Abstract:
Drill bit guide assemblies related to surgical operations for guiding and stabilizing a drill bit. A guide member houses a fixed bore through which a drill bit may pass. The guide member may also house a bore selection member which houses a plurality of selectable bores. The selectable bores may have a variety of diameters such that a user may choose the selectable bore corresponding to the drill bit diameter being used and align that selectable bore with the fixed bore such that the drill bit may pass through the length of the assembly along the reference axis. The similar diameters of the selectable bore and the drill bit may cause the assembly to stabilize and guide the drill bit.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/247,019 filed Oct. 27, 2015, entitled “VARIABLE DIAMETER DRILL BIT GUIDE,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to instruments for assistance in surgery, and in particular to guides for assisting in guiding an instrument when performing an operation. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Orthopedic procedures may require precise alignment of a surgical instrument in relation to a surgical site. Slippage and/or incorrect positioning of the surgical instrument may result in damage to a patient. This may lead to surgical complications, which are undesirable. For instance, tissue may be exposed and potentially subjected to infection. Furthermore, improper surgical instrument alignment may result in increased operating time and cost, increased recovery time and pain, as well as reduce the effectiveness of the procedure. 
         [0004]    Prior approaches have been contemplated that include drill bit guides comprising a shaft or a handle with a bore on one end or in some instances, on both ends. The location and size of the bore relative to the shaft or handle is fixed. Accordingly, when a surgeon requires use of multiple drill bits, each with a different diameter during a single procedure, the surgeon will require a corresponding plurality of drill bit guides. Such a plurality may occupy a significant amount of space in an operating room wherein there is little room to spare. Additionally, a surgeon and his/her staff may misplace a single drill bit guide from the plurality resulting in delays during the procedure and potentially use of a drill bit guide which is not properly sized for the needed drill bit. Furthermore, there is an added cost when a plurality of drill bit guides are needed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present disclosure relates generally to systems, methods, and apparatuses for use with a surgical instrument, such as a drill, saw, reamer, grinder, or the like. More specifically, the present disclosure presents embodiments related to a system for aligning an instrument with a desired location by using a tool guide assembly. For example, the tool guide may comprise a drill bit guide comprising multiple selectable bores with various diameters. As such, in at least some embodiments herein, a drill bit guide assembly is described where a user may choose a specific diameter bore from a selection of bores with different diameters. Additionally, the present disclosure may include embodiments that contain multiple bore selection members which are engaged simultaneously. Accordingly, the present disclosure may find application in the field of surgical drilling where the penetration requires accuracy and precision. 
         [0006]    The present disclosure also includes embodiments of drill bit guide assemblies that may be specifically adapted for use with an extension member. Accordingly, the drill bit guide assemblies disclosed herein may provide increased efficiency, reliability, and accuracy in relation to drill penetration in surgical applications. For instance, in certain embodiments, a drill bit guide assembly may be used in conjunction with a drill as described herein to provide an improved platform to facilitate precision of a bore created by a drill. 
         [0007]    The disclosed embodiments provide a number of benefits over the prior art. For instance, a user can quickly switch between drill bit sizes without needing to swap drill bit guides. In a complicated or time sensitive surgical procedure, the time savings may be significant which reduces risk for the patient and improves the surgeon&#39;s efficiency. Furthermore, there may be cost savings that result from a decrease in the amount of raw materials needed to produce the disclosed embodiments versus the traditional plurality of drill bit guides. Furthermore, the guide may include an ergonomically provided handle that may make gripping and utilization of the guide more comfortable for the user. For instance, this handle may be integrally provided with the guide. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, a first aspect includes a drill bit guide assembly for use with a drill having a plurality of selectable bores with various diameters for quickly adjusting to the changing of drill bits. The assembly includes a guide member, a fixed bore, and a bore selection member. The guide member may include a handle. The handle may be disposed at a proximal end of the drill bit guide assembly. Alternatively, the guide member may include a handle disposed between a distal end and a proximal end of the drill bit guide assembly. The guide member may include a fixed bore that is adapted for guiding a drill bit during operation. The central axis of the fixed bore may comprise a reference axis which may be desired as the target axis for penetration of the drill bit. The bore selection member may be comprised of at least one of a plurality of selectable bores which includes bores of various diameters. Each bore diameter may be designed to correspond to a standard drill bit diameter common in surgical practice. 
