Estimation of heat flux entering the bone during the drilling process using the inverse heat transfer method

Abstract

Drilling is one of the most important surgical steps and bone fracture repair. In this step, the temperature may exceed 47 °C and thermal necrosis may occur, which has irreversible consequences. Knowing the amount of heat transferred to the bone and its changes can be effective in recognizing this heat damage and minimizing it. In this research, it was tried to estimate the amount of heat flux entering the bone during the drilling process using the inverse heat transfer method. Drilling tests were performed on cow bone samples and the temperature changes at the hole location were measured using the inverse heat conduction transfer method. The amount of heat input was estimated. The K-type thermocouple is used to measure temperature. The diaphysis fragment of the cow's thigh (middle part), which has a length of about 90 mm and the thickness of the cortical bone in this range is about 8–10 mm, was used. Also, to ease the tests, the beginning and end parts of the fresh femur were cut with a saw. The results show that the maximum heat flux occurs earlier than the maximum temperature. It was observed that the maximum heat flux and the maximum temperature rise with the increase of the rotational speed and the diameter of the tool. As the feed speed rises, first the maximum temperature and maximum heat flux decrease and then increase. By tripling the feed speed, the maximum heat flux decreases by about 20%. The highest percentage rise in temperature and heat flux occurs with a rise in rotational speed, which is around 130–140%. After the rotational speed, increasing the drill diameter increases the temperature up to about 66.7%. The results can be used to prevent thermal necrosis because the maximum heat flux is visible before the occurrence of the maximum temperature.