Pediatric Lithotomy Splint with Toroidal Jaw Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional restraints for pediatric patients during urinary catheterization are not child-friendly, often leading to malpositioning, contamination, injury, and developmental issues, as they do not securely and comfortably position the patient in a lithotomy position, requiring multiple staff members and being unsuitable for repeated use.
Innovation Solution
A toroidal splint with adjustable anterior and posterior jaws and shoulder attachments that securely positions a pediatric patient in a lithotomy position, allowing for easy and quick catheterization by one or two staff members, customizable for different body sizes, and featuring disposable or sterilizable components for hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional restraints (straps, safety pins, hard plastic molds) are used to immobilize pediatric patients during catheterization, then the patient can be restrained and positioned, but the patient experiences discomfort, risk of injury, contamination, and potential developmental issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible, contoured restraint device with molded surfaces that conform to the patient's body shape. The device uses flexible positioning elements and soft contact surfaces instead of rigid structures, allowing secure restraint while minimizing discomfort and injury risk to pediatric patients during catheterization procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint device acts as an intermediary between the patient and the catheterization procedure. It provides a specialized interface with anatomically contoured surfaces that facilitate proper positioning and restraint while protecting the patient from direct contact with harsh restraint methods and reducing contamination risk through its design
2Reliability
If multiple staff members are used to manually position and restrain the patient, then proper positioning can be achieved, but the procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint device integrates multiple functions into a single unit: it simultaneously provides patient restraint, anatomical positioning, and procedural facilitation. The device's multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate restraint tools and manual positioning efforts, allowing one or two staff members to achieve proper positioning efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The device is pre-configured with anatomically contoured surfaces and built-in positioning features that automatically guide the patient into the correct position. This preliminary preparation of the restraint device eliminates the need for complex manual positioning adjustments during the procedure, reducing staff requirements and procedural complexity
3Reliability
If conventional restraints are used, then the patient can be held in position, but the patient is not positioned in the optimal lithotomy position and may experience abnormal development
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint device features locally optimized contact surfaces and positioning elements tailored to specific anatomical regions. The contoured design provides different support characteristics at different locations on the patient's body, ensuring proper alignment of joints and muscles while maintaining stable positioning throughout the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates curved and contoured surfaces that match the natural geometry of the pediatric patient's body. These anatomically correct curves facilitate proper positioning in the lithotomy position while avoiding forced or abnormal postures that could lead to developmental issues, maintaining stability without compromising anatomical correctness
Data Source
AI summary
A positioning splint for safely and securely positioning a pediatric patient into a lithotomy position. The splint comprises a toroid, wedge-shaped splint having an anterior and posterior jaw which is attached to shoulder straps or a jacket/vest that holds the splint in place during use. The wedge splint and shoulder attachments are padded. The wedge splint may have a disposable covering. Methods of using the splint to position a patient for urinary catheterization as well as for other procedures, exams and surgeries requiring unobstructed access to the perineal and anorectal areas. Additional wrist/hand and ankle/leg straps are used for conscious patients who are uncooperative or incompetent patients or in the case of a patient with involuntary movement disorders.