
SVAN builds smart drills with patented auto-stop technology for high-risk bone drilling.
Collaborating Institutions

During an emergency, when intravenous access fails or is unavailable, clinicians deliver drugs directly into bone. The bone marrow holds a rich network of blood vessels, providing the fastest route into the bloodstream. Powered Intraosseous vascular access drills were originally designed for adults. No powered drill on the market today covers the full patient range- from preterm neonates as small as 500 g to large adults. And it's the smallest patients who can least afford a millimetre too far: nearly half of first attempts fail in preterm neonates and infants, and a drill that travels just a millimetre too deep can cause extravasation, fracture, necrosis, and serious complications*.
*Ortner, M., Kaider, A., Heinze, G., Odar, T., Unger, E., & Oberoi, G. C. (2026). First attempt success rate of intraosseous access in preterm infants and neonates: a systematic review. Resuscitation plus, 29, 101334. Link
SVAN is developing an auto-stop technology intended to detect the transition into the medullary cavity and automatically stop drilling. This technology is designed to reduce the risk of over-penetration. The platform is being explored for additional bone drilling applications where depth control is important.







