Infant Transfer Cradle With Temperature Sensing and Tube Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transferring infant patients are risky due to manual handling, which can stimulate the infant and increase the risk of snagging or disconnecting medical tubes, and lack continuous monitoring of vital signs, especially during delayed umbilical cord clamping.
Innovation Solution
A patient transfer device with a center support section, side sections that can be moved to facilitate single-handed handling, a stiffening device for spinal support, a hold-down mechanism for tubes and wires, and an integrated temperature sensor that can display readings or transmit wirelessly for continuous monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling is used to transfer infant patients, then the transfer process is simple and quick, but the risk of stimulating the infant and snagging medical tubes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a patient transfer device as an intermediary tool between the nurse and the infant patient. This device includes a base section that supports the infant, side sections that can be moved to secure the infant, and handles for easy manipulation. The device acts as a mediator that allows transfer without direct manual contact with the infant's body, thus preventing stimulation and tube snagging while maintaining transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patient transfer device is divided into multiple functional segments: a base section for supporting the infant, movable side sections for securing the infant, and handles for operator control. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently, enabling safe and efficient transfer while maintaining simplicity of operation
2Duration of action of moving object
If the infant is held in the patient transfer device for extended periods (1-10 minutes), then delayed umbilical cord clamping can be performed, but continuous monitoring of vital signs is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patient transfer device is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a transfer mechanism and a monitoring platform. By integrating temperature sensor capability into the device, it can continuously monitor infant vital signs during the entire holding period, eliminating the information loss that would occur with extended holding times
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables continuous temperature monitoring throughout the entire period the infant is held in the transfer device. The temperature sensor provides uninterrupted vital signs data from the moment the infant is placed in the device until transfer is complete, ensuring no monitoring gaps occur during extended holding periods for delayed cord clamping
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lines and tubes are connected to the infant patient, then comprehensive medical care can be provided, but the risk of snagging or disconnecting tubes during transfer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patient transfer device serves as an intermediary that protects the connection between medical tubes and the infant patient. The device's structure with side sections that can be moved to secure the infant provides a protective barrier that prevents tubes from being snagged or disconnected during transfer, while still allowing comprehensive medical care to be maintained
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 securely transfers infants while minimizing physical contact, reducing the risk of tube disconnection and allowing continuous temperature monitoring, ensuring safer and more efficient patient handling.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature sensor is designed to directly contact the infant's skin to obtain a temperature measurement
Implementation Method 2
In another contemplated embodiment, the temperature sensor is a radiant sensor that detects the heat radiated from the infant to generate a temperature measurement
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 temperature sensor positioned to provide a temperature measurement of the patient when the patient is received on the patient transfer device. The patient temperature can be displayed on either an integrated display or wirelessly transmitted to an external display device. In this manner, the temperature of the infant can be continuously monitored during transport.