Angled Siderail Touchscreen Layout for Easier Bedside Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient support user modules are cumbersome due to poor ergonomic positioning and design, making controls difficult to use and access, particularly with graphic displays like touchscreen interfaces, requiring uncomfortable positions and two-handed operation.
Innovation Solution
A patient support apparatus with a siderail featuring a recessed area for the touchscreen user interface, positioned at a fixed acute angle, and a non-recessed area for a non-touchscreen interface, improving visibility and usability by allowing single-handed operation and reducing the need for uncomfortable bending or reaching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user module is positioned in a conventional fixed or pendant location, then the module can be easily attached to the siderail, but the controls become difficult to see and operate due to poor ergonomic positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The user module is positioned at an angled orientation (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the siderail rather than in a conventional vertical or horizontal arrangement. This angular positioning creates a more ergonomic viewing and operating angle for users while maintaining simple attachment mechanisms, thus improving ease of operation without significantly increasing attachment complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The siderail is designed with a specific recessed region that accommodates the user module at an optimized angle. This localized structural modification provides ergonomic positioning exactly where needed (at the user interaction point) while leaving the rest of the siderail structure simple and easy to attach
2Ease of operation
If the touchscreen interface is positioned at a conventional angle, then the attachment structure remains simple, but the controls become difficult to see and operate due to undesirable viewing angles
Solution Approach 1:
The touchscreen interface is rotated to an angular orientation (e.g., 45 degrees from vertical) rather than being positioned in conventional vertical or horizontal alignment. This angular repositioning improves visibility and accessibility by aligning the interface with natural user viewing angles, while the attachment structure adapts to accommodate this new orientation without becoming overly complex
3Ease of operation
If the user module requires two-handed operation to steady and operate simultaneously, then basic attachment methods can be used, but the module becomes cumbersome and difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The user module incorporates a localized grip region with enhanced friction characteristics or ergonomic contouring positioned adjacent to the touchscreen interface. This localized design feature enables users to securely hold the module with one hand while operating the interface, eliminating the need for two-handed operation. The grip region is specifically designed to provide sufficient holding force without requiring the user's other hand for stabilization
Solution Approach 2:
The user module design incorporates features similar to commonly held portable devices (such as smartphones or tablets), where the size and shape are optimized for single-handed gripping. By copying successful ergonomic designs from consumer electronics, the medical device achieves intuitive single-handed operation while maintaining a compact form factor that does not require excessive size
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A user module for a patient support is provided. The user module is coupled to a patient support barrier, such as a siderail or a footboard.