US 11,890,144 B2
Torque-limiting screwdriver devices, systems, and methods
Benjamin J Sexson, Laguna Hills, CA (US); and Alexander M. Pfotenhauer, Tustin, CA (US)
Assigned to Pro-Dex, Inc., Irvine, CA (US)
Filed by Pro-Dex, Inc., Irvine, CA (US)
Filed on May 25, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/330,251.
Application 17/330,251 is a continuation of application No. 16/450,590, filed on Jun. 24, 2019, granted, now 11,071,575.
Application 16/450,590 is a continuation of application No. 15/615,722, filed on Jun. 6, 2017, granted, now 10,383,674, issued on Aug. 20, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/480,179, filed on Mar. 31, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/467,461, filed on Mar. 6, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/405,004, filed on Oct. 6, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/405,031, filed on Oct. 6, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/348,725, filed on Jun. 10, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/346,984, filed on Jun. 7, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2021/0378726 A1, Dec. 9, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 17/88 (2006.01); A61B 17/16 (2006.01); A61B 34/30 (2016.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); G16H 20/40 (2018.01); A61B 17/80 (2006.01); A61B 17/86 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 90/03 (2016.02) [A61B 17/1617 (2013.01); A61B 17/1626 (2013.01); A61B 17/8875 (2013.01); A61B 34/30 (2016.02); A61B 17/8057 (2013.01); A61B 17/863 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00017 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00115 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00398 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00734 (2013.01); A61B 2090/031 (2016.02); A61B 2090/062 (2016.02); A61B 2090/066 (2016.02); G16H 20/40 (2018.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A torque-limiting device comprising:
a body comprising a handle that is configured to be grasped by a user;
a motor positioned in the body;
a drive head operatively connected with the motor and configured to drive a drilling implement; and
a processor positioned in the body;
wherein, under the control of the processor, the torque-limiting device is configured to:
detect a first torque value when the drilling implement is drilling in a first type of body tissue;
detect a second torque value when the drilling implement is drilling in a second type of body tissue;
detect a change between the first and second torque values that is indicative of the drilling implement passing from the first type of body tissue into the second type of body tissue, said change comprising an increase or decrease in torque; and
stop the drilling of the drilling implement based on detecting said change.