Radiolucent Infant Immobilization Board for Motion-Free Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of suitable devices for immobilizing premature infants during radiographic imaging, leading to potential motion artifacts and increased radiation exposure for healthcare professionals.

Innovation Solution

A device with adjustable straps and a radiolucent base structure, including a headrest, designed to securely hold infants in place during medical procedures, minimizing motion and reducing radiation exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a healthcare professional holds the baby's arms and legs to stabilize during imaging, then motion artifacts are prevented, but radiation exposure to the healthcare professional increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging qualityVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support board acts as an intermediary device between the infant and the imaging process. It provides a stable platform with positioning features that immobilize the infant without requiring healthcare professionals to physically hold them, thereby eliminating radiation exposure to staff while maintaining imaging quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If no support device is used during imaging, then device complexity is minimized, but motion artifacts occur in images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of setupVSAvoidimaging quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support board is segmented into distinct functional zones: head positioning features, torso support areas, limb positioning elements, and attachment points for imaging equipment. This segmentation allows each part to address specific immobilization needs while maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a device is designed for premature infants specifically, then immobilization effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases compared to general infant devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmobilization effectivenessVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support board incorporates localized features tailored to premature infant anatomy: contoured head support for fragile skulls, positioned indentations for small limb placement, and strategically located attachment points. These localized adaptations provide effective immobilization without requiring a completely complex device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250366802A1Device for supporting an infant for medical procedures and method of use

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 ADIE YOSEPH

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device designed to safely and securely hold newborn infants during radiographic imaging and medical procedures. This device aims to immobilize neonates to prevent motion artifact during imaging while also protecting healthcare professionals from unnecessary radiation exposure, offering a safer alternative for conducting radiographic imaging on newborns and pediatric population. The device may be constructed primarily of fiberglass, or any medically graded radiolucent materials providing a lightweight, durable, and radiolucent structure. It can be padded with a soft cushion and incorporates a series of adjustable constraints to comfortably and securely hold the baby in place, allowing for precise positioning during radiographic imaging and medical procedures.