Expandable Patient Positioning Apparatus for Surgical Conformability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient positioning devices are pre-molded and do not conform to individual patient body shapes, leading to discomfort and limited flexibility for clinicians during surgical procedures, as they cannot maintain open air passages for unobstructed breathing and are not easily customizable.
Innovation Solution
A patient positioning apparatus with an expandable material that transitions from a compact condition to an expanded condition upon activation by an agent, allowing the device to conform to the patient's body and be customized by the clinician for specific positioning and elevation, using foamable liquids or reactants that expand upon mixing, with a contact member for support and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pre-molded foam positioning devices are used, then manufacturing is simple and device structure is fixed, but the device cannot conform to individual patient body shapes and limits positioning flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device transitions from a static pre-molded foam structure to a dynamic expandable structure. The expandable material can be inflated or expanded after manufacture, allowing the device to adapt to different patient body shapes and sizes while maintaining a simple initial device structure that is easy to manufacture and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes changes in physical parameters (volume, density, shape) of the expandable material to achieve conformability. By controlling the expansion parameters of the material, the device can be customized to fit individual patient anatomy without requiring complex pre-molding processes for each patient.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pre-molded positioning devices are used, then device manufacturing is straightforward, but the device cannot be customized for specific patient needs and clinician preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The device is prepared in advance with the expandable material and activation mechanism integrated, but the actual customization (expansion to specific shape) occurs at the point of use. This preliminary preparation maintains ease of manufacture while enabling customizability, as the base device can be mass-produced in a simple state and then customized for each patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning device can be divided into multiple expandable segments or sections that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows clinicians to customize different portions of the device for specific patient needs while maintaining a standardized manufacturing process for the modular components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If expandable material is used to conform to patient body, then positioning flexibility and patient comfort improve, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable material acts as an intermediary between the simple device structure and the complex requirement for patient-specific conformability. This intermediate layer can be manufactured simply but provides the flexibility and adaptability needed for customized positioning when activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes phase transitions or state changes of the expandable material (from compressed to expanded state) to achieve positioning flexibility. This allows the device to maintain a simple compact structure during manufacture and transport, then transition to a complex conformable shape when needed, without permanently increasing device complexity.
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 apparatus provides a comfortable, customizable, and secure positioning of patient body parts during surgery, enhancing patient safety and clinician convenience by allowing precise control over the positioning and minimizing irritation, while maintaining open air passages for breathing.
Implementation Method 1
an expandable material adapted for transition from a first initial condition to a second expanded condition; an activating agent adapted to cause transition of the expandable material from the first condition to the second condition upon exposure thereto
Implementation Method 2
The expandable material may be a foamable liquid adapted to expand when subjected to the activating agent such as a propellant gas, air or foaming agent
Implementation Method 3
the expandable member may include at least two liquid reactants which when mixed cause expansion to the second expanded condition
Data Source
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AI summary
A patient positioning apparatus (10) includes a support member (20,30,40,50a,50b) adapted for positioning beneath a patient and having an expandable material therein. The expandable material is adapted for transition from a first initial condition to a second expanded condition in the presence of an activating agent to facilitate support and stabilization of the body part with the support member and performance of a medical procedure. The expandable material may be a foamable liquid adapted to expand when subjected to the activating agent such as a propellant gas, air or foaming agent. In one application, the foamable liquid is a polyurethane.