Radiolucent Attachment Coupling for Intraoperative Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient support apparatuses, such as surgical tables, are limited in their radiolucency, particularly in head/upper body sections, leading to suboptimal medical imaging during surgery, and lack versatility in supporting patients in various positions.
Innovation Solution
A radiolucent attachment with a recess for interchangeable inserts and a coupling portion that allows for secure attachment to existing patient support apparatuses, enabling improved medical imaging of large body parts and supporting patients in multiple positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If radiopaque back sections are used in patient support apparatus, then structural strength and stability are improved, but radiolucency is worsened, limiting medical imaging quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support apparatus is divided into separate radiopaque and radiolucent sections. The radiolucent attachment (head/upper body section) can be detached and attached independently from the radiopaque back section, allowing the radiolucent portion to be used during imaging procedures while the radiopaque portion provides structural support when imaging is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system allows dynamic reconfiguration of the patient support apparatus. The radiolucent attachment can be attached to or detached from the radiopaque back section based on imaging requirements, transforming the apparatus from a static radiopaque structure to a dynamically adjustable configuration that optimizes both structural strength and radiolucency as needed.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed patient support apparatus configurations are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to various surgical positions and imaging requirements is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support apparatus is segmented into modular components including radiopaque back sections, radiolucent head/upper body sections, and interchangeable radiolucent inserts. Each segment can be manufactured independently using standardized processes, then assembled through simple attachment mechanisms, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while enabling configuration flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiolucent attachment is designed as a universal component that can be attached to different radiopaque back sections and configured with various radiolucent inserts to accommodate different surgical positions (supine, prone, lateral) and imaging requirements. This multi-functional design allows a single attachment to serve multiple purposes without requiring complex custom manufacturing.
3Measurement precision
If radiolucent attachments are added to patient support apparatus, then medical imaging capability is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging-capable portion is segmented as a separate radiolucent attachment that can be detached when not needed. This segmentation isolates the complexity of the radiolucent imaging section from the main radiopaque structure, allowing the imaging capability to be added without permanently complicating the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiolucent attachment acts as an intermediary component between the radiopaque back section and the imaging environment. It provides the necessary radiolucent properties for imaging while maintaining mechanical connection to the stable radiopaque structure, mediating between the conflicting requirements of imaging quality and structural support.
Data Source
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AI summary
A radiolucent attachment for a patient support apparatus, the attachment comprising: a supporting surface for supporting a portion of a patient, the supporting surface having a recess configured to removably receive one of a plurality of radiolucent inserts; and a radiolucent coupling portion, configured to cooperate with a corresponding radiolucent coupling portion of a patient support apparatus or a patient support apparatus section, for coupling the attachment to the patient support apparatus. A patient support apparatus and a radiolucent coupling portion for a radiolucent attachment are also provided.