Surgical Lift for Dr. Muraszko

Abstract

Two previous ME 450 student teams have successfully designed and built a surgical lift for Dr. Karin Muraszko, Chair of the University of Michigan Neurosurgery Department, who overcame Spina Bifida to become a top neurosurgeon in the world. Dr. Muraszko would now like a new seat for the surgical lift that she can use during her surgeries. This project is aimed reproducing the old lift, while choosing new medical grade casters and fabricating a novel, improved model of the seat for Dr. Muraszko. Neurosurgeons are typically involved in long operations that usually last for 12 hours. During surgery, the stability of the surgeon’s body is critical. A seat on the lift can help Dr. Muraszko perform her surgeries in greater comfort. If successful, this seat can be used by other surgeons in the future.