit before drilling begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that depth measurement capability is ready and active from the start of drilling, eliminating the need for post-drilling measurement steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If a separate depth gauge is used to measure bore depth, then measurement accuracy is improved, but tissue exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebore depth measurement accuracyVSAvoidtissue exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The depth gauge is integrated into the drill assembly, merging the depth measurement function with the drilling function. The depth gauge includes a probe that extends through the drill bit, allowing continuous depth measurement during the drilling process without requiring separate measurement steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The depth measurement function operates continuously throughout the drilling process. The sensor monitors the position of the drill bit relative to the probe in real-time, providing continuous depth information without interrupting the drilling operation or exposing tissue to ambient environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Illumination intensity

If the depth gauge probe is positioned close to the drill bit, then view obstruction is minimized, but measurement accuracy may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgeon's view clarityVSAvoidbore depth measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The depth gauge probe is nested within the drill bit structure, with the probe extending through the center of the drill bit. This nested arrangement allows the probe to be positioned as close as possible to the drill bit without interfering with its rotation or the surgeon's view, while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The probe acts as an intermediary element between the drill bit and the sensor. It transmits positional information to the sensor while being positioned close to the drill bit, enabling accurate measurement without direct contact that would obstruct the view.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If a built-in depth gauge is added to the drill, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling efficiencyVSAvoiddrill assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The depth gauge is integrated into the drill assembly, merging the depth measurement function with the drilling function. The depth gauge includes a probe that extends through the drill bit, allowing continuous depth measurement during the drilling process without requiring separate measurement steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drill assembly performs self-measurement of depth using the integrated probe and sensor system. The system automatically monitors and displays depth information without requiring external measurement tools or separate operational steps, enabling the drill to serve both drilling and measurement functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 simultaneous drilling and accurate bore depth measurement without obstructing the surgical field, reducing procedural time and minimizing tissue exposure.

Implementation Method 1

A sensor monitors the position of the drill bit relative to the probe and generates a signal representative of the position of the drill bit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Implementation Method 2

A motor drives the drill bit to rotate and drive the drill bit into the bone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250380954A1Surgical Handpiece For Determining Breakthrough Depth Of A Bore Formed In Bone

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A drill for driving a drill bit into a solid object such as bone. The drill includes a rotor with a bore that transmits rotational movement to the drill bit. The drill bit extends through the rotor bore. A probe extends forward from the drill to measure bore depth. The probe is moveably mounted to the drill so as to extend into the rotor bore. As the drill and drill bit advance forward the probe remains static. As a result of the advancement of the drill the rotor extends over the proximal end of the probe.