A skull pin, a method to assemble the skull pin, and a method to operate the skull pin contemplate a skull pin having a housing defining a recess a force sensing component, a battery, an electrical component, and a skull pin tip received within the recess, wherein the force sensing component and the battery are electrically connected to the electrical component the skull pin tip fitting over the force sensing component, wherein the force sensing component provides an output related to the level of force applied to the skull pin tip and wherein the skull pin tip is secured to the housing by a bearing. The method for assembling the skull pin may include providing a housing with a battery, a force sensing component and an electrical component, wherein the force sensing component and the battery are electrically connected to the electrical component positioning a skull pin tip within the housing to fit over the force sensing component and securing the skull pin tip with a bearing, wherein the bearing is pressed over the skull pin tip and into the housing to assemble the skull pin. The method for operating a skull pin contemplates providing the skull pin with a force sensing component and a piezo-electric transducer securing the skull pin within a head fixation device applying the skull pin to the head of a patient and providing an audible alarm with the piezo-electric transducer when a predetermined level of force is sensed.
