Vibration-Based Mechanical Coupling Verification for Anatomical Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for verifying mechanical coupling between anatomical elements, such as nerve and vertebrae after surgical decompression, lack reliability and speed, and risk manual manipulation during verification.
Innovation Solution
A system using a vibration device in contact with one anatomical element and a sensor on another to measure mechanical coupling through amplitude and frequency differences, enabling quantitative assessment and robot-assisted adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual manipulation is used to verify mechanical coupling between anatomical elements, then the verification process can be performed with simple equipment, but the reliability and speed of verification deteriorates and risk of manual manipulation damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation with an automated system comprising a vibration device that applies controlled vibrations to anatomical elements and sensors that detect the mechanical coupling responses. This substitution eliminates the need for manual manipulation while providing reliable, quantitative verification of mechanical coupling status.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vibration devices and sensors as intermediary tools between the operator and anatomical elements. These intermediaries transmit controlled mechanical vibrations through the tissue and detect coupling characteristics, enabling indirect but precise assessment of mechanical coupling without direct manual manipulation of the anatomical structures.
2Productivity
If manual manipulation is used to verify mechanical coupling, then equipment complexity is low, but verification speed and precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces slow, imprecise manual manipulation with automated vibration devices and sensors that can rapidly apply controlled vibrations and detect coupling responses. This enables high-speed, precise verification of mechanical coupling status through electronic signal processing rather than manual assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic vibrations applied by the vibration device at controlled frequencies and amplitudes. By analyzing the periodic response signals from sensors, the system can rapidly determine mechanical coupling status through frequency and amplitude analysis, significantly speeding up verification compared to manual methods.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual manipulation is used during verification, then device complexity is low, but risk of anatomical damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual manipulation with automated vibration devices that apply controlled, minimal-force vibrations to anatomical elements. This substitution eliminates the risk of accidental damage from manual manipulation while maintaining verification capability through sensitive detection of mechanical coupling responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by using minimal vibration amplitudes and forces that are sufficient to detect mechanical coupling but insufficient to cause tissue damage. The vibration intensity is carefully controlled to be just enough to elicit a detectable response without exceeding safe thresholds for anatomical structures.
4Measurement precision
If quantitative assessment of mechanical coupling is implemented, then verification precision improves, but device complexity and measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective manual assessment with automated sensors and signal processing systems that objectively measure vibration transmission characteristics. The system quantifies mechanical coupling by analyzing frequency, amplitude, and phase relationships in the vibration signals, providing precise numerical measurements rather than subjective evaluations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the vibration responses from sensors and using this information to determine mechanical coupling status. The measured signals are processed to provide real-time quantitative assessment, allowing the system to automatically adjust measurements and provide precise feedback on coupling characteristics.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides reliable and rapid verification of mechanical coupling, allowing precise adjustment to achieve desired decompression and minimize anatomical damage.
Implementation Method 1
generate a first signal that causes a vibration device to vibrate, the vibration device being in force-transmitting contact with a first anatomical element
Implementation Method 2
receive, from a sensor, a second signal based on sensed vibration in a second anatomical element proximate the first anatomical element
Data Source
AI summary
A device comprises at least one processor and a memory comprising instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to: generate a first signal that causes a vibration device to vibrate, the vibration device being in force-transmitting contact with a first anatomical element; receive, from a sensor, a second signal based on sensed vibration in a second anatomical element proximate the first anatomical element; and determine, based on the second signal, an amount of mechanical coupling between the second anatomical element and the first anatomical element.