Medical Imaging Probe Mount Design for an Articulating Support Arm
This project offers opportunities for credit-based undergraduate research, independent study, or volunteer research. Students from Mechanical Engineering or related areas are encouraged to apply.
This project focuses on the simulation-based mechanical design of a mounting interface between a handheld OCT imaging probe, its force-control module, and a commercial Articulating Torque Arm. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution imaging technique that can visualize tissue microstructures. In our system, the OCT probe may be combined with force-control hardware, sensors, actuators, cables, and mechanical fixtures. This makes the handheld assembly heavier and harder for a physician to control during imaging.
We already have access to a small Articulating Torque Arm, which can support the weight of the imaging system and reduce operator burden. The goal of this project is not to design the entire support arm from scratch. Instead, the main objective is to design and simulate the mechanical connection between the existing arm and the OCT force-control probe assembly.
At the current stage, the primary objective is not hardware fabrication, but to generate CAD models, mechanical simulations, and demonstrating that the OCT probe and force-control module can be safely and effectively mounted to the Articulating Torque Arm. The design should allow the physician to guide the probe smoothly while the arm supports the system weight and the force-control module helps maintain stable probe-tissue contact.
Students will work closely with graduate researchers to model the mounting structure, evaluate load distribution and stability, simulate probe positioning, and prepare figures or summaries for proposal development.
Responsibilities may include:
- Creating a CAD model of the OCT probe, force-control module, and KATO arm connection interface
- Designing a mounting bracket or adapter that connects the OCT force-control assembly to the arm
- Modeling the weight, center of mass, and load distribution of the combined OCT-force-control system
- Simulating torque, bending, stability, and possible mechanical deformation at the connection point
- Evaluating whether the mounted probe can maintain proper orientation and range of motion for imaging
- Considering practical design features such as adjustability, cable management, alignment, safety, and ease of assembly
If you are interested in gaining hands-on experience in simulation-based biomedical device integration and contributing to a proposal-stage OCT imaging project, please feel free to reach out.
Name of research group, project, or lab: Intelligent Sensing Lab
Subject Category: Mechanical Engineering
Student ranks applicable: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
Time commitment: 3-6 h/wk
Number of openings: 2
Position Types and Compensation: Independent Study, Research Assistant Credit, or Volunteer Research
Connection to the force-control OCT probe project:
This project complements the force-controlled OCT probe project by developing the mechanical interface needed to mount the OCT probe and force-control module onto an existing KATO Articulating Torque Arm. The long-term goal is to combine external weight support with stable contact-force regulation, allowing physicians to guide the OCT probe more easily, safely, and consistently during clinical use.