Surgical Positioner With Integrated Warming Fabric

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current positioning systems for patients during surgery lack effective temperature regulation, as they often rely on non-sterile methods like blowing warm air, which can introduce contaminants and are costly due to disposable materials, and do not adequately address the need for maintaining body temperature, especially in inclined surgical positions.

Innovation Solution

A surgical positioning system comprising a flexible shell with a deflatable air-tight region filled with beads and integrated electrical warming fabric that converts electrical current into heat, allowing for controlled patient warming while maintaining positional support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If warm air is blown over the patient using a disposable paper blanket, then the patient's body temperature is regulated, but the method introduces contaminants to the operating area and requires costly disposable materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient body temperatureVSAvoidcontaminants in operating area

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical airflow system (blowing warm air through paper blankets) with an electrical heating system. The electrical heating element is integrated into the positioning device, directly contacting the patient to provide warmth without introducing airborne contaminants or requiring disposable paper materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating function is extracted from the disposable paper blanket system and integrated directly into the reusable positioning device. This eliminates the need for disposable warming blankets and creates a permanent, sterile heating solution built into the positioning system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Temperature

If warm air is blown over the patient using a disposable paper blanket, then the patient's body temperature is regulated, but disposable materials must be disposed of after each operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient body temperatureVSAvoiddisposable paper blankets

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the disposable paper blanket system with a reusable electrical heating system integrated into the positioning device. This eliminates continuous consumption of disposable materials while maintaining effective patient warming throughout multiple surgical procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding paper blankets after each use, the heating element is built into the durable positioning device that can be sterilized and reused. The system recovers value by maintaining a permanent heating capability rather than continuously consuming disposable materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible shell with beads is used for positioning, then the patient can be positioned in various positions including inclined tables, but the system lacks effective temperature regulation capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient positioning capabilityVSAvoidpatient body temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the positioning function (flexible shell with beads) and the temperature regulation function (electrical heating element) into a single integrated device. The heating element is incorporated within the positioning shell, allowing simultaneous patient positioning and warming without requiring separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning device is transformed into a multi-functional system that simultaneously provides mechanical positioning support and thermal regulation. This universal device eliminates the need for separate positioning aids and warming devices, particularly benefiting inclined table surgeries where both functions are needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The system effectively maintains patient body temperature during surgery by providing sterile and efficient heat distribution, reducing the need for disposable materials and accommodating various surgical positions, including inclined tables.

Implementation Method 1

The electrical warming material can be coupled to an internal surface of the shell that is adjacent to the patient. The warming fabric is configured to convert electrical current, such as DC current, into heat for warming the patient during surgery.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS8555890B2Surgical positioning system

Publication Date: 2013.10.15 HUG U VAC SURGICAL POSITIONING SYST

AI summary

Described herein are exemplary embodiments of improved surgical positioners that not only help position a patient during surgery, but also help maintain the patient's body temperature during surgery. Some exemplary surgical positioning devices disclosed herein comprise a flexible shell defining a deflatable air-tight internal region partially filled with beads and an electrical warming fabric coupled to an internal surface of the shell that is adjacent to the patient. The warming fabric is configured to convert electrical current into heat for warming the patient during surgery.