METHODS AND DEVICES FOR SAFELY PENETRATING MATERIALS

摘要

The present invention is directed to a bi-stable coupling for controlling the depth of a tool insertion, such as drilling, and similar processes. The bi-stable coupling can be used to penetrate (e.g., drill or push) through a material layer of unknown thickness without plunging the tool into the adjacent layer. In accordance with the invention, in a first state, force is applied to the tool to initiate penetration and a reactive force maintains the device in the first state during penetration and when tool penetrates the material, the reactive force is diminished enabling the device to transition to a second state in which the tool becomes retracted. In medical applications, the invention allows for drilling through bone of unknown thickness without plunging into the adjacent soft tissue.

主权项

1. A drilling device comprising:
a bi-stable coupling connecting a motor to a drill chuck, the drill chuck being adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis as a result of a rotational force applied by the motor; wherein the bi-stable coupling having at least two positions; in a first position, the bi-stable coupling resists a reactive force applied along the longitudinal axis applied to the drill chuck; and in a second position, the bi-stable coupling does not resist a reactive force applies along the longitudinal axis applied to the drill chuck.