Inflatable Gel Pad for Adjustable Neck Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for positioning a patient's neck during anterior neck surgery require manual adjustments and cannot be adjusted during the surgical procedure, consuming time and effort.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable medical apparatus with a gel pad assembly and an inflatable bag that lifts the patient's shoulder, allowing for adjustable neck positioning during surgery, comprising a gel pad assembly enveloped in a flexible casing, an inflatable bag, and hoses for inflation and pressure control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a non-inflatable pillow is used to support the patient's shoulder, then the patient's neck can be extended, but the position cannot be adjusted during the surgical procedure and manual adjustments consume time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the static non-inflatable pillow into a dynamic inflatable medical apparatus. The inflatable bag can be inflated to different degrees to adjust the shoulder elevation and neck extension position dynamically during the surgical procedure, allowing real-time adjustments without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatics by incorporating an inflatable bag that can be filled with gas or fluid through hoses. This pneumatic mechanism enables easy adjustment of the shoulder support height by controlling the inflation level, thereby adjusting the neck position without consuming time for manual repositioning.
2Ease of operation
If manual lifting is used to adjust the pillow position, then the patient's neck position can be optimized, but medical personnel cannot adjust the position during the surgical procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable medical apparatus enables self-service functionality where the system adjusts itself through inflation and deflation mechanisms. Medical personnel can easily adjust the patient's neck position by controlling the inflation level without needing to manually lift or reposition the patient, making the adjustment process simple and adaptable during surgery.
3Measurement precision
If multiple attempts are made to achieve the desired neck position, then the optimal position can be achieved, but the procedure consumes additional effort and time
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable medical apparatus allows preliminary positioning to be done quickly through inflation, achieving the desired neck position in a single action rather than multiple attempts. The precision is maintained through controlled inflation levels, and procedural efficiency is improved by eliminating the need for repeated manual adjustments.
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 efficient and adjustable neck extension without manual lifting, allowing medical personnel to adjust the patient's position during surgery, improving procedural efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable bag encapsulated in the cavity of the gel pad assembly, a first hose for inflating the inflatable bag with a fluid
Implementation Method 2
an inflatable bag with a shape selected from a sphere, cuboid, a cube, a polygonal prism, or a cylinder... the volume of the inflatable bag when fully inserted is 20-50% relative to the total volume of the medical apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
A medical apparatus for extending the neck of a patient without manually lifting the patient. This apparatus has a gel pad assembly encapsulating an inflatable bag connected to two hoses for inflation and deflation purposes. The inflatable bag is positioned beneath the shoulders, thereby lifting the shoulders and hence extending the neck when the inflatable bag is inflated.