         [0009]    A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicable to the first aspect. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following features that will be discussed may be, but are not required to be, used with any other feature or combination of features of the first aspect. 
         [0010]    For example, in an embodiment, the bore selection member may comprise only a single selectable bore. In such an embodiment, a plurality of bore selection members may be provided that may be attachable and detachable (i.e., interchangeable) from the guide member as needed. The bore selection members corresponding to the diameter of the drill bit being utilized at the time may be attached at least one at a time and the detached members may be unused during such stage of the surgical operation until needed. 
         [0011]    In an embodiment, the bore selection member may be affixed to the guide member for movement relative to the fixed bore. In such an embodiment, the bore selection member may be comprised of at least one selectable bore which may be alignable with the fixed bore to guide the drill bit. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment, the bore selection member may comprise at least one selectable bore disposed at the outer perimeter of the bore selection member in such a manner as to create a gap in the perimeter surface of the bore selection member. In this regard, the surface of a selectable bore may not completely surround a drill bit but rather may only partially circumscribe a drill bit to substantially restrict movement to only the axial direction of the drill bit. In such an embodiment, a drill bit may be partially disposed on both sides of the perimeter surface. 
         [0013]    In an embodiment, the bore selection member may be rotatable relative to the guide member to align a selectable bore with the fixed bore. In such an embodiment, the bore selection member comprises a distal surface and a proximal surface and a perimeter surface extending between the distal surface and the proximal surface. In this embodiment, the bore selection member may further comprise a plurality of bores, each of which extends from the proximal surface to the distal surface. In such an embodiment, one of the bores may be disposed about an axle wherein the axle is affixed to the guide member and is parallel to and is eccentrically disposed from the reference axis. In other embodiments, the axle may eccentrically displosed but not parallel to the reference axis. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, the bore selection member may be slidably moveable relative to the fixed bore. In such an embodiment, the bore selection member may comprise a plurality of selectable bores each of which may be aligned with the fixed bore to guide a drill bit. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, the drill bit guide assembly may include an index system. The index system may include a first indexing member fixed relative to the reference axis and a second indexing member fixed relative to the bore selection member. There may be additional indexing members, each of which correspond to a particular selectable bore. As the bore selection member is moved, the first indexing member cooperates with another indexing member to align the chosen selectable bore with the fixed bore. The first indexing member may be a locking pin and the second indexing member may be a locking cavity wherein the locking pin and locking cavity are of similar size. The bore selection member may be positioned such that the locking cavity is disposed about the locking pin, restricting movement of the bore selection member. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment, the index system may further comprise a plurality of indicia wherein the indicia are each disposed relative to the plurality of selectable bores such that a given indicium denotes which selectable bore is currently aligned with the fixed bore. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment, a distal end of the guide member may comprise an attaching mechanism which is engageable to an extension member. The attaching mechanism may include threads which are engageable to complementary threads on the extension member. The attaching mechanism may also be a friction or interference fitting wherein the extension member may be seated tightly against the guide member. In another alternative, the attaching mechanism may comprise a clip which latches or is otherwise secureably engageable onto the extension member. There are any number of alternative attaching mechanisms, each of which are contemplated by the present invention. 
         [0018]    The extension member may be of sufficient length to increase the overall length of the drill bit guide assembly thereby increasing stability of the drill bit used to access surgical sites (e.g., recessed sites). Alternatively, the extension member may simply serve to adjust the geometry of the distal end to affect interaction between the drill bit guide assembly and the surgical site. 
