Hospital Bed Display Rotation for Patient and Caregiver Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hospital beds lack an efficient and user-friendly interface for caregivers and patients to control various functions, with existing interfaces often being static and not adaptable to different user positions or needs.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional display screen pivotably coupled to a siderail, controlled by a position sensor and electronic controller, which switches between caregiver and patient interfaces based on its position, enabling dynamic control of bed functions and user access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a static user interface is used in hospital beds, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different user positions and needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen is made dynamically adjustable through pivotable mounting that allows it to rotate between different positions (patient position and caregiver position). The system automatically detects the display orientation using sensors and dynamically switches between patient interface and caregiver interface based on the detected position, making the interface adaptive without requiring complex manual configuration
Solution Approach 2:
A single display screen serves multiple functions by displaying different interfaces (patient interface and caregiver interface) depending on its orientation. The same physical device adapts to serve different user groups (patients and caregivers) without requiring separate dedicated displays for each user type, thereby improving versatility while managing complexity
2Ease of operation
If a single user interface is provided for hospital bed control, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation for different user groups deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically transitions between patient interface and caregiver interface based on the detected display orientation. When the display is in patient position, it shows patient-friendly controls; when rotated to caregiver position, it automatically switches to caregiver interface, eliminating the need for manual interface selection and improving ease of operation for both user groups
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect the display orientation and self-adjusts the interface type without requiring user intervention. The bed system serves itself by automatically switching between different user interfaces based on physical configuration, reducing the operational burden on both patients and caregivers
3Adaptability or versatility
If the display screen is fixed in position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different user needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen is mounted on a pivotable mechanism that allows it to rotate between patient position and caregiver position. This dynamic mounting mechanism, while adding some complexity, enables the display to adapt to different user needs and positions, providing flexibility that a fixed display cannot achieve
Solution Approach 2:
The display mounting mechanism adds rotational freedom in another dimension (angular orientation) to the otherwise fixed display arrangement. By introducing this additional degree of freedom, the system achieves positional flexibility and adaptability to different user perspectives without requiring multiple separate displays
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
Provides a flexible and user-specific interface that allows caregivers to control bed functions and patients to access communication and control features, enhancing operational efficiency and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The display screen may be controlled based on a signal received from a position sensor operable to measure the position of the display screen relative to gravity
Implementation Method 2
In some embodiments, the position sensor may be an accelerometer
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus includes a frame and a siderail coupled to the frame for movement between raised and lowered positions. The patient support apparatus has a display screen that, in one embodiment, is coupled to the siderail and in another embodiment is coupled to the frame with a flexible arm. The display screen displays a first graphical user interface when the display screen is positioned at a first position and a second graphical user interface when the display screen is positioned at a second position.