Patient Bed Controller with Local LED Status and Fowler Lockout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern patient handling devices are complex, making it difficult to set and maintain desired states, notice alarms, and prevent the fowler from being lowered past a prescribed angular position while allowing selective adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A patient handling device equipped with sensors and a controller that monitors and compares initial and current states, generates alarms for deviations, and includes a one-touch lockout mechanism to restrict fowler adjustments below a certain angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If advanced electronic devices and sensors are integrated into the patient handling device, then the functionality and monitoring capability are improved, but the device complexity increases making it difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors sensor data and compares current state to initial state without requiring user configuration or intervention. The controller autonomously detects deviations and generates alarms, eliminating the need for users to manually set parameters or understand complex monitoring settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures the initial state of all sensors when first activated and uses this pre-established baseline for automatic comparison. This preliminary action eliminates the need for users to manually configure desired states or understand monitoring parameters, simplifying operation while maintaining comprehensive monitoring.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If multiple sensors and monitoring features are added to track device state, then the alarm detection capability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to configuration complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs all monitoring and comparison operations without user intervention. Users simply activate the system and it autonomously captures the initial state, continuously monitors sensors, and generates alarms when deviations occur, eliminating complex configuration requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
A single controller handles multiple functions including capturing initial state, continuously monitoring all sensors, comparing current state to initial state, and generating alarms. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into one unified easy-to-operate interface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the fowler angle is made adjustable to multiple positions, then the adaptability is improved, but the ability to prevent unauthorized lowering past a prescribed angle becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the fowler angle sensor and compares the current angle to the prescribed minimum angle. When the fowler approaches or exceeds the restricted angular position, the system generates an alarm and can prevent further lowering, providing real-time feedback to ensure position control while maintaining adjustability within safe ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational range of the fowler based on the prescribed angular position. While the fowler remains adjustable to multiple positions above the restricted angle, the system actively prevents movement below the prescribed angle through monitoring and control mechanisms, adapting the effective range to clinical requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient handling device includes a frame for supporting a patient, a controller, and two alert lights which are activated when a controller detects an alert situation, such as, but not limited to, a patient exiting from the patient handling device. The controller is in communication with the alert lights and operable to monitor an integrated bed exit system. The alert lights are positioned adjacent the foot end corners of the frame and are viewable by a user positioned anywhere within a 270 degree section of a circle defined at the center of the patient handling device. The alert lights include one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).