Foldable Patient Isolation Chamber with Segmented Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient isolation devices do not effectively adapt to different transfer surfaces and do not provide comfortable isolation for patients, while also being cumbersome to fold and transport.
Innovation Solution
A foldable patient isolation device with a base comprising contiguous inflatable modules that can be folded between modules, allowing the base to adapt to various surfaces, and a support structure with expandable profiles to maintain the chamber's shape, along with a support profile for the patient's head and easy folding mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the base is made as a single rigid structure, then the device maintains structural stability, but it cannot adapt to different transfer surfaces and is difficult to fold
Solution Approach 1:
The base is divided into multiple contiguous modules that can be folded relative to each other. Each module can independently adapt to the surface contour while maintaining overall structural integrity, enabling the base to conform to different transfer surfaces and fold compactly for transport.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the chamber wall is kept expanded using closely spaced profiles, then the chamber maintains its shape, but the device becomes bulky and difficult to fold
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure uses spaced profiles that create segmented support zones along the chamber. This segmentation allows the chamber to maintain its expanded shape during use while enabling the profiles to be folded closer together during transport, reducing bulk without compromising structural integrity.
3Reliability
If personal protective equipment is used to protect health professionals, then safety against infectious agents is improved, but additional disinfection procedures are required after patient transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation chamber extracts and contains the infectious risk within a sealed environment, separating the contaminated patient from the clean healthcare environment. This eliminates the need for extensive disinfection of surrounding areas after patient transfer, as the contamination remains confined to the removable chamber.
4Reliability
If the device is designed for complete patient isolation, then infection risk is reduced, but patient comfort during transfer is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The base modules are designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the isolation device to adapt its configuration based on the patient's position and comfort needs. The modules can be inflated or adjusted to provide support and comfort while maintaining the sealed isolation environment, enabling both effective isolation and patient comfort during transfer.
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 provides comfortable isolation for patients during transfer, adapts to different surfaces, and is easier to fold and transport, enhancing both patient care and operational convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a base on which the patient is placed in the unfolded position, wherein the base comprises in a longitudinal direction contiguous modules which allow said base to be folded between contiguous modules
Data Source
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AI summary
Foldable device for isolating a patient, comprising a chamber (2) the wall (21) of which defines in an unfolded position a region (3) for receiving and isolating a patient, a base (1) on which the patient is placed in the unfolded position, and a support structure (4) for holding the wall (21) of the chamber (2), wherein the base (1) comprises in a longitudinal direction contiguous modules which allow said base (1) to be folded between contiguous modules.