Motor-Driven Skull Clamp with Concentric Rings for Head Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current skull clamping devices require manual and time-consuming alignment of a patient's head for medical interventions, exposing both the physician and patient to prolonged x-ray irradiation and increasing health risks.
Innovation Solution
A motor-driven skull clamping device with concentric ring elements and telescope bars, allowing for automatic or motorized alignment in multiple degrees of freedom, reducing the need for manual adjustment and minimizing radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual alignment of the patient's head is performed using conventional skull clamping devices, then the physician can position the head for medical intervention, but the alignment process becomes time-consuming and laborious while exposing the physician and patient to prolonged x-ray irradiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical alignment system with an automated motor-driven system. Motors are integrated into the skull clamping device to automatically rotate the ring elements and position the patient's head, eliminating the need for manual manipulation by the physician and reducing alignment time while minimizing x-ray exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows pre-positioning of the ring elements and clamping mechanism before actual use. The system can be prepared in advance with the appropriate alignment settings, so that when the procedure begins, the automated motors can quickly achieve the desired head position without requiring time-consuming manual adjustments during the surgical procedure.
2Measurement precision
If manual alignment is performed under fluoroscopy monitoring, then the head can be positioned correctly, but both the physician and patient are exposed to unnecessary and prolonged x-ray irradiation
Solution Approach 1:
The automated motor-driven system replaces manual positioning that required continuous fluoroscopy monitoring. The motors can achieve precise angular positions programmatically, reducing or eliminating the need for real-time x-ray imaging during alignment, thereby minimizing radiation exposure to both the physician and patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-alignment through automated motor control that can determine and execute the correct head positioning without continuous external monitoring. The device incorporates sensors and control algorithms that enable it to autonomously achieve the target position, reducing dependence on fluoroscopy-guided manual adjustment.
3Reliability
If conventional skull clamping devices are used, then the head can be fixed securely, but the alignment process requires complex manual manipulation by the physician
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates motor-driven actuators into the ring element structure, replacing complex manual manipulation mechanisms with automated control systems. This maintains the secure fixation capability of the traditional skull clamp while simplifying the alignment process through automated motor control, reducing the operational complexity for the physician.
Data Source
AI summary
A skull clamping device for fixing and aligning a head of a patient for a medical intervention includes a first ring element and a second ring element arranged concentrically. The second ring element is arranged within the first ring element and is connected hereto by a second axis, about which the second ring element is mounted rotatably within the first ring element. The first ring element is mounted rotatably about a first axis that is orthogonal to the second axis. The skull clamping device also includes a motor-driven drive that drives rotation of the first ring element and/or the second ring element about the respective axis, at least two pins arranged in an innermost ring element, two telescope bars that hold the first ring element and the second ring element, and a control unit for the motor-driven drive.