Surgical Table Touchscreen Mount With Controlled-Friction Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for mounting touchscreen devices in surgical settings are either cumbersome, prone to accidental movement, or fail to provide optimal positioning for surgeons, potentially interfering with surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A table mount for surgical tables that clamps securely, features adjustable arms and joints with controlled friction, allowing six degrees of freedom for precise positioning and rotation, ensuring the touchscreen device remains stable and within the surgeon's line of sight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the touchscreen device is mounted on a roll stand, then the device is mobile and accessible, but the roll stand crowds the operating room and the device may accidentally bump into the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a surgical table as an intermediary mounting structure. Instead of using a roll stand that moves freely near the patient, the device is mounted on the surgical table itself, which is a stable, fixed structure. This intermediary platform provides device accessibility while eliminating the risk of accidental contact with the patient.
2Reliability
If the touchscreen device is placed in a sterile bag or autoclaved case, then the device is protected, but it cannot be positioned in the correct location or within arm's reach of the surgeon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically adjustable mounting system with multiple degrees of freedom. The arm assembly includes joints that allow rotation and adjustment in multiple directions, enabling the touchscreen device to be positioned precisely within the surgeon's line of sight and arm's reach while maintaining protection through the sterile barrier.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the table mount allows easy movement during surgery, then it is adjustable for different surgeons, but it may be too easy to move when the surgeon needs to use the touchscreen
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system employs dynamic friction control through spring-loaded clamps and friction joints. During setup, the system allows easy adjustment for different surgeons and surgical positions. During use, the friction mechanisms engage to prevent unintended movement when the surgeon touches the screen, providing stability while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the friction parameter dynamically. The friction joints are designed to provide low friction for intentional adjustment movements but high friction for preventing accidental movements. This parameter change allows the same mechanism to serve both adaptability and stability requirements.
4Ease of operation
If the touchscreen device is positioned above the patient, then it is within the surgeon's line of sight, but existing mounts cannot maintain stable positioning when the surgical table is tilted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a counterbalance mechanism that compensates for the gravitational effect of table tilting. When the surgical table is tilted during surgery, the counterbalance system automatically adjusts to maintain the touchscreen device in a stable, horizontal position within the surgeon's line of sight, preventing the device from shifting or falling.
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 table mount provides a stable and adjustable platform for touchscreen devices, preventing accidental movement and ensuring optimal viewing angles, thereby enhancing surgical efficiency and safety by keeping the device within the surgeon's line of sight and within arm's reach.
Implementation Method 1
These movable joints have a controlled friction force to hold the touchscreen devices in whatever position it's placed even when the surgical table is tilted by up to about 17.5 degrees
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to table mount for mounting a touchscreen device to a surgical table. The table mount includes a clamp configured to releasably secure the table mount to the table, a first arm rotatably connected to the clamp and configured to extend vertically from the surgical table, a second arm rotatably connected to the first arm, and a touchscreen device docking assembly rotatably connected to the second arm and configured to hold a touchscreen device.