Ambulance Cot Harness with Integrated Chest Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient support systems, such as ambulance cots, face challenges in securely transporting patients during emergencies due to uncomfortable and cumbersome restraint straps, which can become lodged in mechanisms and fail to provide effective immobilization, especially during high-speed transport or sudden stops.
Innovation Solution
A patient support system incorporating a harness assembly with adjustable straps and a chest compression system that uses actuators to provide controlled chest compressions, integrated with a tension adjustment system and a controller for automated CPR, ensuring patient immobilization and comfort while allowing first responders to focus on additional medical services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If restraint straps are used to secure the patient to the ambulance cot, then patient immobilization is achieved, but the straps become uncomfortable and cumbersome, becoming lodged in mechanisms and dragging on the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the restraint function with the patient support surface by integrating restraints into the cot structure itself. The restraints are built-in components rather than separate straps, merging the support and restraint functions into a single integrated system that eliminates the drawbacks of traditional straps while maintaining immobilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism between the patient and the cot - a restraint system that uses the cot's own structural elements (side rails, head end, foot end) as anchor points. This intermediary approach allows the cot structure to provide the restraining force rather than relying on external straps, improving both comfort and reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple restraint straps are used across the patient, then immobilization is improved, but the device complexity increases and straps may become lodged in mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the patient support cot multi-functional by enabling it to provide both support and restraint functions through its existing structural components. The side rails, head end, and foot end serve dual purposes - structural support and restraint anchor points - eliminating the need for separate complex restraint systems while achieving effective immobilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint system merges with the cot structure itself, using the cot's frame elements as integral parts of the restraint mechanism. This consolidation reduces device complexity by eliminating separate restraint components and their associated complexity, while the distributed anchor points maintain effective immobilization.
3Reliability
If traditional restraint straps are used, then patient securing is achieved, but first responders must manually monitor and adjust restraints, reducing time for additional medical services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-adjusting restraint system that automatically responds to patient movement. The restraint mechanism uses springs, cables, and pulleys to self-regulate tension and maintain proper restraint levels without requiring manual intervention from first responders, freeing them to provide additional medical care while ensuring continuous patient securing.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support system with chest compression system and harness assembly with sensor system. The harness assembly secures shoulders and hips of the patient on a patient support surface during transport. A chest compression system is integrated into the harness assembly in a manner that provides chest compressions to the patient while the patient is secured on the patient support surface. The tension of the harness assembly is selectively adjusted and/or a fluid bladder may be selectively expanded. A controller is in communication with the chest compression system and controls operation of the chest compression system. The sensor system is integrated into the harness assembly and in communication with the controller. The chest compression system may be removable from the harness assembly via an adapter. The chest compression system may be integrated into the patient support apparatus to secure the patient to the patient support surface while providing chest compressions.