Rotatable Patient Support with Structure-Mounted Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient positioning apparatuses for medical devices, such as radiotherapy, are bulky and cumbersome due to the need for large separations to allow for tilting, which increases the hop-on height and complicates linear adjustments, leading to heavy and large actuation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The patient positioning apparatus is designed with a rotation mechanism attached to the support structure, allowing the patient support apparatus to rotate independently, reducing bulk and hop-on height, and facilitating linear movement by separating the rotation mechanism from the patient support apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large separation is provided between the base plate and patient support surface to allow for tilting, then the tilting range is improved, but the hop-on height increases and the apparatus becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tilting function into two independent segments: the patient support surface is tilted relative to the patient support base (first tilting degree of freedom), and the patient support base is tilted relative to the base plate (second tilting degree of freedom). This segmentation allows each segment to have a smaller separation distance while achieving the same overall tilting range, thereby reducing the hop-on height and making the apparatus more compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a second tilting degree of freedom by allowing the patient support base to tilt relative to the base plate, effectively adding another dimension of motion. This dimensional change enables the system to achieve large overall tilting angles through composition of smaller individual tilts, rather than requiring a single large separation distance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a tilting mechanism is positioned between the patient support surface and base plate, then tilting capability is achieved, but the weight and size of the apparatus increase, complicating linear adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The tilting mechanism is segmented into two separate systems: one for tilting the patient support surface relative to the patient support base, and another for tilting the patient support base relative to the base plate. This segmentation distributes the weight and complexity across two lighter, more manageable systems rather than one heavy centralized mechanism, facilitating easier linear adjustments and reducing overall apparatus weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adjustable and movable components in both tilting mechanisms, allowing dynamic adaptation of the tilting angles. The first tilting mechanism can independently adjust the patient support surface angle, while the second mechanism independently adjusts the patient support base angle, enabling flexible positioning without requiring heavy fixed structures.
3Length of stationary object
If the separation between base plate and patient support surface is reduced, then the hop-on height is improved, but the tilting range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the tilting function into two independent mechanisms operating at different levels (patient support surface relative to base, and patient support base relative to base plate), the patent enables each segment to operate with a small separation distance while the combined effect achieves a large overall tilting range, thus reducing hop-on height without limiting tilting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a second tilting degree of freedom by enabling the patient support base to tilt independently relative to the base plate. This dimensional addition allows the system to achieve large overall tilting angles through the composition of two smaller independent tilts, maintaining a compact hop-on height while expanding the effective tilting range.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a patient positioning apparatus for a medical device. The apparatus comprises a patient support apparatus, a support structure configured to extend between the patient support apparatus and a floor of a treatment room to support the patient support apparatus above the floor of the treatment room. The patient support apparatus is rotationally coupled to the support structure. The patient positioning apparatus comprises a rotation mechanism comprising a drive member and is configured to impart a force, via the drive member, to an underside of the patient support apparatus to thereby rotate the patient support apparatus with respect to the support structure. The rotation mechanism is attached to, and supported by, the support structure.