Medical Device Stand Joint Switching for Space-Saving Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical device stands with multiple support arms connected via joint connections often occupy unnecessary space in the treatment area when devices like surgical microscopes are not in use, restricting the workspace and posing ergonomic challenges.
Innovation Solution
A stand with a first and second support arm connected via a joint connection featuring a switching device that enables or disables degrees of freedom, allowing the stand to transition from a work position to a rest position, with additional degrees of freedom provided for space-saving folding and restricted workspace during transition, enhancing ergonomics and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the stand uses multiple support arms connected via joint connections to provide positioning flexibility, then the medical device can be positioned within a defined workspace, but the stand occupies unnecessary space and restricts treatment area when the device is not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The stand employs a switching device that dynamically changes the degrees of freedom of the joint connection based on operational needs. During surgery, the switching device enables full positioning flexibility; when not in use, it restricts movement to minimize space occupation, allowing the stand to adapt its mechanical behavior between work and rest states
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the joint connection by using a switching device to enable or disable specific degrees of freedom. This parameter change allows the stand to transition between a flexible positioning mode during surgery and a space-saving mode during rest, directly addressing the contradiction between adaptability and space occupation
2Ease of operation
If the stand provides multiple degrees of freedom for positioning the medical device during surgery, then ergonomic work is possible, but the stand structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The switching device dynamically activates or deactivates specific degrees of freedom based on whether the stand is in work or rest mode. This dynamic control provides full ergonomic positioning capability during surgery while simplifying the effective structure during rest, reducing the perceived complexity without sacrificing operational ease
3Ease of manufacture
If the stand is designed with fixed joint connections to simplify structure, then the stand is easier to manufacture, but the medical device cannot be repositioned during surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The joint connection incorporates a switching device that transforms a potentially complex multi-degree-of-freedom structure into a controllable system. The switching device enables the joint to provide multiple degrees of freedom when needed for repositioning, while maintaining a simpler effective structure at any given moment, thus facilitating manufacturing while preserving adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a stand for a medical device. The stand includes a first support arm and a second support arm, which is connected to the first support arm via a first joint connection having a first degree of freedom of motion and on which the medical device can be held. The first joint connection has a first switching device, which can be put into a first switching state and into a second switching state, wherein, in the first switching state, the first degree of freedom of motion is blocked or disabled and wherein, in the second switching state, the first degree of freedom of motion is open or enabled.