Medical Support Arm Linkage for Constant Device Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical device pedestals are cumbersome for healthcare practitioners as they do not allow easy adjustment or locking of medical devices like retinal scanners, making it difficult to position them correctly and inconvenient for transport.
Innovation Solution
A system with a base, actuator, linkage, and locking mechanism that maintains the orientation of medical devices constant, allowing for easy raising and lowering through a combination of a gas cylinder and timing link mechanism, enabling commensurate rotation of components to support the device while keeping it parallel to the base.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a medical device is held stationary for long periods, then the device remains stable, but the healthcare practitioner experiences physical fatigue and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The pedestal incorporates a support arm that can dynamically adjust between extended and retracted positions, allowing the medical device to be raised or lowered as needed. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for the practitioner to continuously hold the device at a fixed height, reducing physical fatigue while maintaining operational stability when positioned.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the medical device is raised or lowered manually, then the position can be adjusted, but the practitioner must exert significant force and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a gas spring mechanism to provide pneumatic assistance for raising and lowering the support arm. The gas spring stores and releases elastic potential energy to counterbalance the weight of the medical device, significantly reducing the force required by the practitioner to adjust the device position while maintaining full position adjustability.
3Ease of operation
If the pedestal is designed to be compact for transport, then it is easier to move, but the medical device cannot be easily raised or lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is designed as a telescopic mechanism that can extend to provide full raising and lowering capability during use, then retract to a compact configuration for easy transport. This dynamic transformation allows the pedestal to switch between operational mode with full positioning capability and transport mode with compact dimensions, satisfying both requirements.
4Device complexity
If the medical device is held at a fixed position, then the structure is simple, but the practitioner cannot easily reposition it during use
Solution Approach 1:
The gas spring mechanism automatically counterbalances the device weight and maintains the support arm in position without requiring continuous manual effort. The system serves itself by using the stored elastic energy to hold the device at any positioned, allowing easy repositioning through simple practitioner input while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
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
This system reduces physical fatigue for healthcare professionals by allowing easy positioning and transport of medical devices, maintaining their orientation consistently, and reducing the force required to lift and adjust the devices.
Implementation Method 1
a gas cylinder configured to transition between an extended state and a retracted state, the gas cylinder having a first end connected to a bracket that is fixed relative to the base, and a second end pivotably connected to a drive link
Implementation Method 2
a timing link having a first end pivotably connected to the base and a second end coupled to the support arm. A mount is supported by the second end of the timing link. Through this configuration, rotation of the rotatable shaft causes commensurate rotation of the support arm and also drives rotation of the timing link. Additionally, the mount is configured to maintain a substantially constant angular position (e.g., remain substantially parallel) relative to the base as the support arm rotates relative to the base
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a base, and an actuator having a first end and a second end. The system also includes a shaft configured to rotate relative to the base, and a drive link fixed to the shaft. The system further includes a support arm. A first end of the support arm being fixed to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes commensurate rotation of the support arm. The system also includes a timing link having a first end pivotably connected to the base and a second end opposite the first end. Additionally, the system includes a mount coupled to the second end of the timing link. The mount is configured to maintain a substantially constant orientation relative to the base as the support arm transitions between a raised position and a lowered position.