Investigation of thermal damage in bone drilling: Hybrid processing method and pathological evaluation of existing methods

Abstract

In this study, a hybrid processing method using saline and cryogen cooler is proposed to keep the temperature below the threshold level during bone drilling. Drilling experiments were performed dry, saline, cryogen and, hybrid (saline + cryogen). At the end of the experiment, tool wear, the effect of the methods on the temperature, and the pathological evaluation of the thermal damage were investigated. The advantageous methods for bone drilling were proposed as a hybrid, saline, cryogenic and dry machining, respectively. In addition, it was observed that when cryogen was applied directly to the cutting area, it caused damage to the cell wall structure by the formation of ice crystals in the bone matrix. For this reason, it was recommended to be applied to the body of the cutting tool and it was found that cryogen flow rate has a significant effect on tool wear.