Bariatric Patient Transport Apparatus With Multi-Jack Lifting System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bariatric patients pose challenges in patient transport due to the need for stronger lifting mechanisms, potential safety risks, and difficulties in maintaining stability and securing patients on traditional transport apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A patient transport apparatus featuring a litter frame with a patient support deck, coupled with multiple wheels for movement and at least three jacks for adjusting vertical configurations relative to the floor, along with flexible caregiver interfaces for secure lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional patient transport apparatuses are used for bariatric patients, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the lifting mechanism is insufficient and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patient transport apparatus is divided into multiple functional modules: a base with lifting mechanism, a patient support surface, and a caregiver interface system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for safety and function while maintaining overall system manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The base structure integrates multiple functions: it serves as the structural foundation, houses the lifting mechanism, and provides the interface for caregiver interaction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, balancing safety requirements with structural simplicity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional patient transport apparatuses are used, then the structure is simple, but maintaining stability during transport becomes challenging due to higher center of gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism is positioned in the base to counterbalance the higher center of gravity created by the bariatric patient on the support surface. This counterbalancing design maintains stability during transport without requiring overly complex structural reinforcements.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus incorporates wheels and a lifting mechanism that operate in vertical and horizontal dimensions independently. The lifting mechanism adjusts height vertically while the wheels provide horizontal mobility, separating stability functions from mobility functions to maintain overall system stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional patient transport apparatuses are used, then the device is simple to operate, but locating and securing bariatric patients becomes difficult due to varying body shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support surface is designed to be adjustable and adaptable to different patient body shapes and sizes. The flexible support surface can contour to various anatomies, while the lifting mechanism adjusts to different weight distributions, maintaining ease of operation across diverse patient populations.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus allows adjustment of key parameters including support surface area, lifting height, and center of gravity position. These parameter changes enable the system to adapt to varying patient characteristics while maintaining simple operation through centralized control via the caregiver interface.
4Force
If stronger lifting mechanisms are used for bariatric patients, then lifting capacity increases, but physical effort and potential injuries to caregivers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical lifting effort is replaced with an automated lifting mechanism powered by a motor. This substitution provides the necessary lifting capacity for bariatric patients while eliminating the physical strain and injury risk associated with manual lifting by caregivers.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting mechanism acts as an intermediary between the patient's weight and the caregivers. It transfers and manages the lifting force, allowing caregivers to control the lifting process through a simplified interface without directly bearing the physical load, thereby reducing injury risk.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient transport system for use with a bariatric patient includes a patient transport apparatus and a plurality of flexible caregiver interfaces. The patient transport apparatus may include a litter frame and at least three jacks operatively attached to the litter frame for moving the patient transport apparatus between a plurality of vertical configurations relative to a floor surface. The plurality of flexible caregiver interfaces each include a coupling end operatively attached to the patient transport apparatus and an interface end. The plurality of flexible caregiver interfaces also each define a respective plurality of grab points arranged to be grasped by one of a plurality of caregivers positioned around lateral sides of the patient transport apparatus for applying lifting force to lift the patient transport apparatus and the bariatric patient.