Patient Isolation Device with Mattress-Compressing Extensions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient isolation devices fail to effectively contain infectious agents during patient movement or procedures, as they often have openings that allow agents to escape, and require the patient to be moved off the bed for installation, posing risks to healthcare workers.
Innovation Solution
A patient isolation device with a translucent, arc-shaped cover and extensions that compress the mattress to form a seal, allowing for easy installation over a patient on a hospital bed, supported by a lightweight, modular tube structure, and featuring flexible components for maneuverability and access ports with replaceable sleeves to minimize exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the isolation device is installed over a mattress with a patient already on it, then the installation time is reduced and patient comfort is maintained, but the device structure becomes more complex requiring extensions to engage with the mattress
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation device is divided into a cover portion and extension portions. The extensions are separable components that can be inserted under the mattress independently, allowing the main cover to be placed over the patient without requiring complete disassembly or complex installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension portions act as intermediary elements between the cover and the mattress. These extensions engage with the mattress to secure the cover in place, facilitating easy installation over an occupied bed while maintaining structural integrity through the mediating extension components.
2Reliability
If extensions are used to compress the mattress and form a seal, then the containment of infectious agents is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented into the extension portions rather than being integrated into the main cover. This allows the sealing mechanism to be implemented through simple extension components that compress the mattress material to form effective seals, maintaining containment reliability without complicating the overall device structure.
3Illumination intensity
If the cover is made translucent, then visibility for monitoring the patient is improved, but the material selection and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is made translucent in the areas where visibility is needed for patient monitoring, while other portions of the isolation device can use different materials optimized for their specific functions. This local application of translucency improves visibility without requiring the entire device to be manufactured with specialized translucent materials.
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
Enables quick and safe isolation of patients on their beds, preventing the spread of infectious agents during movement or procedures while allowing for easy access and use of medical equipment, reducing the risk to healthcare workers.
Implementation Method 1
Each extension may be configured to compress at least a portion of the mattress, thereby forming at least a partial seal between the patient cover and the mattress
Data Source
AI summary
The invention may be embodied as a patient isolation device. The patient isolation device may comprise a cover having a first lower surface having an interior edge and an exterior edge, a second lower surface having an interior edge and an exterior edge, an interior surface extending between the interior edges, and an exterior surface extending between the exterior edges. The interior surface may define a patient space within which a patient may be positioned. The exterior surface may be substantially parallel to the interior surface. One or more extensions may be configured to be disposed between a mattress of a hospital bed, each extending proximate a lower surface of the cover. At least a portion of the interior surface may be arc-shaped and configured to define a patient space within which a patient may be positioned.