Vacuum Mattress Positioning for Pelvic Landmark Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient positioning devices for pelvic treatments, such as hip replacement operations, face challenges in accessing and accurately registering pelvic landmarks due to obstruction by supporting means, leading to incorrect navigation and potential errors in treatment results.
Innovation Solution
A patient lateral positioning device utilizing a vacuum mattress that omits the pelvic region on the front and upper sides, allowing unobstructed access for fluoroscopic and image-free registration, with integrated reference markers and a tilting mechanism for optimal landmark detection and repositioning without sterility loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional patient positioners with pads or poles are used to support the patient's lower body, then the patient is stabilized in lateral position, but access to pelvic landmarks (ASIS and pubic points) is blocked, making navigation registration difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum mattress extracts the supporting function from the pelvic region by creating a vacuum field that adheres to the patient's body surface, eliminating the need for physical pads or poles that block access to ASIS and pubic points while maintaining patient stabilization
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum mattress acts as an intermediary between the patient's body and the positioning system, using vacuum pressure to provide support without physical contact at critical landmark areas, thereby enabling both stabilization and unobstructed access to pelvic landmarks
2Measurement precision
If radiolucent positioning materials are used to reduce shadows on fluoroscopic images, then image quality is improved, but the positioning means still causes shadows and edges that hide anatomical structures and reduce contrast
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum mattress extracts the harmful shadowing effect by eliminating solid positioning materials from the imaging path, using vacuum pressure instead of physical barriers, thereby completely removing shadows and edges that would obscure anatomical structures on fluoroscopic images
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum mattress replaces the mechanical positioning system (pads and poles) with a vacuum field, substituting physical contact with atmospheric pressure differential, thereby eliminating material interference with fluoroscopic imaging while maintaining positioning functionality
3Ease of operation
If the patient is repositioned from supine to lateral position after registration, then access to pelvic landmarks is improved for navigation, but time is lost and sterility may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum mattress is applied and configured in the lateral position before registration begins, performing the positioning action in advance, thereby eliminating the need for subsequent repositioning and associated time loss and sterility risks
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
Enables clear, high-contrast fluoroscopic images and accurate registration of pelvic landmarks, reducing errors and improving treatment outcomes by providing a stable, flexible, and sterile environment for patient positioning.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum mattress (10) that comprises an upper body supporting part (11) and a lower body supporting part (13)
Data Source
AI summary
A patient lateral positioning device for pelvic treatments suitable to support a patient in a defined lateral position includes a vacuum mattress. The vacuum mattress includes an upper body support attachable to an upper body portion of the patient, and a lower body support attachable to a lower body portion of the patient. A region between said upper and lower body support is formed such that when the vacuum mattress is attached to the patient, both a front pelvic side and an upper pelvic side of the patient are exposed.