Prone Spine Patient Support with Movable Leg Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient support apparatuses for spine surgery lack the capability to support patients' legs in a variety of positions without the need for additional accessories, particularly when transitioning between prone and lateral positions, limiting flexibility and efficiency during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A patient support apparatus with a frame system that includes movable leg supports, adjustable thigh and ankle pads, and a pivoting beam mechanism, allowing for multiple leg position configurations and secure patient positioning in both prone and lateral orientations without the need for separate accessories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flat panel or simple leg support is used to support patient legs, then the structure remains simple, but the capability to support legs in various positions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The leg support apparatus employs movable and adjustable components including a movable leg support panel, adjustable thigh support, and repositionable ankle support that can be independently positioned along the longitudinal axis. This dynamic configuration allows the same apparatus to support legs in multiple positions (prone, lateral, Trendelenburg) without requiring separate accessories for each position.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg support apparatus is designed as a universal support system that can accommodate various patient positions and surgical requirements using a single integrated structure. The combination of movable panel, adjustable thigh support, and repositionable ankle support creates a multi-functional device that replaces multiple separate leg support accessories.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate leg support accessories are attached for different patient positions, then leg support versatility is improved, but the device complexity and number of accessories increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple leg support functions into a single integrated apparatus. The movable leg support panel, adjustable thigh support, and repositionable ankle support are combined in one structure that can be configured for prone positioning, lateral positioning, and Trendelenburg positioning, eliminating the need for separate leg support accessories for each position.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg support apparatus serves multiple functions across different patient positions and surgical scenarios through its adjustable components, replacing the need for multiple position-specific accessories with a single universal support system.
3Ease of operation
If fixed leg support panels are used, then the structure remains simple, but the ability to adjust leg positions during surgery is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The leg support apparatus transitions from fixed to dynamic configuration through movable panels and adjustable supports. The leg support panel can be moved along the longitudinal axis, the thigh support can be adjusted in position and angle, and the ankle support can be repositioned independently, allowing real-time adjustment of leg positions during surgical procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg support apparatus is divided into segmented, independently adjustable components including the leg support panel, thigh support, and ankle support. Each segment can be adjusted independently to achieve the desired leg position, providing fine-grained control over leg positioning without requiring complex integrated mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus for spine surgery includes first and second lift columns. A patient support frame extends between the first and second lift columns. The patient support frame has a first section to support a torso of a patient and a beam that extends from the first section. The beam is coupled to a foot end region of the first section about midway between opposite sides of the first section. A first set of leg supports are located adjacent a first side of the beam and a second set of leg supports are located adjacent a second side of the beam. The first and second sets of leg supports are independently movable relative to the beam and relative to the first section to support the legs of the patient in a plurality of positions.