Surgical Table Overload Detection for Tip Stability Warning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical tables become unstable and risk tipping over due to patient weight, especially when patients are positioned off-center or at extreme angles, posing a safety risk during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a hydraulic actuator with an overload detection system that uses sensors to monitor hydraulic pressure or force applied, emitting an audible or visual signal when the load exceeds predetermined limits, alerting medical staff to potential instability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the table top is tilted or slid to extreme positions to improve patient positioning flexibility, then the adaptability is improved, but the stability deteriorates due to patient weight causing potential tipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by using sensors to continuously monitor the position and load on the surgical table. When the table top is tilted or slid to extreme positions, the sensor detects the changed center of gravity and provides feedback to the control system, which then activates warning signals to alert medical staff of the stability risk, allowing them to adjust positioning accordingly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively detecting potential instability conditions before tipping occurs. The sensor system continuously monitors table position and patient distribution, and the control system is ready to issue warnings in advance when extreme positioning is detected, allowing medical staff to take corrective action before the table becomes unstable
2Strength
If the table top is made more robust to support heavier patients, then the strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical reinforcement with a sensor-based detection system. Instead of making the table structure more robust to handle all possible overload scenarios, the system uses sensors to detect when extreme loads or positions are applied and provides electronic warnings, thereby managing strength requirements through intelligence rather than pure mechanical design
3Reliability
If sensors and overload detection means are added to detect table stability, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the surgical table to autonomously monitor its own stability conditions through integrated sensors. The table's own structural elements serve as the basis for detection, and the system automatically issues warnings without requiring external monitoring equipment or additional personnel, thereby improving reliability while minimizing the addition of complex external systems
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 provides a warning to medical staff when the surgical table is overloaded, preventing tipping and ensuring patient safety by allowing for safe positioning and movement of the table top.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor is preferably a hydraulic pressure switch. The hydraulic actuator includes a piston within a cylinder of the actuator. The piston divides the cylinder into an upper section and a lower section.
Implementation Method 2
The sensor is a force transducer and the parameter sensed is force applied on the actuator.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical table for supporting a patient, the surgical table including:a base assembly (3); a table top (1) for supporting a patient thereon, the table top (1) being moveable with respect to the base assembly (3); at least one actuator (13) for controlling the position of the table top (1) with respect to the base assembly (3); and an overload detection means for detecting when the surgical table is overloaded, the overload detection means including a sensor (25) for sensing a parameter of the surgical table such as hydraulic fluid pressure in the actuator (13), wherein the overload detection means emits a signal if the parameter sensed exceeds a predetermined value, due to the weight and/or position of the patient on the table top (1).