Fail-Safe Patient Support Release With Orientation-Locked Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient positioning support structures lack a fail-safe mechanism to prevent improper disconnection, which can lead to safety hazards during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A fail-safe release mechanism with a two-part interlock system that ensures one part of the interlock cannot be released before the other, incorporating mechanical and software synchronized mechanisms, and is dependent on the orientation and load on the patient support structure to prevent disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple connection mechanism is used to join patient support structure to base structure, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of inadvertent disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is divided into two separate locking members that must both be engaged to secure the patient support structure to the base structure. This segmentation ensures that neither locking member alone can provide complete connection, thereby preventing inadvertent disconnection while maintaining operational simplicity through the modular design.
2Reliability
If a fail-safe release mechanism with multiple conditions is implemented, then reliability is improved by preventing improper disconnection, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking members are designed to automatically engage with the support structure and base structure through self-aligning features and spring-loaded mechanisms. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex manual operation procedures while maintaining high reliability, as the system performs part of the connection verification and securing process automatically.
3Reliability
If orientation-dependent release mechanism is used, then reliability is improved by ensuring proper positioning, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The locking members incorporate asymmetric engagement surfaces and directional spring forces that naturally guide the support structure into the correct orientation during connection. This asymmetric design makes it difficult or impossible to connect the structure in incorrect orientations, thereby ensuring positioning accuracy while the self-aligning features minimize the operational effort required to achieve proper connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A fail-safe release mechanism for use with patient positioning support apparati having a base structure and a patient support structure, to prevent collapse of the patient support structure during disconnection of the patient support structure from the base structure at outboard ends thereof.