Infant Transfer Support With One-Handed Handles and Line Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transferring infant patients from incubators or beds involve manual lifting, which can stimulate the patient and risk snagging or disconnecting medical lines, increasing the risk of injury.
Innovation Solution
A patient transfer device with a center support section and side sections that can be moved upward to allow single-handed handling, incorporating a stiffening device for spinal support and a hold-down mechanism to secure tubes and wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual lifting by hand is used to transfer the infant patient, then the transfer operation can be performed with simple equipment, but the patient is stimulated and medical lines are at risk of being snagged or disconnected
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device acts as an intermediary between the clinician and the infant patient. It includes a support section that cradles the patient and a handle section that the clinician grasps, thereby mediating the transfer process without direct hand contact with the patient. This eliminates the need for complex equipment while maintaining patient safety by preventing stimulation and line disconnection.
2Ease of operation
If direct hand contact is used to lift the patient, then the transfer operation is simple to perform, but patient stimulation occurs which introduces stress to high risk patients
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device serves as a mediator that eliminates direct hand contact with the patient during transfer. The support section provides a barrier between the clinician's hand and the patient's body, preventing stimulation while maintaining ease of operation through the intuitive handle design.
3Reliability
If the transfer device includes a stiffening device for spinal support, then rigid support is provided during movement, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device is segmented into distinct functional sections: a support section for the patient, a stiffening device for spinal support, and a handle section for clinician grip. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall device simplicity. The stiffening device can be selectively positioned within the support section to provide rigid support only where needed.
4Ease of operation
If the side sections are moved upward and toward each other to allow single-handed handling, then the clinician can use only one hand to move the patient, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second side sections are merged toward each other to form a cohesive handle section that can be grasped with a single hand. This merging of sections simplifies the operation by allowing one-handed control while the sections remain structurally distinct to provide their individual support functions. The handles are positioned in close proximity to each other to facilitate single-handed grasping.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient transfer device is utilized to transport infant patients between locations within a hospital environment. The patient transfer device includes a center, support section and a pair of side sections that can be moved into contact with each other to surround the infant patient. The first and second side sections each include a handle that can be brought into close proximity to each other and can be grasped by a single hand of a clinician. The patient transfer device includes a stiffening device that is positioned within the center section to provide support for the infant patient during transport. A hold down device is included on one or both of the first and second side sections to securely hold tubes and wires connected to the infant patient during transport of the infant patient.