Expandable Patient Support Control Assembly With Animated Task Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing patient support systems with expandable patient supports require multiple manual tasks that are not efficiently guided, leading to potential user confusion and errors during width adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A patient support system with a control assembly that includes a user interface displaying a predetermined sequence of graphical animations to guide users through a series of tasks before expanding or collapsing the patient support from one width to another, using an expander and controller to ensure proper operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual tasks are performed without guidance for expanding patient support, then device complexity is reduced, but user errors increase and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A controller acts as an intermediary between the user and the expander mechanism. The controller receives user input, displays animated instructions on a screen, and automatically controls the expander to expand the patient support width, eliminating the need for users to manually perform complex tasks while reducing errors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated electronic control system. The controller uses electronic signals to operate the expander instead of requiring users to manually adjust mechanical components, thereby improving ease of operation while managing complexity through integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If animated instructions are displayed to guide users through tasks, then user errors are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or physical instruction methods (manuals, labels) with electronic animated displays. This substitution improves reliability by providing clear, dynamic visual guidance while managing complexity through integrated software control that coordinates the animations with the actual expansion process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides self-guided instruction through animated displays that automatically walk users through each task in sequence. The controller monitors user progress and provides context-appropriate instructions without requiring external assistance, improving reliability while keeping the interface intuitive

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple tasks must be performed for expansion, then adaptability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller displays all required tasks as animated instructions before the expansion process begins. Users can review the complete sequence of actions needed in advance, understand the full procedure, and prepare accordingly, which streamlines the actual execution and improves productivity while maintaining adaptability for different expansion scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If graphical animations are displayed to instruct users, then ease of operation is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiduse of energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The animated instructions are displayed periodically and sequentially only when needed during the expansion process, rather than continuously. The controller activates animations at specific stages based on user interaction and system state, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining ease of operation during critical phases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS12447078B2Patient support system including expandable patient support and control assembly with display having animations for instructing a user

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A patient support system is provided for use on a litter of a patient support apparatus. The patient support system includes an expandable patient support and a control assembly connectable to the expandable patient support. The control assembly includes a user interface with a display and a controller configured to display a predetermined sequence of graphical animations on the display to graphically instruct a user to perform a plurality of tasks after the user selects a new width for the expandable patient support on the user interface.