Hospital Bed Foot Section with Telescopic Panels for Egress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hospital beds often make it difficult for patients to transition from a supine position to a sitting or standing position, limiting their mobility and comfort, especially when trying to exit the bed.
Innovation Solution
A hospital bed design that converts into a chair configuration, featuring a lifting mechanism, a rotating frame, and an articulating patient support surface with a foot section that can move between extended and retracted configurations, allowing for easy egress and facilitating a stand-assist position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hospital bed is designed with a fixed structure optimized for supine position, then patient comfort in supine position is improved, but patient ability to transition to sitting or standing position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the bed structure convertible between different configurations. The bed frame includes movable sections that can be articulated to transform the bed from a supine position configuration to a sitting/standing assist configuration. This dynamic transformation allows the same structure to serve multiple functions: providing comfort in supine position and facilitating transitions to sitting or standing positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The bed structure is segmented into multiple articulated sections including a head section, a seat section, and a foot section. These segmented sections can move independently relative to each other, enabling the bed to transform between configurations. The segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function while collectively providing the versatility needed for position transitions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the hospital bed is designed to remain stationary and stable, then structural stability is improved, but patient egress capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing a dynamic structure that can switch between stable and mobile states. The bed frame includes articulated joints and movable sections that allow the structure to be stable in bed configuration for patient comfort, then transform to a mobile chair-like configuration to facilitate patient egress. The lifting mechanism provides controlled movement while maintaining stability during transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by positioning the foot section and adjusting the bed configuration in advance to prepare for patient egress. The foot section can be extended or retracted beforehand, and the bed can be pre-positioned in an optimal configuration to assist patient movement, making the egress process smoother and safer.
3Area of stationary object
If the foot section is kept in extended configuration, then patient support surface area is improved, but ease of patient egress deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The foot section is designed as a dynamic component that can change configuration based on patient needs. It includes telescopic sections that can extend to provide additional support surface area when needed, then retract to facilitate patient egress. This dynamic adjustment allows the foot section to serve dual purposes: maximizing support area during rest and minimizing obstruction during movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot section is segmented into multiple telescopic subsections that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the foot section to be extended in a controlled manner to provide necessary support surface area, then retracted in stages to clear the path for patient egress without compromising structural integrity.
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
Enables patients to comfortably transition from a bed to a chair or stand-assist configuration, enhancing mobility and egress by allowing the bed to adapt into a form that supports patient movement and engagement with the floor, thus improving patient comfort and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The foot section can include one or more biasing members, such as springs, that are configured to urge the plurality of panels to the extended configuration when the foot section is not engaged with the floor surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A hospital bed includes a base, a lifting mechanism, a rotating frame configured to rotate horizontally relative to the base, and a patient support surface pivotally secured to the rotating frame. The patient support surface includes a back section, a seat section, and foot section that articulate relative to each other. The patient support surface translates from a bed configuration to a side-egress chair or stand assist configuration. The foot section includes a plurality of panels configured to move relative to each other in substantially parallel overlapping planes between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration when the patient support surface is in a chair or stand assist configuration. The foot section contacts a floor which causes the plurality of panels to move to the retracted configuration. Biasing members urge the plurality of panels to the extended configuration when the foot section no longer contacts the floor.