X-ray Permeable Patient Support Fastening Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional operating tables are not suitable for x-raying during surgeries due to their rigid constructions and metal content, which interfere with x-ray imaging, and existing patient-supporting devices have unsuitable adjustment ranges and permeability issues, leading to suboptimal x-ray image quality.
Innovation Solution
An operating-table-side fastening unit with a resilient locking bar and ratchet mechanism allows secure and adjustable fastening of a patient-supporting device to the operating table, enabling high-quality x-ray imaging over a larger area by minimizing metal interference and allowing for flexible positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional operating tables with rigid metal constructions are used, then structural strength and stability are ensured, but x-ray imaging quality deteriorates due to metal interference and insufficient permeability
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support device is divided into separate modular components (support surface, positioning elements, fastening units) that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows the use of x-ray permeable materials for the support surface while maintaining structural integrity through separate metal fastening components that are positioned away from the imaging area.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful metal components are extracted from the patient support area and relocated to the fastening units that attach to the operating table. The support surface itself is made from x-ray permeable materials, separating the structural function (performed by metal fastening components) from the support function (performed by permeable materials).
2Adaptability or versatility
If rigid resting elements are used in patient-supporting devices, then structural stability is maintained, but adaptability to individual patient contours deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening units incorporate movable locking bars that can be dynamically adjusted between locked and unlocked positions, allowing the device to adapt to different patient sizes and positions while maintaining stable fastening when required. The modular design enables reconfiguration of support elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patient support surface uses flexible, x-ray permeable materials that can conform to individual patient contours, replacing rigid resting elements. These flexible surfaces provide adaptability while the separate fastening units provide the necessary structural stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed fastening arrangements with cross connections are used, then structural rigidity is ensured, but adjustability range deteriorates and x-ray permeability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is segmented into independent operating-table-side and device-side fastening units that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This eliminates the need for rigid cross connections, providing greater adjustability range while reducing structural complexity in the imaging area.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening units allow adjustment in multiple dimensions (height, angle, position) independently, enabling flexible positioning of the patient support device relative to the operating table without requiring complex cross-connected rigid structures.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If thick metal-containing constructions are used in operating tables, then mechanical strength is ensured, but x-ray imaging quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Metal components are extracted from the patient support area and concentrated in the fastening units that attach to the operating table. The support surface and positioning elements are made from x-ray permeable materials, eliminating metal interference in the imaging path while maintaining mechanical strength through the fastening attachments.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening units act as intermediaries that provide the necessary mechanical connection between the patient support device and the operating table, allowing the use of lightweight, x-ray permeable materials in the patient support area while maintaining overall structural integrity through the metal-containing fastening components.
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 solution provides secure, adjustable, and high-quality x-ray imaging capabilities by reducing metal interference and enhancing the adjustability of the patient-supporting device relative to the operating table, improving the quality and range of x-ray images captured during surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient locking bar movable between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the base body, wherein, in the locked position, the locking bar automatically engages, by means of a preload force, with a coupling element
Implementation Method 2
a ratchet mechanism which may hold the locking bar in the unlocked position
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening device is disclosed. The fastening device has a housing having a receptacle that receives a coupler of an operating table device and a locking member connected to the housing and movable relative to the housing between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking member retains the coupler in the receptacle in the locked position, and the locking member releases the coupler from the receptacle in the unlocked position. The fastening device also has a resilient member that urges the locking member toward the locked position, an actuation member that moves the locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position, and a ratchet assembly that maintains the locking member in the unlocked position.