Surgical Table with Movable Trend Axis for Constant Site Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical tables require adjustments and compensatory movements when applying Trendelenburg or reverse Trendelenburg movements, which can disrupt the surgical site's position and necessitate re-adjustment of associated apparatus, complicating surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical table with a mechanism allowing the tabletop to be tilted and rotated about both transverse and longitudinal axes, utilizing a movable trend frame and actuator system that adjusts the trend angle and height independently of the column, enabling smooth and wide-range motion without the need for compensatory adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tabletop is rotated about a fixed axis of rotation located above the column, then the tabletop can be tilted and trended, but the surgical site position is translated in 3-D space requiring re-adjustment of apparatus and table
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the axis of rotation movable rather than fixed. The trend frame can be raised or lowered relative to the column, allowing the effective axis of rotation to move vertically. This dynamic adjustment enables the surgical site to remain at a substantially constant height during Trendelenburg movements, eliminating the need for compensatory height adjustments and reducing re-adjustment time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the trend frame is raised or lowered relative to the column, then the effective axis of rotation moves vertically allowing constant surgical site height, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the table structure into distinct modular components: the column, the trend frame, and the tabletop assembly. The trend frame is a separate module that can be independently raised or lowered relative to the column through dedicated actuators. This segmentation allows the complex function of movable axis of rotation to be achieved through independent modular adjustments rather than a monolithic complex structure.
3Device complexity
If the tabletop is tilted about a fixed axis, then the structure is simpler, but free movement about tilt and trend axes over wide ranges is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the rotation axis dynamic by allowing the trend frame to move vertically relative to the column. This dynamic capability enables the system to achieve wide ranges of motion about both tilt and trend axes while maintaining structural simplicity. The movable axis allows the tabletop to be positioned at various heights and angles without requiring a complex multi-axis mechanical structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical table having a tabletop to be rotatable about a trend axis, the trend axis extending in a transverse direction across the tabletop; and an actuator mechanism coupled to the movable framework and arranged to raise and lower the movable framework relative to the column and to raise and lower the trend axis and to rotate the movable framework about the trend axis, and a control mechanism arranged to control the actuator mechanism to cause (i) the height of the trend axis to be translationally variable within a first dimensional range having a lowermost position, at which the trend axis extends through the column, and an uppermost position, at which the trend axis is above the upper end of the column the trend axis and is spaced at spacing height above the upper end of the column, and, simultaneously and/or independently (ii) the location of the trend axis in a lateral direction orthogonal to the trend axis to be translationally variable within a second dimensional range extending between first and second end positions.