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(Access key: S).
Contact information.
Goal
To develop a device to use in an MR or CT scanner that both supports the head and permits rotation of the neck to various positions. This rotation will help to facilitate imaging of the neck in order to diagnose damaged disks in the cervical spine.
Team Picture:
Back row (left to right): Jon, Kevin, Matt, Front Row: Micah, Arinne, Noelle
Our client, Dr. Haughton, explains his request. His study of the cervical spine would be benefited from the device we set out to design and build. He
was very enthusiastic that we had a working model at the end of the semester for him to use in his research.
Proposed Designs
After a few weeks of research and brainstorming, our group developed these three designs to satisfy the criteria our client gave us.
The Roller Design (above)
The Spring Facilitated Rotator Design (above)
The Steering Wheel Design (above)
Production
Our group successfully designed and built a working prototype. We did not choose any one of the three designs described above but instead used ideas from each and combined them into one. Production of our design on paper was no easy task, but what we realized was that actually making the device was harder than we thought. Gathering materials posed problems. We knew we would run into problems along the way. However, we made it fun and we had a great time doing it. Below are some pictures from the production. Place
the cursor over images for captions.
Final Prototype
What we developed is two concentric rings with two tracks of polypropelene ball bearings in between.
The ball bearings facilitate motion when rotating the device isocentrically (think of turning your head left and right). This neck rotator allows for easy and smooth rotation along the axial and sagittal planes.
Below are pictures from the final presentation when we presented our device to the public. This poster session allowed us to explain our device and how we came to the design we did. Our client came and was very excited about the outcome of the project. He felt it had a promising future. We were all very proud of the hard work we put into this project and are very pleased with how well it turned out. Under Presentations and Reports below there is a Final Prototype Video where you can see in real time how the prototype rotates. Again, place
the cursor over the picture for its caption.
NEWS UPDATE: The December 3rd poster session was featured in both The Wisconsin State Journal and The Daily Cardinal. Both articles feature a description and picture of our design project! View copies of these articles under Presentations and Reports as well.
Below are links to the progress reports that were created each week to map the progress and to inform our advisor of the progress we made each week with the project.
| Week | Reporting Period Beginning | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 3 | Formed teams, selected project, and contacted client |
| 2 | September 10 | Met at client’s office, viewed past prototype |
| 3 | September 17 | Developed understanding of project; developed Product Design Specifications (PDS) |
| 4 | September 24 | Brainstormed |
| 5 | October 1 | Worked on presentations |
| 6 | October 8 | Handed in written report including PDS; submitted design notebooks for advisor review |
| 7 | October 15 | Decided on final design |
| 8 | October 22 | Worked on design |
| 9 | October 29 | Worked on design |
| 10 | November 5 | Worked on design |
| 11 | November 12 | Worked on design |
| 12 | November 19 | Worked on design |
| 13 | November 26 | Thanksgiving |
| 14 | December 3 | Handed in written report and notebook to advisor |
| 15 | December 10 | Had the final meeting with advisor |
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Midsemester Presentation (Oct 7 2004, 491 kb) |
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Midsemester Report (Oct 15 2004, 754 kb) |
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Final Poster Presentation (Dec 3 2004, 101 kb) |
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Final prototype video (Dec 5 2004, 15055 kb) |
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Product Design Specifications (Dec 7 2004, 21 kb) |
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Wisconsin State Journal article (Dec 7 2004, 2786 kb) |
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The Daily Cardinal article (Dec 7 2004, 226 kb) |
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Final Report (Dec 7 2004, 1183 kb) |
