Adjustable Litter Support Arms for Variable Stretcher Sizes
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for adjustable litter support systems that can securely accommodate litters of varying dimensions within medical care units and emergency vehicles, as existing systems often require manual loading and unloading of patients and lack flexibility to handle different litter sizes.
Innovation Solution
A modular litter support system featuring adjustable support arm assemblies with incremental securement locations and a mounting track system with securement slots, allowing for customizable height adjustments and secure attachment of litters with different diameters, enabling quick and secure mounting of litters in various configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed litter support system is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate litters of varying dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm assemblies are made adjustable along the vertical tracks, allowing dynamic repositioning to accommodate different litter dimensions. The arms can be moved to various heights and positions along the tracks, transforming a static support system into a dynamic one that adapts to varying patient transport needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical tracks with multiple securement locations provide universal mounting capability for support arms at different positions. This universal track system allows the same basic structure to support various litter types and sizes by simply repositioning the support arms along the tracks rather than requiring different specialized structures.
2Productivity
If manual loading and unloading of patients is required, then the support system structure is simple, but patient safety and medical response efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The litter support system is pre-configured within the emergency vehicle with vertical tracks and adjustable support arms positioned to receive litters. The system is prepared in advance with multiple securement locations along the tracks, enabling rapid deployment and securing of litters without requiring manual loading operations during emergency response.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable support arms act as intermediaries between the fixed vertical tracks and the litters. These arms can be quickly positioned and secured to the tracks, then used to manipulate and secure litters in place, reducing the need for direct manual handling of patients while maintaining safety and efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If litters are secured at fixed positions, then the securement mechanism is simple, but it cannot accommodate litters with different diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm assemblies can be repositioned to different locations along the vertical tracks, changing the geometric parameters of the securement points. This allows the distance between support points and the height of securement to be adjusted according to the specific dimensions of different litters, accommodating various diameters and sizes while maintaining secure attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
A litter support system for a vehicle, the litter support system comprising a support arm assembly for supporting a litter in a horizontal position, the support arm assembly including an adjustable hook assembly at a free end of the support arm assembly having an open position and a closed position, the adjustable hook assembly comprising a ratchet system that locks the hook assembly between the open position and the closed position.