Surgical Table Positioning Structure for Prone-to-Lateral Imaging Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surgical tables lack the ability to easily reposition patients between prone and lateral positions without requiring manual repositioning and re-prepping, and often have complex mechanical parts that obstruct imaging and access to surgical sites.

Innovation Solution

A surgical table designed for prone and lateral positioning with adjustable components, including telescoping rails, independent height adjustment, and actuated pivoting assemblies, allowing for seamless transitions between positions without manual repositioning and re-draping, and featuring radiolucent materials for improved imaging access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional surgical tables use complex mechanical parts and arrangements for adjustable patient positioning, then patient positioning capability is improved, but radiolucency is worsened (imaging access is obstructed)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient positioning capabilityVSAvoidimaging access obstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical table employs dynamic positioning capabilities where the patient support surface can be tilted and rotated between prone and lateral positions during the surgical procedure. This dynamic adjustment allows the surgical team to access different surgical sites without requiring multiple tables or complex mechanical arrangements, while maintaining radiolucency for imaging access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The table changes its operational parameters by transitioning between different positioning modes (prone to lateral) through controlled mechanical movement. This parameter change enables the same table structure to serve multiple positioning functions without requiring complex additional mechanical parts, thereby maintaining radiolucency while improving positioning versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional surgical tables lack multi-position capability, then imaging access is improved, but surgical efficiency is worsened (requiring re-positioning and re-prepping)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging accessVSAvoidsurgical efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical table is designed with multi-functionality to provide both prone and lateral positioning capabilities within a single device. This universal design eliminates the need to switch between different tables or perform re-positioning and re-prepping procedures, thereby maintaining clear imaging access while significantly improving surgical efficiency through continuous multi-position support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If conventional surgical tables require manual repositioning between prone and lateral positions, then mechanical complexity is reduced, but time consumption is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical complexityVSAvoidrepositioning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The table incorporates dynamic positioning mechanisms that enable smooth transitions between prone and lateral positions. While this adds some mechanical complexity, it dramatically reduces repositioning time compared to manual methods, as the table can be adjusted quickly and precisely between positions without requiring manual patient handling or re-prepping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4205660B1Prone and lateral surgical table
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC
  • EP4205660B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4205660B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4205660B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A surgical table for prone and lateral positioning of a patient, where the table includes a base and a patient support structure. The base may include a head and a foot end support structure. The patient support structure may include an upper body support structure cantilevered off of the head end support structure at a first end and a lower body support structure cantilevered off of the foot end support structure at a second end. The upper body support structure may include a chest pad. The lower body support structure may include a lower body translation and rotation structure and at least one pelvic pad supported thereon.