Examination Chair Arc Structure for 3-Plane Vertigo Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical examination chairs lack the ability to move patients in three perpendicular planes over large amplitudes and with sudden deceleration, making it difficult to diagnose and treat positional vertigo, especially for patients with mobility issues or in limited spaces.
Innovation Solution
A medical examination chair with a primary and secondary arc system allowing rotation in three perpendicular planes, equipped with brake means for sudden deceleration, and adjustable components for patient comfort and centering, along with motorized or mechanical braking systems for easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a known examination chair with single-plane mobility is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot perform the necessary manipulations for diagnosing and treating positional vertigo in three planes
Solution Approach 1:
The chair is divided into multiple independent movable components: a primary arc for rotation about a first axis, a secondary arc for rotation about a second axis, and a tertiary mechanism for rotation about a third axis. Each arc can be independently controlled to achieve movement in three perpendicular planes, resolving the contradiction by segmenting the complex motion capability into manageable mechanical sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary arc is positioned inside the primary arc, and the tertiary mechanism is integrated within the existing structure. This nested arrangement allows the chair to achieve three-plane mobility while minimizing the overall space required and reducing the apparent structural complexity through compact integration of moving parts.
2Ease of operation
If manual manipulation is used to move the patient, then no additional mechanical system is needed, but it requires large physical strength and excellent co-operation from the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The chair incorporates motorized actuation systems that automatically perform the movements required for diagnosis and treatment. The motors drive the arcs and mechanisms to position the patient without requiring manual manipulation, thereby reducing the physical effort needed from the practitioner while the system handles the complex positioning automatically.
3Productivity
If rapid movement followed by sudden deceleration is implemented, then otoliths can be expelled from the sensitive zone, but the mechanism for achieving sudden deceleration is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The brake mechanism is extracted as a separate, dedicated subsystem from the movement mechanisms. This allows the brake to be optimized specifically for sudden deceleration functionality without complicating the movement generation system. The brake can be applied independently to stop the arcs quickly when needed for treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment protocol utilizes periodic application of the brake mechanism to create repeated cycles of rapid movement followed by sudden deceleration. This periodic braking action is essential for expelling otoliths from the sensitive zone, and the brake system is designed to accommodate this rhythmic on/off pattern throughout the treatment session.
4Adaptability or versatility
If an examination couch is used for vertigo treatment, then large amplitudes and three-plane movement are possible, but it requires a large amount of space and increases office costs
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple arcs and movement mechanisms are nested within each other, with the secondary arc inside the primary arc and the tertiary mechanism integrated into the existing structure. This compact nested arrangement enables three-plane movement with large amplitudes while occupying minimal space, effectively replacing the need for a large examination couch.
Solution Approach 2:
The chair achieves three-plane movement capability through rotational arcs that operate in different spatial dimensions. By organizing the movement mechanisms along perpendicular axes and using rotational rather than linear translation, the design achieves the necessary movement range while maintaining a compact footprint that fits within limited office space.
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 effective diagnosis and treatment of positional vertigo by allowing multi-planar movement and sudden deceleration without requiring excessive physical effort from practitioners, improving patient comfort and reducing space and equipment needs.
Implementation Method 1
brake means for stopping the rotary movement suddenly
Data Source
AI summary
A medical examination chair is used to seat a patient and move the patient along three essentially-perpendicular planes over a wide range. The chair includes a primary arc which is connected to a stationary column by a horizontal shaft, forming a first axis of rotation. A second axis of rotation, which is essentially perpendicular to the first, passes through first and second ends of the primary arc. The chair also includes a secondary arc which is equipped with a seat and which is disposed inside the primary arc. Third and fourth ends of the secondary arc are connected to the first and second ends of the primary arc by an upper shaft and a lower shaft. The primary and secondary arcs can rotate around the first and second axes of rotation respectively. The medical examination chair further includes braking elements for suddenly stopping the rotational movement.