Hospital Bed Frame With Position-Independent Weight Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hospital patient supports face challenges such as cumbersome headboard and footboard removal, equipment obstruction, inaccurate weight measurement due to patient position, complex and costly mechanical systems, battery power limitations, and safety issues like slippage and tripping hazards, which complicate operation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A patient support system with a frame system that includes articulation and elevation mechanisms, load cells, tilt sensors, and a communication system for controlling and monitoring functions, along with a diagnostic subsystem to manage equipment and patient data, and a power system that can switch between AC and battery sources, ensuring safe and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a removable headboard is made lightweight for easy removal and replacement, then ease of operation is improved, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The headboard is designed as a separate removable component from the patient support frame, allowing it to be easily detached and reattached. This segmentation enables the headboard to be lightweight for easy handling while maintaining its structural integrity when installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical fastening systems with simpler attachment mechanisms that reduce the headboard weight while ensuring secure connection during use. This substitution maintains ease of removal without compromising strength.
2Adaptability or versatility
If equipment is hung on the footboard top rail or attached device, then equipment storage is improved, but access to control panel may be obscured and equipment may fall off
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary equipment holder or support structure is introduced between the footboard and the equipment. This intermediary component provides a dedicated mounting location that does not obstruct the control panel view while securely holding equipment in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The equipment storage solution is positioned in a different spatial dimension or location on the footboard assembly, such as on the side or rear portion, allowing equipment to be stored without blocking the front-facing control panel.
3Measurement precision
If load cells are used in horizontal patient support for weight measurement, then weight monitoring is improved, but readings differ from articulated patient support requiring patient repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical load cell systems with sensors that can accurately measure weight forces regardless of the patient support's angular position. This substitution eliminates the need to reposition the patient to obtain accurate readings.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is designed to compensate for changes in gravitational force components as the patient support articulates. By adjusting measurement parameters or using multi-axis sensors, the system maintains accurate weight readings across different positions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If complex mechanical and electrical subsystems are equipped in patient support for positioning and weight monitoring, then functionality is improved, but ease of operation and monitoring complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into unified control systems and interfaces. A single control mechanism manages positioning, weight monitoring, and other functions, reducing the complexity users perceive while maintaining comprehensive functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic feedback mechanisms that monitor subsystem status and provide real-time information to users through displays or alerts. This feedback reduces the need for manual monitoring by technicians while maintaining system reliability.
5Adaptability or versatility
If hydraulic piston cylinders or screw drives are used for height adjustment, then elevation capability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex hydraulic or screw-driven elevation systems with alternative mechanisms such as electric motors with lead screws, ball screws, or even pneumatic systems that offer comparable performance with reduced complexity and maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevation system design changes key parameters such as the mechanical advantage ratio, speed of adjustment, or force requirements to achieve effective height adjustment with simpler components.
6Adaptability or versatility
If siderails use traditional support arms for movement between deployed and stowed positions, then siderail functionality is improved, but pinch points are created and oscillations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional support arm mechanisms with alternative designs such as parallel linkage systems, cam-based mechanisms, or electrically actuated systems that eliminate pinch points and reduce oscillations during siderail movement.
Solution Approach 2:
Intermediary components such as dampers, shock absorbers, or guiding mechanisms are introduced into the siderail system to reduce oscillations and control the movement path, eliminating harmful pinch points while maintaining positioning capability.
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
The system allows for easy and safe movement of head and foot sections, accurate weight measurement independent of patient position, reduced complexity and cost, extended battery life, and enhanced safety by preventing slippage and tripping, thereby improving operational efficiency and patient care.
Implementation Method 1
When load cells are used in the patient support, the load readings in a horizontal patient support are not the same as those in an articulated patient support.
Implementation Method 2
featuring a communication system for controlling and monitoring functions like load cell and tilt sensor data
Data Source
AI summary
The patient support with a head end and a foot end comprises a lying surface supported by a frame system. It also comprises a pair of head end siderails, a pair of foot end siderails, a headboard, a footboard, a power system and a communication system. The frame system comprises a lying surface support moveably connected to a load frame by an articulation system providing means for pivoting sections of the lying surface support relative to the load frame, a head end support arm pivotally attached to the head end of the load frame, a mobile frame translationally attached to foot end of the load frame, an intermediate frame being operationally connected to the load frame by a plurality of load cells and movably connected to a base frame by an elevation system, the elevation system providing a means for raising and lowering the intermediate frame relative to a base frame, the base frame being supported on the floor by a plurality of caster wheels, including a drive wheel operatively connected to assist in movement of the patient support. A communication system is also provided to communicate with and control various functions of the patient support.