Variable Balancing Arm for Medical Stand Weight Shift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical stands used in surgeries face challenges in maintaining weight balance when the weight of the medical device changes during procedures, leading to difficulties in performing precise surgery and requiring manual adjustments or replacements of counterweights or counter-springs.
Innovation Solution
A medical stand with a variable balancing arm system that includes a detector to monitor link displacements and a controller to adjust the center-of-gravity position of a counterweight, allowing for automatic restoration of weight balance through a motor-driven mechanism, enabling precise adjustments to maintain balance regardless of changes in the medical device's weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed counterweight is used in the medical stand, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the weight balance cannot be maintained when the medical device weight changes during surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the fixed counterweight with a variable counterweight system that can dynamically adjust its position along the balancing arm. The counterweight is mounted on a movable carriage that can slide along the balancing arm and is positioned by a motor-driven lead screw mechanism. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain weight balance even when the medical device weight changes during surgery, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If manual replacement of counterweights is required to restore weight balance, then the balancing system remains simple, but surgical precision is compromised and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements the feedback principle by using a load cell to continuously monitor the weight of the medical device and a detector to sense the position of the balancing arm. The controller receives signals from both sensors and automatically adjusts the counterweight position along the balancing arm to maintain equilibrium. This closed-loop feedback system eliminates the need for manual counterweight replacement, improving ease of operation while accepting increased device complexity through the control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies the self-service principle by enabling automatic weight balance restoration without requiring user intervention. When the medical device weight changes, the load cell detects the imbalance, the controller calculates the required counterweight adjustment, and the motor-driven mechanism automatically repositions the counterweight to restore balance. This self-adjusting capability allows the system to service itself, improving ease of operation during surgical procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the counterweight position is fixed, then the device structure is simpler, but adaptability to different medical device weights is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the fixed counterweight with a variable counterweight system that can dynamically adjust its position along the balancing arm. The counterweight is mounted on a movable carriage that can slide along the balancing arm and is positioned by a motor-driven lead screw mechanism. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain weight balance even when the medical device weight changes during surgery, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements the parameter changes principle by making the counterweight position a variable parameter rather than a fixed value. The counterweight can be positioned at different locations along the balancing arm, changing the moment arm length and thus the balancing torque. This parameter variability allows the system to adapt to different medical device weights and configurations, improving adaptability while accepting increased device complexity through the adjustment mechanism.
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 ensures continuous weight balance of the medical stand, facilitating precise surgery by automatically adjusting the counterweight's position in response to changes in the medical device's weight, enhancing surgical precision and reducing the need for manual interventions.
Implementation Method 1
a lead screw connected to a driving shaft of the driving motor; and a screw nut provided on the movable portion and threaded onto the lead screw
Implementation Method 2
a ball screw connected to a driving shaft of the driving motor; and a ball nut provided on the movable portion and threaded onto the ball screw
Implementation Method 3
a detector configured to detect a displacement of at least one of the first link, the second link, the third link, or the fourth link
Data Source
AI summary
A medical stand may include a first link, a second link parallel to the first link, a third link connected between one end of the first link and one end of the second link, a fourth link parallel to the third link and connected between the other end of the first link and the other end of the second link, a mounting arm extending from the other end of the first link, a variable balancing arm connected to at least one of the second link or the third link, a counterweight provided at a distal end of the variable balancing arm, a detector detecting a displacement of at least one of the first link, the second link, the third link, or the fourth link, and a controller generating the control signal to adjust the center-of-gravity position of the variable balancing arm in accordance with the displacement detected by the detector.