Head Stabilization Arc Mechanism for Multi-Position Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head stabilization devices are not adequately adjustable to securely support a patient's head in various positions, such as prone, supine, or rotated positions, leading to potential movement or slippage during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A head fixation device (HFD) with an arc member and adjustable components, including a central head support, arc member, skull clamp, and actuator, allowing for semi-lateral positioning of the skull clamp up to 45 degrees and adjustable spacing between components, along with a pivotable cushion for pressure control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing head stabilization devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot securely support the patient's head in various positions leading to movement or slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The head fixation device incorporates an arc member with a curved path that allows the skull clamp to be positioned at multiple angles (including semi-lateral positioning up to 45 degrees) relative to the central head support. This dynamic positioning capability enables the device to adapt to various patient orientations (prone, supine, rotated positions) while maintaining secure stabilization, thereby improving reliability without requiring multiple separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into distinct functional components: a central head support, an arc member, a skull clamp, and an actuator. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together as a integrated system, providing both the complexity needed for multi-position stabilization and the modularity for ease of adjustment
2Adaptability or versatility
If the skull clamp is fixed in position, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot accommodate different patient orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The skull clamp is designed to move along the curved path of the arc member, enabling dynamic adjustment to accommodate different patient orientations including prone, supine, and rotated positions. The actuator mechanism allows the skull clamp to be positioned at various points along the arc, providing adaptability for semi-lateral positioning up to 45 degrees and other orientations while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The arc member introduces a curved dimensional path that allows the skull clamp to be positioned not only in vertical adjustment but also in angular/rotational positions. This adds a dimensional aspect of angular positioning along the curved path, enabling accommodation of multiple patient orientations without requiring completely separate positioning mechanisms
3Object-affected harmful factors
If uniform pressure is applied to the patient's head, then the device structure is simple, but the device causes pressure-related discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) that can be independently adjusted. This allows different pressure levels to be applied to different regions of the patient's head, with outer chambers providing stabilization pressure and the middle chamber providing relief pressure, thereby reducing pressure-related discomfort while maintaining secure head support
Data Source
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AI summary
Exemplary head stabilization devices or head fixation devices (HFDs) include a central head support for providing subjacent support to a head of a patient, and multiple lateral head supports for providing lateral support to the head of the patient. The central head support includes a cushion with one or more chambers that are fillable with a material. Similarly, the lateral head supports include respective pads with chambers that are fillable with a material. In some instances, the cushion and the pads used with the HFDs can include ports that permit pressure control by way of controlling a fluid volume within specific chambers of the cushion and/or pads.