Air-Cushion Patient Transfer Sled for Stable Applicator Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current patient transfer systems fail to maintain precise positioning and orientation of patients during movement, which is critical for radiation therapies like brachytherapy, as patient movement can alter the position of treatment applicators.

Innovation Solution

A patient transfer sled with air cushions supported by a pressurized air film, allowing for frictionless movement while maintaining patient positioning, and a support structure with guides and leg supports to secure the patient during transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a patient is moved between support structures (hospital bed, gurney, imaging platform), then the patient can be positioned for treatment verification and therapy, but the position of treatment applicators may be altered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient movement capabilityVSAvoidapplicator positioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section) that can move independently or collectively. This segmentation allows the patient support surface to be divided into movable and stationary portions, enabling patient repositioning while keeping the treatment applicator support section fixed to maintain applicator positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A bridge structure is introduced as an intermediary element to close surface gaps between adjacent support structures. This bridge provides a continuous, gap-free surface that allows the patient to be moved smoothly between support structures without disrupting applicator positioning or requiring complex lifting operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If conventional patient transfer methods are used, then patient movement between locations is achieved, but friction and surface gaps cause instability and positioning errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer efficiencyVSAvoidpositioning stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is designed to maintain substantially the same elevation across all sections (first, second, and third sections) and the bridge. This equipotential design eliminates elevation differences and surface gaps that would cause instability, allowing the patient to be moved smoothly and reliably between locations without positioning errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

Solution Approach 2:

The bridge is pre-positioned to close surface gaps between support structures before patient transfer begins. This preliminary action ensures a continuous, stable surface is already in place, preventing instability and positioning errors during the actual patient movement process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the support structure has multiple sections for patient repositioning, then patient positioning flexibility is improved, but surface gaps between sections may cause instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient positioning flexibilityVSAvoidsurface continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The bridge acts as an intermediary element that connects and closes surface gaps between the first, second, and third sections of the support structure. This maintains surface continuity and stability while still allowing the sections to be independently positioned for patient repositioning flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

All sections of the support structure and the bridge are maintained at substantially the same elevation, creating an equipotential surface. This eliminates gaps and discontinuities that would cause instability, while the ability to independently position sections preserves patient positioning flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

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 precise and stable patient transfer with reduced friction, ensuring accurate positioning of treatment applicators, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of radiation therapies.

Implementation Method 1

Air may be flowed into and through the air cushion causing it to inflate and form an air film between the patient transfer sled and the support surface. The patient transfer sled may be supported on the air film while being moved over the surface.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir bearing: Air Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS8640279B2Systems for patient transfer, devices for movement of a patient, and methods for transferring a patient

Publication Date: 2014.02.04 DIACOR

AI summary

A patient transfer sled having a support structure including at least one air cushion partially disposed within at least one pocket, and a fluid passageway extending through the support structure into the air cushion. Systems for patient transfer that may include a support surface, such as a table, a patient transfer sled having at least one air cushion, and a source of pressurized air. Methods for moving a patient relative to a support surface include positioning a patient on a patient transfer sled having at least one air cushion, and inflating the air cushion with air to form a sheet of flowing air between the patient transfer sled and the support surface. The methods may be used, for example, to move a patient on an air film over a surface within a system.