         [0019]    In an embodiment, the drill bit guide assembly may comprise additional bore selection members. In one such example, the reference axis may pass through one or more guide members comprising the fixed bore as well as multiple bore selection members. Additional bore selection members or guide members may improve stability in guiding the drill bit. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a drill bit guide assembly featuring a rotational bore selection member; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a drill bit guide assembly featuring a sliding bore selection member; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a rotational bore selection member; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view an embodiment of a rotational bore selection member; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill bit guide assembly with a bore selection member removed for purposes of illustration to reveal a guide member with an axles, a locking pin, and an indicator comprising a viewing window; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill bit guide assembly without an extension member, revealing an attaching mechanism comprising threads; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill bit guide assembly illustrating the denotation of the chosen selectable bore provided by the indicia of an indexing system; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment of drill bit guide assembly with a single rotational bore selection member and an extension member; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill bit guide assembly; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a drill bit guide assembly; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill bit guide assembly with a single rotational bore selection member and an extension member; 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill bit guide assembly with a single rotational bore selection member and an extension member; 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a guide member capable of housing two rotational bore selection members; 
           [0033]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a guide member; 
           [0034]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill bit guide assembly; 
           [0035]      FIGS. 16A &amp; 16B  are perspective views of an embodiment of a drill bit guide assembly featuring two rotatable bore selection members with different respective handle configurations; 
           [0036]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill bit guide assembly with two bore selection members; 
           [0037]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill big guide assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0038]    The following description is not intended to limit the invention to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the following teachings, skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described herein are further intended to explain known modes of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other, embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular applications(s) or use(s) of the present invention. 
         [0039]    Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “lower” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. As used in the claims and in the corresponding portion of the specification, the word “a” means “at least one”. Further, unless otherwise defined the word “about” when used in conjunction with a numerical value means a range of values corresponding to the numerical value plus or minus ten percent of the numerical value. Still further, the word “or” has the meaning of a Boolean inclusive “Or”. For example, the phrase “A or B” means “A” alone or “B” alone or both “A” and “B”. In some drawings which contain a plurality of a certain element, less than all of the instances of that element have been labelled in order to avoid excessive labelling obstructing the figure itself. Furthermore, in some instances a single element is labelled in multiple locations within a single drawing to provide clarity. 
         [0040]    Referring to the drawings in detail and in particular to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a first embodiment of the drill bit guide assembly generally designated  100 . The drill bit guide assembly  100  includes a guide member  102 . The guide member  102  is comprised of at least a portion of a fixed bore  104 . The central axis of the fixed bore  104  defines a reference axis  112 . Furthermore, the guide member  102  may include and/or provide a point of attachment for a handle (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0041]    A bore selection member  108  is also provided in relation to the guide member  102 . In this embodiment, the bore selection member  108  may be affixed to the drill bit guide assembly  100  in a manner in which the bore selection member  108  may rotate about an axle  109 . The bore selection member  108  may contain a plurality of selectable bores  106  each of which may be alignable with the fixed bore  104  such that a drill bit  110  may pass through both the fixed bore  104  and a selectable bore  106  along the reference axis  112  (e.g., by rotation of the bore selection member  108  about the axle  109 ). The selectable bores  106  may have different diameters. A user may choose a selectable bore  106  that is similar in size to the drill bit  110  being utilized. The similar diameters of the drill bit  110  and a selectable bore  106  may allow the selectable bore  106  to guide and stabilize the drill bit  110  during use. Similarly, the fixed bore  104  may be of a similar diameter to the drill bit  110  providing further guidance and stability. Alternatively, the fixed bore  104  may be of a larger diameter than the drill bit  110  such that the drill bit  110  does not necessarily contact the walls of the fixed bore  104 . An axle  109  may pass through a central bore  111  disposed within the bore selection member  108  about which the bore selection member  108  may rotate. 
