Multi-function headboard for patient support apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional patient support apparatuses lack a centralized location for environment controls and patient interfaces, leading to suboptimal placement and accessibility of features like speakers, heating/cooling systems, reading lights, and handles, which can compromise patient comfort and caregiver efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a modular headboard assembly with articulating arms and a control module that houses environment controls such as fans, heaters, coolers, speakers, and lighting systems, along with patient interfaces, which can be easily configured and positioned to maintain optimal access during articulation of the patient support deck.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If environment controls are housed in side rails, then they can be integrated into the patient support apparatus, but they become inaccessible when side rails articulate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessibility of environment controlsVSAvoidPositioning flexibility during articulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The headboard is divided into a fixed portion and an articulating portion that can move independently. The environment controls are housed in the fixed portion, ensuring they remain accessible and stationary even when the articulating portion moves to accommodate patient position changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The headboard serves multiple functions: it provides a barrier, houses environment controls, and includes an articulating portion that moves with patient support deck articulation. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by combining fixed control housing with movable articulating elements in a single integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If headboard is made unwieldy to serve as mattress and pillow barrier, then it provides better patient support, but it becomes difficult to position and may be misplaced or discarded

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePatient support and barrier functionVSAvoidPositioning and placement ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The headboard is segmented into a fixed barrier portion that provides structural support and an articulating portion that moves with the patient support deck. This segmentation allows the barrier function to remain stable while reducing the overall complexity of positioning the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The articulating portion of the headboard is designed to move dynamically with the patient support deck articulation, maintaining its functional relationship with the patient area while reducing the effort required to position and secure the headboard during patient care activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If controls are placed in movable side rails, then they can be positioned near the patient, but they move away from optimal position during articulation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveProximity to patientVSAvoidConsistent accessibility during articulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The headboard controls are segregated into a fixed housing portion that remains stationary during articulation, ensuring consistent accessibility. The articulating portion moves independently with the patient support deck, maintaining proximity to the patient without compromising control accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixed headboard housing acts as an intermediary structure that provides a stable platform for environment controls. This intermediary element decouples the controls from the moving articulating portions, ensuring they remain in a consistent, accessible position regardless of patient support deck articulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11389354B2Multi-function headboard for patient support apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.07.19 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A patient support apparatus comprises a support structure, an articulation system, and a headboard assembly. The support structure comprises a head end, a foot end, a base, and a patient support deck to support a patient between the head end and the foot end. The patient support deck comprises a first section and a second section capable of articulating relative to the first section. The articulation system articulates the second section relative to the first section. The headboard assembly is coupled to the second section to be arranged adjacent to a head of the patient lying on the patient support deck. At least a portion of the headboard assembly articulates with the second section when the second section articulates relative to the first section. The headboard assembly comprises one or more environment controls operable to alter an environment of the patient on the patient support deck.