Anthropometric Bed Articulation to Resist Occupant Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Articulation of hospital beds causes occupants to migrate towards the foot end, increasing caregiver workload and risk of injury, and leading to skin chafing and abrasion.
Innovation Solution
An articulable occupant support system with a motion control system that governs the motion of articulable sections based on anthropometric information, using actuators and kinematic linkages to resist occupant migration by adjusting the position and angle of bed sections in response to the occupant's anthropometric characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the bed segments are articulated to change angular orientation and position, then the bed can adapt to different patient positions and comfort needs, but the occupant migrates toward the foot end of the bed
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary counteracting motion to the occupant's body section opposite to the direction of migration. When the bed articulates and the occupant begins to migrate toward the foot end, the motion control system detects this movement and automatically articulates the opposing body section (e.g., leg or torso) in the reverse direction to counterbalance and resist the migration force, thereby maintaining proper body positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion control system continuously monitors occupant position relative to the bed segments and uses this feedback to automatically adjust articulation. Sensors detect when the occupant migrates during bed position changes, and the system responds by modulating the articulation speed, direction, or magnitude of specific segments to prevent further migration and maintain optimal positioning.
2Ease of operation
If the bed segments are articulated frequently to reposition the occupant, then the occupant's comfort and positioning needs are met, but the caregiver workload increases and injury risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The bed system performs self-service by automatically articulating segments to maintain proper occupant positioning during movement. The motion control system detects when articulation causes or would cause occupant migration and autonomously adjusts segment positions to compensate, eliminating the need for caregivers to manually reposition the occupant after each bed adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from position sensors to automatically detect occupant migration and trigger compensatory articulation of bed segments. This closed-loop control enables the bed to self-correct positioning issues without caregiver intervention, reducing repetitive manual handling tasks.
3Device complexity
If the bed articulates without considering anthropometric factors, then the bed structure remains simple, but the occupant experiences skin chafing and abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes articulation parameters (speed, acceleration, direction, magnitude) based on anthropometric data about the occupant. The motion control system uses the occupant's body measurements, weight distribution, and anatomical characteristics to dynamically adjust how each segment moves, ensuring smooth transitions that prevent skin irritation while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of the occupant's anthropometric characteristics before articulation begins. By pre-loading the occupant's body measurements and anatomical data into the motion control system, the bed can pre-calculate optimal articulation paths and parameters that minimize skin stress and chafing risk before the actual positioning maneuver occurs.
Data Source
AI summary
An articulable occupant support system for supporting an occupant, includes an upper frame, an articulable assembly comprising at least one section articulable relative to the upper frame and a motion control system. The motion control system is arranged to govern motion of the articulable assembly based on a relationship relating scheduled motion of the sections to anthropometric information.