Counterbalanced Pivot Interface for Mobile Radiographic Appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobility-challenged patients, such as wheelchair-bound and elderly individuals, face difficulties accessing imaging equipment like MRI machines due to their large and heavy, non-transportable nature, which are typically installed in facilities, making it hard to receive medical imaging services on-site.
Innovation Solution
A mobility apparatus featuring a counterbalanced pivot interface integrated with a motorized transport vehicle allows for single-operator transport and on-site usage of panoramic radiograph machines, including modifications like a truncated base and counterbalance mass for stability and ADA compliance, enabling secure transport and deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If imaging equipment is made large and heavy for facility installation, then imaging quality and stability are improved, but transportability and accessibility to patients deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging appliance is separated from its permanent facility installation context and integrated with a mobile transport vehicle, dividing the system into transportable components that can be moved to patients rather than requiring patient transport to fixed equipment
Solution Approach 2:
A counterbalanced pivot interface acts as an intermediary mechanism between the imaging appliance and the transport vehicle, enabling secure attachment during transport while allowing deployment into an operational upright position for imaging, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of mobility and stability
2Reliability
If imaging equipment is permanently installed in facilities, then stability and reliability are improved, but accessibility to mobility-challenged patients deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static permanently installed configuration to a dynamic mobile platform that can be positioned at various patient locations, with the pivot interface enabling dynamic transition between transport and operational states
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile imaging system serves multiple functions: it can be transported to different locations, positioned for various patient types including wheelchair-bound individuals, and deployed for imaging operations, making it adaptable to diverse patient accessibility needs
3Adaptability or versatility
If the base and vertical riser are truncated to accommodate seated patients, then adaptability to ADA patients is improved, but structural stability during transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A counterbalance mass is added to the transport vehicle to compensate for the reduced structural mass from truncating the base and vertical riser, maintaining the center of gravity and ensuring stability during transport despite the modified appliance structure
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical height parameter of the imaging appliance is modified by truncating the base and riser to accommodate seated patients, while the counterbalance mass adjusts the gravitational parameters to maintain transport stability
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
Enables secure, single-operator transport and deployment of imaging appliances to accommodate ambulatory-challenged patients, ensuring stability during transport and operation, thus overcoming the challenge of accessing imaging services for mobility-impaired individuals.
Implementation Method 1
The counterbalance mass offsets the truncated base and allows the transport vehicle to support the deployed appliance
Implementation Method 2
The counterbalanced pivot interface permits transition from a deployed to a transportable, or stowed, position by pivoting the substantially vertical stance of the appliance to an angled, stowed orientation
Data Source
AI summary
A mobility apparatus for an imaging appliance such as a panoramic radiograph machine allows single-operator transport for on-site usage with ambulatory challenged patients. A counterbalanced pivot interface integrates the imaging appliance with a motorized transport vehicle for disposing the appliance securely on the vehicle, while the counterbalanced pivot interface allows positioning to an operational upright orientation for on-site usage. The imaging appliance includes modifications to a stock appliance for adapting the pivot interface for mobility and for usage with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) affected patients, such as wheelchair and scooter bound individuals. The modifications include a truncated base and truncated vertical riser, coupled with a counterbalance mass on the vehicle to maintain stability in the deployed and transportable positions. The lowered vertical riser permits the imaging mechanism to descend to accommodate seated patients.