Operating Table Load Sensing for Anti-Tipping Patient Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operating tables lack effective means to monitor patient weight and center of gravity during procedures, leading to potential instability and increased risk of tipping, especially in cases of significant blood loss.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a force measurement system with multiple sensors connected to central electronics, allowing for real-time weight monitoring and load distribution analysis, which adjusts the table's pivot and displacement capabilities based on patient weight to maintain stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the table panel is made pivotable and displaceable to improve patient positioning flexibility, then patient care capability is improved, but the risk of tipping and instability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the maximum pivot angle and displacement limits based on the detected patient weight. The control unit receives weight information from the force measurement system and automatically modifies the operational range of the table panel, reducing the pivot angle and displacement for heavier patients to maintain stability while preserving positioning flexibility for lighter patients.
Solution Approach 2:
The force measurement system continuously monitors the patient weight and provides feedback to the control unit. This feedback loop enables real-time adjustment of stability parameters, allowing the system to adapt the table's mechanical limits based on the actual load conditions, thereby preventing tipping while maintaining operational versatility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If fixed maximum pivot angles and displacements are used to ensure stability, then tipping risk is reduced, but patient positioning flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of fixed limits, the system implements dynamic limits that vary according to patient weight. The control unit calculates appropriate maximum pivot angles and displacements based on the detected load, enabling heavier patients to have more conservative limits while lighter patients benefit from expanded positioning ranges, thus optimizing both stability and flexibility for each individual case.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters (maximum pivot angle and displacement) based on the patient weight parameter detected by the force measurement system. This parameter adaptation allows the table to optimize its mechanical behavior for different loading conditions, preventing tipping while maintaining maximum positioning flexibility appropriate to each patient's weight.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are installed to accurately monitor load distribution and prevent tipping, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force measurement system is segmented into multiple independent sensors positioned at different locations on the table panel. Each sensor independently measures the load at its specific position, and the control unit processes these individual measurements to calculate the overall center of gravity and load distribution, enabling precise monitoring through distributed measurement points.
Solution Approach 2:
The force measurement system with multiple sensors serves multiple functions simultaneously: it determines total patient weight, calculates center of gravity position, monitors load distribution across the table panel, and provides data for dynamic stability control. This multi-functionality justifies the sensor network by deriving maximum utility from the measurement infrastructure.
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
Enables precise monitoring of patient weight and load distribution, preventing tipping and facilitating safe patient transfer by dynamically adjusting the table's position and movement limits based on the patient's weight, enhancing operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a force measurement system for determining the weight of the table panel and of a patient on the table panel
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an operating table having a support column and a table panel mounted on the support column. In order to facilitate improve monitoring of a patient on the table panel, the operating table has a force measurement system for determining the weight of the table panel and of the patient on the table panel.