Surgical Drill Depth Control With Patient-Specific Stops
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical drilling apparatus suffer from poor stability, accuracy, and depth control, particularly in confined surgical spaces, leading to issues like over-drilling or under-drilling, and are not adequately customizable to patient-specific anatomies, posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A customizable depth control apparatus comprising a body and collar portion that securely attaches to a drill bit, providing a hard stop to prevent over-penetration, with features like helical channels, detents, and viewing windows for precise depth control, and can be manufactured using patient-specific data from scans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If prior art drilling apparatus are used, then drilling operations can be performed, but depth control accuracy is poor leading to over-drilling or under-drilling
Solution Approach 1:
The depth control apparatus is preconfigured with patient-specific depth parameters determined from preoperative imaging data. The apparatus includes pre-marked depth indicators and pre-set stop mechanisms that are prepared before surgery, eliminating the need for intraoperative depth calculations and ensuring accurate depth control from the start of the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus incorporates real-time depth feedback mechanisms including visual indicators that show the current drilling depth relative to the target depth. The system provides continuous feedback to the surgeon through aligned markings, transparent portions, and indicator elements that become visible at specific depth milestones, allowing precise control and prevention of over-drilling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standardized drilling apparatus are used, then device availability is good, but adaptability to patient-specific anatomies is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The depth control apparatus is divided into modular components including a base portion, a depth indicator portion, and a stop mechanism that can be independently configured. Each module can be selectively assembled to match different patient anatomies and surgical requirements, allowing customization without requiring completely different devices for each patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus incorporates patient-specific anatomical features at critical locations such as entry point markings, trajectory guides, and depth stop positions that are tailored to the individual patient's bone structure. These localized customizations are integrated into an otherwise standardized device platform, maintaining manufacturability while achieving anatomical precision.
3Reliability
If drilling apparatus with multiple components are used, then functionality is enhanced, but ease of operation in confined spaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The depth indicator, depth stop mechanism, and drilling guide are merged into a single integrated apparatus that attaches directly to the drill bit. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate components that would require assembly and disassembly, reducing complexity while maintaining comprehensive depth control functionality in the confined surgical environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The depth control apparatus is designed with a compact nested structure where the depth indicator portion is positioned within or adjacent to the base portion, and the stop mechanism is integrated into the overall assembly. This nested configuration minimizes the apparatus's footprint and allows easy manipulation in confined surgical spaces while retaining all depth control functions.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to drill guides and depth control apparatus for use with a variety of customized or standardized surgical instruments. In embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least a body portion and a collar portion, one or more of which are configured to be coupled to a cutting instrument, such as a drill bit, in a specified location and manner to prevent unwanted movement. In embodiments, the assembly of the body and collar portions may be incrementally adjusted to alter the desired depth of the cutting instrument. Methods for using the foregoing apparatus are also disclosed herein.