Collapsible Shield Assembly for Patient Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient barriers used in healthcare settings are bulky, expensive, difficult to deploy and clean, and not suitable for emergency situations, posing challenges in quickly transporting patients while minimizing exposure to communicable diseases.
Innovation Solution
A shield assembly with a support frame and resilient element that can be adjusted to a contour shape, featuring a barrier panel and drape panels, which provides a curved configuration to create a patient accommodation space while being easily deployable and reusable, and can be secured to patient support apparatuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional patient barriers are used, then patient protection from communicable diseases is provided, but the barriers are bulky and difficult to store
Solution Approach 1:
The shield assembly allows the barrier panel and support frame to be collapsed into a compact, nested configuration for storage. The support frame can be folded or collapsed, and the barrier panel can be rolled or folded, enabling small storage volume while maintaining full protective functionality when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield assembly transitions from a static, bulky structure to a dynamic, collapsible structure. The support frame incorporates movable joints or folding mechanisms that allow it to be collapsed for storage and expanded for use, providing adaptability between storage and operational states.
2Reliability
If conventional patient barriers are used, then patient protection is provided, but they are time consuming to deploy
Solution Approach 1:
The shield assembly is pre-assembled with the barrier panel attached to the support frame, so that deployment simply requires unfolding or uncollapsing the structure rather than assembling multiple components. This preliminary assembly significantly reduces deployment time while maintaining protective integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The collapsible design allows rapid deployment by simply opening or unfolding the support frame, eliminating the need for complex assembly procedures. The dynamic structure transitions quickly from a compact stored state to a fully deployed protective barrier.
3Reliability
If conventional patient barriers are used, then patient protection is provided, but they are difficult to clean or sanitize
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier panel is constructed as a flexible, smooth-surfaced membrane or thin film that is non-porous and easy to wipe down. This flexible film structure allows for simple cleaning and sanitizing operations while maintaining the integrity of the protective barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier panel material is selected with specific surface properties (smooth, non-porous) and chemical characteristics that facilitate cleaning and sanitizing. The material parameters are optimized to allow effective removal of contaminants while maintaining barrier functionality.
4Reliability
If conventional patient barriers are used, then patient protection is provided, but they are relatively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The shield assembly is designed as a disposable or limited-life product, where the barrier panel and support frame are manufactured at low cost using simple materials and processes. The economy of scale and simplified construction reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining adequate protective performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The materials used for the barrier panel and support frame are selected for cost-effectiveness rather than premium quality. The structural parameters are optimized to provide adequate protection at minimal manufacturing cost, balancing protective functionality with economic viability.
5Reliability
If conventional patient barriers are used, then patient protection is provided, but they are difficult to utilize in emergency situations requiring quick patient transport
Solution Approach 1:
The shield assembly incorporates a dynamic, collapsible support frame that can be rapidly deployed or stowed as needed. The movable joints and folding mechanisms enable quick adaptation to emergency situations, allowing the barrier to be deployed instantly when patient protection is needed during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield assembly is pre-configured as a single integrated unit that can be instantly deployed in emergency situations. The pre-assembled design with collapsible components eliminates the need for on-site assembly, enabling immediate protective coverage during rapid patient transport scenarios.
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 shield assembly effectively creates a barrier to prevent the spread of communicable diseases, is easy to set up and clean, and allows for efficient patient transport between different support apparatuses without disassembly, enhancing caregiver safety and patient protection.
Implementation Method 1
The support frame has a resilient element extending along the closed periphery to resiliently urge the support frame toward a bias frame shape
Data Source
AI summary
A shield assembly for providing a barrier adjacent to a patient disposed on a patient support apparatus. The shield assembly comprises a support frame defining a closed periphery and including a resilient element extending along the closed periphery to resiliently urge the support frame toward a bias frame shape. A barrier panel is coupled to the support frame and spans the closed periphery. The shield assembly may further include a base operatively attached to the support frame to selectively place the support frame in a contour frame shape. Tension in the resilient element effected by the base holding the support frame in the contour frame shape places the barrier panel in a curved configuration to define a patient accommodation space shaped to receive the patient adjacent to the base and to the barrier panel.