Surgical table with pivoting and translating hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical tables with traditional articulating hinges require additional devices like 'trunk translators' for patient positioning, which are often non-radiolucent, complicating medical imaging during procedures and adding assembly complexity, weight, and expense.
Innovation Solution
A surgical table with a pivoting and translating hinge system that eliminates the need for 'trunk translators' by using radiolucent materials and a dual-sided, open-frame patient support structure, where the hinge pin slides within a slot to maintain constant patient positioning relative to support pads, allowing for flexible patient positioning without disrupting anesthesia access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional articulating hinges are used in surgical tables, then patient positioning capability is provided, but additional non-radiolucent devices (trunk translators) are required which complicate medical imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of traditional fixed hinges with the previously separate trunk translator device into a single integrated articulating hinge assembly. The hinge includes a moving arm with a slot and a translating mechanism that allows the support surface to both pivot and translate longitudinally, eliminating the need for separate translator devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static, fixed hinge into a dynamic system where the hinge pin can translate along the slot within the moving arm. This dynamic capability allows the support surface to adjust its position both angularly and longitudinally during articulation, providing enhanced positioning versatility without requiring additional fixed components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional articulating hinges are used, then patient positioning is enabled, but non-radiolucent materials are required which interfere with medical imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the hinge components from traditional non-radiolucent metals to radiolucent materials such as carbon fiber, polymer, or PEEK. This material substitution maintains the mechanical functionality of the articulating hinge while eliminating interference with X-ray and other medical imaging modalities, allowing imaging to proceed without switching to a separate imaging table.
3Adaptability or versatility
If trunk translators are added to traditional surgical tables, then patient positioning capability is improved, but device weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the trunk translator functionality directly into the hinge assembly itself. The moving arm with the slot and the hinge pin translating mechanism that were previously separate components are integrated, eliminating redundant structures and reducing overall weight while maintaining enhanced positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the separate trunk translator device from the system, incorporating its essential translating function directly into the hinge mechanism. By removing the need for this additional assembly, the overall weight of the surgical table is reduced while the positioning capability is maintained through the integrated translating hinge.
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 solution enables flexible patient positioning without the need for additional devices, maintains constant patient positioning relative to support pads, and allows for medical imaging without switching to a separate imaging table, enhancing surgical efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the inner ends of the foot end section may be coupled with the respective slot at the inward articulation via a hinge pin that engages the slot. The hinge pin may be configured to pivot and slide within the slot.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical table including a patient support structure and a base assembly including a first and a second support column supporting respective ends of the patient support structure. The patient support structure including a head end section and a foot end section, the head end section coupled at a pair of outer ends to the first support column, the foot end section coupled at a pair of outer ends to the second support column, the head and foot end sections each comprising a pair of inner ends that are pivotally and slidingly coupled together at an inward articulation, each of the inner ends of the head end section comprise a slot at the inward articulation, each of the inner ends of the foot end section are coupled with the respective slot via a hinge pin that engages the slot, the hinge pin configured to pivot and slide within the slot.