Torque-limiting screwdriver devices, systems, and methods
AssigneePro-Dex, Inc.
InventorsBenjamin J Sexson, Alexander M. Pfotenhauer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various torque-limiting screwdriver devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. The screwdriver can include a body, a motor that is configured to rotate a screw engaged with the screwdriver, and a processor configured to control operation of the screwdriver. The screwdriver can have torque-limiting functionality, such as by monitoring the amount of torque applied to the screw and reducing or stopping rotation of the screw when certain torque-limiting criteria are met. In some embodiments, the screwdriver can be switched between manual operation by a user, and automated operation by a motor within the screwdriver. In some embodiments, the screwdriver can be attached to a robotic arm.
Claims17
A torque-limiting device comprising:
- a body comprising a handle that is configured to be grasped by a user;
- a motor positioned in the body;
- a drive head operatively connected with the motor and configured to drive a drilling implement;
- and
- a processor positioned in the body;
- wherein, under the control of the processor, the torque-limiting device is configured to:
- detect a first torque value when the drilling implement is drilling in a first type of body tissue;
- detect a second torque value when the drilling implement is drilling in a second type of body tissue;
- detect a change between the first and second torque values that is indicative of the drilling implement passing from the first type of body tissue into the second type of body tissue, said change comprising an increase or decrease in torque;
- and
- stop the drilling of the drilling implement based on detecting said change.
A method of operating a torque-limiting device to inhibit a breach of a spinal column, the torque-limiting device comprising a body with a handle, a motor, a drive head that is operatively connected with the motor and is configured to drill a drilling implement into a bone of the spinal column, and a processor, wherein under the control of the processor the method comprises:
- drilling the drilling implement into the bone of the spinal column, wherein the bone comprises a cancellous layer and a cortical layer;
- detecting a first torque value when the drilling implement is drilling into the cancellous layer;
- detecting a second torque value when the drilling implement is drilling into the cortical layer;
- detecting a change from the first torque value to the second torque value as at least a portion of the drilling implement is entering the cortical layer of the bone;
- and
- in response to detecting the at least the portion of the drilling implement entering the cortical layer of the bone, stopping the drilling of the drilling implement into the bone, thereby inhibiting the breach of the spinal column.
A torque-limiting device comprising:
- a body comprising a handle;
- a motor;
- a drive head operatively connected with the motor and configured to drive a drilling implement into a bone of the spinal column;
- and
- a processor;
- wherein, under the control of the processor, the torque-limiting device is configured to:
- drill the drilling implement into the bone of the spinal column, wherein the bone comprises a cancellous layer and a cortical layer;
- detect a first torque value when the drilling implement is drilling into the cancellous layer;
- detect a second torque value when the drilling implement is drilling into the cortical layer;
- detect a change from the first torque value to the second torque value as at least a portion of the drilling implement is entering the cortical layer of the bone;
- and
- in response to detecting the at least the portion of the drilling implement entering the cortical layer of the bone, stop the drilling of the drilling implement into the bone, thereby inhibiting a breach of the spinal column.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.