Hospital Mattress with Removable Bed Pan Recess

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hospital beds with removable bed pan sections are complex to construct and difficult to use, especially for weak or invalid patients, as they require lifting the patient to insert or remove the bed pan, and alternatives like diapers lead to discomfort, cost, and environmental issues.

Innovation Solution

A medical mattress with removable interior and exterior inserts made of hospital-grade foam, featuring a mattress cavity with interlock fasteners and hand grips, allowing the bed pan to be inserted and removed without lifting the patient, and the mattress can be flipped for dual-sided use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional hospital beds with removable bed pan sections are used, then bed pan access is enabled, but construction complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates due to patient lifting requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of bed pan insertion and removalVSAvoidmattress construction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mattress is divided into multiple independent sections: a front section, a rear section, and a middle section with the bed pan recess. This segmentation allows the bed pan access function to be isolated to a specific region without requiring complex mechanisms throughout the entire mattress structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bed pan recess is extracted as a distinct feature from the main mattress body, creating a separate cavity in the middle section that can accommodate the bed pan independently. This extraction simplifies the overall structure by dedicating only the necessary portion of the mattress to the bed pan function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If patients are lifted to insert or remove bed pans, then bed pan access is enabled, but ease of operation deteriorates for weak or invalid patients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of bed pan insertion and removalVSAvoidpatient safety and comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bed pan recess is pre-configured in the mattress structure with the cavity and opening positioned to allow direct insertion and removal of the bed pan without requiring patient movement. The opening is strategically located to provide access while the patient remains in place.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If diapers are used as an alternative to bed pans, then bed pan insertion complexity is eliminated, but harmful factors increase due to diaper rash, infections, cost, and environmental waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelimination of bed pan insertionVSAvoiddiaper rash, infections, cost, and environmental waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mattress structure with its integrated bed pan recess enables the patient to use the bed pan independently or with minimal assistance, eliminating the need for alternative solutions like diapers. The design allows the patient to maintain hygiene and comfort while avoiding the harmful effects associated with diaper use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11083653B2Medical mattress with bed pan recess

Publication Date: 2021.08.10 CARRUTHERS CAGE BREWER

AI summary

A medical mattress for temporarily receiving a bed pan for use by a patient, comprising a mattress body of hospital grade mattress foam having a mattress cavity therein. Removable interior and exterior mattress inserts fit in the mattress cavity. The interior insert can be replaced by a bed pan. Hand grips on the interior and exterior inserts assist with removal and replacement of the inserts. Interlock fasteners are provided for temporarily securing the interior and exterior inserts in the mattress cavity for support of the patient. Methods of using and making the mattress are provided.