         [0042]    Another embodiment of a drill bit guide assembly  200  is shown in  FIG. 2 . A guide member  102  includes at least a portion of a fixed bore  104 . A bore selection member  208  may be slidably affixed to the drill bit guide assembly  200 . The bore selection member  208  may include a plurality of selectable bores  106  which may be arranged linearly such that each may be aligned with the reference axis  112  allowing a drill bit  110  to pass through both the fixed bore  104  and a selectable bore  106 . The bore selection member  208  may be attached in any well-known manner that provides relative movement between the bore selection member  208  and the guide member  102 . One example is a tongue and groove in which one of the bore selection member  208  and the guide member  102  comprises a groove along one or more sides and in which a tongue is disposed upon the other of the bore selection member  208  or the guide member  102  in order to guide the bore selection member  208  as it is moved relative to the guide member  102 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 3-18  pertain to embodiments comprising a rotatable bore selection member similar to that of  FIG. 1 .  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4  depict an embodiment of a bore selection member  300  comprised of a plurality of selectable bores  306 . The bore selection member  300  is further comprised of a plurality of locking cavities  314  which may be engageable with one or more locking pins to restrict movement of the bore selection member  300  relative to the drill bit guide assembly as will be discussed in greater detail below. A central bore  311  may be disposed near the center of the bore selection member  300  through which an axle may be disposed. Furthermore, a plurality of indicia  316  may be disposed upon a perimeter surface  308  of the bore selection member  300  to denote which selectable bore  306  is currently aligned with the fixed bore. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 5-7  illustrate an embodiment of a drill bit guide assembly  500 . The guide member  502  comprises at least a portion of a fixed bore  504 . The bore  504  may pass through a first and a second portion of the guide member  502  wherein the first and second portion are spaced apart by the bore selection member  508 . An axle  512  is disposed upon the guide member  502  about which a bore selection member  508  may rotate. A locking pin  514  is disposed upon the guide member  500  which may engage a locking cavity (e.g., locking cavity  314  of  FIG. 3 ) disposed upon a bore selection member  508  in order to index the selectable bores  506 . In the embodiment shown, the locking pin  514  is disposed on a portion of the guide member  502  distal to the bore selection member  508 . Importantly, the locking pin  514 , or any other type of indexing member, may be disposed proximal to the bore selection member  508 . Further, an indexing member may be disposed adjacent to the perimeter surface (e.g., perimeter surface  308  of  FIG. 3 ) of the bore selection member  508  and engageable with a corresponding indexing member disposed upon the bore selection member  508 . In any regard, a biasing member may be provided to retain a bore selection member  508  in a preferred location such that a user may manipulate a bore selection member  508  relative to an axle  512  to select a selectable bore  506 . A biasing member may be a coiled spring, for example. In the illustrated example, an indicator comprised of a viewing window  520  may be disposed upon the guide member  500  to denote an indicium  516  disposed upon the bore selection member  508  correlating to the selectable bore  506  which is aligned with the fixed bore  504 . 
         [0045]    Wth reference to  FIG. 18 , another embodiment of a drill bit guide assembly  1800  is shown that includes another manner in which a selected one of the selectable bores  1806  is indicated as being aligned with a fixed bore  1804 . As above, the bore selection member  1808  may include indicia  1816  that may correspond with respective ones of the selectable bores  1806 . In this regard, an indicator  1820  may be positioned adjacent to an indicium  1816  corresponding to the selectable bore  1806  aligned with the fixed bore  1804 . This may provide an indication of the selectable bore  1806  that is aligned with the fixed bore  1804  that is provided by simply viewing the drill bit guide assembly  1800 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 7  depicts an attaching mechanism comprised of threads  507  is disposed at a distal end  518  of the guide member  500  to receive a threaded extension member (e.g., extension member  810  of  FIG. 8 ). The threads  507  allow extension members (e.g., extension member  810  of  FIG. 8 ) of various size to be interchanged as needed during use. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that different lengths and diameters may be preferred at different times without needing to change tools. 
         [0047]    With reference to  FIGS. 8-9 , another embodiment of a drill bit guide assembly  800  is comprised of a guide member  802  which is comprised of at least a portion of a fixed bore  804 . The drill bit guide assembly  800  is further comprised of a rotatable bore selection member  808 . The bore selection member is comprised of a plurality of selectable bores  806 . A distal end  818  of the drill bit guide assembly  800  may have an extension member  810  with a wide distal surface to rest externally against a patient&#39;s tissue. This may be in contrast to a narrow tip which may allow the distal end  818  to be inserted into an incision (e.g. extension member  1610  in  FIGS. 16A &amp; 16B ). The extension members (e.g.  810  and  1610 ) may be interchangeable. 
         [0048]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a drill bit guide assembly  800  similar to that of  FIGS. 8 and 9 . A guide member  802  may comprise at least a portion of a fixed bore  804  the central axis of which comprises a reference axis  812 . The drill bit guide assembly  800  may be further comprised of a rotatable bore selection member  808  comprised of a plurality of selectable bores  806 . A distal end  818  of the drill bit guide assembly  800  may be comprised of an attachment mechanism comprising threads  807  which are engageable to corresponding threads on an extension member  810 . Alternatively, the attachment mechanism may be a friction or interference fitting, a clip and/or latch system, or any other well-known attaching device. 
