Movable Siderail Gap Filler for Continuous Bed Barrier Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient-support apparatuses lack effective barrier elements that adapt to the movement of siderails, potentially allowing patients to exit the bed unsafely, especially when siderails are raised or lowered.
Innovation Solution
A patient-support apparatus with a movable gap-filler mechanism that is pivotably and translationally coupled to the siderail and frame, ensuring the barrier remains effective as the siderail moves between raised and lowered positions, utilizing a two-axis coupler system to maintain a secure barrier between the siderail and end panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed barrier element is used between the siderail and end panel, then the structure is simple, but the barrier becomes ineffective when the siderail moves between raised and lowered positions
Solution Approach 1:
The gap-filler is designed as a dynamic component that moves with the siderail. It is pivotally coupled to both the siderail and the frame, allowing it to automatically adjust its position as the siderail transitions between raised and lowered positions, maintaining continuous barrier effectiveness without requiring complex active control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The gap-filler acts as an intermediary element between the siderail and the end panel. It fills the gap created by siderail movement and provides a continuous barrier surface, mediating the spatial relationship between these two components while maintaining patient safety
2Adaptability or versatility
If the gap-filler is rigidly coupled to the siderail, then it moves with the siderail, but it cannot adapt to the changing gap distance between the siderail and end panel
Solution Approach 1:
The gap-filler employs a dynamic coupling system with pivotal connections that allow it to adapt its position and orientation as the siderail moves. This dynamic coupling enables the gap-filler to automatically adjust to varying gap distances without requiring complex actuators or control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The gap-filler is designed to move in multiple dimensions - it can pivot vertically to follow siderail movement and also pivot horizontally to adjust to changes in gap distance. This multi-dimensional movement capability allows the gap-filler to adapt to various positions while maintaining a simple coupling mechanism
3Reliability
If the gap-filler is positioned to fill the gap when the siderail is raised, then it provides continuous barrier coverage, but it may interfere with patient access when the siderail is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The gap-filler is dynamically positioned to move with the siderail. When the siderail is raised, the gap-filler fills the gap to provide continuous barrier coverage. When the siderail is lowered, the gap-filler moves downward with it, automatically creating space for patient egress without interfering with patient access
Data Source
AI summary
A gap-filler for a patient-support apparatus comprises a barrier panel, a first coupler coupled to the barrier panel and a second coupler coupled to the barrier panel and configured to engage a siderail of the patient-support apparatus such that the gap-filler is movable relative to the siderail as the siderail moves between a raised position and a lowered position.