Operating Table Pad Fixation Using Micro Suction Foil

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing operating table pad fixation methods, such as hook and loop fasteners, mushroom-shaped knobs, and sticky tapes, pose hygiene issues due to difficulty in cleaning and bacterial contamination, and anti-slip pads do not provide a reliable fixing mechanism.

Innovation Solution

A micro suction foil with micro suction surfaces is used to attach pads to the table panel, offering a reliable, easy-to-clean, and disinfectable solution that adjusts holding forces for attachment and detachment, allowing for reuse and flexible pad orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hook and loop fasteners are used to fix pads to the table panel, then the pads can be securely attached, but the fasteners are difficult to clean and create hygiene issues due to germ and bacteria accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepad fixation reliabilityVSAvoidhygiene contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical hook and loop fastening system with a suction-based fixation system using a micro suction foil. The foil creates vacuum suction through microstructures on its surface, eliminating the need for mechanical interlocking components that trap contaminants. This substitution maintains secure pad attachment while enabling easy cleaning and disinfection of the contact surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The micro suction foil utilizes a porous or microstructured surface that creates numerous small suction channels. This porous structure generates effective vacuum suction for securing the pad while allowing the surface to be easily cleaned and disinfected, unlike the interwoven structure of hook and loop fasteners that trap bacteria and germs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If mushroom shaped fixation knobs are used to attach pads, then the pads can be fixed to the table panel, but there is a risk of pressure ulcer formation on the patient's body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepad fixation reliabilityVSAvoidpressure ulcer risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a thin, flexible micro suction foil instead of rigid mushroom-shaped knobs. The foil conformally attaches to the table panel surface without creating localized pressure points that could cause ulcers. Its distributed suction force across the entire contact area eliminates the concentration of pressure that occurs with knob-based fixation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If sticky tapes are used to fix pads, then the pads can be attached to the table panel, but the tapes collect dirt and create hygiene issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepad fixation reliabilityVSAvoiddirt accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces adhesive sticky tapes with a suction-based fixation mechanism. The micro suction foil attaches pads through vacuum suction rather than adhesive bonding, eliminating the need for sticky surfaces that collect and retain dirt, dust, and other contaminants. The smooth surface of the foil can be easily wiped clean and disinfected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If anti-slip pads are used to increase friction between pads and table panel, then some friction is provided, but the pads are not actually fixed and the fixation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslip resistanceVSAvoidpad fixation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a pneumatic fixation mechanism using a micro suction foil that creates vacuum suction between the pad and table panel. This pneumatic force provides strong, reliable fixation that actively holds the pad in place, far exceeding the passive friction provided by anti-slip materials. The suction force can be reliably controlled and maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 micro suction foil provides a secure and hygienic attachment of pads to the operating table, enabling intensive cleaning and disinfection while ensuring the pad can be easily removed and reused, addressing the hygiene and reliability concerns of previous fixation methods.

Implementation Method 1

a micro suction foil configured to be sandwiched between the upper face of the table panel and the pad to attach the pad to the upper face of the table panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3682861B1Operating table

Publication Date: 2023.08.30 BAXTER MEDICAL SYST GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1
Figure 2A~3C
Figure 4A~4C

AI summary

An operating table (1) comprises a table panel (6, 7, 8, 9), a pad (10, 11, 12, 13) covering at least a portion of an upper face of the table panel (6, 7, 8, 9), and a micro suction foil (14) configured to be sandwiched between the upper face of the table panel and the pad to attach the pad (10, 11, 12, 13) to the upper face of the table panel (6, 7, 8, 9).