Movable Table Synchronization in Negative-Pressure Therapy Chamber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Patients with limited mobility face difficulties in using existing negative-pressure chambers for medical and cosmetic therapy due to the vertical entrance opening, making it challenging to enter the horizontally oriented chamber.

Innovation Solution

A treatment device with a split table system where both parts are guided on linear guides to move in the same direction, allowing the table to be partially removed from the chamber, enabling easier access and synchronization to prevent relative movement during treatment, with a safety clutch to prevent unintended movement and ensure comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the negative-pressure chamber is designed as a horizontal cylinder with a vertical entrance opening, then the chamber can effectively enclose and treat the lower half of the body, but patients with limited mobility cannot easily enter the chamber

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of negative-pressure therapyVSAvoidease of entering the chamber

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The table is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be extended outside the chamber for patient loading and then retracted inside for treatment. The linear guide enables smooth longitudinal movement of the table between positions, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to different operational phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The table movement is constrained to one dimension (longitudinal direction along the linear guide), simplifying the complexity while achieving the desired functionality. This single-degree-of-freedom movement allows the table to transition between extended and retracted positions without requiring complex multi-axis mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the table is made movable to facilitate patient entry, then ease of operation improves, but relative movement between table parts during treatment may occur causing discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of patient loadingVSAvoidrelative movement causing discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The synchronization system dynamically coordinates the movement of both table parts, ensuring they move at the same speed and remain parallel throughout the transition. This dynamic control prevents relative movement between parts during treatment while still allowing the table to be extended for patient loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The synchronization system monitors and coordinates the positions and movements of both table parts, providing feedback control to maintain proper alignment. This ensures that during the table's movement into and out of the chamber, both parts move in coordination to prevent discomfort to the patient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a synchronization system is added to coordinate table movement, then relative movement between parts is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelative movement between table partsVSAvoidcomplexity of synchronization system

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The synchronization system replaces complex mechanical linkages with a control-based approach, using sensors and actuators to coordinate table part movements. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while achieving the desired synchronization effect through electronic control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If the table is extended outside the chamber for patient loading, then ease of operation improves, but the chamber may not be properly sealed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility for patients with limited mobilityVSAvoidgas-tight sealing of chamber

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is designed to dynamically adapt its position based on the table's location. When the table is extended for loading, the sealing element remains outside the chamber. When the table is retracted for treatment, the sealing element moves into position to create a gas-tight seal at the chamber entrance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element acts as an intermediary between the chamber interior and exterior, creating a gas-tight barrier only when needed. It flexibly engages with the chamber opening to prevent gas leakage during treatment while allowing free access during patient loading and removal phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10219970B2Medical negative-pressure chamber with movable table

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 WEYERGANS HIGH CARE

AI summary

A treatment device for medical and/or cosmetic therapy includes a negative-pressure chamber receiving a lower half of a person's body. The negative-pressure chamber is designed as a tube and has an admission opening sealed off from the person's body by a closure element. A first part of a table is arranged in the interior of the negative-pressure chamber. A second part of the table is arranged outside the negative-pressure chamber. The first part and the second part are each guided longitudinally on a linear guide. The first part can be moved at least partially out of the negative-pressure chamber and the second part can be moved away from the admission opening. A synchronization between the first part and the second part allows the first and second parts to be moved at the same speed in the same direction.