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With present methods, radiologists have a difficult time positioning a patient’s head while performing a fluoroscopic examination of a fractured or injured neck. Radiologists must physically move a patient’s head in various positions with their hands while the examination is taking place. This procedure could potentially be dangerous for the patient and is time consuming for the radiologists. We have been tasked with designing a device that will flex and extend (rotate) the head about the neck during a fluoroscopy. The device is designed not to obstruct radiographic imaging. It provides rotation about the spine isocentric to the normal rotation point for flexion and extension. Ideally, it will be motor-controlled to allow for remote operation by a single radiologist.
Team Picture:
We have met with our client on three occasions and have a good understanding of his requirements. The first draft of the Product Design Specification was completed during Week 2. An up-to-date version is available here.
We have developed three design alternatives and have selected the best one. We have also completed a midsemester report, which is available here. Our progress was presented to a closed audience on February 24, 2006. The presentation can be downloaded here.
The project was completed in Week 15. A sketch of the final prototype, detailing the various design components, is visible below:
A final report was written that provides further details and insight into the design process. It is available here. A public poster presentation of this design project took place on May 5, 2006 at the Engineering Centers Building. The poster can be viewed here.
We would like to thank GE Healthcare for their generous donation of the head support used in this design.
Lastly, we’d also like to thank our client, Dr. Victor Haughton, for the inspiration behind this project, and our advisor, Dr. Naomi Chesler, for her guidance and support.
| Week | Reporting Period Beginning | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 20 | Assigned team roles, met with client, andconducted preliminary background research. |
| 2 | January 27 | Developed PDS, conducted background research, and began brainstorming design ideas. |
| 3 | February 3 | Brainstormed as a group, sketched design ideas, researched materials, and contacted neck biomechanics expert. |
| 4 | February 10 | Met with client, developed and compared three alternative designs, and began writing midsemester report and presentation. |
| 5 | February 17 | Worked on midsemester report, developed design matrix, selected best design, and created, practiced and presented the midsemester presentation. |
| 6 | February 24 | Continued development of final design, researched human subject testing certification requirements, and finished midsemester report. |
| 7 | March 3 | Met with client to discuss expenses and present design, and determined what work to be done over spring break. |
| 8 | March 10 | Spring break. Contacted salesperson at GE Healthcare and received pre-made head support and offered design assistance by GE engineers. |
| 9 | March 17 | Collected data on neck flexion and extension from each team member and continued communication with GE Healthcare. |
| 10 | March 24 | Began searching for suitable materials and a motor for purchase, and submitted abstract to GE Healthcare for possible assistance. |
| 11 | March 31 | Purchased PVC, researched motors and motor controls, and contacted mechanical engineering professor for design assistance. |
| 12 | April 7 | Ordered worm gear assembly, met with mechanical engineering professor, calculated torque and gear ratio requirements, dropped motor control from the prototype design, and obtained a hand crank and machine shop certification. |
| 13 | April 14 | Purchased hardware, redesigned prototype to overcome problems encountered, and began writing paper. |
| 14 | April 21 | Purchased hardware, began building prototype, finished final report, and began developing poster. |
| 15 | April 28 | Finished building prototype and poster, pracited presentation, presented poster, and finished web site. |
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Midsemester Presentation (Feb 23 2006, 581 kb) |
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Midsemester Report (Mar 3 2006, 238 kb) |
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Final Report (Apr 28 2006, 320 kb) |
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Product Design Specification (Apr 28 2006, 13 kb) |
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Poster (May 4 2006, 1212 kb) |
