Sensors for patient positioning in medical environments

In a medical environment, positioning patients properly according to the equipment being used and the procedure being carried out is crucial for a number of reasons.

Why is patient positioning important?

In the treatment of, and surgery on, patients, it is vital to ensure a safe and effective procedure that gives optimal exposure to the surgical site and allows access to the medical devices required. It also minimises any potential risk to the patient and helps to prevent complications such as nerve damage or pressure sores. Turning to diagnostic and treatment equipment, machines including MRI and CT scanners require adequate patient positioning for efficient and high-quality imaging, with patients asked to hold a specific, and sometimes uncomfortable, position for a period of time. In the case of oncology treatment such as radiation therapy machines, correct patient positioning is essential to ensure the radiation beams are as precise as possible and often repeatable over multiple visits. Patient positioning also extends to the wards where equipment including beds and chairs are often adjustable to allow for changes to the bed height or the backrest elevation, for example.

What sensors are used to ensure correct patient positioning?

To ensure correct patient positioning, medical equipment manufacturers and medical device companies incorporate a range of sensor solutions, motion control systems and switches into their products. Below we give a few examples:

Cable extension transducers, or draw wire position sensors, are used within MRI and CT scanners to ensure the patient is in the correct position and to monitor any movement during the examination, thereby reducing the likelihood of a repeat scan being required. They can also be found in oncology machines where they control the position of telescopic arms and couch height adjustment. Operating tables and patient beds are adjustable, with linear position sensors used for horizontal and vertical positioning,  rotary encoders for rotational positioning and inclinometers for angular positioning, while load cells are incorporated into beds, patient couches and surgical tables, most commonly to assess the weight of the patient.

Our sister companies are also very active in the medical equipment and medical device market. This includes motion control specialist Heason, who have supplied slip rings and DC motors for particle beam therapy machines to aid patient handling, and switching and sensing solutions specialist Herga, whose 6271 electric hand control is used to inflate/deflate cushions under patients to improve comfort when undergoing treatment. In addition,  Herga’s 6241 footswitch can be found on intensive care beds to enable medical staff to adjust the bed tilt, head position and bed height at the touch of a foot.

To discuss how we can help with your medical equipment or medical device manufacturing needs, please contact our team today.