Medical Examination Table Retractable Wheels for Stable Patient Exams

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medical examination tables are difficult to move due to their size and weight, and incorporating wheels for mobility can lead to undesired movement during patient examinations.

Innovation Solution

A medical examination table with retractable wheels that can be extended for mobility and retracted to prevent movement when in use, featuring a base assembly with recesses and an actuating mobility assembly to transition between mobility configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wheels are incorporated to enable easy movement of the examination table, then mobility is improved, but undesired movement during patient examinations occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemobilityVSAvoidpatient position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel assembly is designed to be dynamically changeable between extended and retracted positions. The actuating mechanism enables the wheel to transition from an extended state (providing mobility) to a retracted state (preventing movement during examinations), allowing the system to adapt its properties based on operational requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical state of the wheel assembly changes between extended and retracted configurations. This parameter change (position of the wheel) fundamentally alters the mobility characteristics of the examination table, enabling easy movement when extended and stability when retracted

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If the examination table is made heavy and sturdy to support patient examinations, then structural strength is improved, but ease of movement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of movement

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mobility function is segmented from the main table structure by using separate wheel assemblies that can be independently extended and retracted. This allows the table body to maintain its sturdy construction while the wheel components provide the necessary mobility when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wheel assembly acts as an intermediary element between the heavy table structure and the floor. When extended, the wheels mediate the interaction between the sturdy table and the ground, enabling movement without compromising the table's structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12350202B2Medical examination table with retractable moving wheels

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 MIDMARK CORP

AI summary

A medical examination table includes a base assembly, a table assembly, a table actuation assembly, a wheel assembly, and an actuating mobility assembly. The base assembly configured to support the medical examination table in a first mobility configuration. The table actuation assembly is configured to raise and lower the table assembly relative to the base member to thereby transition the table assembly between a lowered position and a raised position. The wheel assembly is configured to support the medical examination table in a second mobility configuration. The actuating mobility assembly is configured to cooperate with the table actuation assembly to thereby actuate the wheel assembly relative to the base assembly to thereby transition the medical examination table between the first mobility configuration to the second mobility configuration.