Conveyor Sheet Patient Positioning System for Bed Sliding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Patients in beds, especially those who are disabled or bedridden, face difficulties in positioning themselves comfortably due to sliding down when the bed is in an upright position, requiring repeated assistance from medical staff, which can lead to strain and injury, and existing solutions are not cost-effective or user-friendly.
Innovation Solution
A patient-positioning and manipulation system comprising a conveyor sheet connected to rollers within housing units, a gearing cluster with a low speed gear ratio, and a remote control for incremental movement, allowing safe and convenient repositioning within the bed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If medical staff manually assist patients to reposition themselves, then patients can be moved to comfortable positions, but staff experience back strain and injuries while consuming time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables patients to reposition themselves automatically through the conveyor sheet mechanism controlled by a remote, eliminating the need for manual assistance from staff. The patient can initiate repositioning by pressing buttons on the remote, and the system autonomously moves the patient along the bed without staff intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of staff physically lifting and moving patients is replaced with an automated mechanical system consisting of a motor-driven conveyor sheet. The motorized system transports the patient along the bed length, substituting the manual mechanical effort with an automated mechanical transmission system.
2Ease of operation
If repeated manual lifting of patients is performed, then patients can be repositioned multiple times, but time and effort are consumed reducing cost-effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor sheet system provides continuous movement capability along the bed length, allowing patients to be repositioned smoothly from one location to another without interruption. The system can operate continuously as long as power is supplied, enabling frequent repositioning without the time losses associated with manual lifting and transferring.
Solution Approach 2:
The time-consuming manual process of lifting, transferring, and repositioning patients is replaced with a continuous automated conveyor system. The motorized conveyor sheet moves patients along the bed in a single continuous motion, dramatically reducing the time required compared to repeated manual interventions.
3Ease of operation
If patients pull themselves back up without assistance, then they can reposition themselves, but the process is frustrating and leads to discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system gives patients autonomous control over their own repositioning through the remote control interface. Patients can independently initiate and control the conveyor sheet movement without requiring staff assistance, eliminating the frustration of being unable to reposition themselves while maintaining complete self-autonomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The difficult manual process of patients pulling themselves up against gravity is replaced with a motorized conveyor system that automatically transports patients along the bed. This mechanical substitution eliminates the physical struggle and frustration associated with self-positioning while providing smooth, controlled movement.
4Ease of operation
If conventional bed accessories are used, then some positioning assistance is provided, but they do not effectively prevent sliding or enable comfortable positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor sheet system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it prevents patient sliding down the bed, enables active repositioning to comfortable positions, and can operate in both manual and automated modes. This multi-functionality makes the system more reliable and effective compared to conventional single-function bed accessories.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static bed accessories to a dynamic, motorized conveyor system that can actively adapt to patient needs. The conveyor sheet can be controlled to move at different speeds and directions, providing reliable positioning assistance that responds to real-time patient requirements rather than being a fixed passive structure.
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 enables patients to be moved safely and comfortably without straining staff or patients, reducing the need for frequent assistance and minimizing the risk of injury, while being cost-effective and user-friendly.
Implementation Method 1
at least one gearing cluster including at least one drive gear and at least one driven gear, wherein the drive gear comprises a greater number of teeth than the driven gear
Implementation Method 2
at least one roller comprising a shaft... The conveyor sheet is able to be rolled and unrolled to manipulate a relative position of a patient residing in the bed
Data Source
AI summary
An in-bed patient-positioning and manipulation system for moving patients within their bed. The in-bed patient-positioning and manipulation system comprises: a conveyor sheet; at least one housing unit having, a roller located therein comprising a shaft; at least one gearing cluster; a power source; and a remote. The conveyor sheet is connected to the roller(s) with the roller(s) being housed within inner volume(s) of the housing unit. The two housing units are mounted under each end of a hospital (or other) bed. There is one long sheet, which is rolled and sequentially stored in the housing units and along the upper surface of the bed. The sheet will retract back once the control on the included remote is pressed. Further, the conveyor sheet is able to be rolled and unrolled to manipulate a relative position of a patient residing in the bed.