Magnetic Hand Restraint System for Surgical Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand restraining systems in medical settings face challenges in positioning hands accurately, lack flexibility for different sizes and shapes, and have limited durability, often breaking due to fatigue.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a magnetic support plate and finger restraining elements with rigid ring portions and permanent magnets allows for secure, flexible, and durable hand positioning, enabling easy repositioning and preventing unintentional displacement, with durable and sterilizable components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If malleable strips are bent over fingers to secure the hand, then the hand can be restrained to the plate, but it is difficult to position the hand in the desired position and lacks flexibility for different hand sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility for different hand sizesVSAvoiddifficulty to position hand

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The restraining system is divided into separate modular components: individual finger loops and a common support plate. Each finger loop can be independently positioned and attached, allowing flexible adaptation to different finger sizes and positions without interfering with other fingers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The finger loops are designed with elastic properties allowing them to be dynamically adjusted to fit different finger circumferences. The elastic material enables the loops to stretch during positioning and then maintain a secure fit, providing both ease of positioning and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If malleable strips are used to restrain the hand, then the hand can be secured to the plate, but the system tends to break from fatigue and has limited durability

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidbreaking from fatigue

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is replaced from mechanical interlocking or friction-based holding to magnetic attraction. The permanent magnets in the finger loops attract to the magnetic support plate, providing a reliable connection that does not suffer from fatigue failure like bent metal strips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The finger loops combine elastic material with permanent magnets, creating a composite structure that leverages the flexibility and comfort of elastic materials while incorporating the strength and reliability of magnetic attachment, avoiding the fatigue problems of purely malleable metal strips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If rigid structures are used to restrain fingers, then reliable restraining is achieved, but blood flow obstruction may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliable restrainingVSAvoidblood flow obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The finger loops are constructed from elastic material that forms a flexible shell around each finger. This flexible construction allows the loops to conform to the finger shape without creating excessive pressure points that would obstruct blood flow, while still providing reliable restraint through magnetic attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

The system provides reliable, comfortable, and long-lasting hand restraint during surgeries, accommodating various hand sizes and shapes, while maintaining ease of repositioning and preventing blood flow obstruction, with cost-effective and reusable design.

Implementation Method 1

the support plate comprises a magnetic material, and that each of the finger restraining elements comprises at least one rigid ring portion for receiving a finger, and a fastening portion with a permanent magnet for attaching the finger restraining element to the support plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11963912B2System for positioning and restraining at least a part of a hand

Publication Date: 2024.04.23 MANUFIX SCANDINAVIA AB

AI summary

A system for positioning and restraining a hand during hand surgery and similar may include a support plate and a plurality of finger restraining elements, wherein each of the finger restraining elements is removably connectable to a finger or a plurality of fingers, and is detachably attachable to the support plate. The support plate may include a magnetic material, and each of the finger re-straining elements may include a rigid ring portion for receiving a finger, and a fastening portion with a permanent magnet for detachably attaching the finger restraining element in a desired position on the support plate, so that a finger received in the ring portion can be secured to the support plate in the desired position.