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Spinal Imaging Fixture
Spinal Imaging Fixture
Our fixture allows an operator to load a cadaver spine segment and orient the segment in the full spine range of motion, including extension/flexion, lateral flexion, and twisting. Each end of the fixture can be manipulated with 6 degrees of freedom.
3 axes of motion
3 axes of motion
The spine is mounted on carriages that can slide along an x, y, and z rail.
Locking carriages
Locking carriages
Each carriage can slide freely along each of the rails, allowing the operator to orient the spine as needed. Each carriage can be locked in place by tightening a locking knob, allowing the operator to fix the spine into a position for imaging.
x-rotator
x-rotator
y-rotator
y-rotator
z-rotator
z-rotator
Similar to the locking mechanism of the locking carriages, each rotator allows free rotation about the x, y, and z axes. The operator can tighten the rotator knobs to fix the spine in a position for imaging.
Based on measurements placed throughout the fixture, the operator can measure the spine's position and rotation about each axis. With coordinates, the operator can repeat exact positioning of subsequent samples.
Spinal Potting Fixture
Spinal Potting Fixture
The potting fixture allows the operator to rigidly attach the spine to the imaging fixture in such a way that the operator can manipulate the spine in 6 DOF with ease. The process involves using bone cement to attach each end of the spine to a pot container, a component that can be bolted to the fixture.
To cement the spine to the pot container, the spine is mounted to the center of the potting fixture by bungee cords. The loading platform, filled with bone cement, is raised to immerse the spine in bone cement, rigidly attaching the spine to the pot. Two pre-drilled screws in the terminal end of the spine increase strength of attachment.
After potting, both ends of the sample spine are rigidly attached to the pot containers and are ready to be bolted to the imaging fixture.
The material used for bone cement was analyzed for strength/elasticity. These studies can be found in the Material Testing section of this site.
Leader: Andrew Luna
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