Radiolucent Patient Table With Lateral Column
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient support tables for radiology are not mobile, hindering accessibility for large image receivers due to the arrangement of lifting columns, and lack the ability to be easily adjusted in height and orientation for optimal positioning during X-ray examinations.
Innovation Solution
A patient positioning table with a single lateral lifting column mounted on a roller-equipped foot part, allowing longitudinal movement and a radiolucent tabletop that is adjustable in both height and orientation, featuring an electric spindle drive, rechargeable batteries for wireless operation, and safety features like electromagnetic locking and sensors to prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lifting columns are arranged on both sides of the table top, then height adjustment is achieved, but accessibility for large image receivers is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes one lifting column from the traditional dual-column arrangement, extracting the obstructing element to improve accessibility. The single lifting column is positioned laterally under one head end, clearing the space needed for large image receivers to be positioned under the table top.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting column is repositioned from a central or bilateral arrangement to a lateral position under one head end. This spatial reconfiguration in the longitudinal dimension creates clearance in the transverse dimension, allowing improved accessibility for image receivers.
2Reliability
If the table top is made metal-free for X-ray transparency, then X-ray imaging quality improves, but structural strength and adjustment mechanism mounting are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The table top is constructed from composite materials such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) or glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP). These composite materials provide the necessary mechanical strength and stiffness while maintaining X-ray transparency, as they contain no metal components that would cause artifacts in X-ray images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional metal adjustment mechanisms with alternative mounting solutions. The linear guide is mounted on the foot part rather than the table top, and the lifting column is positioned laterally, allowing the table top to remain completely metal-free while still providing structural support through its composite construction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the table top is fixed in position, then stability is maintained, but positioning flexibility for different examination angles is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The table top is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities through the linear guide mechanism that allows longitudinal movement. The table top can be positioned at different locations along the linear guide and locked at desired positions, providing adaptability for various examination angles while maintaining stability during each positioned state.
Solution Approach 2:
The table top position is made variable through the linear guide system, allowing changes in the longitudinal position parameter. This enables the table top to be adjusted to different locations to accommodate different examination requirements, while locking mechanisms maintain stability once positioned.
4Ease of operation
If wireless operation is implemented, then operational flexibility improves, but power supply reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses rechargeable battery packs that can be discarded when depleted and recovered for recharging. The mobile patient positioning table includes battery slots that accept removable battery packs, allowing the system to maintain wireless operation while ensuring continuous power availability through the discard-and-recharge cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply system is localized to the mobile patient positioning table with integrated battery packs. This local power source provides operational flexibility and independence from external power connections, while the rechargeable nature of the batteries ensures sustained reliability through periodic recharging.
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 easy and precise positioning of patients at various angles, maintains X-ray transparency, and ensures operational safety by allowing wireless operation and preventing damage to X-ray devices, while providing optimal accessibility for image receivers.
Implementation Method 1
the lifting column is mounted on a linear guide on a foot part provided with rollers so that it can be moved longitudinally
Implementation Method 2
the table top is locked by means of electromagnetic elements
Implementation Method 3
a sensor and an electronic safety device in the area of the electric lifting mechanism, which detects a change in load during a height adjustment of the tabletop
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The table (1) has a base part (5), and a tabletop (2) supported on a lifting column (3) and made of a radiolucent material. The column is laterally supported below a head end (6) of the tabletop and on a linear guide (7), and longitudinally movable on the base part provided with wheels (8). The tabletop is supported on the column and adjustable in its transverse direction. The column has an electrically driven lifting mechanism and a casing (4), where two plugging points (13) for internal electrical power sources are arranged in the casing. The sources are designed as rechargeable batteries.