Patient Positioning System with Movable Leg Rest
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional treatment couches lack the ability to physically move patients towards the head-end or position them specifically on the couch, limiting their positioning flexibility, especially for patients of varying heights during medical operations.
Innovation Solution
A patient positioning system that includes a treatment couch with a leg rest and a drive mechanism, allowing the leg rest to move translational directions relative to the head-end, coupled with detachable portions and robotic arms for precise positioning, accommodating different patient heights and orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional treatment couches are used with only folding and unfolding motion, then the structure remains simple, but the patient positioning flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming the static couch structure into a dynamic system with multiple movable components. The leg rest assembly can move longitudinally along the couch, and the couch itself can be tilted to different angles, allowing the system to adapt to various patient heights and positioning requirements while maintaining manageable complexity through controlled degrees of freedom
Solution Approach 2:
The couch is segmented into distinct functional modules: the base portion, the leg rest assembly with independent longitudinal movement, and the backrest portion. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently for its specific function while collectively providing enhanced positioning flexibility without requiring complete redesign of the entire couch system
2Measurement precision
If the leg rest moves translationally to position patients precisely, then positioning precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with a more streamlined drive mechanism. The leg rest's longitudinal movement is achieved through a simplified motorized system that provides precise control without requiring multiple interconnected mechanical components, thereby achieving positioning precision while limiting complexity growth
Solution Approach 2:
The drive mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the longitudinal movement of the leg rest for positioning, and can also work in conjunction with the couch tilting mechanism to achieve various positioning configurations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each positioning task, thereby achieving precision without proportional increases in complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If detachable portions are added to accommodate different patient heights, then adaptability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The couch includes detachable portions that can be removed or adjusted to accommodate different patient heights. These segments are designed as standardized components that can be easily attached and detached, allowing customization for various patient sizes while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than making the entire couch adaptable to different patient heights through complex adjustments, the patent applies adaptability locally through detachable portions at specific locations. This allows the majority of the couch structure to remain simple and easy to manufacture, while only specific localized components provide the height accommodation functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus of a positioning system are described to position an upper-half of a body relative to a head-end of a couch. The positioning system may be a patient positioning system and may include a treatment couch, a leg rest coupled to the treatment couch, and a drive mechanism coupled to the leg rest. The patient positioning system may also include a treatment couch, having a base portion of a treatment couch and plurality of detachable portions of the treatment couch. The plurality of detachable portions to adjust a height of the treatment couch to accommodate differing heights of patients.