Bed Gap Occluder Pad Assembly for Patient Entrapment Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hospital beds have gaps between components that pose a risk of patient entrapment, necessitating a solution to occlude these gaps while maintaining access for caregivers and allowing patient entry/exit.

Innovation Solution

A pad system comprising covers and pads placed between the mattress and side rails, head/foot boards, with coupling members that allow articulation and easy access, using antimicrobial foam and flame-resistant materials, and elastic covers for flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If gaps between bed components are occluded to prevent patient entrapment, then patient safety is improved, but access for caregivers and patient mobility is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidcaregiver access

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The side rail assembly is divided into multiple independent segments including upper and lower rails with separate gap occluders. Each gap occluder can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing caregivers to open specific segments for access while maintaining occlusion in other areas, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gap occluders are designed with movable and adjustable characteristics rather than fixed structures. They can be dynamically repositioned along the side rails and adjusted to different angles, enabling the system to transition between providing full occlusion for safety and creating openings for caregiver access when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If rigid structures are used to occlude gaps, then entrapment prevention is improved, but patient comfort and ease of entry/exit deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveentrapment preventionVSAvoidpatient entry/exit

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gap occluders utilize flexible materials and shell-like structures that can bend and deform. This flexibility allows the occluders to yield when patients need to enter or exit the bed, reducing resistance to movement while still maintaining effective gap occlusion when in the occluded position, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and ease of entry/exit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Reduces the likelihood of patient entrapment by filling potential entrapment zones while allowing caregiver access and patient mobility without restricting access, as demonstrated by the pad system's configuration and materials.

Implementation Method 1

the first cover and the second cover comprise an elastic portion configured to expand and contract as the torso assembly is articulated during use

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7636969B2System and method to occlude patient entrapment zones

Publication Date: 2009.12.29 HUNTLEIGH TECHNOLOGY LTD

AI summary

A system and method for occluding potential entrapment zones in a bed. The system includes a head-end assembly with a head-end cover enclosing a head-end pad, and a torso assembly with a pair of covers each enclosing a pair of pads. The system also includes a leg assembly with a cover enclosing pads and a foot-end assembly with covers enclosing pads. The system further includes multiple sets of coupling members that couple the covers together.