Surgical Adapter Plane With Movable Thigh Rest
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adapter planes for surgical tables in hip replacement surgery require mechanical uncoupling and reconfiguration for use on either leg, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns, especially in bilateral surgeries, and complicate the positioning of surgical instruments.
Innovation Solution
An adapter plane with a quick coupling device and adjustable thigh rests that can be easily moved and positioned without mechanical uncoupling, allowing for unilateral or bilateral use without repositioning, and a contactless coupling system for surgical instruments to simplify instrument placement and handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the adapter plane is configured with a fixed thigh rest on one side, then it can support the patient's leg during surgery, but it cannot be used for surgery on the other leg without replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The thigh rest is made movable along the adapter plane's central axis, allowing it to be repositioned from one side to the other. This dynamic configuration enables a single adapter plane to be used for surgery on either the right or left leg, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-configured adapter planes and resolving the contradiction between versatility and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter plane is designed with a universally applicable thigh rest that can serve both left and right leg surgeries. By making the thigh rest repositionable, the same adapter plane device can perform multiple functions (supporting either leg), thereby improving adaptability without requiring additional specialized devices
2Adaptability or versatility
If the thigh rest is made movable to accommodate either leg, then versatility is improved, but the adapter plane must be uncoupled from the limb positioning apparatus to reposition the thigh rest
Solution Approach 1:
The thigh rest is pre-configured with quick-coupling mechanisms that allow for rapid attachment and repositioning without requiring full uncoupling of the adapter plane from the limb positioning apparatus. This preliminary design of the coupling system enables fast reconfiguration during surgery, reducing the time loss while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The thigh rest is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently repositioned along the adapter plane without moving the entire adapter plane or uncoupling it from the limb positioning apparatus. This segmentation allows the thigh rest to be adjusted while other components remain in place, minimizing disruption and time loss
3Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical means are used to uncouple and reposition the thigh rest, then the adapter plane can be reconfigured, but the support may be contaminated requiring sterilisation
Solution Approach 1:
The repositioning mechanism for the thigh rest is designed to be operated from the non-sterile side of the adapter plane, allowing the thigh rest to be moved without exposing the sterile support surfaces to contamination. The mechanical means are extracted or positioned such that they do not compromise the sterility of the patient-contact surfaces, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
A sterile barrier or intermediary mechanism is introduced between the mechanical repositioning means and the sterile support surfaces. This allows the thigh rest to be repositioned using mechanical means while preventing contamination of the sterile areas, thus maintaining both adaptability and sterility
4Ease of operation
If the surgical instruments are positioned above the drape, then they are accessible to the surgeon, but they require complex support structures with curved arms and laborious couplings
Solution Approach 1:
The support structures for surgical instruments are relocated from the vertical dimension (above the drape) to the horizontal dimension (along the adapter plane). This dimensional change allows instruments to be supported by simple linear extensions of the adapter plane rather than complex curved arms, reducing device complexity while maintaining accessibility through the drape
5Productivity
If a single adapter plane is used for bilateral surgery, then efficiency is improved, but the thigh rest must be repositioned between procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The thigh rest is designed with quick-coupling mechanisms that enable rapid repositioning between left and right sides during bilateral surgery. This dynamic, modular design allows the thigh rest to be quickly moved and secured on the opposite side without full disassembly, minimizing time loss and maintaining high surgical productivity throughout the bilateral procedure
Data Source
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AI summary
An adapter plane (1) for surgical table comprising a central body (100) having a proximal portion (10) suitable to at least partially accommodate the lumbar region of the body of a patient and a distal portion (30) suitable to at least partially accommodate the sacral region of the body of a patient, wherein the adapter plane can be coupled to a surgical table by placing the central body (100) at least partially on top of the surgical table, and the central body (100), in the distal portion (30), is provided with a quick coupling device (303) for coupling the adapter plane (1) to one or more surgical instruments.