Finite Element Simulation of Drill Bit and Bone Thermal Contact During Drilling

Drilling is an essential part of internal fixation in orthopaedic and trauma surgery. The temperature rise during bone drilling is an important index to the damage of bone. In this study, an elastic-plastic dynamic finite element model is used to simulate the process of a drill bit drilling through the bone. Various initial temperatures of drill bit are investigated to explore the effects of this parameter on the temperature rise and on the contact stress distribution of the bone during drilling. The results indicate that a drill bit with a lower initial temperature can reduce the temperature rise in bone during drilling. A relationship between the initial temperature of drill bit and temperature rise is proposed.