Lateral Spine Surgery Tabletop for Access and Patient Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
During lateral spine surgery, existing surgical tables hinder access to the surgical site due to patient positioning issues, interference with medical equipment, and instability, particularly when stabilizing rods and screws are placed, and there is a need for improved patient retention and alignment.
Innovation Solution
A surgical table with adjustable lift columns, a torso section with removable side members, and retention pads, along with articulating features to facilitate access and secure patient positioning, allowing for adjustments to accommodate various surgical needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the patient is positioned on the side of the table for stabilizing rod and screw placement, then access to the surgical site is improved, but the patient is no longer centered on the table causing interference with the C-Arm and the table
Solution Approach 1:
The table top is divided into a head section, a torso section, and a leg section that can move independently. The torso section can be laterally shifted relative to the head and leg sections, allowing the patient to be positioned off-center for surgical access while maintaining proper alignment with imaging equipment through coordinated section movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The table top transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one where the torso section can laterally shift during surgery. This dynamic adjustment allows the patient positioning to change from centered (for imaging) to off-center (for surgical access) and back again, resolving the contradiction between surgical access and equipment compatibility.
2Ease of operation
If the patient is positioned in a lateral position for spine surgery, then access to the disk space is improved, but the stability of the patient is reduced requiring additional securing measures
Solution Approach 1:
The retention system is segmented into multiple independent pads (chest retention pad, back retention pad, thigh retention pad) that can be individually adjusted and positioned. This segmentation allows for distributed stabilization of the patient's body segments, providing comprehensive stability while maintaining lateral positioning for surgical access.
Solution Approach 2:
Retention pads serve as intermediary elements between the patient and the table top. These pads provide friction and mechanical retention forces that stabilize the patient in the lateral position without requiring direct contact between the patient's skin and the table surface, improving both comfort and stability.
3Ease of operation
If the patient's abdomen is positioned away from the surgical site to keep internal organs out of the way, then surgical access is improved, but the patient positioning becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The table top is pre-configured with retention pads and articulating mechanisms that automatically adjust patient positioning when the torso section is laterally shifted. The abdominal displacement occurs as a preliminary action of the lateral shift mechanism, eliminating the need for manual, time-consuming positioning adjustments by the surgical team.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic lateral shifting of the torso section automatically repositions the patient's abdomen away from the surgical site as the section moves. This dynamic positioning mechanism performs the complex abdominal displacement task through a simple mechanical motion, reducing the time and effort required for patient positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical table includes a pair of lift columns. A table top extends between each of the pair of lift columns. The table top forms a patient support surface configured to receive a patient. The table top includes a head section, a leg section, and a torso section extending between the head section and the leg section. At least one retention pad extends from the table top and is configured to position against the patient. An arm rest extends from the head section and is configured to receive an arm of the patient.