Radiolucent Spinal Surgery Frame for Unobstructed X-Ray Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard surgical tables interfere with the acquisition of x-ray and fluoroscopic images during surgeries like spinal surgery due to their metal components, and existing radiolucent table extensions often lack the flexibility to adjust the patient's spine position adequately and obstruct the abdomen.
Innovation Solution
A radiolucent accessory system with pivotable frame members that attach to surgical tables, allowing for articulation to position the patient's spine more lordotically or kyphotically and allowing the abdomen to hang without obstruction, featuring carbon fiber tubes with polyurethane foam filler and adjustable multi-axis joints for versatile support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard surgical tables with metal frames are used, then patient support and surgical access are provided, but x-ray and fluoroscopic imaging is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes metal components from the patient support structure by using a frameless design with only necessary metal elements (legs, coupler) positioned away from the imaging path. The patient support surface is suspended without underlying metal framing, extracting the harmful metal elements while preserving structural function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies radiolucent materials (carbon fiber, foam, fabric) specifically in the region where imaging is required, while metal components are concentrated in support structures (legs, coupler) that do not interfere with the x-ray path. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes both imaging quality and structural support.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed connection table extensions are used, then patient support is provided, but patient positioning flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed connections with a pivotable coupler that allows the frame members to rotate relative to the surgical table. This dynamic connection enables the patient support surface to be positioned at various angles while maintaining secure attachment, providing adaptability without significant complexity increase.
3Reliability
If table extensions with underlying panels are used, then patient support is provided, but abdominal access and imaging are obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the underlying panel structure that typically supports the patient support surface in table extensions. By eliminating this obstructive element, the patent provides unobstructed access to the patient's abdomen and clear x-ray paths, while maintaining support through the frame-and-surface configuration.
4Reliability
If radiolucent materials are used for frame members, then imaging quality is improved, but structural strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs carbon fiber, a composite material that combines high strength-to-weight ratio with radiolucency. The carbon fiber frame members provide sufficient structural support for patient weight and surgical positioning while allowing x-rays and fluoroscopic images to pass through with minimal obstruction.
Data Source
AI summary
An accessory has a substantially radiolucent frame, a floor-supported base, and a support structure extending between the base and one end of the frame. A second end of the frame is coupleable to a surgical table in a manner that permits the frame to articulate relative to the surgical table. The support structure is extendable and retractable to change the height at which the first end of the frame is supported above the base. The support structures is able to tilt front to rear and side to side relative to the base and the frame is able to tilt front to rear and side to side relative to the support structure. The frame is movable to a compact storage position having the second end of the frame supported on the base. A set of wheels are provided on the base to permit the accessory to be wheeled from one location to another.