Articulating Patient Support Platform for Reclining to Sitting Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients with disabilities face difficulties in moving from a reclining position to an upright sitting position, and existing methods of manual lifting can cause injury.
Innovation Solution
A portable apparatus with a base, lifting mechanism, and articulating patient support platform that allows patients to be moved from a reclining to an upright sitting position using a combination of pivoting panels and actuators, with optional back support and toilet functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual lifting is used to move patients from reclining to sitting position, then the patient can be moved to upright position, but the patient may be injured by bruises or skin tearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical lifting with a automated mechanical lifting system that uses a platform to support and elevate the patient. This substitution eliminates direct manual contact that causes skin tearing and bruises, while the controlled mechanical motion ensures safe patient transfer from reclining to sitting position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lifting platform as an intermediary device between the patient and the lifting force. This intermediary platform distributes the patient's weight evenly, provides a stable surface during movement, and eliminates direct skin contact with lifting hands, thereby preventing injuries while enabling position changes.
2Ease of operation
If beds are converted into chair-like configurations to assist patients in moving to sitting position, then patients can achieve standing or walking position, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lifting function into separate components: a movable lifting platform, support legs, and control mechanisms. This segmentation allows the lifting capability to be added as a modular attachment to existing beds rather than requiring complete bed redesign, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining patient position transition capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a dynamic lifting platform that can move between different positions and angles to assist patients in transitioning from reclining to sitting. This dynamic mechanism provides the necessary support during position change without requiring the entire bed structure to be converted into a chair-like configuration, thereby simplifying the device design.
3Reliability
If a portable apparatus with articulating patient support platform is used to move patients to upright position, then patient safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The articulating patient support platform is divided into multiple articulated segments that can move independently. This segmentation allows the platform to adapt to different patient positions and provides multiple points of support, enhancing safety. The modular segmented design also simplifies manufacturing and assembly compared to a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating patient support platform is designed to perform multiple functions: supporting patients in various positions, assisting with position transitions, and providing safety during movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high reliability and patient safety.
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
The apparatus safely and gently transitions patients to an upright position, reducing the risk of injury and enabling independent toileting, with the ability to be easily moved and configured for various bed orientations.
Implementation Method 1
a lifting mechanism (e.g., a manual, electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic lifting mechanism) secured to the base
Implementation Method 2
The weight of the patient's legs on the third panel causes the third panel to move under the force of gravity and pivot the second panel upwardly such that the patient is moved to a generally upright sitting position
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for moving a patient from a reclining position to an upright sitting position, and methods of using same, are described. The apparatus includes an articulating patient support platform with first, second and third panels. The first panel includes opposite first and second ends and the second panel is movably attached to the first panel first end and is upwardly pivotable from a substantially co-planar relationship with the first panel to a substantially orthogonal relationship with the first panel. The third panel is secured to the second panel in spaced-apart, substantially co-planar relationship therewith. A patient is positioned on the patient support platform with the patient's upper body supported by the first and second panels and the patient's legs supported by the third panel. The second panel is caused to pivot upwardly, thereby moving the patient to a generally upright sitting position.