Pre-load Positioning Pad System for Trendelenburg Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pad systems for medical procedures face issues such as obstructed ventilation, nerve damage from brachial plexus impingement, fluid absorption leading to ulcers, and difficulty in maintaining patient position, especially in Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg positions, due to visco-elastic pad limitations.
Innovation Solution
A pre-load positioning pad system with anchoring straps and a gel pad assembly that includes fluid channels, using hook and loop fasteners to secure the patient to the OR table, allowing for easy repositioning and minimizing pressure on the brachial plexus, while preventing fluid retention and improving ventilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If visco-elastic pad construction is used to minimize pressure forces on patient's body, then patient comfort and injury prevention are improved, but access for intravenous lines is restricted and fluid absorption causes ulcers
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is divided into separate components: a gel pad assembly for pressure distribution, anchoring straps for securing, and limb straps for arm positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with IV access or causing fluid absorption issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from visco-elastic foam to gel material with fluid channels. This parameter change eliminates fluid absorption that causes ulcers while maintaining pressure distribution benefits, and the fluid channeling prevents fluid retention against the skin.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If visco-elastic pad construction is used to cushion patient, then pressure injury is reduced, but the pad slips when placing patient in Trendelenburg position requiring repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The gel pad assembly is pre-positioned on the operating room table before patient placement. The anchoring straps are pre-attached to the table, creating a stable base that prevents slipping during Trendelenburg positioning without requiring later repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a composite construction combining gel material with fluid channels for pressure distribution and anchoring mechanisms for stability. This composite approach maintains both cushioning properties and positional stability during patient repositioning.
3Device complexity
If conventional pad design is used, then simple construction is maintained, but shoulder, neck or head restrictions impinge brachial plexus nerves causing post-surgery health problems
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system separates the main body support function (gel pad assembly) from the limb positioning function (limb straps). This segmentation allows the gel pad to provide cushioning without restricting shoulder, neck, or head movement, thereby preventing brachial plexus nerve impingement while maintaining relatively simple construction.
4Stability of the object's composition
If chest straps are used to secure patient, then patient positioning is improved, but ventilation and breathing are obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the chest strap component from the positioning system entirely. Instead, it uses a gel pad assembly anchored to the table with limb straps for arm positioning. This extraction eliminates the ventilation obstruction problem while maintaining patient positioning stability through alternative anchoring mechanisms.
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 system effectively secures patients in various positions, reduces the risk of nerve damage and ulcers, enhances ventilation, and allows for efficient repositioning during procedures, addressing the limitations of conventional pads.
Implementation Method 1
an improved positioning pad for securing and maintaining the patient for a Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg positioning with an integral gel pad assembly with fluid channeling
Implementation Method 2
using hook and loop fasteners to secure the patient to the OR table
Data Source
AI summary
A pad assembly, system and method of securing a patient onto an operating table when the patient is in the Trendelenburg position. The pad assembly and system is used to support and hold a patient on a medical procedure table during a medical procedure performed while the table, and thus the patient lying thereon, is in an inclined position, such as the Trendelenburg position. The pad assembly and system has characteristics which promote improved securing to eliminate shifting and/or sliding due to gravitational forces when the patient's body is in the Trendelenburg position, as well as promote a secure holding of the patient in a desired position on the table, in order to minimize injury to the patient. The pad assembly and system further has improved channels to allow for drainage of fluids that may otherwise be trapped between the patient's body and the OR Table during the surgical procedure.