Torso-Secured Arm Support for Radial Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current arm support systems for radial access procedures are inadequate, leading to suboptimal arm positioning, increased risk of surgical complications, discomfort for patients, and radiation exposure for medical professionals due to non-individualized and poorly designed supports that do not securely hold the arm against the body, potentially causing equipment instability and infection risks.
Innovation Solution
An arm support system comprising an adjustable strap that secures the arm across the torso, a hand support to maintain the forearm in a supinated, externally rotated position, and a thumb strap to prevent rotation, made from radiolucent, disposable materials to reduce infection risk and improve access during procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed arm boards are used at bed height, then the arm is supported during the procedure, but the arm position is below the patient's body causing back complaints and risk of equipment falling
Solution Approach 1:
The arm board is made height-adjustable rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned at the optimal height for each patient's body. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by enabling the arm board to adapt to different patient anatomies, providing stable support while maintaining ergonomic positioning for the surgeon and preventing equipment falls.
2Productivity
If non-individualized arm boards are used, then the procedure can be performed, but the arm is poorly supported and may fall out of position especially when patient is sedated
Solution Approach 1:
The arm board incorporates multiple adjustable parameters including height, angle, and positioning to be individualized for each patient. These parameter adjustments allow the arm board to provide optimal support tailored to each patient's anatomy, preventing arm displacement during sedation while maintaining procedural efficiency.
3Ease of manufacture
If arm boards are cleaned and reused between procedures, then resource utilization is improved, but there is potential danger of infection
Solution Approach 1:
The arm board is designed as a disposable single-use device rather than a reusable item. This eliminates infection risk associated with cleaning and reusing between procedures, while the low cost of the disposable device maintains resource efficiency. Each procedure receives a sterile, new arm board that is discarded after use.
4Reliability
If the arm board holds the arm away from the patient's body, then the arm is supported, but adequate shielding from lead screens and patient's body is prevented resulting in increased radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The arm board allows dynamic positioning of the arm in various configurations, including positions where the arm can be held closer to or against the patient's body. This flexibility enables optimal positioning that maintains both arm support function and adequate radiation shielding, reducing radiation exposure to the surgeon while preserving procedural access.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
An arm support for use in a medical procedure, comprises an arm support strap and a hand support. The arm support strap comprises a first end that is configured to pass around the arm of a patient and secure to a region of the arm support strap, a support region for supporting an arm of the patient, and a second end configured to pass across the torso of the patient to be secured so as to support the arm securely against a side of the torso in a position substantially co-planar with the torso. The hand support comprises a first region adapted to secure the hand support to the arm support strap, and a second region adapted to engage with a hand of the patient for securing an associated forearm of the patient in a supinated, externally rotated position. The support is for use in radial access procedures, securing the patient's wrist in a dorsiflexed position.