Radiolucent Foam Positioner with Angled Profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current foam positioners introduce artifacts into imaging results, leading to errors in image review, as they are not radiolucent and often become non-reusable due to contamination, and their vertical angles create false readings in imaging devices like x-ray scanners.
Innovation Solution
Designing foam positioners with non-perpendicular angles and coating them to create a radiolucent, reusable surface that does not produce artifacts in imaging, using materials like polyurethane foam and applying coatings such as vinyl to ensure the positioners are radiolucent and easy to clean, while maintaining functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If foam positioners are used to position and guide parts for imaging, then positioning functionality is improved, but image artifacts are introduced leading to errors in image review
Solution Approach 1:
The foam positioner is coated with a radiolucent material that changes its radiographic properties, making it invisible or substantially invisible on X-ray images. This coating allows the positioner to maintain its positioning functionality while eliminating the harmful image artifacts that previously interfered with diagnostic accuracy.
2Ease of manufacture
If foam positioners are used without coating, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but they become non-reusable due to contamination and lack radiolucency
Solution Approach 1:
The positioner combines foam material with a radiolucent coating layer, creating a composite structure that provides both the mechanical properties needed for positioning and the radiographic properties needed for invisibility on X-ray images. This composite approach enables reusability while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiolucent coating transforms the foam positioner's radiographic appearance, making it invisible on X-ray images while providing a cleanable surface that enables reusability. This coating solution adds minimal manufacturing complexity while dramatically improving reliability.
3Measurement precision
If foam positioners have vertical angles for positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but false readings are created in imaging devices
Solution Approach 1:
The radiolucent coating changes the radiographic properties of the foam positioner, making vertical edges and angles invisible on X-ray images. This allows the positioner to maintain its geometric features needed for accurate positioning while eliminating the false readings that previously compromised image interpretation.
Data Source
AI summary
Example positioning and/or support apparatus and associated methods of manufacture are disclosed and described herein. An example foam positioner device includes an outer profile formed at a first angle to support an anatomy, wherein the first angle is an angle other than ninety degrees and wherein the first angle divides the outer profile into at least a first portion and a second portion. The example device also includes a coating covering the outer profile to seal the device. An example method includes forming an outer profile of the device at a first angle to support an anatomy, wherein the first angle is an angle other than ninety degrees and wherein the first angle divides the outer profile of the device into at least a first portion and a second portion; and covering the outer profile with a covering to seal the outer profile of the foam positioner device.