Medical Imaging Table Cradle Segmentation for Device Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical imaging tables are designed with rigid materials to prevent sagging, but the pads on these tables are prone to damage from spills and lack stability for medical devices placed outside the imaging system's bore, leading to potential device damage and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A medical imaging table assembly with a cradle that separates patient scanning and workflow management areas, where the patient support pad is only on the scanning area and includes a tray assembly with a bridge for stable device placement, and a secondary cover for easy cleaning, all made from materials like carbon fiber and foam for comfort and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pad is installed over the entire length of the table to increase patient comfort, then patient comfort is improved, but the pad becomes vulnerable to damage from spills and provides an unstable surface for medical devices
Solution Approach 1:
The table is divided into two distinct functional zones: a patient scanning area with a comfortable pad for patient support, and a workflow management area with a rigid, stable surface for medical devices. This segmentation allows each zone to have optimized properties for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different surface qualities are applied to different regions of the table. The patient scanning area has a soft, comfortable pad surface, while the workflow management area has a hard, stable surface. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing comfort where needed and stability where required.
2Productivity
If operators place medical devices directly on the pad outside the imaging system, then workflow efficiency is improved, but the devices risk falling due to pad flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The table surface is segmented into a patient scanning area and a workflow management area. The workflow management area provides a stable, rigid surface specifically designed for supporting medical devices, allowing operators to maintain efficient workflows without risking device stability.
3Ease of operation
If the pad extends over the entire table length, then patient comfort is improved, but cleaning and sterilization become more difficult when spills occur
Solution Approach 1:
The pad is segmented to extend only over the patient scanning area, not the entire table length. This reduces the surface area requiring cleaning and sterilization while maintaining patient comfort in the relevant zone. The workflow management area has a separate, easily cleanable surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Different surface properties are applied locally: the patient scanning area has a comfortable pad surface limited to where patients contact the table, while the workflow management area has a smooth, non-porous surface that is easily cleaned and sterilized.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical imaging table assembly includes a table portion, a cradle slidably coupled to the table portion, the cradle having a length that defines a patient scanning area and a workflow management area, and a patient support pad disposed only on the patient scanning area. A medical imaging system including the medical imaging table and a method of manufacturing the medical imaging table are also described herein.