Integrated IV Pole and Litter for Compact Storage and Fast Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IV pole systems are prone to being misplaced during storage and transportation, often interfere with patient treatment due to exposed hooks or complex clamping mechanisms, and do not allow for efficient deployment near the patient, leading to increased risk of snagging and inefficient IV line management.

Innovation Solution

A portable litter with an integrated IV pole system featuring a telescopic handle, retractable IV pole, and a rotatable support arm that can be easily deployed and secured, reducing the risk of snagging and allowing for flexible positioning near the patient.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the IV pole is stored separately from the litter, then the IV pole can be easily accessed, but it is prone to misplacement and can be lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessibility of IV poleVSAvoidRetention of IV pole

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The IV pole is integrated into the litter structure by combining it with the collapsible handle assembly. The IV pole fits within the hollow interior of the handle sections, merging two previously separate items into a unified structure that cannot be misplaced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The IV pole is nested within the hollow interior of the collapsible handle sections. When the litter is collapsed for storage, the IV pole is contained within the handle structure, ensuring it remains with the litter while still being accessible when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If the IV pole hooks radiate away from the pole, then the IV bag can be suspended, but the hooks can snag clothing and interfere with patient treatment

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIV bag suspensionVSAvoidSnagging of clothing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional external hooks are replaced by an integrated support arm structure that extends from the IV pole. The support arm provides a platform for suspending the IV bag without requiring radiating hooks that protrude outward and can snag clothing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using hooks that radiate outward from the pole to suspend the IV bag, the design inverts the approach by using an extendable support arm that creates a stable platform away from the pole body, eliminating the need for outward-radiating hooks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the IV pole is extended to full length for use, then the IV bag can be positioned for treatment, but the apparatus is larger for storage and transportation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIV bag positioningVSAvoidStorage volume of IV pole

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The IV pole incorporates a telescopic mechanism that allows it to dynamically change length. The pole can be extended to full length when needed for IV bag positioning and collapsed to a compact size for storage and transportation, adapting to different operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The IV pole is divided into telescopic sections that can be extended or retracted. This segmentation allows the pole to achieve full extension length for proper IV bag positioning while collapsing to a much smaller volume for storage within the litter handle structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Volume of moving object

If the IV pole is integrated into the litter handle, then storage space is reduced, but the IV pole deployment becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveStorage volume of IV poleVSAvoidIV pole deployment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collapsible handle assembly serves dual functions: it provides the structural handle for the litter and simultaneously houses the IV pole. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate IV pole storage mechanism, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining compact storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The IV pole is pre-positioned within the hollow interior of the handle sections during litter assembly. This preliminary placement ensures that when the litter is collapsed, the IV pole is automatically contained within the handle structure without requiring additional storage mechanisms or complex deployment procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8863333B2Portable IV pole and litter

Publication Date: 2014.10.21 NORTH AMERICAN RESCUE LLC

AI summary

A portable litter with an integrated IV pole comprising: a frame having a handle section; a storage cavity defined in the handle section; a handle grip extendably attached to the handle section that can be retracted into the storage cavity or extended out of the storage cavity; an end cap removably secured to the handle grip having an IV pole retaining assembly; an IV pole having a standard that can be secured to the end cap by the retaining assembly, received in an opening defined in the handle grip and received in the storage cavity when the IV pole is in a collapsed configuration; and, a support arm rotatably attached to the standard that is parallel to the standard when the IV pole is in a collapsed configuration and rotated generally perpendicular to the standard when the IV pole is in an operational position.