Segmented Vacuum Positioning Device for Surgical Immobilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current positioning systems for patients during surgery, particularly in supine positions, lack effective support and immobilization, especially in inclined positions like Trendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg, and do not adequately address the needs of bariatric patients or provide sufficient head and neck support.
Innovation Solution
A surgical positioning device with a flexible, air-impermeable shell that includes multiple chambers and adjustable components, such as shoulder and wrist support regions, a pillow for head and neck support, and a design that allows for independent evacuation of air from each chamber, providing customizable support and immobilization for patients in various surgical positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional bean bag positioner is used, then the patient can be positioned in lateral position, but the patient lacks adequate support and immobilization in supine and inclined positions
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device is divided into multiple independent chambers (first chamber for head/neck, second chamber for torso, third chamber for lower body) that can be separately evacuated and adjusted. This segmentation allows each chamber to provide targeted support for specific body regions, enabling reliable patient immobilization in supine and inclined positions while maintaining versatility for different surgical procedures.
2Device complexity
If the positioning device uses a single chamber design, then the structure is simple, but the device cannot provide customized support for different body regions
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs multiple separable chambers that can be independently evacuated using separate vacuum sources or controlled via individual valves. This allows different degrees of firmness and support for head/neck, torso, and lower body regions, providing customized support without excessive structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The chambers are designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities through vacuum control systems that allow the firmness and volume of each chamber to be adjusted during patient positioning, enabling customized support for different body regions and surgical procedures.
3Ease of manufacture
If the positioning device uses fixed structure, then manufacturing is easy, but the device cannot accommodate bariatric patients or provide optimal support for inclined positions
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device uses flexible, expandable chambers that can be adjusted in volume and firmness through vacuum control. This dynamic structure accommodates patients of various sizes including bariatric patients, and provides optimal support for inclined positions during Trendelenburg or Reverse Trendelenburg procedures, while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.
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 device effectively supports and immobilizes patients in supine positions, including inclined orientations, while minimizing pressure points and providing easy access for surgical procedures, and is suitable for bariatric patients by distributing support over a wide surface area, maintaining patient stability during surgery.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum source in fluid communication with the interior of the bag for removing air from the bag
Implementation Method 2
They are frequently used when the patient is in the lateral position... to name a few. The devices typically comprise a flexible air impervious bag
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical positioning system includes a flexible air-impermeable shell filled with beads that is wrapped against the patient and subjected to a vacuum to hold the patient in place. An air-impermeable top wall can be joined with an air-impermeable bottom wall to define a plurality of chambers. Each of the chambers can include a peripheral edge that extends around the periphery of the respective chamber. The plurality of chambers can include a first shoulder chamber, a second shoulder chamber, and a main chamber.