Unmet Need: Traditionally, re-insertion or replacement of bone flaps removed during neurosurgery involves fixing the bone flap to the skull surface via titanium plates and screws, which is commonly associated with craniofacial asymmetry, scalp pain, possible extrusion and other post-operative complications.
Technology Overview: Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a novel surgical drill attachment that can provide a controlled-depth inset within the bone along the skull curvature, or any curved bone. The invented medical device attachment can therefore improve upon the current standard by allowing cranial implants and hardware to be tightly affixed to skull bone at an improved level relative to the skull curvature. This improved drilling capability, provided by the unique attachment, effectively eliminates the commonly protruding material from the normal skull and may alleviate the negative symptoms such as post-craniotomy pain, infection/scalp breakdown, and the visual deformity/social stigma experienced by neurosurgical patients. It may also be used to set implantable neurotechnologies at a lower height with a reduced profile, such as high-profile programmable shunt devices, wireless ICP pressure monitors, and neurmodulation devices.
Advantages include:
· Unique drill configuration allows for controlled bone removal along skull curvature and curved bones
· Controlled depth inset reduces risk for infection and improves post-operative aesthetics
Stage of Development: Successful prototype testing performed on live pig and human cadaver skull bones, subsequent clinical trial with IRB approval to follow.
