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

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

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

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

5. 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

6. Brainstorming and Research

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

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

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

10. Questions