Modular Surgical Rail Assembly for Stable Litter Device Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical and surgical devices are not securely attached to injured person carriers like litters or stretchers, leading to instability during transport, especially in rough conditions, which can cause further injury to the patient or transport personnel, and limit the scope and ease of surgeries due to inadequate device attachment options.
Innovation Solution
A surgical rail apparatus is designed to securely attach a wide variety of medical and surgical devices to a litter by using a longitudinal rectangular bar with clamps and cross bars that can be easily assembled and disassembled, allowing for the conversion of any litter into a functional operating table, capable of holding multiple devices and providing stability during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If medical/surgical devices are not securely attached to the litter, then the device complexity and setup time are reduced, but the reliability and safety during transport deteriorate as devices may fly off during sudden movements
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into separate modular components: clamps that attach to litter poles, crossbars that connect the clamps, and mounting brackets that secure surgical devices. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and easily assembled/disassembled while maintaining reliable device attachment during transport
Solution Approach 2:
The crossbar assembly with clamps and mounting brackets creates a universal attachment system that can secure multiple different surgical devices (retractors, lights, monitors, suction devices) to various litter configurations, making the system adaptable and reliable across different transport scenarios without requiring device-specific attachment mechanisms
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid fixed attachment system is used to secure devices to the litter, then the reliability during transport improves, but the adaptability to different surgical device configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system incorporates adjustable and movable elements: clamps can be positioned at different locations on the litter poles, crossbars can be configured in various orientations, and mounting brackets can be adjusted to accommodate different device sizes and shapes. This dynamic configurability maintains attachment stability while adapting to different surgical device requirements
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the attachment system have specialized features tailored to specific functions: clamps have gripping surfaces optimized for circular poles, crossbars provide rigid structural support, and mounting brackets offer adjustable attachment points for various device types. This local optimization enables both reliability and adaptability across the entire system
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple surgical devices are attached to the litter without a structured framework, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability during transport deteriorates due to lack of secure positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The structured framework is segmented into standardized components (clamps, crossbars, mounting brackets) that can be quickly assembled in a systematic sequence, making setup easier while providing stable device positioning. Each segment has a defined function and attachment point, reducing complexity despite the overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The crossbar framework serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural stability, defines device positioning locations, enables attachment of multiple devices at different heights and orientations, and facilitates easy assembly and disassembly. This multi-functionality achieves both stability and operational ease
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for mounting surgical rails to a litter having a pair of parallel poles includes a surgical rail fixed to a clamp. The clamp is fixed to one of the parallel poles. A cross bar extends between the clamp and a second clamp fixed to the other of the parallel poles.