Fig. 1.

Complete process of bone drilling and bone temperature measurement. Porcine femoral diaphyses of the hind legs of 75 mm length were used. The maximum bone temperatures during drilling were measured with the thermocouple at a distance between drilling site and thermocouple site of 0.5 mm. All measurements were made on a three-axis mini milling machine, Flexmatic FA 530 S, enclosed in a thermally isolated chamber where the air and bone temperatures were maintained at 37°C. The cooling fluid of water at 24°C went through the tool. Cortical thickness was measured with a depth gauge for screws (Synthes, Switzerland)