Modular Patient Positioning Frame for Hip Surgery Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current patient positioning frames for total hip replacement surgeries often obstruct access to the surgical site due to their complex superstructures and require extensive modification of the surgical table, making it difficult to achieve optimal patient positioning.

Innovation Solution

A patient positioning frame comprising a posterior support, lateral support, and adjustable anterior restraint, allowing the patient to be initially positioned supine on a standard surgical table and then reoriented to expose the hip region without additional table modifications, with removable components to enhance access during surgery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex superstructure frame is used to position the patient, then the patient can be secured and positioned during surgery, but the frame obstructs access to the surgical site

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient positioning stabilityVSAvoidobstruction to surgical access

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning frame is divided into modular components including a pelvic support assembly, a leg support assembly, and a torso support assembly that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while minimizing overall interference with the surgical site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame design extracts and removes unnecessary superstructural elements that would obstruct the surgical site. The support assemblies are designed to provide stable patient positioning while being minimally invasive to the surgical field, effectively taking out the harmful obstructing elements while retaining the essential positioning function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If traditional frames with brackets and clamps are used, then the patient can be secured to the frame, but these hardware elements interfere with the surgical procedure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient immobilizationVSAvoidhardware interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning frame uses disposable positioning elements such as pads, straps, and conformable restraints that replace traditional metal brackets and clamps. These disposable elements provide sufficient patient immobilization without the interference and complexity of permanent hardware, and can be easily removed or adjusted during surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The frame incorporates flexible positioning elements including contoured pads, elastic straps, and thin film restraints that conform to the patient's anatomy. These flexible elements provide secure immobilization without the rigid structure of traditional brackets and clamps, thereby reducing interference with the surgical procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If the surgical table is modified to accommodate the positioning frame, then the patient can be positioned optimally, but the modification process is complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient positioning capabilityVSAvoidtable modification requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning frame is designed as a universal system that can be accommodated by standard surgical tables without modification. The frame's base assembly is configured to work with conventional table surfaces, and the adjustable support assemblies can adapt to various table types, eliminating the need for complex table modifications while maintaining optimal positioning capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning frame incorporates dynamic, adjustable components including height-adjustable support assemblies, movable positioning elements, and flexible restraints that can adapt to different surgical table configurations. This dynamic design allows the frame to be properly positioned on standard tables without modification, providing optimal patient positioning through adjustment rather than fixed modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11007104B2Frame and method for positioning a patient undergoing hip surgery

Publication Date: 2021.05.18 WOOLSON STEVEN T

AI summary

The patient positioning frame includes a posterior support, a lateral support, and an anterior restraint. The patient positioning frame can be placed on an upper surface of a conventional surgical table with the posterior support lying horizontally and the lateral support position vertically. A patient lies supine on the lateral support and is restrained using the anterior restraint assembly. The patient and the patient support are then simultaneously turned on the table to expose the patient's hip region for subsequent hip replacement or other surgery.