Configurable Patient Table for Multipoint Bending Radiography

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional patient tables inadequately support patients in medically relevant positions during radiographic imaging, requiring manual restraint and exposing personnel to unnecessary radiation.

Innovation Solution

A spatially configurable patient table with bolsters and guide members that can be automated to position patients in multipoint bending positions, reducing the need for manual holding and minimizing radiation exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional patient tables are used for radiographic imaging, then the equipment is simple and easy to operate, but personnel must manually position patients which exposes them to unnecessary radiation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation exposure for personnelVSAvoidpatient table system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patient table system performs self-positioning through automated bolsters and guide members that mechanically adjust patient orientation without requiring manual handling by personnel, thereby eliminating radiation exposure while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical positioning by personnel is replaced with an automated mechanical system comprising motorized or spring-loaded bolsters and guide members that automatically configure the patient table to required positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual positioning methods are used, then the device complexity is low, but the positioning precision and accuracy for medical assessments is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient positioning precisionVSAvoidpositioning system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning system is divided into multiple independent adjustable components including separate bolsters at different locations and guide members that can be individually positioned to achieve precise multipoint bending configurations for accurate radiographic assessment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bolsters and guide members are pre-configured in specific positions and orientations before patient placement, allowing rapid and accurate positioning without complex real-time adjustments during the imaging procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional patient tables are used, then the operation is simple, but the table cannot support patients in medically relevant bending positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient positioning capabilityVSAvoidtable operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patient table transitions from a static conventional design to a dynamic system where bolsters and guide members can be adjusted to multiple configurations, enabling support for various medically relevant positions including multipoint bending while maintaining ease of operation through automated or pre-configured mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8782832B2System, method, and apparatus for patient positioning table

Publication Date: 2014.07.22 NEW YORK SOC FOR THE RUPTURED & CRIPPLED MAINTAINING THE HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY

AI summary

An approach is provided for patient positioning. A patient is arranged on a table having a positioning assembly coupled thereto, the positioning assembly including a plurality of spatially configurable members. A spatial configuration of at least one of the plurality of spatially configurable members is arranged to support the patient in a multipoint bending position during a medical procedure.