Exoskeleton Sheet for Caregiver Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Caregivers in hospital and EPHAD settings face musculoskeletal disorders due to repetitive manual transfers of patients, which are often performed with poor posture, and existing mechanized solutions are underutilized due to increased processing time and high costs.
Innovation Solution
An upper body garment with a flexible exoskeleton sheet that distributes the load from handle grips across the shoulders, lumbar area, and dorsal region of the wearer, featuring adjustable straps and retractable handles to facilitate safe and efficient patient transfer while reducing strain on caregivers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual transfer is performed without assistance, then transfer speed is fast, but musculoskeletal disorder risk increases due to poor posture and repetitive strain
Solution Approach 1:
The exoskeleton sheet acts as an intermediary between the caregiver and the patient load. It distributes the weight across multiple body regions (shoulders, back, lumbar area) through its structured support elements, reducing the harmful concentrated strain on any single body part while maintaining transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the physical parameters of load distribution by introducing a distributed support surface. The exoskeleton sheet transforms point-contact lifting into surface-contact support, altering the pressure distribution pattern to protect musculoskeletal structures while maintaining transfer capability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If mechanized transfer equipment is used, then musculoskeletal disorder risk decreases, but processing time increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The exoskeleton sheet is designed to be worn directly by the caregiver without requiring external mechanical systems. The device serves itself by using the caregiver's own body as the support structure, eliminating the need for separate mechanized equipment while reducing transfer time compared to traditional mechanized solutions
Solution Approach 2:
The exoskeleton sheet uses a flexible textile construction that can be worn comfortably and deployed quickly. This flexible film approach allows for rapid donning and doffing compared to rigid mechanized equipment, reducing the time penalty associated with mechanized transfer systems
3Reliability
If exoskeleton sheet is worn continuously, then protection is maintained, but comfort and aesthetics are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The exoskeleton sheet incorporates adjustable elements that allow the caregiver to modify the tension and fit dynamically. The sheet can be tightened during transfers for optimal protection and loosened during non-transfer activities for comfort, creating a dynamic adaptation between protection and comfort states
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides localized support only where needed during transfer operations. The exoskeleton sheet concentrates its supportive function in specific regions (shoulders, back, lumbar area) while remaining flexible and comfortable in other areas, allowing selective activation of protection without compromising overall comfort
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Equipment (1) configured for the transfer of a person by a carrier, said equipment comprising an upper body garment (2), such as a blouse, jacket or similar, and an exoskeleton sheet (3), coupled to the upper body garment; attached to said garment at least one textile of the upper body garment, comprising a lumbar support (30), two shoulder straps (31) and a back support (32), as well as handles (34,35), fixed to the exoskeleton sheet, projecting externally from said upper body garment, at least in one deployed position of the handles, the handles arranged on the front of said upper body garment, the handles configured to be grasped by a person during their transfer.