Articulating Bed Sections for Lateral Patient Turning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing articulating beds are unable to efficiently turn patients, particularly those positioned centrally, due to limitations in movement and tilt capabilities, as they typically only raise up to 50% of the mattress surface at a time, making it difficult to manage larger and heavier individuals.
Innovation Solution
An articulated bed design featuring a first section with hinged mattress support bars and a lifting mechanism that allows the side rail and mattress support bars to rotate about a central axis, with additional mechanisms enabling rotation about perpendicular axes, allowing for simultaneous lifting and rotation of multiple sections to facilitate efficient patient turning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional articulating beds raise only up to 50% of the mattress surface at a time, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity of patient turning is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bed frame is divided into multiple independently controllable sections (head section, foot section, and lateral sections) that can be raised and rotated separately. Each section has its own lifting mechanism, allowing the system to raise more than 50% of the mattress surface simultaneously while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated frame employs dynamic hinged connections between sections, allowing each section to rotate about vertical axes independently. This dynamic capability enables the bed to adapt its configuration for efficient patient turning, transforming from a static structure to a dynamically reconfigurable system that can accommodate patients of various sizes and positions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bed uses a simple lifting mechanism, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to accommodate patients of various sizes and positions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each lifting mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: vertical lifting of the section, rotation about a vertical axis, and coordination with adjacent sections. This multi-functionality allows a single mechanism type to accommodate patients of various sizes and positions, from lateral turning to complete rotation, without requiring multiple specialized mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged connections between bed sections allow dynamic adjustment of section angles and positions. This enables the bed to adapt its configuration for different patient sizes and positions while maintaining ease of operation through automated or semi-automated control of the lifting mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the bed frame is made rigid for stability, then the stability of the object is improved, but the ability to turn patients efficiently is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bed frame is segmented into multiple rigid sections connected by hinged joints. Each section maintains structural rigidity for stability, while the hinges between sections allow relative rotation. This segmentation enables the bed to remain stable in any given configuration while allowing efficient patient turning through coordinated rotation of sections about vertical axes.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated frame combines rigid sections with dynamic hinged connections, creating a structure that is stable when stationary but capable of controlled movement during patient turning. The hinges allow each section to rotate about vertical axes while maintaining structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and mobility.
Data Source
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AI summary
An articulated bed has a stationary frame and a plurality of mattress support sections defining a mattress support area, the support sections including: a left section (20), a right section (30), a head section (40) and a foot section (50). The left and right sections (20), (30) are hingably interleaved so that by raising either one, a patient may be rolled over or moved laterally. A plurality of lift arms (22), (32), (42), and (52) and lift drivers (62), (64), and (66) are engaged with the stationary frame (10) for moving each of the support sections (20), (30), (40), and (50) between a horizontal position and an elevated position. The sections (20), (30), (40), and (50) may be elevated individually or in concert.