Surgical Boot Carriage With Multi-Axis Release Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support apparatuses for patients during surgery often fail to adequately secure patients, leading to excessive movement, and require frequent adjustments to optimize access to the surgical site.

Innovation Solution

A limb support system comprising a support structure, a limb rest, and a coupler with a release mechanism that is biased to a locked position to prevent movement, but can be selectively actuated to allow simultaneous rotation about multiple axes and movement along a longitudinal axis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a boot stirrup is used to support the patient's limb, then the patient can be secured during surgery, but the patient may still experience excessive movement relative to the support

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring patientVSAvoidpatient movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm is made adjustable and repositionable along the longitudinal axis of the spar, allowing dynamic adaptation to different surgical needs while maintaining secure patient positioning. The boot stirrup can be moved to different locations on the spar to optimize both security and minimize movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the position of supports is adjusted frequently during surgery to improve access, then surgical access is optimized, but the complexity of operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical accessVSAvoidadjustment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The boot stirrup is designed with a release mechanism that allows quick and easy repositioning along the spar during surgery. The support arm can be freely moved to different locations without complex adjustment procedures, enabling surgeons to optimize access while maintaining simple operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling between the boot stirrup and spar is segmented into discrete, easily adjustable positions along the longitudinal axis. This segmentation allows the support to be quickly repositioned to different surgical sites without requiring continuous adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a lockable joint is used to prevent movement of the surgical boot, then patient security is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient securityVSAvoidcoupler structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lockable joint functionality is merged into the existing coupler structure that connects the boot stirrup to the spar. The release mechanism is integrated with the coupling components, eliminating the need for separate locking devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining patient security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3607925B1Boot carriage for repositioning a surgical boot along a support rod

Publication Date: 2025.04.23 ALLEN MEDICAL SYST INC

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A limb support comprises a spar, a limb rest, and a coupler. The spar is configured to be supported from a patient support apparatus and adjustable relative to the patient support and has a longitudinal axis. The coupler includes a release that is selectively actuable to release locking mechanisms to permit adjustment of the limb support relative to the spar.