Abstract: A system for removing debris from a drill hole, the system comprising: a drill system comprising: a drill rod comprising a proximal end, a distal end a first lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a second lumen extending parallel to the first lumen, the first lumen being fluidically-isolated from the second lumen; a drill bit, the drill bit comprising: a proximal end for mounting to the distal end of the drill rod; a distal end configured to drill into a material so as to form the drill hole; at least one air channel extending between the proximal end of the drill bit and the distal end of the drill bit, the at least one air channel being configured to be fluidically connected to the first lumen of the drill rod when the dual channel drill bit is mounted to the drill rod; at least one vacuum channel extending between the proximal end of the drill bit and the distal end of the drill bit, the at least one vacuum channel being configured to be fluidically connected to the second lumen

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling out a plug of material, the apparatus comprising: a base plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a central longitudinal axis; a circumferentially-extending side wall extending distally from the top surface of the base plate, the circumferentially-extending side wall terminating in a circular distal end surface; a drill bit centered on the central longitudinal axis of the base plate and extending distally therefrom, the drill bit comprising a distal portion, a proximal portion and an intermediate portion extending between the distal portion and the proximal portion; wherein the intermediate portion of the drill bit comprises a first laterally-extending flat comprising a cutting edge disposed a first distance away from the central longitudinal axis towards the circumferentially-extending side wall and a second laterally-extending flat extending a second distance away from the central longitudinal axis towards the circumferentially-extending side wall, and further wherein the

Abstract: A system for removing debris from a drill hole, the system comprising a drill rod, a first lumen extending through the drill rod, and a second lumen extending parallel to the first lumen; a drill bit for mounting to the drill rod, the drill bit being configured to form the drill hole; at least one air channel extending between the proximal end of the drill bit and the distal end of the drill bit, the at least one air channel being configured to be fluidically connected to the first lumen of the drill rod; at least one vacuum channel extending between the proximal end of the drill bit and the distal end of the drill bit, the at least one vacuum channel being configured to be fluidically connected to the second lumen of the drill rod; and a container fluidically connected to the second lumen of the drill rod.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling out a plug of material, the apparatus comprising: a base plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a central longitudinal axis; a circumferentially-extending side wall extending distally from the top surface of the base plate, the circumferentially-extending side wall terminating in a circular distal end surface; a drill bit centered on the central longitudinal axis of the base plate and extending distally therefrom, the drill bit comprising a distal portion, a proximal portion and an intermediate portion extending between the distal portion and the proximal portion; wherein the intermediate portion of the drill bit comprises a first laterally-extending flat comprising a cutting edge disposed a first distance away from the central longitudinal axis towards the circumferentially-extending side wall and a second laterally-extending flat extending a second distance away from the central longitudinal axis towards the circumferentially-extending side wall, and further wherein the

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling out a plug of material, the apparatus comprising: a base plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a central longitudinal axis; a circumferentially-extending side wall extending distally from the top surface of the base plate, the circumferentially-extending side wall terminating in a circular distal end surface; a drill bit centered on the central longitudinal axis of the base plate and extending distally therefrom, the drill bit comprising a distal portion, a proximal portion and an intermediate portion extending between the distal portion and the proximal portion; wherein the intermediate portion of the drill bit comprises a first laterally-extending flat comprising a cutting edge disposed a first distance away from the central longitudinal axis towards the circumferentially-extending side wall and a second laterally-extending flat extending a second distance away from the central longitudinal axis towards the circumferentially-extending side wall, and further wherein the

Abstract: A system for removing debris from a drill hole, the system comprising: a drill system comprising: a drill rod comprising a proximal end, a distal end a first lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a second lumen extending parallel to the first lumen, the first lumen being fluidically-isolated from the second lumen; a drill bit, the drill bit comprising: a proximal end for mounting to the distal end of the drill rod; a distal end configured to drill into a material so as to form the drill hole; at least one air channel extending between the proximal end of the drill bit and the distal end of the drill bit, the at least one air channel being configured to be fluidically connected to the first lumen of the drill rod when the dual channel drill bit is mounted to the drill rod; at least one vacuum channel extending between the proximal end of the drill bit and the distal end of the drill bit, the at least one vacuum channel being configured to be fluidically connected to the second lumen

Abstract: Apparatus for splitting rock, the apparatus comprising: a housing; a drill assembly mounted to the housing and configured to move longitudinally relative to the housing, the drill assembly comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a drive element for selectively rotating the shaft and a drill bit mounted to the distal end of the shaft for drilling a hole into rock; a splitter assembly mounted to the housing and configured to move longitudinally relative to the housing, the splitter assembly comprising a tether and a wedge, the tether and the wedge being configured to be moved independently relative to one another; wherein the wedge comprises a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the wedge being wider than the distal end of the wedge; wherein the tether comprises a radially-reduced profile when the wedge is disposed proximal to the tether, and wherein the tether comprises a radially-expanded profile after the wedge is moved distally relative to the tether.

Abstract: Apparatus for splitting rock, the apparatus comprising: a housing; a drill assembly mounted to the housing and configured to move longitudinally relative to the housing, the drill assembly comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a drive element for selectively rotating the shaft and a drill bit mounted to the distal end of the shaft for drilling a hole into rock; a splitter assembly mounted to the housing and configured to move longitudinally relative to the housing, the splitter assembly comprising a tether and a wedge, the tether and the wedge being configured to be moved independently relative to one another; wherein the wedge comprises a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the wedge being wider than the distal end of the wedge; wherein the tether comprises a radially-reduced profile when the wedge is disposed proximal to the tether, and wherein the tether comprises a radially-expanded profile after the wedge is moved distally relative to the tether.

Abstract: Apparatus for splitting rock, the apparatus comprising: a housing; a drill assembly mounted to the housing and configured to move longitudinally relative to the housing, the drill assembly comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a drive element for selectively rotating the shaft and a drill bit mounted to the distal end of the shaft for drilling a hole into rock; a splitter assembly mounted to the housing and configured to move longitudinally relative to the housing, the splitter assembly comprising a tether and a wedge, the tether and the wedge being configured to be moved independently relative to one another; wherein the wedge comprises a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the wedge being wider than the distal end of the wedge; wherein the tether comprises a radially-reduced profile when the wedge is disposed proximal to the tether, and wherein the tether comprises a radially-expanded profile after the wedge is moved distally relative to the tether.

Abstract: Apparatus for splitting rock, the apparatus comprising: a housing; a drill assembly mounted to the housing and configured to move longitudinally relative to the housing, the drill assembly comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a drive element for selectively rotating the shaft and a drill bit mounted to the distal end of the shaft for drilling a hole into rock; a splitter assembly mounted to the housing and configured to move longitudinally relative to the housing, the splitter assembly comprising a tether and a wedge, the tether and the wedge being configured to be moved independently relative to one another; wherein the wedge comprises a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the wedge being wider than the distal end of the wedge; wherein the tether comprises a radially-reduced profile when the wedge is disposed proximal to the tether, and wherein the tether comprises a radially-expanded profile after the wedge is moved distally relative to the tether.