One-Piece Leg Support Structure for Sterile X-Ray Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leg positioning aids in orthopedic surgery face challenges in sterilizability, manufacturability, strength, and radiographic signature, with separate support elements leading to gaps that are difficult to clean and disinfect, and varying material densities affecting X-ray penetration.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece, rigid base body with coplanar support areas of varying heights, made from a uniform material, ensures seamless construction, improved durability, and consistent X-ray penetration, allowing for stable leg positioning and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate support elements are mounted on a base plate, then the leg positioning aid can be assembled from individual components, but gaps are created that are difficult to clean and disinfect
Solution Approach 1:
The support areas are integrated directly into the base body as a one-piece construction, eliminating gaps between separate components. This merging of the base body and support areas creates a seamless surface that is easy to clean and disinfect, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and sterilizability.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate support elements are mounted on a base plate, then manufacturing can be simplified through modular assembly, but the durability decreases due to risk of separation
Solution Approach 1:
The support areas are formed as an integral part of the base body in a one-piece construction. This eliminates the risk of support elements separating from the base plate during use, significantly improving durability and reliability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the single-piece design.
3Ease of manufacture
If separate support elements and base plate are used, then manufacturing can be divided into separate steps, but the radiolucency is reduced due to varying material effects on X-rays
Solution Approach 1:
The base body and support areas are made from the same material in a one-piece construction, ensuring uniform material density and consistent X-ray penetration throughout the entire structure. This homogeneity improves radiolucency by eliminating interfaces between different materials that would otherwise create varying effects on X-ray transmission.
4Ease of operation
If support areas are made with varying heights, then stable leg positioning (straight or bent) is achieved, but the material thickness varies affecting X-ray penetration uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The support areas have different heights at different locations to provide stable positioning for straight or bent legs, while the base body maintains substantially constant material thickness. This local variation in support area height achieves the positioning function without compromising the overall uniformity of material thickness, thereby maintaining consistent X-ray penetration.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a leg supporting aid comprising, in plan view, a main body having a longitudinal direction (L) and a transverse direction (Q). The longitudinal direction (L) has a larger extension than the transverse direction (Q). The main body has at least three elevation portions (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) and at least two support portions (20, 21, 22, 23). Each of the support portions (20, 21, 22, 23) is arranged, in the longitudinal direction of the main body, between two elevation portions (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) which are interconnected by the corresponding support portion. The elevation portions (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) are coplanar. The support portions (20, 21, 22, 23) have different heights relative to the adjacent elevation portions (10, 11, 12, 13, 14). The elevation portions (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) and support portions (20, 21, 22, 23) are integrally formed and thus form the main body.