Reducing damage with higher precision in drilling bones

Bone drilling poses intricate challenges due to its high hardness, strength, and anisotropic composite structure. In the dynamic field of orthopedics, advancing surgical drilling techniques is imperative for optimizing precision and implant stability. As drilling methods have progressed from conventional to robot-assisted machining, some new possibilities are now appearing. While orbital drilling has been pivotal in aerospace for reduced forces and superior hole quality, its application in bone drilling remains unexplored. This study pioneers the introduction of orbital drilling for bone machining, aiming to unveil its potential to improve processing quality. Experimental investigations were conducted on cortical femur bone to evaluate its mechanical behavior and the geometry of the holes, encompassing parameters such as hole aperture, roundness, cylindricity and delamination. Employing full factorial statistical analysis, the study systematically elucidates the influence of cutting speed and feed rate on hole quality. Results reveal the potential of orbital drilling in mitigating its defaults and could significantly contribute to improving surgical outcomes in orthopedic procedures.