Neurosurgeons must perform precise drilling procedures in various regions of the skull without disturbing critical structures such as nerves, vessels, and the brain. The bone on the skull is shaved down in thin layers until the dura, the thin protective covering around the brain, is reached. The risk of accidentally drilling through the dura requires extreme caution, but neurosurgeons rely almost exclusively on the change in pitch generated by vibrating bone to assess proximity to the dural layer. Only the most experienced neurosurgeons are able to utilize these acoustical cues, and most surgeons must undergo a laborious and time-consuming process to drill through the final centimeter of bone.
Description
SafeDrill is a new stand-alone device designed to assist surgeons during surgery and simultaneous monitoring drill function. Using non-invasive sensors to monitor surgical bone drilling, it alerts surgeons when critical bone thickness is reached with and audible and visible alert. In addition to increased patient safety, hospitals will also benefit from cost savings related to device maintenance and reduced length of surgery.
Applications
· Safely drilling through bone
Advantages
· Applicable to all clinical applications
· No similar technology designed to detect proximity of a drill bit to bone surface using acoustic monitoring
· No current technology for assessing the functionality of a drill during surgery
· Reduces costs related to device maintenance
· Reduces costs related to length of surgery
Invention Readiness
Prototype
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/US9980738B2
