Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
Status of Analysis: IR and radio wave remote control will not be used because this would require electronic indwellings in an infant. Remote control may be used to determine displacement externally. Brainstormed alternative drive mechanisms.
Design: Preliminary designs completed. This includes a drive mechanism with triangular teeth and plates to attach to skull that use smaller bolts than the current technology.
Fabrication: Drive mechanism parts (with plate) are 3D printed at a larger scale.
Tests: Risk reduction test to determine how much magnetic torque is required is still in progress.
Accomplishments from Previous Week
End-of-quarter presentation has been done. Inquiry for eligibility of neonatal indwelling has been submitted to FDA and waiting for response. Composition of the titanium used in current device has been retrieved and ready for analysis. Phone call with engineer who worked on the NuVasive PRECICE device is scheduled for Wed 4/4.
Goals for Next Week
Macy: Create magnetic remote control device that can be integrated in the current 3D printed prototype. Order diametrically magnetized parts from K&J Magnetics!
Dingyi: Decide on optimal material of the first prototype based on the analysis. Research costs of potential metal 3D printer facilities.
Ashley: Decide on optimal design for plate system.
Alec: Assemble physical model of mechanical drive system
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments
Suggestion: Consider parylene, a conformal plastic, as a potential alternative material. It is a monomer coating to make devices in the body neutral.
Action: Research shows parylene may used to coat the final prototype in this material should we choose to deviate from the inert medical grade titanium.
Suggestion: Quantify torque using a torque wrench or a micro-rotational torque sensor. Speak to Dr. Tolley, Dr. Seshadri, or another professors in this field for their suggestions.
Action: Spoke briefly with Professor Gravish on this topic. He recommends creating a small pulley system or cantilever beam system such that the deflection can relate to the force.
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments
Suggestions:
Get in contact with the Nuvasive engineer to learn more about the device.
Action: Planning to meet engineers in person. Meanwhile, phone call is scheduled.
Requirements:
Some cases cannot use screws to attach the device because of a thin skull. Plates should maintain a similar design to allow the device to be attached using metal wires, as needed.
Action: Plates were slightly modified.
Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
N/A
Risks and Areas of Concern
How to create forward and backward direction of drive mechanism
How to determine which direction the drive mechanism is going after implantation
How to lock and unlock the device to change direction after implantation
How to optimize the material choice on the prototypes
Resources or Information Required but not Available
How to access and what is the cost of a metal 3D printer?
How can we gather quantitative yet more accurate measurements?
What remote control mechanisms are used for biomedical devices?
Schedule
Upcoming milestone: Meeting up with the Nuvasive engineer for a better understanding of the mechanism of their magnetic device. Integrating magnetic remote control into 3D printed prototype.
Updated Gantt chart (link).
Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)
Spent: $0.00
Remaining: $4600.00
Progress on Report and Webpage
Component analyses are underway and will be posted by the end of this week.