Wyoming Patent of the Month – March 2023
McGinley Engineered Solutions, LLC, has developed a method for multi-directional drilling of a bone that could revolutionize orthopedic procedures. Traditional saw instruments often carry the risk of soft tissue damage due to the difficulty of controlling a saw when working through a bone. The method developed by McGinley Orthopedics involves drilling a first bore through the bone with a drill bit while monitoring the displacement and force of the advancement of the drill bit relative to a reference point. Based on the displacement and force, a leading edge of the drill bit in the first bore passing through an exterior portion of a cortex of the bone is detected.
The drill bit is then partially retracted and repositioned at an angle with respect to the first bore. The method then involves drilling a second bore through the bone with the drill bit while monitoring the displacement and force of the advancement of the drill bit relative to the reference point. The second bore extends at an angle relative to the first bore, and a leading edge of the drill bit in the second bore passing through an exterior portion of a cortex of the bone is detected. This can be repeated, drilling as many bores as required for the individual surgery. The drill bit is then stopped in response to the detection of the leading edge passing through the exterior portion of the cortex of the bone.
The plurality of bores can define a perforated cortex portion at a distal portion of the bone opposite the proximal portion. The medullary layer of the bone remains intact in areas extending between the plurality of bores. The perforated portion of the bone is strategically weakened to allow for a more controlled fracture of the bone.
The method developed by McGinley Orthopedics offers a reliable and efficient approach to removing bone cortex while reducing the risk of inadvertent soft tissue damage. This innovative approach could transform orthopedic procedures, leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced healing times.
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