Disposable Patient Transfer Sheet with Biometric Grip Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices for patient transfer between stretchers are costly to maintain due to reusable materials requiring high-temperature sterilization and chemical treatments, and they lack effective liquid absorption and ergonomic handling features, increasing the risk of injury for healthcare professionals.
Innovation Solution
A disposable medical device with a multilayer textile support structure featuring absorbent and impermeable layers, strategically arranged openings for hand grips calculated based on biometric parameters and maximum loads, and a design that prevents fluid leakage and facilitates safe patient handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If reusable support structures are used, then device durability is improved, but manufacturing and maintenance costs increase due to washing, disinfection and sterilization treatments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle by using a single-use support structure made of inexpensive materials that do not require complex sterilization processes. The device is designed to be discarded after one use, eliminating the need for costly washing, disinfection and sterilization treatments while maintaining adequate durability for the intended medical application.
2Reliability
If high temperatures and chemical cleansing products are used for reconditioning, then device sterility is improved, but device deterioration increases and risk of contact with hazardous chemicals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable nature of the device eliminates the need for harsh reconditioning treatments. Since the device is intended for single use, high-temperature sterilization and chemical cleansing are not required, thereby preventing device deterioration and eliminating chemical exposure risks for both patients and healthcare professionals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sterilization requirement from the device lifecycle by designing a disposable system where sterility is achieved through single-use packaging and disposal rather than through high-temperature and chemical treatment processes. This separates the sterility function from the device material integrity.
3Device complexity
If sheet structure without liquid-absorbing inserts is used, then device simplicity is improved, but leakage of body fluids increases and injury hazards for healthcare professionals increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support structure with liquid-absorbing inserts to create an integrated device that simultaneously provides mechanical support and fluid absorption. This combination prevents body fluid leakage without significantly increasing device complexity, as the absorbent layer is incorporated into the existing sheet structure rather than added as a separate component.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses composite materials by combining the support sheet structure with liquid-absorbing insert materials. This creates a multi-functional device where different material properties (structural integrity from the sheet, liquid absorption from the inserts) work together to prevent fluid leakage while maintaining device simplicity.
4Ease of operation
If foldable handles are used, then device ease of handling is improved, but patient interference with handles increases and handling effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing handles that fold inward as in prior art, the patent inverts the approach by providing handles that extend outward from the sheet structure. This inversion prevents patient interference while maintaining ease of handling, as the handles are positioned to be naturally accessible to healthcare professionals during patient transfer operations.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If air-permeable polyester fabric and nylon fabric are used for layers, then device breathability is improved, but sterilization capability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable nature of the device allows the use of air-permeable materials that would otherwise be difficult to sterilize. Since the device is discarded after single use, complex sterilization processes are not required, enabling the use of breathable polyester and nylon fabrics that provide adequate ventilation while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
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 device reduces maintenance costs, minimizes chemical exposure, prevents slipping hazards, and enhances safety for healthcare professionals by simplifying patient transfer operations while accommodating varying muscular strengths and preventing musculoskeletal injuries.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid-absorbing insert (10) inserted in an approximately central position of the support structure (2) corresponding to the lumbar region of the patient
Implementation Method 2
a second layer (9) which is an impermeable layer to retain liquids collected by the insert (10)
Implementation Method 3
the layers of the sheet structure are coupled together by heat sealing on the peripheral portion thereof to avoid leakage of body fluids
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A disposable medical device (1) for lift and transfer of patients between ambulance stretchers (B) and/or hospital stretchers by a healthcare professional (W), which device (1) comprises a sheet support structure (2) having a peripheral portion (3) with longitudinal edges (4) and transverse edges (5). The structure (2) extends to such a length as to be able to support the entire body of a patient, has a top surface (6) that is intended to contact the body of the patient and a bottom surface (7) intended to contact a stretcher (B), wherein the peripheral portion (3) has a plurality of openings (12) adapted to define hand grips for one or more healthcare professionals (W). According to a peculiar aspect of the invention, the openings (12) are conveniently arranged along the edges (4, 5) at predetermined distances (d1, d2, d3, d4) from each other, calculated in combination both with the biometric parameters of the patients being transported and the maximum loads acceptable for healthcare professionals (W) having different muscular strengths, and allowed by injury-prevention regulations.