Operating Table Four-Bar Linkage Adjusting Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating tables lack an efficient and safe mechanism for adjusting support surface segments to accommodate patients of different anatomy, often resulting in physiologically disadvantageous postures and risks of uncontrolled movements or accidents during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
An adjusting device for operating tables featuring a four-bar linkage with a base element and a support surface segment, allowing for easy positioning and locking of support surface segments relative to a patient bearing surface, utilizing a system of guide bars, couplers, and arresting units to simplify adjustments and prevent unintended movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pivot axes are used to adjust support surface segments to accommodate different patient anatomies, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pivot axes (first pivot axis for lateral rotation, second pivot axis for longitudinal rotation) into a single integrated adjusting device that controls both rotations simultaneously. This merging approach maintains high adaptability to different patient anatomies while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms for each pivot axis.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting device is designed with multi-functionality to perform both lateral rotation and longitudinal rotation of support surface segments through a single mechanism. This universal design allows the device to accommodate various patient anatomies and positioning requirements without requiring multiple separate adjustment systems, thereby improving adaptability while controlling complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If continuously adjustable joints are used to optimize patient positioning, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and friction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamically adjustable joints that can be positioned at multiple discrete angles along the pivot axes. While not continuously adjustable in the strictest sense, the joints provide sufficient adaptability for patient positioning by allowing adjustment to various angles, balancing manufacturability with functional requirements. The joints maintain low friction through their design while achieving the necessary adaptability.
3Strength
If crown gear couplings are used to transmit large forces, then strength is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces arresting units as intermediary components between the pivot axes and the support surface segments. These arresting units provide mechanical advantage and force multiplication, allowing the system to transmit large forces without requiring oversized crown gear couplings. The intermediaries enable compact design while maintaining the necessary strength for patient positioning.
4Manufacturing precision
If pivot axes are spaced away from patient joints, then manufacturing precision is improved, but physiological disadvantage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dual-pivot system where the first pivot axis enables lateral rotation and the second pivot axis enables longitudinal rotation of the support surface segment. This dynamic configuration allows the effective rotation center to move closer to the patient's joints during operation, reducing physiological disadvantage while maintaining manufacturing precision through the spaced pivot axis design. The combined action of both pivots achieves the desired positioning with improved ergonomics.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjusting device for positioning support surface segments of an operating table is disclosed and may have a four-bar linkage, in which a base element of the operating table and a support surface segment of a patient bearing surface of the operating table are connected. The four-bar linkage may have a first guide bar and a second guide bar. The support surface segment may be connected to the four-bar linkage so that it can pivot about the second pivot.