Operating Table Base Station for Low-Pressure Cranial Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neurosurgical devices using high-pressure pins are unsafe for young children due to the risk of skull fracture, brain injury, and cranial movement during microsurgical procedures, limiting their eligibility for intracranial neurosurgery and image guidance technology.
Innovation Solution
A base station assembly that supports a pediatric or adult neurosurgical headrest with multiple low-pressure cranial pins, providing adjustable positioning and secure attachment of surgical accessories like brain retractors and image guidance frames, allowing for enhanced surgeon control without external assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If high-pressure pins are used to secure the patient's head, then the head can be firmly fixed to prevent cranial movement, but the skull may fracture or penetrate, causing brain injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from high to low, using multiple low-pressure pins instead of fewer high-pressure pins. This parameter change allows the pins to distribute the securing force across a wider area, achieving stable head fixation without concentrating enough pressure to cause skull fracture or brain injury in pediatric patients
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the fixation system by using multiple pins (three or more) instead of a single or dual-pin system. This segmentation distributes the mechanical load across multiple contact points, reducing the pressure at each individual pin site while collectively providing sufficient stabilization of the patient's head during neurosurgical procedures
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple low-pressure pins are used instead of high-pressure pins, then skull fracture risk is reduced, but head fixation stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs segmentation by using three or more pins distributed across the skull surface. This multi-point contact system compensates for the lower pressure at each individual pin site by increasing the number of contact points, collectively achieving the necessary head stabilization without requiring high pressure at any single location
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from high to low while maintaining fixation stability through the combined effect of multiple pins. The low-pressure design prevents skull fracture by keeping individual pin pressures below the fracture threshold, while the multiplicity of pins ensures adequate head stabilization for neurosurgical procedures
3Adaptability or versatility
If the base station is designed to support multiple surgical accessories, then functionality is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the base station as a multi-functional platform that can support various surgical accessories including headrests, image guidance reference frames, brain retractors, and armrests. This universal base station design consolidates multiple support functions into a single integrated structure, enhancing surgical versatility while managing complexity through standardized mounting interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple support functions into a single base station assembly. By combining the support for headrests, image guidance systems, retractors, and armrests into one integrated base structure, the design achieves functional consolidation that enhances adaptability while controlling overall device complexity through unified structural elements
Data Source
AI summary
A base station assembly for an operating room table is disclosed. In one embodiment, the base station assembly includes a base station that is secured to the operating room table. The base station includes an arcuate rail member with a selectively moveable clamp attached thereto. A vertical support arm extends from the selectively moveable clamp to provide selective attachment to a surgical accessory, such as a retractor arm, armrest, or image guidance reference frame. The base station assembly provides surgical accessory support that may be moved and adjusted by a surgeon at any time during an operation without contaminating a surgical field and without assistance from circulating operating room personnel.