DEPTH CONTROLLABLE AND MEASURABLE MEDICAL DRIVER DEVICES AND METHODS OF USE
Disclosed are devices and methods for creating a bore in bone. The devices and methods described involve driving a rotating bit in an axial direction such that both rotation and linear movement are controlled and measurable. The instrument is useful for a surgeon to control and simultaneously measure the travel of the tool into the bone and prevent injury to surrounding structures.
1 . A method for drilling into a bone using a medical drilling device, the method comprising:
contacting an exposed surface of a bone with a distal end of a working tool operatively coupled to the medical drilling device;
actuating a first drive motor of the medical drilling device;
penetrating the bone to a depth; and
sensing a change in strength of the bone penetrated using one or more sensors.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising outputting a first signal by a first sensor representative of advancement of the working tool relative to a distal end of a housing.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising outputting a second signal by a second sensor representative of passage of the working tool through varied layers of tissue having differences in material strength.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the second sensor is configured to prevent further axial penetration of the working tool.
5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the second sensor is configured to prevent further axial penetration of the working tool while rotational movement of the working tool is allowed.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors is interfaced with the working tool.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising measuring the distance the working tool traveled, wherein the distance traveled corresponds to the depth the working tool penetrated the bone.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising measuring the distance the working tool traveled, wherein the distance traveled corresponds to the depth the working tool penetrated the bone.
9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying information regarding the depth and/or the change in bone strength.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprises a torque sensor.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors is coupled to the first drive motor.
12 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising changing thrust of the first drive motor.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein changing the thrust of the first drive motor comprises letting up or pressing down on a trigger on the medical drilling device and/or pushing down or letting up on the force being applied to the instrument.
14 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising accelerating rotation of the working tool as it penetrates to the last layer of distal cortex.
15 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising calculating the position of the distal end of the instrument with respect to the bone based on rotation of a jack screw, ball screw or lead screw.
16 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising positioning the working tool flush against the bone prior to penetrating.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical drilling device further comprised a drill guide, the drill guide connected to the distal end of the medical drilling device and over the working tool.
15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising positioning the drill guide flush against bone, fracture plates or other implants.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the working tool is penetrated through cortical bone, medullary bone, medullary bone, or through soft tissue.
17 . The method of claim 10 , wherein when the working tool passes cortical bone into medullary bone or from cortical bone into soft tissue the measured torque drops dramatically.
18 . 1. A method for drilling into a bone using a medical drilling device, the method comprising:
contacting an exposed surface of a bone with a distal end of a working tool operatively coupled to the medical drilling device;
actuating a first drive motor of the medical drilling device;
penetrating the bone to a depth; and
sensing advancement of the working tool using one or more sensors.
19 . A method for drilling into a bone using a medical drilling device, the method comprising:
contacting an exposed surface of a bone with a working tool, the working tool connected to a distal end of the medical drilling device;
actuating a first drive motor of the medical drilling device;
penetrating a bone to a depth;
sensing a change in strength of the bone penetrated using one or more sensors; and
outputting a second signal representative of passage of the working tool through varied layers of tissue having differences in material strength.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the second sensor is configured to prevent further axial penetration of the working tool when the second signal indicates passage of the working tool beyond a distal cortex.