Adjustable Patient Chair Positioning for Medical Imaging Scanners
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Solution Overview
Problem
The positioning of patients on patient tables in medical imaging apparatuses, particularly for magnetic resonance examinations, is challenging due to varying patient heights and physical conditions, leading to time-consuming and incorrect positioning that can cause delays and affect image quality.
Innovation Solution
A patient support apparatus with a patient chair featuring multiple adjustable support regions and an adjusting unit that allows for the orientation of these regions to be adjusted, enabling simple and time-saving positioning for different patient types, including those with disabilities, and accommodating various examination positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional patient table is used for positioning patients in medical imaging apparatuses, then the patient can be moved into the patient receiving region, but the positioning process becomes time-consuming and complex due to varying patient heights and physical conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support apparatus features dynamically adjustable support regions that can change their orientation and configuration. The adjusting unit enables the support regions to adapt their angles and positions automatically, transforming a static patient table into a dynamic system that responds to different patient needs and examination requirements, thereby reducing positioning time and effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters of the patient support apparatus by introducing adjustable orientation angles and positions for multiple support regions. The adjusting unit modifies these parameters automatically based on pre-stored adjustment patterns, allowing rapid adaptation to different patient heights, statures, and examination types without manual reconfiguration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the patient table is height-adjustable to accommodate different patient sizes, then more patients can be positioned comfortably, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support apparatus is segmented into multiple independent support regions (first support region, second support region, etc.), each capable of independent adjustment. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for specific body parts or positioning needs, increasing adaptability while distributing the complexity across modular components rather than a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting unit serves multiple functions: it adjusts the orientation of support regions, controls height positioning, and stores pre-configured adjustment patterns for different examination types. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate mechanisms into a single integrated system, maintaining versatility while managing device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If special positioning is required for specific measurements (e.g., laying on the abdomen), then accurate examination data can be obtained, but additional positioning effort is required for both patient and medical personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting unit is pre-programmed with stored adjustment patterns for different examination types and positioning requirements. Before the actual examination, the system can automatically apply the appropriate pre-configured pattern, eliminating the need for manual positioning efforts and ensuring precise positioning for specialized measurements such as abdominal examinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patient support apparatus performs self-positioning through the adjusting unit, which automatically configures the support regions according to pre-stored patterns. This self-service capability reduces the physical effort required by both patients and medical personnel, as the system autonomously achieves the precise positioning needed for specialized examinations.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is directed to a medical imaging apparatus with a scanner unit, a patient receiving region that is at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit, and a patient support apparatus. The patient support apparatus comprises a patient chair, which has at least two different support regions, and an adjusting unit. A first support region of the at least two support regions comprises a first support area, and a second support region of the at least two support regions comprises a second support area, and the adjusting unit is configured for an adjustment of an orientation of the first support area and for an adjustment of an orientation of the second support area.