Sacral Offloading Tabletop Accessory for Obese Lithotomy Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical tables are inadequate for obese patients, leading to mechanical stresses, sacral pressure injuries, and instability due to insufficient width and poor mattress support, especially during procedures requiring lithotomy positions.
Innovation Solution
A surgical table top accessory with a sacral offloading attachment, including an expanded riser made of phenolic or carbon fiber, and a sacral offloading system with disposable or reusable foam, designed to reduce tissue herniation and provide stable support for obese patients, incorporating a radiological digitizer plate for imaging needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the surgical table width is increased to accommodate obese patients, then patient comfort and safety are improved, but the table's structural stability and rail system capacity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The table top is divided into modular sections including a standard width section and an expandable section that can be added or removed based on patient size requirements. This allows the table to be segmented into different width configurations (standard vs. expanded) without compromising the overall structural integrity of the rail system and support mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly increasing the table width in all dimensions, the invention adds width only in specific areas where patient accommodation is needed, while maintaining the original width in areas where stability and rail attachment are critical. This selective dimensional expansion resolves the contradiction between patient comfort and structural stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If modular extension systems with multiple attachments are used to accommodate larger patients, then patient accommodation capability is improved, but device complexity and loading mechanism stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention integrates the extension functionality directly into the table top structure rather than using separate modular attachments. The expandable section is structurally merged with the main table body, eliminating the need for multiple individual attachments and their associated loading mechanisms, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable table top section serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides additional width for patient accommodation, maintains structural stability through integrated support, and works compatibility with standard surgical equipment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized attachments for different patient sizes.
3Ease of operation
If the table cutout is used for perineal access during lithotomy position, then surgical accessibility is improved, but sacral pressure injuries and tissue herniation increase due to mattress collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates a sacral offloading attachment with cushioning material positioned in advance at the sacral area of the table. This pre-positioned cushioning prevents mattress collapse and tissue herniation before they occur during lithotomy positioning, while still allowing the cutout to be used for surgical access. The cushioning layer is designed to distribute sacral pressure evenly.
Solution Approach 2:
The sacral offloading attachment acts as an intermediary element between the patient's sacrum and the table surface. This intermediate cushioning layer protects the sacrum from direct pressure against the hard table structure, preventing tissue injury while allowing the table cutout to remain functional for surgical procedures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If heavy patients are positioned in lithotomy position with stirrups, then surgical procedure requirements are met, but mechanical stresses and shearing forces increase causing mattress collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies enhanced structural support and cushioning material specifically at the sacral area where the greatest mechanical stresses occur during lithotomy positioning. Instead of uniformly strengthening the entire mattress, the local quality enhancement is concentrated at the critical sacral region, providing targeted reinforcement against collapse while maintaining overall mattress flexibility and comfort.
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
The accessory enhances patient safety by reducing the risk of sacral tissue injuries and mattress collapse, while accommodating larger patients and enabling stable omnidirectional rotation and radiological imaging without compromising table stability.
Implementation Method 1
a sacral offloading system designed to reduce tissue herniation at the traditional table cutout, thus reducing the risk of mattress collapse and patient tissue interacting with the underlying hard top structure of the table or radiology riser
Data Source
AI summary
An improved surgical table top accessory with a sacral offloading attachment.