Operating Table Extension for Independent Lower-Limb Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical devices for knee joint procedures, such as endoprosthetic replacement, do not allow surgeons to easily and independently position the lower limb, often requiring assistance to support the leg in the tibial region, limiting the surgeon's control during the procedure.
Innovation Solution
An operating table extension comprising five subassemblies that enable precise positioning of the lower limb, including a rigid connection to the table, vertical and horizontal actuators, and a cart for control components, allowing independent limb positioning and adjustment according to the surgeon's needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing surgical devices are used for knee joint procedures, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but the surgeon cannot easily and independently position the lower limb, requiring assistance to support the leg
Solution Approach 1:
The extension device merges the limb positioning function with the existing operating table structure. The extension is attached to the operating table and integrates actuators, support surfaces, and control systems into a unified apparatus that extends the table's functionality without requiring separate support devices or personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension device enables the surgeon to independently position and adjust the lower limb without requiring an assistant to manually support the leg. The electric actuators automatically adjust the support surface position and angle, providing self-service positioning capability that eliminates the need for additional manual assistance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual support of the leg is used during surgery, then the leg can be positioned, but the assistant cannot support the entire limb beyond the tibial region
Solution Approach 1:
The extension device employs electric actuators that enable dynamic adjustment of the support surface position and angle. This allows the limb to be positioned in various configurations (elevated, lowered, angled) during surgery, providing adaptability for different surgical approaches while maintaining ease of operation through motorized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The device replaces manual mechanical support by an assistant with an automated electric actuator system. The actuators provide controlled mechanical movement of the support surface, enabling the surgeon to independently achieve positioning that would otherwise require manual assistance, thereby improving both adaptability and ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed operating table configuration is used, then the table structure is simple, but it does not allow versatile adjustment of the lower limb position
Solution Approach 1:
The extension device is divided into functional modules: a support surface, multiple electric actuators for different movement degrees of freedom, and control systems. This segmentation allows versatile limb positioning through coordinated action of individual modules while keeping each component relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension device is designed to attach to standard operating tables and provides multiple functions (vertical adjustment, horizontal positioning, angular adjustment) through a single integrated apparatus. This multi-functionality achieves versatile limb positioning without requiring multiple separate devices, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The present invention relates to the operating table extension, especially for endoprosthetic replacement procedures of the knee joint, comprising five subassemblies that work together to allow changing the position of the lower limb in the space of the operating table according to the needs of the operating surgeon during the surgery, wherein the extension includes Subassembly I providing a rigid connection to the operating table and a bracket integrating the entire structure, Subassembly II, whose components allow lower limb positioning in the direction of the vertical axis of the operating table, Subassembly III, whose components fasten and set the position of the limb support, Subassembly IV, whose components enable the positioning of the lower limb in the horizontal plane, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the patient, Subassembly V-a cart.