Bed Sheet Lift System With Integrated Handles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual lifting of patients using bed sheets is unsafe and prone to injuries for medical personnel, leading to the implementation of 'zero-lift programs' in many healthcare facilities due to the instability and risk of injury associated with repositioning or transporting patients.

Innovation Solution

A bed sheet system with integrated handles and webbing that secures to the bed sheet, providing a stable and secure means to lift and transport patients, incorporating lengthwise and widthwise tension rods for added rigidity and support, and support straps for hoisting, allowing for safe transfer without manual lifting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual lifting is performed by grabbing the bed sheet, then the patient can be repositioned or transported, but injury to medical personnel occurs such as back and knee injury, broken fingers, wrist dislocations, and carpal tunnel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of patient transferVSAvoidinjury to medical personnel

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary lifting device that connects the bed sheet to the patient. This device includes a lifting mechanism with a clamp that attaches to the bed sheet and a lifting element that engages with the patient's clothing or bedding, serving as a mediator between the bed sheet and the patient to enable safe lifting without direct manual contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical lifting system with a mechanical lifting device that uses a motorized or pneumatic/hydraulic lifting mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for medical personnel to manually lift patients by replacing human muscle force with mechanical force generated by the lifting device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual lifting is performed by wrapping the bed sheet around the wrist or hand, then the patient can be lifted, but hand or wrist injuries occur such as broken fingers, wrist dislocations, and carpal tunnel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of patient liftingVSAvoidhand or wrist injuries

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting device serves as an intermediary between the bed sheet and the patient, with a clamp mechanism that secures to the bed sheet and a lifting element that engages with the patient. This intermediary structure eliminates the need for medical personnel to wrap the bed sheet around their hands or wrists, transferring the lifting force from human limbs to the mechanical device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the human body's mechanical lifting system with a dedicated mechanical lifting device. The device includes a motorized or pneumatic/hydraulic mechanism that generates lifting force, substituting the manual wrapping and lifting action with an automated mechanical system that eliminates hand and wrist strain

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the bed sheet is used to lift the patient, then repositioning or transport can be accomplished, but the lifting is unstable and unsafe resulting in patient injury due to falling or slipping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of patient transferVSAvoidstability of lifting

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting device acts as a stable intermediary between the bed sheet and the patient, providing a secure connection point through its clamp mechanism that attaches to the bed sheet. The device's rigid structure and controlled lifting mechanism ensure stable and safe patient transfer, eliminating the instability and safety risks associated with using the bed sheet alone for lifting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the unstable mechanical system of manual bed sheet lifting with a controlled mechanical lifting device. The device features a motorized or pneumatic/hydraulic mechanism with controlled motion, providing stable and reliable lifting that prevents patient falling or slipping while maintaining efficient transfer capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10543139B2Bed sheet lift system

Publication Date: 2020.01.28 SCIENCE MEDICAL LLC

AI summary

The present invention includes a bed sheet having one or more features to accommodate a user's grasp whereby to assist the user in safely lifting a patient with the bed sheet. The invention further includes a hoist system configured to raise and lower the bed sheet via the one or more features to accommodate a user's grasp. The one or more grasping features of the bed sheet may include handles that are secured to the bed sheet using an integrated webbing that allows the bed sheet to be used to transport patients from one location to another, such as from a gurney to a hospital bed. An integrated webbing of the bed sheet strengthens an interface between handles and a top portion of the bed sheet so that patients of substantial weight can be transported via the bed sheet.