Inflatable Bed Rail Protector with Modular Strapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current safety measures for patients, such as those in hospitals, are often expensive, non-standardized, inefficient, and unhygienic, leading to increased risks of injury and hospital-acquired infections due to the use of makeshift padding methods that do not provide adequate protection or accessibility to bed controls.

Innovation Solution

An inflatable apparatus with a soft, water-resistant, antimicrobial exterior surface and airtight chamber that can be securely mounted to furniture using adjustable straps and fasteners, providing cushioning and protection against injuries while maintaining access to controls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If makeshift padding methods (linen, tape, blankets) are used on bed rails, then cost is reduced and availability is improved, but safety and hygiene are compromised due to inadequate protection and bacterial reservoir risks

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveavailabilityVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bed rail protection system is divided into modular segments that can be independently attached to different portions of the bed rail. Each segment provides localized protection while maintaining overall system flexibility and ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A specialized intermediary device with adhesive properties is introduced between the bed rail and the patient's body. This intermediary provides both the protective function and the secure attachment mechanism, eliminating the need for makeshift solutions while ensuring reliable safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If protective linen is positioned on bed rails, then injury protection is provided, but accessibility to bed controls is blocked making them inaccessible to nurses and patients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjury protectionVSAvoidaccessibility to controls

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective covering is designed with varying properties across its surface - thicker padding in areas where patient contact is most likely and thinner or transparent sections near control buttons. This local differentiation maintains protection where needed while preserving accessibility and visibility of controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing protective material over the entire bed rail surface, the design inverts the approach by positioning controls before the protective covering, or creating cutouts and transparent windows in the protective material at control locations, thereby reversing the typical layering sequence to maintain accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If standardized padded furniture products are used, then safety and hygiene are improved, but cost increases creating a financial burden on facilities

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protective covering is designed as a cost-effective, potentially disposable or easily replaceable component that can be manufactured at low cost using simple materials and processes, eliminating the need for expensive standardized products while maintaining safety functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The design changes key parameters such as material selection, attachment mechanism, and structural complexity to reduce manufacturing cost while maintaining the essential safety function. Simplified construction and use of readily available materials significantly lower production costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If linen and tape are used as protective measures, then immediate protection is available, but hygiene deteriorates as they become reservoirs for bacteria like C. difficile and MRSA

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveavailabilityVSAvoidbacterial reservoir

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective covering is designed as a disposable or easily replaceable component that can be manufactured at low cost using simple materials and processes, eliminating the need for expensive standardized products while maintaining safety functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10463553B2Apparatus for use with furniture for protecting a user against injuries

Publication Date: 2019.11.05 GAFAR SCHANER TAOFIKI OLAWALE

AI summary

Apparatuses and method are disclosed for use with a furniture for providing protection to a user against injuries. An apparatus for use with the furniture for providing protection to a user against injuries includes an inflatable unit including an exterior surface including a number of housing elements. The inflatable unit also includes an airtight chamber capable of being filled with a filler. The inflatable unit also includes a valve attached to an orifice present on the airtight chamber. The valve is configured to secure the filler into the airtight chamber. The apparatus further includes at least one strapping element configured to securely mount the inflatable unit to the furniture. The apparatus also includes at least one fastener configured to attach to the at least one strapping element while mounting the inflatable unit to the furniture.