Inclinable Panel Bed for Patient Lateral Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical assistive devices for turning bedbound patients are inefficient, often causing physical overexertion for caregivers and may result in injuries due to inadequate weight distribution and manual handling issues, with existing solutions struggling to support patients comfortably on their sides without introducing human error or discomfort.

Innovation Solution

A bed with inclinable panels and adjustable height, featuring separate actuators for each panel and a flexible mattress, allowing for lateral rotation of supine patients while providing support and minimizing physical exertion, with sensors and wireless communication to ensure safe and comfortable repositioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual repositioning is performed by caregivers, then patients can be repositioned, but caregivers experience physical overexertion and manual handling injuries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient repositioning effectivenessVSAvoidcaregiver physical injury

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bed system performs patient repositioning automatically without requiring manual intervention from caregivers. The inclinable panels and actuators enable the bed to turn and reposition the patient autonomously, eliminating caregiver physical contact and preventing manual handling injuries while ensuring reliable repositioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical system (caregiver lifting and turning) with an automated mechanical system (actuators and inclinable panels). The actuators drive the panels to incline and rotate, substituting human physical effort with motorized mechanical action to reposition patients safely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If slings are used to raise and lower the mattress, then patient repositioning is achieved, but the device struggles with heavier patients and requires complex attachment procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient repositioning efficiencyVSAvoidsling attachment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the sling attachment system entirely from the bed structure. Instead of using slings that require hooking and attaching to pad lugs, the design integrates actuators directly into the bed frame that move the panels themselves, eliminating the complex attachment procedures and making the system capable of handling any patient weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The inclinable panel system serves multiple functions: it raises and lowers the mattress, turns the patient laterally, and adjusts positioning. This multi-functional approach replaces the single-function sling system, eliminating the need for separate attachment mechanisms while handling all patient repositioning needs regardless of weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If patients are turned onto their side using nets or ropes, then lateral rotation is achieved, but the back is not supported and it is uncomfortable for long-term positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral rotation capabilityVSAvoidpatient discomfort and lack of support

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses dynamically adjustable inclinable panels that can be positioned at various angles to provide optimal support. The panels move and adjust to maintain proper patient alignment and support the back during and after lateral rotation, ensuring comfort for long-term positioning rather than fixed rigid support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the support parameters by adjusting panel inclination angles. The actuators control the panels to achieve specific angles that provide both lateral rotation capability and adequate back support, transforming the support characteristics to meet both rotation and comfort requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If frequent manual repositioning is performed to prevent pressure injuries, then patient care standard is met, but caregivers have insufficient time to rest and complete all repositioning tasks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure injury preventionVSAvoidcaregiver rest time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The automated bed system enables continuous repositioning operations without interruption. Multiple patients can be repositioned in sequence without caregiver fatigue, maintaining the required frequency for pressure injury prevention while eliminating the time loss associated with caregiver rest breaks and manual repositioning limitations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20240350337A1A Bed for Turning Patients

Publication Date: 2024.10.24 BURLING AGED CARE SOLUTIONS PTY LTD

AI summary

A bed adapted for turning a supine patient, the bed comprising a horizontal surface adapted for receiving a mattress. The horizontal surface comprises a first panel and a second panel extending along the length of the surface, wherein each panel can selectively incline by at least one actuator and wherein when one of the panels is inclining, the inclining panel allows for lateral rotation of supine patient onto their respective side.