Tapered Otologic Burr Shank for Wider Surgical Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing otological drills have a limited surgical field of view due to the same diameters of the proximal and distal ends of the drill shank, leading to obstructed visibility and increased fabrication costs.
Innovation Solution
A tapered tubular otological drill design with a uniformly tapered outer drill shank from the proximal to the distal end, reduced shank layers, and a positioning member to limit vibrations, ensuring improved surgical visibility and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the drill shank is designed with uniform diameter steps for structural simplicity, then manufacturing is easier, but the surgical field of view is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The drill shank is designed with an asymmetric tapered profile where the diameter gradually decreases from proximal to distal end, breaking the symmetric uniform-diameter design. This asymmetric geometry reduces the cross-sectional area of the shank in the surgical field while maintaining structural integrity through the gradient transition, thereby improving the surgical field of view without requiring complex multi-step manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The drill shank diameter parameter is changed along its length, transitioning from a uniform diameter to a tapered diameter profile. This parameter change creates a gradient structure where the diameter varies continuously from the proximal end (larger diameter for strength) to the distal end (smaller diameter for reduced obstruction), resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and surgical visibility
2Reliability
If multiple layers of drill shank are used for structural strength, then reliability improves, but water leakage at welds increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts and eliminates the intermediate drill shank layers that were present in traditional multi-layer designs. By using a simplified two-layer structure (inner and outer drill shanks) connected by fewer welds, the patent removes the sources of potential water leakage while maintaining structural strength through the optimized tapered geometry and strategic placement of connection points
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards the complex multi-layer drill shank structure that caused water leakage issues and recovers the essential structural strength function through a simplified two-layer tapered design. The elimination of intermediate layers and reduction of weld joints removes leakage pathways while the tapered geometry and strategic bracing maintain the necessary structural integrity
3Device complexity
If the drill shank structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity, then production cost decreases, but vibration control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered drill shank design applies local quality enhancement by concentrating structural reinforcement where needed (proximal end with larger diameter) while reducing material where less strength is required (distal end with smaller diameter). This localized optimization provides vibration control at the critical proximal region without requiring complex structures throughout the entire shank length, maintaining simplicity while controlling harmful vibrations
Data Source
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AI summary
The present utility model provides a tapered tubular otological drill, and belongs to the technical field of medical appliances. The present utility model aims to solve the technical problem of limited surgical field of view (FOV) in the existing otological drill due to the same diameters of the proximal and distal ends of the drill shank within the same step. The tapered tubular otological drill includes a drill bit, a drill shank assembly and a drill holder, where the drill bit is connected to a connecting rod; the drill shank assembly surrounds the connecting rod; the drill shank assembly includes a connecting rod support, a drill bit support, an inner drill shank, a positioning member and an outer drill shank that are arranged in sequence from inside to outside around the connecting rod; the outer drill shank includes a proximal end and a distal end that are opposite to each other; and the outer drill shank is uniformly tapered from the proximal end to the distal end. The tapered tubular otological drill of the present utility model improves the surgical FOV, reduces the probability of drill leakage, and avoids bouncing of the drill shanks.