Bassinet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current postnatal unit bassinets are inadequate for new mothers, particularly those who have given birth via cesarean section, as they restrict maternal access to infants, increase the risk of infant falls and suffocation, and hinder breastfeeding due to design flaws that require mothers to twist or leave their beds to reach their infants, leading to pain, frustration, and potential injury.
Innovation Solution
A bassinet design featuring a rotatable column assembly, arm, and tub frame that allows for adjustable height and position, with reduced height sections for enhanced access and an insert that can be positioned to block or unblock these sections for secure infant placement, enabling mothers to easily access their infants without leaving their beds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the bassinet is designed with high walls for infant safety, then infant protection from falls is improved, but maternal access to the infant is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The bassinet side walls are segmented into a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion has a first height and the second portion has a second height that is less than the first height. This segmentation allows the upper part to provide safety while the lower part enables maternal access without requiring the mother to leave bed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the bassinet structure have different heights tailored to specific functional requirements. The first portion maintains high height for safety, while the second portion reduces height locally to facilitate access, allowing each region to optimize its function without compromising the other.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the bassinet is positioned at a safe distance from the bed, then infant safety is improved, but maternal access to the infant is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The bassinet includes a movable support structure that allows the bassinet to be dynamically repositioned between a first position (farther from bed for safety) and a second position (closer to bed for access). This dynamic positioning enables the system to adapt to different operational needs without compromising safety or access.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the bassinet walls are made high for safety, then infant protection is improved, but breastfeeding access is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented wall structure with different heights allows the bassinet to simultaneously provide safety containment and open access for breastfeeding. The lower second portion enables the mother to reach the infant for breastfeeding while the upper first portion maintains safety boundaries.
4Productivity
If the bassinet is designed for nursery staff use, then institutional care standards are met, but maternal-infant bonding is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The movable support structure enables the bassinet to be dynamically repositioned to facilitate maternal access, allowing mothers to care for their infants without leaving bed. This dynamic capability transforms the bassinet from a static nursery-care-oriented device to one that actively supports maternal-infant bonding while maintaining safety.
Data Source
AI summary
A bassinet includes a base, a column assembly rotatably connected to the base at a first end of the column assembly, an arm rotatably connected to a second end of the column assembly, a tub frame pivotably connected to the arm, an infant tub retained within the tub frame, the infant tub including a front wall, a back wall, and two side walls and having areas of reduced height along the front wall and at least one of the side walls to provide enhanced access to the infants located within the infant tub, and an insert configured to reversibly fit within an interior of the infant tub.