Design and Fabrication of Robotic Autopsy Saw

Abstract

An autopsy saw is a device for opening cadaveric skulls. Most electric saws generate bone dust and can also cause loud noise pollution. Sometimes technicians might be injured in the autopsy operating room, whilst using either hand saws or electric autopsy saws. To help protect physicians and their colleagues from potentially unsafe working conditions, the robotic autopsy saw was developed for this purpose. This project demonstrates the design and fabrication of an electric circular saw that can be controlled at distance by remote control, so increasing human safety, limiting cadaveric secretion and bone dust contamination, and reducing noise. The device consists of a control unit for the saw frame, a speed control for the saw blade, a control to set blade depth, and an electrical control box that uses pulse width modulation (PWM). The results showed that this machine can minimize bone dust contamination, reduce heavy noise and increase human safety, mostly due to the use of a remote control unit. This instrument can cut many spherical objects like a calvarium. For future studies, the unit and blade function should be adjusted using wireless remote control and the machine needs to be installed on the ceiling for easy attachment to the head of the corpse.