Patient Support Release Mechanism With Sequential Pin Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing patient positioning support systems lack a mechanism to prevent improper disconnection of patient supports from their bases, which can lead to accidents and damage, especially when pins are removed in the wrong order.

Innovation Solution

A fail-safe apparatus with side members and locking rods is installed on the patient positioning support system, ensuring that the upper connection pin cannot be removed before the lower pin, using U-shaped notches and locking notches to secure the rods in place, and incorporating weight-based mechanisms to signal safe removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a removable connection pin is used to attach patient support to base, then ease of assembly and disassembly is improved, but risk of improper disconnection and accidents increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assembly and disassemblyVSAvoidrisk of improper disconnection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fail-safe apparatus performs preliminary actions by requiring the lower connection pin to be removed before the upper connection pin can be removed. The U-shaped notch and locking notch mechanism pre-establishes a sequential removal requirement, preventing improper disconnection before it can occur. This preliminary constraint ensures safe operation while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If locking mechanisms are added to prevent improper disconnection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of improper disconnectionVSAvoidcomplexity of connection mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fail-safe apparatus employs asymmetry in the connection mechanism through the U-shaped notch and locking notch configuration. The U-shaped notch in the side member and the corresponding locking notch on the connection pin create an asymmetric engagement that allows insertion in only one orientation and prevents removal unless specific conditions are met. This asymmetric design provides reliable prevention of improper disconnection while maintaining relatively simple construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Stability of the object's composition

If multiple connection pins are used to secure patient support, then stability is improved, but difficulty of correct disassembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of patient support attachmentVSAvoiddifficulty of correct disassembly sequence

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fail-safe apparatus introduces an intermediary mechanism - the U-shaped notch and locking notch system - that mediates between multiple connection pins. This intermediary mechanism enforces a specific removal sequence by physically blocking removal of the upper pin until the lower pin is removed. It acts as a mediator that maintains stability during attachment while guiding correct disassembly procedure, reducing operational difficulty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250341854A1Fail-safe release mechanism for use with patient positioning support apparati

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC

AI summary

A fail-safe system for use with patient positioning support systems to prevent collapse of the patient support from the base.