Elastic Headrest Panel for Anatomical Immobilization Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional headrests for patient immobilization systems are often rigid, providing limited anatomical adaptation, are uncomfortable, and absorb significant radiation during procedures like radiotherapy, necessitating multiple headrests for different patients and posing discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A headrest with a sheet-like elastic panel that stretches to conform to the patient's head and neck, offering adjustable positioning and reduced radiation absorption, using materials like polymer-based elastic materials and silicone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional rigid headrests are used, then structural stability is maintained, but anatomical adaptability and patient comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest incorporates an elastic panel that can dynamically adapt its shape to match different patient anatomies while maintaining structural stability through its elastic properties. The panel stretches and conforms to the patient's head and neck contours, providing both adaptability and stability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The headrest utilizes materials with specific elastic parameters that allow the panel to change its physical state from a relaxed configuration to a stretched configuration when contact pressure is applied. This parameter change enables the headrest to adapt to different anatomies while maintaining structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple headrests are used for different patients, then anatomical adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest is designed as a universal device that can accommodate multiple patient anatomies through its elastic panel. Instead of requiring multiple specialized headrests, this single device performs the function of adapting to various head and neck shapes, reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic panel's dynamic properties allow it to automatically adjust to different patient anatomies, making the headrest universally applicable. The material's ability to stretch and recover enables one headrest to replace multiple rigid headrests designed for specific anatomies.
3Manufacturing precision
If rigid foam or plastic materials are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but patient comfort and radiation absorption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest employs elastic materials with specific mechanical and radiological parameters that differ from conventional rigid materials. The elastic panel's material properties provide both patient comfort through softness and reduced radiation absorption, while manufacturing precision is maintained through controlled elastic deformation during use.
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 elastic panel provides comfortable, reproducible positioning for diverse patient anatomies with reduced radiation absorption, allowing universal use and improved patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
at least a part of the elastic panel is stretchable and configured to stretch when said at least part of the head, neck and/or shoulders of the patient is arranged on the elastic panel
Data Source
AI summary
A headrest for an immobilization system for immobilizing at least a part of a patient is provided. The headrest includes a supporting structure and a sheet-like formed elastic panel attached to the supporting structure on at least two opposite sides of the elastic panel. The elastic panel is configured to support at least a part of a head and/or at least a part of a neck of a patient, wherein at least a part of the elastic panel is stretchable and configured to stretch when said at least part of the head and/or neck of the patient is arranged on the elastic panel, such that a shape of said at least part of the elastic panel is formed corresponding to a shape of said at least part of the head and/or neck of the patient.