Modular Medical Device Cart with Articulating Tabletop Coupling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In interventional procedure rooms, the management of multiple medical devices and their associated cables, tubes, and probes is inefficient, leading to safety hazards, trip risks, and difficulties in cleaning due to cluttered and unstable setups, especially when patient positioners with articulating tabletops are used.

Innovation Solution

An integrated modular system with a wheeled base, upwardly extended support structure, and device integration modules, equipped with coupling devices that securely attach to the patient positioner's tabletop, allowing for orderly management and concealment of cables through cable raceways, enabling flexible and safe device positioning and connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple medical devices are deployed in close proximity with the patient positioner to manage cable length, then cable management improves, but the risk of cables being pulled off or snapped during tabletop articulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable managementVSAvoidcable connection safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A mobile support cart is introduced as an intermediary structure between the patient positioner and medical devices. The cart includes a coupling device that attaches to the tabletop and provides mounting surfaces for devices, while cable management channels guide cables from devices through the cart structure to the patient, preventing cable damage during tabletop movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device between the cart and tabletop is designed with linear guidance capability, allowing the cart to move dynamically with tabletop articulation while maintaining proper cable routing. The cable management system accommodates tabletop movement through guided cable paths that prevent pulling and snapping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional device placement methods are used, then device functionality is maintained, but cable clutter creates safety hazards and cleaning difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidcable clutter hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple medical devices are consolidated onto a single mobile support cart, merging their physical locations and cable management pathways. The cart integrates device mounting surfaces, cable management channels, and power/data connection points into one unified structure, eliminating cable clutter while preserving all device functionalities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable management system uses flexible cable channels and conduits that can bend and route cables through the cart structure in an organized manner, preventing cable tangling and exposure on the floor, thereby eliminating trip hazards and improving cleanliness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system needs to accommodate tabletop articulation for patient positioning and imaging, then patient access and imaging capability improve, but cable stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetabletop articulation capabilityVSAvoidcable stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device is designed with linear guidance that allows the mobile cart to move dynamically in response to tabletop articulation. Cable management channels are configured to guide cables through the cart structure in a way that accommodates tabletop movement while preventing cable pulling and snapping, maintaining cable stability during dynamic positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10080543B2Integrated modular system for managing plurality of medical devices

Publication Date: 2018.09.25 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

An integrated modular system for managing plurality of medical devices in an interventional procedure room and usable in conjunction with a patient positioner having an articulating tabletop is disclosed. The integrated modular system comprises a wheeled base; an upwardly extended support structure mounted on the wheeled base; two or more device integration modules removably mounted on the upwardly extended support structure; one or more coupling devices arranged in a linearly guided fashion with the upwardly extended support structure; wherein the one or more coupling devices couples the articulating tabletop of a patient positioner and the upwardly extended support structure.