Head Stabilization Interface and Joint Assembly for Multi-Axis Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head stabilization devices lack the ability to provide flexible and adjustable positioning for patient immobilization during medical procedures, particularly in neurological surgeries, limiting their effectiveness and versatility.
Innovation Solution
A joint assembly and adapter system that allows for rotatable adjustment of a head stabilization device along two degrees of freedom, with a locking feature to secure the position, and additional configurations enabling a third degree of freedom for lateral adjustment, providing enhanced positional flexibility and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional head stabilization device is used, then the device structure is simple, but the positioning flexibility and adjustability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The head stabilization device is divided into multiple independent components: a base portion, a positioning assembly, and a stabilization assembly. The positioning assembly includes a first positioning member that can rotate relative to the base, and the stabilization assembly includes a second positioning member that can rotate relative to the first positioning member. This segmentation allows each component to be adjusted independently, providing flexible positioning while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through rotatable positioning members with locking mechanisms. The first positioning member can rotate about a first axis to adjust the angle between the base and stabilization assembly, while the second positioning member can rotate about a second axis to adjust the orientation of the stabilization assembly. These dynamic elements enable multi-axis positioning flexibility without requiring complete redesign of the entire device structure.
2Measurement precision
If a head stabilization device with multiple adjustment degrees of freedom is implemented, then the positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device achieves enhanced positioning precision by adding rotational degrees of freedom in different dimensions. The first positioning member provides rotation about a first axis (e.g., azimuthal adjustment), while the second positioning member provides rotation about a second axis perpendicular to the first (e.g., elevation adjustment). This multi-dimensional approach allows precise positioning in three-dimensional space by combining adjustments along orthogonal axes, rather than requiring complex single-axis mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilization assembly is nested within the positioning assembly, with the second positioning member located within the structure of the first positioning member. This nesting arrangement allows the compact integration of multiple adjustment mechanisms, reducing the overall device footprint and minimizing the complexity of the joint assembly while maintaining the benefits of multiple degrees of freedom for precise positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A joint assembly and adapter couple with a head stabilization device about one or more circumferential toothed rings of the head stabilization device. This coupling provides rotatable adjustment of the head stabilization device about two degrees of freedom including a first longitudinal axis of the head stabilization device and a second longitudinal axis of the joint assembly. The toothed rings of the head stabilization device can have multiple coupling locations to allow for a third degree of freedom for adjustment along the first longitudinal axis. A locking feature is coupled with the adapter to actuate the adapter and joint assembly for selective adjustment of the head stabilization device among the various degrees of freedom for adjustment.