Stereotactic Arc Coupling Mechanism for Head Frame Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stereotactic surgical instruments face challenges in accurately and efficiently attaching and adjusting the semi-circular arc to the head frame, leading to human error and time consumption due to manual adjustments and cumbersome processes.
Innovation Solution
A coupling mechanism featuring ring-like support members on the head frame and corresponding ring-like coupling members on the arc part, allowing radial sliding and pivotable clamp elements for easy and precise attachment, eliminating the need for manual adjustment of the X-coordinate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment knobs and graduated scales are used for positioning the arc and head frame, then the instrument can be adjusted to different positions, but the process becomes time-consuming and susceptible to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The arc part is designed with coupling members that automatically engage with support members on the head frame through radial sliding motion. The locking elements and locking knobs enable self-locking without requiring manual adjustment of multiple knobs, allowing the instrument to position itself accurately through the inherent mechanical design rather than requiring operator intervention for each adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling members are pre-configured with locking elements and the arc part is designed with predetermined coupling positions. The support members on the head frame are arranged at fixed distances corresponding to standard coupling positions. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for time-consuming manual adjustments during the procedure, as the coupling mechanism is designed to engage at pre-determined accurate positions.
2Ease of operation
If manual adjustment knobs and graduated scales are used for positioning, then positioning flexibility is provided, but the process becomes cumbersome and requires extensive user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism enables the arc part to attach to the head frame through a self-service process where the coupling members radially slide onto the support members and lock automatically. This eliminates the need for operators to manually manipulate multiple adjustment knobs and understand complex graduated scales, making the attachment process intuitive and accessible to users regardless of their experience level.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex manual adjustment mechanism with multiple knobs and graduated scales is extracted and replaced with a simplified coupling mechanism. The essential positioning function is retained through the predetermined arrangement of support members and coupling members, while the cumbersome adjustment process is removed, leaving only the essential attachment action.
3Manufacturing precision
If the arc is attached to the head frame via support members requiring X-coordinate adjustment after attachment, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but the process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The support members on the head frame are pre-positioned at fixed distances that correspond to the required X-coordinate positions. The coupling members on the arc part are designed to engage with these pre-positioned support members at the correct X-coordinate alignment. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for post-attachment X-coordinate adjustments, achieving both positioning accuracy and ease of attachment simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment function and positioning function are merged into a single integrated coupling mechanism. When the coupling members engage with the support members, both attachment and accurate positioning occur simultaneously through the predetermined geometric relationship between the components, eliminating the need for separate adjustment steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A stereotactic surgical instrument for use in stereotactical therapy and surgery and a coupling mechanism for such an instrument is disclosed. The stereotactic surgical instrument includes a semi-circular arc part and a head frame. The head frame is arranged for fixation to a head of a patient by pins or screws. The arc part includes coupling members shaped as rings arranged at a fixed distance from each other for attaching and locking the arc part to the head frame. The head frame includes support members formed as rings for receiving corresponding coupling members. Each coupling member includes a pivotable clamp element arranged to partly surround a respective support member circumferentially when the arc part is coupled to the head frame. The coupling members include locking elements arranged to receive a tip portion of the respective clamp element and adjustable locking knobs for tightening and locking respective coupling member to respective support member.