Elongated User Controls for Low-Height Patient Support Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The control interface of patient support apparatuses can be difficult to access when located on the support frame due to varying heights, especially at low positions, posing ergonomic challenges for caregivers.
Innovation Solution
A user interface system with an elongated member and a user interface coupled to it, which adjusts its position based on the height of the support frame, ensuring ergonomic accessibility of controls at both maximum and minimum heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the control interface is located on the support frame, then the control system can be integrated with the patient support apparatus, but the control interface becomes difficult to access when the support frame is at low height
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface is relocated from the vertical dimension (on the support frame) to the horizontal dimension (on the base). This dimensional change allows the control interface to remain at a consistent, accessible height on the base while the support frame moves vertically, resolving the accessibility issue without compromising integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The base serves as an intermediary platform that hosts the control interface. This intermediary location decouples the control interface height from the support frame height, allowing the control interface to remain accessible while the support frame varies in height for patient care purposes.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the support frame is lowered to minimum height for fall prevention, then patient safety is improved, but the control interface becomes too low for caregivers to reach easily
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the control interface to the base (horizontal dimension) rather than the support frame (vertical dimension), the control interface height becomes independent of the support frame height. This allows the support frame to be lowered to minimum height for fall prevention while the control interface remains at an ergonomically accessible height on the base.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into two independent height systems: the base remains at a fixed, accessible height for control operations, while the support frame varies in height for patient safety and comfort. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its height independently.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus comprises a support structure. The support structure comprises a base and a patient support deck coupled to the base. The patient support deck comprises a patient support surface capable of articulating to adjust positioning of a patient supported thereon, a lift system configured to adjust a height of the patient support deck relative to the base, and a user interface system coupled to the support structure and comprising an elongated member and a user interface coupled to the elongated member. The user interface is configured to receive inputs from a user to control a function of the patient support apparatus.