Patient positioning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices fail to securely position and restrain patients on operating tables at steep angles greater than 30 degrees, such as in Trendelenburg or Lateral Oblique positions, leading to movement and instability during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A patient positioning system comprising a positioning pad with handles, scapular wedges, a head positioner, and arm positioners made of flexible high-density polyurethane foam, designed to provide multiple points of frictional contact and secure the patient through a combination of angled surfaces and flexible flaps to prevent movement, along with a body strap for additional stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the operating table is angled at a steep angle greater than 30 degrees for Trendelenburg or Lateral Oblique positions, then the position is desirable for various medical procedures, but it becomes difficult to securely restrain the patient against movement
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is divided into multiple independent components: head positioner, scapular support, arm positioners, and leg positioners. Each component can be independently adjusted and positioned to provide localized support and restraint, allowing the system to adapt to steep angles while maintaining patient stability through distributed contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the positioning system have specialized features tailored to specific body regions. The head positioner has a contoured cradle, scapular support has wedge shapes, arm positioners have triangular wedges with flexible flaps, and leg positioners have similar structures. This local customization ensures optimal contact and restraint at each anatomical region when positioned at steep angles.
2Ease of operation
If conventional positioning devices are used on steep angles, then the table can be positioned for medical procedures, but the patient cannot be securely restrained leading to movement and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system incorporates flexible flaps made of flexible material that can dynamically adapt to patient movement and body contours. These flaps can be wrapped around body parts and secured, providing dynamic restraint that maintains effectiveness even when the table is positioned at steep angles greater than 30 degrees.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds multiple dimensions of restraint beyond simple flat positioning. Triangular wedges provide three-point contact geometry, flexible flaps add wraparound constraint, and multiple independent components create a three-dimensional network of support points that collectively prevent patient movement in steep positions.
3Reliability
If multiple positioning components are added to secure the patient, then patient stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each positioning component is designed to serve multiple functions. The head positioner provides head support and upper torso positioning. Scapular supports stabilize the upper back and assist with positioning. Arm and leg positioners both provide limb restraint and contribute to overall patient stabilization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for entirely separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning components are designed to work together in a nested hierarchy where the head positioner forms the primary support, scapular supports provide secondary stabilization, and arm/leg positioners add tertiary restraint. Each component builds upon and complements the others, creating an integrated system where the whole provides greater stability than the sum of individual parts.
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
The system effectively secures patients at steep angles by increasing frictional contact points and distributing body weight, preventing movement and reducing pressure on the spinal cord, thereby ensuring stable positioning during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
flexible high-density polyurethane foam, designed to provide multiple points of frictional contact and secure the patient
Data Source
AI summary
A patient positioning system configured for positioning and supporting a patient against movement, the positioning system comprising: an arm positioner configured to be positionable about an arm of the patient. The arm positioner has a triangular wedge with a planar base and an angled leg, an end of the triangular wedge of the arm positioner is located to extend between the base of the arm positioner and the angled leg of the arm positioner and configured to abut the arm of the patient. An upper flexible flap extends away from the angled leg of the arm positioner adjacent the end of the triangular wedge; and a lower flexible flap extends away from the base of the arm positioner adjacent the end of the triangular wedge. The upper flexible flap and the lower flexible flap are configured to be oppositely wrapped around the arm of the patient to snugly envelope the arm and secure it relative to the triangular wedge.