Postless Hip Distraction Support With Slide-Resisting Pad

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hip distraction methods using a padded post during surgery can cause complications by pressing against the pudendal nerve, sciatic nerve, and blood vessels, and result in pelvic tilt, neurovascular damage, and non-operative leg risks.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a slide-resisting pad on a surgical table, combined with gravitational force and reduced table tilt, to maintain hip distraction without a perineal post, allowing surgery in a more natural position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a padded post is used to provide counterforce during hip distraction, then distraction force can be applied effectively, but nerve and blood vessel damage occurs due to pressure against the pudendal nerve, sciatic nerve, and blood vessels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistraction forceVSAvoidnerve and blood vessel damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the harmful perineal post from the distraction system while maintaining effective distraction force application through the use of a slide-resisting pad positioned under the patient's hips, thereby eliminating nerve and blood vessel compression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The slide-resisting pad acts as an intermediary element between the patient's body and the surgical table, providing the necessary counterforce for distraction without directly compressing neural structures, unlike the traditional perineal post

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Force

If a padded post is used to provide counterforce during hip distraction, then distraction can be achieved, but neurovascular damage and pelvic tilt occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecounterforceVSAvoidneurovascular safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful perineal post is extracted from the system and replaced with a slide-resisting pad that provides equivalent counterforce functionality without the neurovascular compression risks, improving procedural safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the surgical table is tilted to Trendelenburg position for post-less distraction, then hip distraction can be achieved without a perineal post, but the patient is in an unnatural position and distraction force must be continuously applied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelimination of perineal post risksVSAvoidsurgical accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The slide-resisting pad is positioned under the patient's hips before distraction begins, creating a stable base that allows the table to be returned to a more neutral position while maintaining distraction, thereby improving surgical accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static Trendelenburg tilt requirement to a dynamic configuration where the slide-resisting pad provides continuous stabilization, allowing table angle adjustment during the procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Force

If the surgical table is tilted at high degree for hip distraction, then distraction force is maintained through gravity, but pelvic tilt increases and surgical accessibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegravitational counterforceVSAvoidsurgical accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the table tilt parameter from high degree (Trendelenburg) to reduced degree, while compensating for the reduced gravitational component through the frictional force provided by the slide-resisting pad, thereby maintaining distraction effectiveness while improving surgical accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Reduces the risk of nerve and vessel damage, eliminates non-operative leg risks, and minimizes pelvic tilt while maintaining desired hip distraction, enabling safer and more accessible surgical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

a slide-resisting pad providing slide-resisting force sufficient to maintain the position of the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the gravitational weight of the patient inclined in the Trendelenburg position counteracts the distraction force in lieu of the perineal post

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS12453669B2Systems and methods for supporting and stabilizing a patient during hip distraction

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A method for hip distraction includes positioning a patient on a slide-resisting pad placed on a surgical table; tilting the surgical table so that the patient is in a first degree of inclination; applying a distraction force to a leg of the patient while the patient is in the first degree of inclination so that a hip joint of the patient is distracted, wherein the distraction force is opposed by a combination of a slide-resisting friction force provided by the slide-resisting pad and a gravitational force attributable to the first degree of inclination; reducing the tilt of the surgical table in accordance with a reduction of the distraction force over time so that the patient is in a second degree of inclination; and performing at least a portion of a surgical procedure on the distracted hip joint while the patient is in the second degree of inclination.