Medical Table with Interchangeable Inserts for Breast Biopsy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintaining patient comfort during breast biopsies is challenging due to breast compression, which can be uncomfortable for patients, and existing medical tables do not adequately support the patient's body to alleviate this discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A medical table with interchangeable inserts of varying port sizes and flexible padding, allowing for customizable support and positioning, including asymmetrical openings and adjustable arm and leg supports, to enhance patient comfort and facilitate procedures like breast biopsies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If breast compression is applied to localize the area of interest, then the biopsy procedure can be performed, but patient comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The table is divided into multiple functional sections including a breast support section with interchangeable inserts, an arm support section, and a leg support section. Each section can be independently configured to provide localized support, allowing the breast to be supported in a comfortable position while still enabling compression for the biopsy procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the table have different support characteristics tailored to specific body parts. The breast support section includes interchangeable inserts with varying port sizes and padding configurations, while the arm and leg sections have adjustable supports. This localized customization allows each body part to be supported optimally during the procedure.
2Ease of operation
If the patient's arm is positioned below the table top, then access to the breast is improved, but the patient loses support for the arm
Solution Approach 1:
An adjustable arm support acts as an intermediary element between the patient's arm and the table structure. This support can be positioned to hold the arm in various locations, including below the table top when needed for procedure access, while still providing necessary support and comfort to the patient.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed table design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different patient needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The table incorporates interchangeable inserts that can be swapped to accommodate different patient sizes and procedure requirements. The same table structure serves multiple functions through these replaceable components, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving high adaptability. The inserts include varying port sizes, padding configurations, and support characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The table includes adjustable and reconfigurable components such as interchangeable inserts, adjustable arm supports, and controllable padding. These dynamic elements allow the table to adapt its configuration based on patient needs and procedure requirements, transforming a static structure into a flexible, patient-specific support system.
Data Source
AI summary
The table for performing breast biopsies is characterized by features that enhance patient comfort and facilitate performance of the biopsy. An opening in the table allowing the breast to extend below the table top is formed in a removable insert. An area of the insert includes padding. An alternate insert, having a different diameter opening may be selected based on patient breast size. Another insert having an asymmetrical opening may accommodate the patient's arm when it is desirable to position both the arm and breast of the patient below the table top. The table top is contoured such that symmetrical distal end sections are elevated relative to a central section to support the patient in multiple positions. A removable pad may be placed over the insert. An end portion for padding the hip of the patient is thicker than an end portion for padding the head/neck of the patient.