Bone Drilling

Standing tall with Vertebral Bone drilling

Strategic biomedical research will transform computer-assisted surgical devices into the next generation of advanced surgical robotic platforms. 

Working together in collaborative multidisciplinary teams that bridge the academic community and the private sector gives us a fantastic opportunity to transform innovative ideas into cost effective health technologies that will change the future of surgical care.

The Bone Drilling Machine designed by the team at McMaster University and MDA, is an example of how computer-assisted devices are transformed for use in Robotic platforms.

Pedicle screws are routinely used in fixation of bones in spine surgery. This project concerns with the design of a robotic system for automated drilling of pilot holes for placement of vertebral pedicle screws.

The system will use pre-operative images (e.g. computed tomography) of vertebrae combined with real-time sensory feedback to accurately drill the hole and avoid damage to the spinal canal or thermal necrosis of the cancellous bone.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if feedback parameters from the drilling (force, vibration, temperature) can be used to measure the transition between tissues of different material properties (e.g., cortical and cancellous bone).

Further, measurements obtained from these experimental studies can be used as input for bone drilling simulations for surgical training.

Partnering with CSii will enable this team to develop their research pool to specific clinical application, as well as the development of the resultant IP and devices leading to the creation of a new commercial device to leverage with industry investors and create new products moving forward.