Radiolucent Surgical Table with Under-Table X-Ray Detector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical procedures face challenges in x-raying human or animal subjects due to patient movement during procedures, which can be inconvenient and risky, especially in facilities lacking suitable equipment for whole-body scanning.
Innovation Solution
A radiolucent or x-ray transparent surgical or exam table with a support surface that allows an x-ray detector panel to be placed underneath, enabling x-ray imaging without patient movement by elevating the support surface above ground level and providing adjustable features for optimal positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a patient is moved to a dedicated x-ray imaging location, then x-ray imaging can be performed, but patient movement during procedures becomes inconvenient and risky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the surgical/exam table with x-ray imaging capabilities by placing a detector panel underneath the table surface. This merging eliminates the need to move patients between locations, allowing both treatment and imaging to occur in the same position, thereby improving patient safety and reducing repositioning risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The table is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a support surface for patients during surgical or examination procedures and as an imaging platform by supporting detector panels underneath. This multi-functionality allows the same equipment to handle both treatment and diagnostic imaging without patient relocation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a radiolucent support surface is used to enable x-ray imaging, then x-ray imaging becomes possible without patient movement, but the table structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The table is divided into distinct functional components: a radiolucent support surface for patient contact and a separate detector support member underneath for holding the x-ray detector panel. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiolucent support surface acts as an intermediary that allows x-ray radiation to pass through the patient to the detector panel underneath. This intermediary component enables imaging functionality without requiring the entire table structure to be radiolucent, thus balancing imaging capability with structural integrity.
3Reliability
If facilities use bulky radiographic c-arms for x-ray imaging, then whole body scanning is possible, but the equipment becomes expensive and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the x-ray detector panel from the bulky c-arm structure and places it directly underneath the table surface. This extraction eliminates the need for large, expensive c-arm equipment while maintaining the essential imaging capability, making the system more suitable for small clinics and veterinary facilities with limited space and budget.
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
Enables convenient and safe x-ray imaging of patients during medical procedures without requiring patient repositioning, suitable for various facilities, including veterinary clinics, and offers a cost-effective alternative to bulky radiographic c-arms.
Implementation Method 1
taking an x-ray of the patient by radiating x-rays through the patient and x-ray transparent support surface to expose the x-ray detector member beneath the x-ray transparent support surface
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical or exam table includes a radiolucent patient support surface; and a shelf beneath the patient support surface, wherein an x-ray panel may be supported on said shelf for x-raying a human or animal subject resting on the support surface.