Lower Leg Lift Support for Hands-Free Bandaging and Bathing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Nurses treating patients' ankles and lower legs often suffer from back injuries due to the need to manually support and lift these areas during treatment, which can be strenuous and inefficient, especially when bandaging or bathing is required.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a heel or ankle support with lifting means, such as pneumatically, hydraulically, or electrically operated mechanisms, that elevates the patient's leg, allowing for secure bandaging and bathing without the nurse having to lift the leg, featuring a flexible strop or strap for support and a shower catch bag with a drain system for easy fluid management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If nurses manually support and lift the patient's leg during treatment, then the leg can be positioned for treatment, but the nurses suffer from back injuries and treatment efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of leg positioningVSAvoidnurse back injuries

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting apparatus enables the patient's leg to be lifted and positioned automatically without requiring the nurse to manually support or lift the leg. The leg is elevated by the mechanical device, allowing the nurse to perform treatment tasks without physical strain on their back.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the ankle support is tightly secured to prevent tourniquet formation, then circulation is maintained, but the support stability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecirculation maintenanceVSAvoidsupport stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible ankle support is designed with varying degrees of flexibility and compression at different locations. The material and tension are adjusted locally to provide sufficient stability for lifting while maintaining areas of controlled compression that prevent tourniquet formation and ensure proper blood circulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 reduces nurse fatigue by allowing the leg to be elevated and treated without manual lifting, facilitating easier bandaging and bathing while minimizing the risk of tourniquet formation and ensuring effective cleaning and fluid disposal.

Implementation Method 1

pneumatically, hydraulically, or electrically operated mechanisms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic:

Implementation Method 2

pneumatically, hydraulically, or electrically operated mechanisms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic:

Implementation Method 3

actuating means for adjusting the angle between the first and second member and between the second and third member on which the spaced apart arms are provided. Thus, the actuating means can be provided by inflatable elements provided between the first and second and second and third members.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInflation:

Data Source

PatentUS9930968B2Apparatus for lifting and supporting the lower leg and foot of a patient

Publication Date: 2018.04.03 GENIE CARE

AI summary

Apparatus for lifting and supporting the lower leg and foot of a seated patient comprising a heel or an ankle support adapted to fit beneath the patient's heel or ankle, lifting means for raising said support, and in which the support is releasable from the lifting means.