Integrated Limb Restraint System for Stretcher Side Rails
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional limb restraints for medical use are not easily integrated with stretchers, leading to inefficiencies in deployment, contamination risks, and interference with stretcher operations, requiring manual knotting or additional personnel for application.
Innovation Solution
A limb restraint system integrated into a patient support apparatus with pre-determined anchor points, featuring a tether and cuff stored in a protective cover, allowing for one-handed operation and quick deployment without knotting, and utilizing hook and loop fasteners for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional limb restraints are stored separate from the stretcher, then they can be kept simple and non-interfering with stretcher functions, but locating and deploying them becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system is merged with the stretcher by integrating the restraint assembly into the stretcher's side rail structure. The restraint cuff and tether are stored within a cover that is part of the side rail assembly, eliminating the need for separate storage and reducing deployment time while maintaining stretcher functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint assembly is pre-positioned and stored within the side rail cover, ready for immediate deployment. The tether is pre-attached to the side rail structure, and the cover is designed to be quickly opened, allowing the restraint to be deployed without time-consuming searches or complex assembly steps.
2Productivity
If restraints are pre-connected or tied to the stretcher, then deployment speed increases, but they may interfere with day-to-day stretcher operation and become contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint assembly is nested within a protective cover that is integrated into the side rail structure. The cover encloses the restraint cuff and tether, protecting them from contamination by bodily fluids and debris while allowing quick access when needed. This nested configuration maintains deployment speed while eliminating contamination risks.
3Ease of operation
If traditional restraints require looping or tying to external structures, then they can be universally applied, but both hands are occupied during application increasing risk and delaying care
Solution Approach 1:
The complex knot-tying and looping operations are extracted from the application process. The restraint assembly is pre-configured with the tether attached to the side rail structure, and the cover is designed to be opened with one hand while the other hand secures the cuff to the patient. This extraction of complex maneuvers improves safety and reduces application time.
4Ease of manufacture
If restraints use external straps or Velcro, then they can be easily attached, but they drag externally and may block folding of side rails or catch other objects
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is merged with the side rail structure itself. The tether is integrated into the side rail assembly, and the cover is designed to fold or retract with the side rail, eliminating external dragging straps that could interfere with stretcher operation or catch objects during transport.
Data Source
AI summary
A restraint system includes a restraint assembly and an anchor to releasably mount the restraint assembly to a component. The restraint assembly includes a tether and a cuff coupled to the tether. In addition, the restraint assembly includes a frangible cover operable to hold the tether and the cuff in a compact, stowed configuration and is sufficiently frangible to allow a person to tear open the cover. The tether is coupled to the anchor and when the cover is opened, the tether and the cuff are operable to be deployed from their stowed configuration, and the cuff extended from the anchor.