Bed mobility platform device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with difficulty lifting their lower extremities into bed due to age, neurologic disease, injury, or surgical intervention face challenges with existing assistive devices, which are often cumbersome, require full weight-bearing, and pose fall risks, especially for those with weakened strength or impaired balance.
Innovation Solution
A bed mobility assistive platform device with a multilevel step assembly and cantilevered securing support, allowing the step assembly to sit flush against the bed, enabling users to adjust from a sitting to a lying position without needing to place full weight on the device, and facilitating safe and independent leg lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional step stools are used to assist leg lifting into bed, then leg lifting is enabled, but the device creates an obstacle to entering and exiting the bed and increases fall risk due to large profile
Solution Approach 1:
The step stool is divided into a main body and a separate positioning member that can be independently adjusted. The positioning member segments the functionality of stabilizing the device while keeping the main body compact, reducing the obstacle profile while maintaining leg lifting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning member is designed to be movable and adjustable, allowing users to modify the device configuration based on their needs. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the device to minimize obstruction when not in use while providing stable support during leg lifting operations.
2Ease of operation
If front-wheeled walkers or rollators are used for mobility assistance, then mobility support is provided, but the large profile impedes device maneuverability and increases fall risk
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member is extracted as a separate, adjustable component from the main device body. This allows the core mobility support function to be maintained in a compact form while the positioning member can be deployed only when needed for stability during leg lifting, reducing continuous obstruction and fall risk.
3Ease of operation
If traditional loop-style leg lifting devices with rigid leashes are used, then leg lifting is assisted, but users lacking upper body strength or coordination cannot effectively operate the device
Solution Approach 1:
The device provides localized support at the positioning member level rather than requiring full upper body engagement. The positioning member creates a stable platform that supports the leg lifting action locally, reducing the demand on upper body strength and coordination while maintaining effective leg lifting assistance.
Data Source
AI summary
The bed mobility platform device assists users in lifting their lower extremities onto and off of a bed. To meet the needs in the field of adaptive bed mobility devices, this invention comprises bed mobility assistive platform device with a step assembly further comprising two or more platforms to provide simple maneuvering capabilities for individuals that have difficulty safely and efficiently lifting their lower extremities into bed and a method of ascending and descending from the bed. The step assembly is retained and secured between opposed surfaces of at least one article of furniture, such as a mattress and a box spring. The device enables simple maneuvering capabilities for individuals who have difficulty safely and efficiently lifting their lower extremities into bed.