A scientometric analysis of bone cutting tools & methodologies: Mapping the research landscape

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Bone-cutting tools are crucial in surgical procedures.
• Technological advancements have significantly impacted tool design and efficacy.
• Understanding the research landscape is vital for future innovation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scientometric analysis of bone-cutting tool research.
• To map the intellectual structure and collaborative networks in the field.
• To identify key research trends, advancements, and knowledge gaps.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis of 735 papers from the Scopus database (1941-2023).
• Keyword coupling, co-citation, and co-authorship analyses were employed.
• Mapping of research fronts, trends, and collaborations.

Main Results:

• Significant growth in research on bone-cutting tools, focusing on design, materials, and processes.
• Key trends include surgical precision, material innovation, and performance optimization.
• Broad interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering, materials science, and medical sciences.

Conclusions:

• The field shows dynamic evolution with increasing research interest and collaborative efforts.
• Identified research gaps include tool design optimization and material effects on bone health.
• Further investigation is needed to enhance surgical outcomes and address current limitations.