Patient Adjustment Device with Tether and Gripper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients who are partly or completely incapacitated often need to be moved within a care facility, such as from one bed to another or back to the head end of their bed, due to sliding or slumping, which poses a challenge for caregivers in terms of safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An architectural system with a patient adjustment device that includes a gripper, tether, and power unit, allowing for the safe and controlled movement of patients by gripping a patient receiver (like a bed sheet) and winding the tether to adjust the patient's position, with features like adjustable tether height and directional control for horizontal or vertical movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual patient repositioning is performed by caregivers, then patient positioning can be adjusted, but caregiver safety and efficiency are compromised due to the physical burden and risk of injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical lifting and repositioning with an automated mechanical system comprising a winch, tether, and motorized components. The winch mechanism automatically reels in the tether to pull the patient toward the head of the bed, eliminating the need for caregivers to manually lift and reposition patients, thereby improving safety while maintaining ease of operation through simple control interfaces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If fixed architectural systems are installed for patient repositioning, then device stability is improved, but adaptability to varying bed heights and room configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities into the architectural system through telescopic arms with adjustable lengths and angles, and a winch mechanism with variable tether payout. These dynamic components allow the system to adapt to different bed heights and positions while maintaining structural stability through controlled mechanical movements and locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The architectural system is designed with universal adaptability features including adjustable telescopic arms that can reach multiple bed positions, a winch mechanism that can accommodate various tether lengths, and mounting options for different wall configurations. This multi-functional design allows a single system to serve multiple patient care functions while adapting to varying room layouts and bed types.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex mechanical systems are used for patient repositioning, then movement precision is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex multi-component mechanical systems with a simplified winch-based mechanism driven by a single motor. The winch provides precise control through its drum and spool design, which naturally regulates tether payout and retraction. This substitution reduces the number of mechanical components, simplifies maintenance, while maintaining precise patient position control through the winch's inherent mechanical advantage.
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
Enables safe and efficient repositioning of patients within a care facility, accommodating varying bed heights and patient needs, facilitating both horizontal and vertical movement to ensure patient safety and caregiver convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The power unit is coupled to the tether to wind the tether to move the gripper and the patient received by the patient receiver gripped by the gripper
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises an architectural system and a patient adjustment device. The patient adjustment device is coupled to the architectural system and adapted to pull on a patient receiver to move a patient received by the patient receiver and located on a bed relative to the bed to adjust the position of the patient.