         [0049]    In another embodiment of a drill bit guide assembly  1100  shown in  FIG. 11 , a distal end  1118  may be elongated to provide improved stability to the drill bit. The elongated portion which comprises at least a portion of a fixed bore  1104  may be a portion of the guide member  1102  itself or may be an attachable extension member  1110 . In this embodiment the guide member  1102  houses at least a portion of the fixed bore  1104  and a bore selection member  1108 . The bore selection member is comprised of a plurality of selectable bores  1106 . 
         [0050]    In an embodiment of a drill bit guide assembly  1200  shown in  FIG. 12 , an elongated extension member  1210  may be disposed upon a distal end  1218  of the drill bit guide assembly. The extension member  1210  may be attachable to the guide member  1202  with an attaching mechanism comprised of threads which are concealed and not visible in  FIG. 12 . Different lengths and diameters may be preferred for different tasks and the interchangeability of extension members  1210  may allow for expedient adaptation of the assembly. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 13-15  illustrate an embodiment of a guide member  1300  with the bore selection members removed for illustrative purposes. A guide member  1300  may comprise at least a portion of a fixed bore  1304 . An indicator comprised of a viewing window  1316  may be disposed upon the guide member  1300 . The guide member  1300  may further comprise an axle  1312  about which a bore selection member (e.g. bore selection member  308  of  FIG. 3 ) may be disposed. A locking pin  1314  may be disposed upon the guide member  1302  to lockably engage a locking bore on a bore selection member. An extension member  1310  may be attachable to the guide member  1302  or may alternately be permanently attached or monolithic with the guide member  1302 . 
         [0052]    A drill bit guide assembly  1600  that includes two rotatable bore selection members  1608  is shown in  FIGS. 16-17 . The bore selection members  1608  are disposed about axles (e.g. axles  1312  in  FIG. 13 ) allowing a selectable bore  1606  to be aligned with the fixed bore  1604  and the reference axis  1612 . An upper bore selection member  1608   a  may include selectable bores  1606  with similar or equal diameters to the selectable bores  1606  of a lower bore selection member  1608   b.  In this scenario, if a drill bit (e.g., drill bit  110  in  FIG. 1 ) with a small diameter relative to fixed bore  1604  were used, each of the bore selection members  1608  may be positioned such that a selectable bore  1606  on each bore selection member  1608  of similar diameter to the drill bit may be used to guide the drill bit. Furthermore, in such a scenario, the drill bit may contact the walls of the selectable bores  1606  and may or may not contact the walls of the fixed bore  1604 . 
         [0053]    In another embodiment of a drill bit guide assembly  1600  the diameters of the selectable bores  1606  of the lower bore selection member  1608   b  may be different than those of the upper bore selection member  1608   a.  For example, the diameters of the selectable bores  1606  of the lower bore selection member  1608   b  may be smaller than the selectable bores  1606  of the upper bore selection member  1608   a .This scenario would allow a relatively small drill bit to pass freely through a selectable bore  1606  of the upper bore selection member  1608   a  and engage a selectable bore  1606  of similar diameter to the drill bit in the lower bore selection member  1608   b.  Accordingly, each selectable bore  1606  may be sized such that its diameter is different than each other selectable bore  1606 . Such an embodiment may allow a greater variety of selectable bore  1606  diameters to be disposed upon the drill bit guide assembly  1600  than if the plurality of bore selection members  1608  housed selectable bores  1606  of similar diameters to the other bore selection members  1608 . Accordingly, the drill bit guide assembly  1600  may function with a greater variety of drill bit diameters and reduce clutter and confusion which may be caused by the necessity for multiple traditional drill bit guides. A detachable extension member  1610  may comprise a lower guide member  1602   b  and lower bore selection member  1608   b.  Alternately, the lower guide member  1602   b  may be permanently attached or monolithic with the upper guide member  1602   a.    
         [0054]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0055]    While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character. For example, certain embodiments described hereinabove may be combinable with other described embodiments and/or arranged in other ways (e.g., process elements may be performed in other sequences). Accordingly, it should be understood that only the preferred embodiment and variants thereof have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.