Patient Bearing Support Rolls for Uniform Load Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient positioning systems on medical tables face issues with load distribution when the patient bearing device deforms, leading to uneven support and potential loss of contact with support rolls, especially when using two rolls, and require larger support roll diameters for adequate surface contact.
Innovation Solution
A patient positioning system with multiple support rolls that can pivot together to maintain contact with the patient bearing device even when it deforms, distributing the load uniformly across all rolls, using flexible elastomer coatings and modular design for adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two support rolls are used to bear the patient bearing device, then the load is distributed to both support rolls in case of a non-deformed patient bearing device, but if the patient bearing device deforms under load, the contact with one of the two support rolls can be lost so that the complete load lies on only one support roll
Solution Approach 1:
The support rolls are made pivotable together as a group, allowing them to dynamically adapt their orientation to match the deformed patient bearing device. This dynamic adjustment ensures continuous contact and reliable load distribution even when the patient bearing device bends under load.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple support rolls are combined into a single pivotable group that moves together. This merging allows the entire group to adapt collectively to the deformed patient bearing device, ensuring all rolls maintain contact simultaneously and distribute the load reliably.
2Ease of operation
If only one support roll is used at a bearing site, then the contact between the patient bearing device and the support roll remains maintained even in case of deformation, but the surface pressure at the contact surface becomes comparably high
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented into multiple support rolls working together in a pivotable group. This segmentation distributes the contact area and reduces surface pressure on any single roll while maintaining reliable contact through collective pivoting motion.
3Area of stationary object
If a larger support roll diameter is chosen, then the contact surface area is increased, but the device complexity and size requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using larger static support rolls to increase contact area, the invention uses multiple smaller rolls that pivot together. This dynamic approach increases the effective contact area through the collective action of multiple rolls without requiring individually large or complex support roll designs.
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
Ensures consistent load distribution and increased contact surface area without the need for large support rolls, maintaining stability and comfort for patients during medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
With an elastomer coating on the support roll, the load is distributed to a larger surface, as the elastomer coating is flattened by the load at the contact surface
Implementation Method 2
At least two of the support rolls form a first group. The support rolls of the first group can only be pivoted or tipped or trended together with regard to other parts of the support device
Data Source
AI summary
A patient positioning system (19), usable as a part of a medical table (10), wherein the patient positioning system (19) comprises: a patient bearing device (18) for bearing a patient, and a support device (17) on which the patient bearing device (18) lies, wherein the patient bearing device (18) is movable with regard to the support device (17) in order to move a patient thereon, wherein the support device (17) has several support rolls (40, 41) for bearing and displacing the patient bearing device (18), wherein the support rolls (40, 41) can be rotated about their respective rotational axis independently of one another, and wherein at least two of the support rolls (40, 41) form a first group and the support rolls (40, 41) of the first group can only be pivoted together with regard to other parts of the support device (17).