Development of an Air-Driven, MR-Compatible and X-Ray Transparent Bone Drill

Felix Victor Guettler¹, Kim Winterwerber², Andreas Heinrich¹, Bernd Hamm¹, Ulf Teichgraeber¹

The purpose of the study was to develop a bone drill for real-time interventions under MRI- and CT-guidance. The device does not influence the imaging, is able to bore through dense structures, and enables the placement of Kirschner wires. A special designed, pneumatically controlled drive system of ferrite-free components was developed. During a phantom experiment, compact bone was successfully drilled. Moreover, the drill is sterilizable. The manufacture of an MR-compatible bone drill, comparable to the power of a standard MR non-compatible system, is in principle possible. Such an engine could open new options in CT- and MRI-navigated surgery.