Medical Imaging Patient Table Linkage for Weight-Bearing Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient supports for medical imaging are difficult to load and unload, limited in device compatibility, and often require large and heavy designs to minimize sagging, restricting patient positioning options.
Innovation Solution
A table system with a base portion, patient support, and pivotable linkage mechanism driven by dual drive mechanisms, allowing the patient support to transition between vertical and horizontal positions, and accommodate both standing and lying positions, using radiolucent materials to minimize beam attenuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional patient supports are designed to be large and heavy to minimize dynamic sagging, then sagging is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in loading and unloading patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a movable and adjustable patient support system that can transition between different positions (horizontal, vertical, inclined) rather than being fixed in one configuration. The support includes a base portion, patient support portion, and linkage portion that can pivot relative to each other, allowing the system to adapt its configuration dynamically during patient loading, imaging, and unloading operations, thereby reducing the need for excessive weight while maintaining stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional patient supports are designed for specific imaging devices, then stability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as they cannot be used with different imaging devices or positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing a patient support system that can be used with multiple types of imaging devices (x-ray CT, fluoroscopic, MR imaging devices) and in various positions (horizontal, vertical, inclined). The adjustable linkage mechanism and pivotable components enable the support to adapt to different imaging device configurations and patient positioning requirements, making it a multi-functional system that maintains stability across diverse applications.
3Device complexity
If conventional patient supports use fixed positioning, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation worsens due to limited patient positioning options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a patient support system with movable components that can transition between horizontal, vertical, and inclined positions. The linkage portion can pivot relative to the base and patient support portions, enabling dynamic adjustment of patient positioning during imaging procedures. This dynamic capability provides flexible patient positioning options while maintaining manageable device complexity through a modular design.
Data Source
AI summary
A table system for use with an imaging device includes a base portion that supports the table system over a support surface, a patient support including a platform for supporting a patient in a standing position and a bed for supporting the patient in a lying position, a linkage portion coupled between the base portion and the patient support that is pivotable with respect to both the base portion and the patient support, a first drive mechanism that drives the pivoting of the patient support with respect to the linkage portion, and a second drive mechanism that drives the pivoting of the linkage portion with respect to the base portion, the first and second drive mechanisms moving the patient support between a vertical position in which the platform is substantially parallel to the support surface and a horizontal position in which the bed is substantially parallel to the support surface.