Motorized Surgical Table Platform with Ratchet Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical table adjustment mechanisms are cumbersome, unsafe, and prone to uncontrolled movements, making it difficult for surgical staff to position patients effectively and efficiently.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable support apparatus featuring a crossbar, carriage, and tower assembly with a ratchet mechanism and bayonet-type connection, which allows for safe and easy movement of the patient platform, including independent elevation and tilting, with audible indicators for locking and unlocking, reducing the risk of accidental movements and enhancing stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual adjustment mechanisms with rods and parallel bars are used, then the surgical table can be adjusted, but the system requires great care to prevent accidental patient lowering and is difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual rod-and-bar mechanical adjustment system with an electric motor-driven system. Motors are integrated into the end supports to automatically raise, lower, tilt, and independently elevate or lower the head and foot portions of the patient platform, eliminating the need for manual manipulation of rods and bars while improving both safety and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical table system incorporates automatic safety features that prevent accidental patient lowering without requiring constant manual intervention. The motorized system includes control mechanisms that inherently protect patient safety through designed-in safeguards, allowing the system to monitor and control its own operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex manual adjustment mechanisms are used, then the surgical table can achieve various positions, but the adjustment process is cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual adjustment mechanisms with electric motor-driven systems that automatically position the patient platform. Motors integrated into the end supports enable rapid achievement of various positions including Trendelenberg and reverse Trendelenberg positions, significantly reducing the time required for adjustments while maintaining full adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized system allows for pre-positioning of the patient platform to anticipated needs. The system can be adjusted in advance to various positions, and the rapid response of motors enables quick transitions between positions, reducing waiting time during surgical procedures.
3Device complexity
If simple locking mechanisms are used, then the structure is simple, but uncontrolled movements of the table can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple mechanical locking mechanisms with motorized control systems that actively maintain platform position. Integrated motors provide continuous control and prevention of uncontrolled movements through electronic control, eliminating the need for complex mechanical locks while ensuring stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized system incorporates control mechanisms that monitor platform position and make automatic adjustments to maintain stability. The system provides feedback control to prevent uncontrolled movements, ensuring patient safety without requiring complex manual locking procedures.
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 apparatus facilitates convenient and safe positioning of patients, reduces the risk of uncontrolled table movements, and provides audible feedback for secure locking, thereby enhancing patient safety and compliance with lift standards while being maintenance-friendly.
Implementation Method 1
A controller associated with the carriage moves at least one pawl into and out of engagement with any of the gear racks, thus, allowing the end portions of the patient platform and the carriage to move upwardly and downwardly relative to a tower through a ratchet mechanism.
Implementation Method 2
Each tower is provided with at least one gear rack having alternating recesses and shoulders
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable support apparatus for a surgery table utilizing a platform having first and second end portions. First and second end supports are used to mount the platform which is adjusted by a carriage having a pawl operator. The carriage includes studs having support surfaces for the platform. A tower utilizing a gear rack interacts with the carriage pawl operator to position the platform relative to the first and second end support of the surgery table.