Fingertip Controlled Otologic Surgical Instruments Brian Chow Joy Nystrom BME 273 January 22, 2001

Problem Otologic surgery requires delicate maneuvering in limited space Current method requires large hand movement

Proposal Create a system that will allow identical movement of the instrument in an ear of a patient with a fingertip-controlled drive mechanism

Reasons Fingertip control allows for more steady hand control Higher precision with finger movement Less room for error Better access to inner ear

Advantages Reduced motion of surgeon’s arm results in a lowered margin of error Potential for reducing amount of training required for proficiency Potential for better ergonomics

Brainstorming and Research

Patent Search New problem, little previous patents information Similar to laparoscopic surgery

Possible solutions Screw mechanism Pulleys (#5,976,122) Gears

Future Work Obtain and sign NDA Talk to ENT surgeon Begin design process

Questions