Pneumatic Bladder for MRI Patient Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for positioning patients during medical procedures, such as MRI scans, often result in back injuries for technologists due to the manual lifting and repositioning of patients with spinal malformations, and there is a growing need for assistance in supporting patients during these procedures as the population ages.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a bladder system that can be positioned beneath a patient's hips and upper back, capable of expanding with air to elevate the hips relative to the upper back, featuring a valve system for controlled inflation and deflation, and designed to be nonferrous for compatibility with MRI machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If technologists manually lift and position pillows to support patients with spinal malformations, then patients can be positioned correctly during MRI procedures, but technologists suffer from back injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system (technologist lifting and positioning) with an automated pneumatic system (bladder inflating and elevating). The bladder, when inflated, mechanically supports the patient's hips and lower back, eliminating the need for technologists to manually lift and position patients with spinal malformations during MRI procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a bladder as an intermediary device between the patient and the MRI table. This intermediary provides the necessary support and positioning for patients with spinal malformations, allowing technologists to work without direct physical contact that causes back injuries.
2Productivity
If patients are manually repositioned from lying to sitting position, then procedural needs are met, but the process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic positioning system where the bladder can be inflated to elevate the patient's lower body and deflated to lower it. This dynamic adjustment allows easy transition between lying and sitting positions, improving repositioning efficiency without making the process difficult.
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder is positioned and pre-configured before the patient needs repositioning. By having the support system ready in advance, the actual repositioning action becomes simple and quick, rather than requiring complex manual manipulation during the procedure.
3Reliability
If conventional positioning methods are used for patients with spinal malformations, then some support is provided, but the process requires excessive manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder system is self-regulating and provides automatic support once inflated. It maintains patient positioning reliability through its pneumatic design without requiring continuous manual intervention. The system self-adjusts to provide consistent support for patients with spinal malformations throughout the MRI procedure.
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 apparatus effectively reduces the strain on technologists by allowing for safe and controlled patient positioning, accommodating patients with spinal malformations, and facilitating easier transitions between lying and sitting positions during and after MRI procedures without interfering with MRI operations.
Implementation Method 1
The bladder can be configured to expand upon receiving air from an air supply in order to elevate the hips of the individual relative to the upper back of the individual
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus having a longitudinal axis and an upper surface for supporting an individual at least partially positioned on a bed or other support structure, such as, for example, a bed within a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine, is disclosed. The individual can have hips, legs and an upper back. The apparatus comprises a bladder that is configured to be positioned beneath the hips of the individual. The bladder has a first end and an opposed second end that is spaced from the first end along the longitudinal axis. The bladder is configured to expand upon receiving air from an air supply in order to elevate the hips of the individual relative to the upper back of the individual. A valve is in fluid communication with the bladder. The valve is configured to selectively allow air from the air supply into the bladder. The apparatus can be nonferrous.