Medical Diagnostic Table Weight-Adaptive Speed Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical diagnostic tables in examination equipment do not account for patient weight, leading to suboptimal operation and discomfort during procedures, particularly for overweight patients, and lack adaptive functionality to adjust speed and mode based on load.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating weighing sensors and a control system that adjusts the moving speed of the medical diagnostic table according to sensed weight, switching modes (e.g., examination or standby) based on load presence or absence, and selecting operational parameters like speed and dose for X-ray irradiation based on patient weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the medical diagnostic table operates at high speed to improve productivity, then examination efficiency is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates for overweight patients

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexamination efficiencyVSAvoidpatient discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic speed adjustment of the medical diagnostic table based on real-time weight detection. The control system automatically modifies operating parameters including moving speed according to the detected patient weight, enabling the table to adapt its performance characteristics to match the specific load conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining high productivity and ensuring patient comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (speed, acceleration, examination mode) based on the detected weight parameter. By establishing a relationship between patient weight and optimal operating parameters, the system automatically selects appropriate speed profiles and examination modes, allowing high-speed operation for lighter patients while providing gentler, more comfortable operation for overweight patients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If weighing sensors are added to detect patient weight, then adaptive operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptive operationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with electronic weighing sensors and digital control systems. The weighing sensors provide precise weight detection through electrical signals, which are then processed by a control system to automatically adjust operating parameters. This substitution of mechanical systems with electronic and software-based solutions achieves adaptive operation while minimizing the increase in physical device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment of operating parameters based on automatic weight detection and control algorithm execution. The control system automatically processes the weight signal, determines appropriate operating parameters, and adjusts the table operation without requiring manual intervention or complex operator input, thereby simplifying the user interface and operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the medical diagnostic table moves overweight patients at reduced speed to improve safety, then patient safety is improved, but examination time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidexamination time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the speed profile based on the detected weight category. For overweight patients, the control system implements reduced speed and acceleration parameters during critical movement phases to ensure safety, while potentially optimizing other phases of operation to minimize overall examination time. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high safety standards without imposing uniform time penalties on all examinations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different speed and acceleration characteristics to different phases of table operation based on local requirements. Critical movement phases involving patient safety are executed at reduced speeds for overweight patients, while other phases may maintain higher efficiency. This localized optimization of operational parameters ensures safety where needed while minimizing overall examination time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enhances patient comfort by adjusting speed according to weight, optimizes workload, and allows for safe examination of overweight subjects while maintaining precision in weight sensing with minimal structural changes to existing equipment.

Implementation Method 1

sensing the weight carried by the medical diagnostic table by means of the weighing sensors mounted under the medical diagnostic table

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWeight sensing:

Data Source

PatentUS9044205B2Method and apparatus for optimizing medical diagnostic table operation according to patient's weight
Publication Date: 2015.06.02 GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY CO LLC
  • US9044205B2 patent drawing
  • US9044205B2 patent drawing
  • US9044205B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of optimizing operation of a medical diagnostic table according to a patient's weight is provided. The method includes sensing a weight carried by the medical diagnostic table using weighing sensors mounted under the medical diagnostic table, and adjusting a moving speed of the medical diagnostic table according to the sensed weight. The moving speed is reduced when the sensed weight is greater than a predetermined value, and the moving speed is increased when the sensed weight is less than the predetermined value.