Tiltable Operating Table Curved Guide System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical tables are limited in their ability to achieve extreme tilt and longitudinal extension, leading to inadequate positioning flexibility, particularly for procedures like Trendelenburg positions and X-ray diagnostics, and often require complex and costly constructions to support patient weight.
Innovation Solution
A surgical table design featuring a curved guide system with arched elements and actuators that allow for greater tilts and translations, enabling the tabletop to be positioned at a minimum height and accommodate larger patient weights with enhanced stability and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standard surgical table with straight rails is used, then the construction is simple and cost-effective, but the tabletop rotation is limited to not more than 45° relative to the vertical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing straight rails with curved guides. The guides have a specific curved geometry that enables the tabletop to rotate through angles greater than 45° relative to the vertical, while the curve is designed to distribute stresses favorably along the column structure, maintaining construction simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tabletop is positioned close to an X-ray diagnostic apparatus through horizontal translation, then the range for X-rays is enlarged and blind spots are eliminated, but the coupling points are subjected to considerable stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The curved guides are designed with specific geometry that enables horizontal translation of the tabletop close to the X-ray apparatus while distributing the resulting stresses favorably along the column and coupling points, preventing excessive stress concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the guides from straight to curved, which fundamentally alters the stress distribution characteristics during tabletop movement, allowing greater translation range without compromising coupling point strength.
3Ease of operation
If the tabletop is adjusted to minimum height from the floor for surgeon comfort, then operating comfort is improved, but the structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The curved guide geometry is designed to maintain favorable stress distribution even when the tabletop is positioned at minimum height from the floor, allowing the table to achieve low operating height while preserving structural stability through the stress-distributing curve design.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5a~5c
AI summary
The present invention generally finds application in the art of medical apparatus and particularly relates to an adjustable surgical table comprising a load-bearing column (2) having an upper head (3) with a patient-supporting tabletop (4) mounted thereto, guide means (5) for guiding the tabletop (4) along a longitudinal plane of symmetry (π), wherein the guide means (5) comprise a curvilinear guide (6) to be associated with the column (2) and a slide (7) adapted to move on the guide (6), first actuator means (8) operating on the slide (7) to cause motion thereof along the curvilinear guide (6). The curvilinear guide (6) is adapted to be fixed to the head (3), and the slide (7) is rigidly connected to the tabletop (4), with no freedom of relative rotation, the first actuator means (8) being mounted to the head (3) to cause motion of the slide (7) relative to the guide (6).