Angled IV Mobility Pole for Stable Patient Ambulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IV poles with a vertical configuration pose safety concerns during patient ambulation, as they can tip or hinder movement, and there is a need for secure attachment of heavy and light medical components, including oxygen sources, while maintaining device stability and maneuverability.
Innovation Solution
A mobility assistance device with a mast and base forming an acute angle, equipped with an extendible pole, wheels for stability and maneuverability, and a height-adjustable handle, allowing for secure attachment of medical components and easy folding for compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a vertical pole configuration is used to support medical components, then the device structure is simple, but the device stability deteriorates and tipping risk increases during patient ambulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical pole configuration to an angled mast configuration where the mast extends at an angle (e.g., 45 degrees) from the base rather than vertically. This dimensional change in the mast orientation allows the device to achieve improved stability during patient ambulation while maintaining structural simplicity, directly resolving the technical contradiction between device complexity and stability.
2Reliability
If heavy medical components are securely attached to the device, then component security is improved, but device maneuverability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the device into modular components including a base, angled mast, and detachable pole sections with multiple attachment points. This segmentation allows heavy medical components to be securely attached at optimized locations along the mast and pole while maintaining overall device maneuverability. The modular structure enables flexible configuration to balance component security with ease of operation.
3Volume of moving object
If the device is designed for compact storage, then storage efficiency is improved, but device complexity for deployment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates dynamic, movable components including telescoping pole sections and adjustable base legs that can be easily extended or collapsed. The base legs are designed to fold toward the mast, and the pole sections can telescope to reduce overall device volume. These dynamic features enable compact storage configuration while maintaining simple deployment through intuitive mechanical movements, resolving the contradiction between storage efficiency and deployment complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are mobility assistance devices, particularly useful in medical settings where a patient ambulation is desired but the patient remains connected to one or many medical components. The system comprises a mast connected to a base, wherein the mast is angled with respect to the base and from which any number of medical components is supported. The device geometry and connections ensure the device is extremely stable and tip-resistant. Also provided are oxygen tank holders to reliably and conveniently hold oxygen tanks and power management systems that reliably provide electrical power without impacting device performance or mobility. The device is deployable to permit conversion between a compact storage configuration and a stable deployed configuration.