Surgical Rail Apparatus for Litter Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical/surgical devices are not securely attached to injured person carriers like litters or stretchers, leading to instability during transport, especially in rough conditions, and limiting the scope and ease of surgeries due to inadequate device attachment options.
Innovation Solution
A surgical rail apparatus with parallel longitudinal members and clamps that securely attach standard surgical rails to the litter poles, allowing for the attachment of various medical/surgical devices and conversion of the litter into an operating table, featuring a spring-loaded latch mechanism and set screws for stability and ease of assembly.
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 stability during transport deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical rail apparatus is designed to be universally compatible with standard litter poles through clamp mechanisms that can be attached to various pole diameters. The longitudinal members with cross members create a universal mounting platform that can accommodate multiple different surgical devices (retractors, lights, monitors, suction devices) through standardized attachment points, eliminating the need for device-specific mounting solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system is segmented into modular components: clamps that attach to litter poles, longitudinal members that span between poles, cross members that provide additional support and mounting points, and surgical devices that attach to the rail structure. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and easily assembled/disassembled without requiring complex integrated designs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple surgical devices are attached to the litter, then the scope and ease of surgery are improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical rail apparatus utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning longitudinal members at different heights and cross members at multiple levels, creating a three-dimensional mounting framework. This allows surgical devices to be positioned at optimal heights and angles without interfering with each other, maximizing surgical accessibility while maintaining a compact overall structure that fits within standard litter dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the litter, creates mounting points for surgical devices, establishes proper positioning and orientation for instruments, and maintains stability during transport. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate support structures and simplifies the overall system despite accommodating multiple devices.
3Ease of operation
If the litter is converted into an operating table, then the ease of operation and patient care are improved, but the portability and ease of transport are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical rail apparatus is designed to be dynamically configurable - it can be quickly assembled to convert the litter into an operating table when surgical capability is needed, and easily disassembled when portability is the priority. The clamp mechanisms allow for rapid attachment and detachment without permanent modifications, enabling the system to adapt its weight and complexity based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The longitudinal members are pre-positioned at optimal heights and angles to provide immediate surgical accessibility when assembled. The cross members are pre-configured to accommodate standard surgical device mounting patterns, eliminating the need for time-consuming adjustments during surgical procedures. This preliminary configuration reduces setup time while maintaining portability through simple clamp-based attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (18) for mounting surgical rails (40, 42) to a litter (10) having a pair of parallel poles (12) includes a pair of longitudinal members (20, 22) fixed to outboard sides of respective ones of the pair of poles (12). A pair of surgical rails (40, 42) is fixed to outboard surfaces of respective ones of the pair of longitudinal members (20, 22). Clamps (24, 26, 28, 30) at each end of each longitudinal member (20, 22) fix the longitudinal members (20, 22) to the pair of poles (12). A pair of cross bars (36, 38) extend between and are fixed to opposing clamps (24, 26, 28, 30) at each end of each longitudinal member (20, 22).