Adjustable Hip and Thigh Support Assembly for Prone Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing person support apparatuses struggle to accommodate subjects of different sizes, particularly during surgical procedures that require positioning a subject in a prone position, necessitating improved support assemblies for the hips and thighs.
Innovation Solution
A person support apparatus with a base frame, longitudinal frame, and hip/thigh support assemblies that include a hip support base, thigh support base, and removable exterior plates and pads, allowing for adjustable positioning and support of hips and thighs, with features like acute and obtuse angles to accommodate various body sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size support apparatus is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate subjects of different sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly is divided into multiple detachable components including exterior plates, support pads, and positioning elements that can be independently adjusted and reconfigured. This segmentation allows the apparatus to be customized for different subject sizes while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements such as removable exterior plates and movable positioning components that can be dynamically adjusted during patient positioning. This dynamic capability enables adaptation to various body sizes without requiring a completely different apparatus for each size category.
2Ease of operation
If removable exterior plates and pads are used, then customization for different sizes is enabled, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The removable exterior plates and support pads are designed as universal components that can be interchanged and reconfigured to serve multiple positioning functions. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of different component types needed while still providing extensive customization capability for different subject sizes and surgical positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly allows for parameter changes in positioning through the adjustment of removable plates and pads, enabling customization of support geometry and configuration. This approach provides ease of operation for achieving proper positioning while keeping the underlying structural framework relatively simple and manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A person support apparatus includes a base frame, a longitudinal frame coupled to the base frame and extending in a longitudinal direction, and a hip/thigh support assembly. The hip/thigh support assembly is slidably positioned along the longitudinal frame. The hip/thigh support assembly includes a hip support base, a thigh support base, a hip/thigh support exterior plate including a hip support exterior plate portion oriented at an acute angle relative to a lateral axis of the longitudinal frame, and a thigh support exterior plate portion extending from the hip support exterior plate portion at an obtuse angle and oriented at an acute angle relative to the lateral axis of the longitudinal frame and a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal frame, and a hip/thigh support pad removably attached to the hip/thigh support exterior plate.