US Patent 9597091 Articulated bone drill and tap

Technologies related to articulated bone drill and articulated bone tap apparatus are generally described. In some examples, articulated bone drills and taps may comprise bendable spines, movable bits, and flexible cylindrical tap or drill sleeves. The movable bit may be engaged at a distal end of the spine, and tensioning the spine and/or longitudinal displacement of at least one spine section with respect to at least one other spine section may be effective to steer the bit. The flexible cylindrical sleeve may be adapted to at least partially encase the spine, and the sleeve and the bit may be mechanically engaged so that rotation of the sleeve around the spine is effective to rotate the bit.