Arm Positioner Wedge and Flaps for Steep Surgical Tilt Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices fail to securely position and restrain patients on operating tables in steep Trendelenburg or Lateral Oblique positions, where the patient is tilted at angles greater than 30 degrees, leading to potential movement and instability during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A patient positioning system comprising a positioning pad with handles, scapular wedges, a head positioner, and arm positioners, all made of flexible high-density polyurethane foam, which provide additional support and frictional resistance to prevent movement, along with a body strap for further securing the patient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the operating table is angled at a steep position (greater than 30 degrees) for medical procedures, then the procedure requirements are met, but the patient becomes difficult to securely restrain and may move or slip relative to the table
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is divided into multiple independent components: positioning pad, scapular wedges, head positioner, arm positioners, and body strap. Each component addresses specific anatomical regions and can be independently adjusted to maintain patient stability in steep positioning without compromising overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different components are designed with specific local properties: the positioning pad provides a large frictional contact surface, scapular wedges have angled surfaces for scapular support, head positioner has a contoured shape for head/neck alignment, and arm positioners have triangular wedges with flexible flaps. This localized optimization ensures stable restraint at each body region while accommodating steep table angles.
2Device complexity
If conventional positioning methods are used in steep positions, then the setup is simple, but the patient cannot be securely restrained leading to movement and instability
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple positioning functions are combined into an integrated system where the positioning pad, scapular wedges, head positioner, arm positioners, and body strap work together synergistically. The positioning pad serves as the base for all other components, and the body strap integrates with the arm positioners to provide comprehensive restraint, achieving secure patient stabilization through component integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds dimensional complexity by introducing components that address multiple spatial dimensions: the positioning pad provides horizontal frictional contact, scapular wedges address lateral support, head positioner provides vertical and angular support, arm positioners constrain in multiple directions, and the body strap provides circumferential restraint. This multi-dimensional approach secures the patient in steep positions despite increased device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the patient is positioned in a steep Trendelenburg or Lateral Oblique position, then the medical procedure can be performed, but the patient may experience increased pressure on the spinal cord and nerves
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning pad is designed with cushioning properties to provide pressure distribution before the patient is fully positioned in the steep angle. The pad's material and surface characteristics are selected to reduce pressure on sensitive areas, and the scapular wedges and head positioner are positioned in advance to prevent direct pressure on the spinal cord and nerves during steep positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The head positioner is specifically designed with a contoured shape that cradles the head and neck, distributing pressure away from the spinal cord. The scapular wedges are positioned to support the scapulae and prevent direct pressure on the brachial plexus nerves. This localized pressure management allows steep positioning while protecting sensitive anatomical structures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively secures patients against movement in steep angle positions by increasing frictional contact points and distributing body weight, ensuring stability and reducing pressure on sensitive areas like the spinal cord and nerves.
Implementation Method 1
flexible high-density polyurethane foam, which provide additional support and frictional resistance to prevent movement
Implementation Method 2
distributing body weight, ensuring stability and reducing pressure on sensitive areas like the spinal cord and nerves
Data Source
AI summary
A patient positioning system configured for positioning and supporting a patient against movement, the positioning system comprising: an arm positioner configured to be positionable about an arm of the patient. The arm positioner has a triangular wedge with a planar base and an angled leg, an end of the triangular wedge of the arm positioner is located to extend between the base of the arm positioner and the angled leg of the arm positioner and configured to abut the arm of the patient. An upper flexible flap extends away from the angled leg of the arm positioner adjacent the end of the triangular wedge; and a lower flexible flap extends away from the base of the arm positioner adjacent the end of the triangular wedge. The upper flexible flap and the lower flexible flap are configured to be oppositely wrapped around the arm of the patient to snugly envelope the arm and secure it relative to the triangular wedge.