Tactile Depth Stop Key for Guided Surgery Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing depth stops for drilling tools are cumbersome, expensive to produce, require specially manufactured tools, and are not suitable for use with guided surgery applications, while traditional visual markers are difficult to use due to visibility issues in surgical environments.
Innovation Solution
A depth stop interface with a partially tubular shape and a tapered skirt, featuring a spur that engages with the shank groove for secure connection, allowing easy installation and removal, and a key with a relief for tactile feedback, enabling precise depth control and compatibility with guided surgery jigs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional visual markers (etched bands) are used to indicate drilling depth, then depth indication is provided, but visibility is obscured by irrigation fluid and tools making them difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual optical markers with a tactile mechanical system. A depth stop key with a tapered skirt and relief features provides tactile feedback through touch rather than visual observation. The clinician feels the relief features on the key to determine drilling depth, substituting the visual system with a mechanical tactile system that works reliably in the obscured surgical environment.
2Manufacturing precision
If prior art depth stops with multiple grooves and pawls are used, then depth control is achieved, but the device becomes complex and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from traditional depth stop designs. Instead of multiple grooves, annular ribs, pawls, springs, and locking mechanisms, the invention uses a single tapered key with relief features that engages one groove in the osteotome shank. This extraction of extraneous elements simplifies the structure while maintaining precise depth control.
Solution Approach 2:
The depth stop key serves multiple functions with a single simple structure: it provides depth control through its tapered geometry, tactile feedback through relief features, and secure attachment through engagement with the shank groove. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing overall device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If prior art depth stops are designed for specific drilling tools, then depth control is achieved, but adaptability to different tools is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The depth stop key is designed as a universal accessory that can be attached to various osteotome and drilling tools. The key engages with a standard groove configuration found on different tool shanks, allowing the same depth control mechanism to work across multiple tool types and sizes, thereby achieving versatility while maintaining precision depth control.
4Ease of operation
If multiple grooves are formed in the tool shank for depth adjustment, then depth adjustment is enabled, but manufacturing cost increases and sterilization becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the depth adjustment functionality from the tool shank itself and relocates it to the removable depth stop key. Instead of forming multiple grooves in the expensive surgical steel osteotome shank, only a single groove is required. The key contains the tapered geometry and relief features that enable depth adjustment, separating the adjustment mechanism from the main tool body and reducing manufacturing complexity.
5Measurement precision
If visual attention must be maintained on depth markers during drilling, then depth monitoring is achieved, but surgical efficiency is reduced due to obscured visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual depth monitoring with tactile depth monitoring. The relief features on the tapered key provide tactile feedback that the clinician can feel through direct contact during the drilling procedure. This mechanical tactile system allows continuous depth monitoring without requiring visual attention, maintaining surgical efficiency while ensuring precise depth control.
Data Source
AI summary
A depth stop for a drilling tool to form a hole of predetermined depth. The depth stop includes an interface portion that couples directly to the shank of the osteotome via interlocking spur and groove features. The interface has a cap flange and a tapered skirt. The underside of the cap flange establishes a reference surface for a tubular key that slides onto the tapered skirt and is held there by friction. The skirt is formed with a relief directly under the cap flange to facilitate haptic confirmation of proper connection. Elongated irrigation windows in the key expose a domed transition on the osteotome, thereby facilitating irrigation. The depth stop can be used, optionally, with an alignment jig designed with a precision guide bushing. The guide bushing is semi-cylindrical and terminates with an internal abutment step against which the lower end of the key engages at full depth.