Surgical Head Holder Rigid Accessory Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical headrest systems fail to provide a rigid connection for brain retractor systems and other surgical accessories, leading to instability and interference with image guidance hardware during brain surgeries, and existing solutions are either cumbersome or limit the proximity of retractor apparatuses to the surgical wound.
Innovation Solution
A surgical head holder with a horseshoe-shaped head support and adjustable arcuate base members that allow for secure attachment to an operating table, enabling the simultaneous and efficient use of surgical accessories like retractors and image guidance hardware without obstructing the surgical site, featuring adjustable positioning and a low-profile design for enhanced stability and access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pressure clamps are used to attach retractor systems to standard three pin headrests, then attachment is simple, but the clamps gather draping material and become dislodged or loosened, compromising stability
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into separate components: a headrest assembly with pin receptors and a retractor assembly with attachment pins. This segmentation allows for secure mechanical connection through dedicated receptacles while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly during surgical procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary attachment mechanism consisting of pins and receptacles that mediate between the retractor system and headrest. This intermediary connection system provides both stability and ease of operation, avoiding the problems of direct pressure clamp attachment.
2Reliability
If retractor systems attach to the operating table with long horizontal rods, then rigid attachment is achieved, but the rods interfere with image guidance hardware placement and limit proximity to surgical wound
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal rod attachment to vertical attachment through the headrest assembly. By utilizing the vertical dimension via the headrest's connection to the operating table, the system achieves rigid attachment without horizontal rods that would interfere with image guidance hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the horizontal connecting rods from the system and replaces them with a vertical attachment approach through the headrest. This removal eliminates interference with image guidance hardware while maintaining rigid attachment capabilities.
3Reliability
If large attachment hardware is used for rigid attachment of image guidance hardware to traditional three pin headrests, then rigid connection is achieved, but the attachments are awkward to use and occupy space close to patient's head
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested attachment system where pins fit into receptacles, allowing compact and integrated attachment of image guidance hardware and other accessories to the headrest assembly. This nested design provides rigid connection while minimizing space occupation and improving usability.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical head holder and accessories for use with the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a horseshoe shaped head support includes two wings pivotally coupled that adjust the angle therebetween. Arcuate base members are coupled to the wings to accept a plurality of placement subassemblies, which are circumferentially adjustably positioned and secured within the channels. Each placement subassembly is configured to receive a skull pin and provide adjustable horizontal, vertical, and angular positioning of the skull pin with respect to the arcuate base. A table attachment supports the horseshoe shaped head support and is adapted to be selectively and rigidly coupled to an operating table. The table attachment includes a vertical body, a horizontal generally u-shaped bar adjustably intersecting therewith, and an attachment member extending therefrom for coupling to the operating table. Various neurosurgical accessories may be rigidly coupled to the table attachment.