Bed-Mounted Patient Repositioning Frame for Pressure Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Prolonged bed rest without adequate mobilization leads to increased risks of pressure ulcers, pulmonary complications, and hospital-acquired infections, and existing automated systems fail to provide benefits akin to manual patient repositioning, such as increased airflow and improved blood flow.

Innovation Solution

A patient repositioning system comprising a lifter and support frame, which includes a pair of linear actuators and a suspension bar, allowing for the upward pivoting of lateral support members to shift a patient's weight off the mattress, thereby reducing pressure in certain areas and enhancing airflow and blood flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If automated pressure variation apparatus is used, then pressure distribution is improved, but airflow and blood flow benefits are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure distributionVSAvoidairflow and blood flow reduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically transitions between static support mode (for pressure distribution) and active repositioning mode (for airflow and blood flow). The robotic arm enables continuous, controlled patient repositioning that maintains pressure relief while periodically restoring airflow and circulation benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic arm acts as an intermediary between the pressure variation apparatus and the patient, providing manual-like repositioning capabilities. It can lift and reposition the patient's body to achieve positions that restore airflow and blood flow while maintaining pressure distribution benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If manual patient repositioning is performed, then airflow and blood flow are improved, but labor intensity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow and blood flowVSAvoidlabor efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic arm enables the patient to be repositioned without requiring caregiver intervention. The system performs self-service repositioning by autonomously adjusting patient position to maintain airflow and blood flow, eliminating the need for manual labor while preserving health benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic arm replaces the mechanical action of manual repositioning with an automated robotic system. It replicates the beneficial effects of manual repositioning (airflow and blood flow improvement) without requiring human physical effort, thereby increasing labor efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stress or pressure

If existing automated lifting apparatus is deployed, then pressure relief is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure reliefVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic arm is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a lifting mechanism for pressure relief and as a repositioning tool for restoring airflow and blood flow. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into a single system, reducing overall complexity compared to deploying separate specialized apparatus for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively reduces pressure ulcers and improves airflow and blood flow, aiding in the prevention and healing of pressure sores while providing cost-effective and labor-efficient patient repositioning.

Implementation Method 1

a pair of linear actuators, each linear actuator comprising an elongate fixed member and an elongate extension member, the linear actuator being operable to extend and retract by moving the extension member in opposed linear extension and retraction directions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLinear actuator mechanism: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

a pair of elongate, lateral support members, the lateral support members having foot ends pivotally connected to the base for pivotal movement in a vertical longitudinal plane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPivotal movement: Lever

Data Source

PatentUS12533274B2Patient repositioning system and method

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 LARAND LLC

AI summary

A patient repositioning system intended for a patient confined to a bed for an extended time period. The repositioning system includes a sling attached to a frame with side poles having head and foot segments that passively fold between a flat/supine position and sitting positions. The frame pivotally mounts to a frame base that is anchored or affixed to a bed. The frame can be pivotally lifted off of a bed mattress, either uniformly by a single-actuator lifter raising both frame poles by the same angle, or so as to tilt the frame to assist with turning a patient by a dual-actuator lifter raising the frame poles to different angles.