Modular Patient Support Apparatus for Independent Egress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient support apparatuses are cumbersome, expensive, and complex, making it difficult for patients to exit without assistance, particularly those recovering from complex procedures or obesity, as they require intricate reorientation and often necessitate multiple medical professionals for safe egress.
Innovation Solution
A modular patient support system comprising a primary and secondary module that transitions between bed and chair configurations, allowing patients to exit by moving the secondary module away from the primary one, providing floor access and ambulation assistance through a grip, thereby simplifying the exit process and reducing the risk of injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional patient support apparatuses use complex lift systems and linkages to position patients near the floor without turning, then patient egress is facilitated, but the device becomes bulky, expensive to manufacture, and complicated to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support apparatus is divided into multiple independently controllable sections (head section, back section, seat section, leg section, foot section), each capable of movement relative to adjacent sections. This segmentation allows simplified egress mechanisms where sections move independently rather than requiring complex overall lift systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus uses dynamic positioning where sections can be moved to various positions and orientations. The seat section can be positioned vertically near the floor while the back section remains elevated, creating a dynamic configuration that facilitates egress without requiring the patient to turn or use complex linkages.
2Ease of operation
If conventional patient support apparatuses require patients to re-orient their body and turn to position legs and feet to stand, then patient egress is possible, but the process becomes difficult for patients recovering from complex procedures, serious injuries, or obesity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning actions by automatically moving the seat section vertically near the floor and positioning the foot section to provide floor access before the patient needs to stand. This preliminary configuration reduces the physical effort and complexity of the egress process for the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot section acts as an intermediary element that can be positioned to provide floor access and ambulation assistance. This intermediate structure supports the patient during the transition from lying to standing, reducing the risk of injury without requiring the patient to perform difficult re-orientation maneuvers.
3Ease of operation
If patient support apparatuses are designed to allow seated position egress at the foot end, then patient egress is facilitated without turning, but the lift systems and linkages become bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is segmented into independent sections that can be manufactured separately and assembled. This modular approach reduces manufacturing complexity and cost compared to building integrated complex lift systems and linkages, while still achieving the desired egress functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex mechanical linkages to achieve seated egress, the invention inverts the approach by using independent section movement where the seat section moves vertically and the foot section provides floor access. This simplified mechanism reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining the egress benefit.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular patient support system for use in ambulating a patient across a floor, comprising a primary module and a secondary module. The primary module has a primary base and a primary deck arranged for movement relative to the primary base, and the primary deck defines a first patient support area. The secondary module has a secondary base adapted for movement along the floor relative to the primary base and a secondary deck arranged for movement relative to the secondary base. The modular patient support system is operable between a docked configuration where the secondary deck cooperates with the primary deck to define a second patient support area larger than the first patient support area, and an undocked configuration where the secondary module is spaced apart from the primary module to facilitate ambulation concurrent with the secondary module across the floor away from the primary module.