Patient-Controlled Hoist Drive Mechanism for Muscle Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient stand-up hoists require exclusive operation by a care provider, lacking the ability for patients to control their own lifting movements, which can lead to unexpected muscle tension and a lack of control over the timing of muscle activation during raising and lowering.
Innovation Solution
A hoist equipped with an electric, mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic drive and signal receivers that allow patients to input signals through force, movement, or operating switches, enabling them to control at least part of the lifting movement, thereby allowing them to actively participate in their own lifting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hoist is operated exclusively by a care provider, then the lifting movement can be controlled precisely, but the patient cannot control their own lifting movements and cannot tense muscles appropriately
Solution Approach 1:
The hoist enables the patient to operate the lifting mechanism themselves through various input methods (crank, buttons, voice commands, eye tracking). This self-service approach allows the patient to control the lifting movement timing, which synchronizes with their muscle tension cycles, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability of muscle engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the patient's actions (crank rotation, button presses, voice commands) are immediately reflected in the hoist's operation. This real-time feedback loop allows the patient to adjust their muscle tension in response to the lifting movement phase, ensuring proper engagement at the correct moments.
2Extent of automation
If the hoist provides full automated control, then the lifting process is smooth and controlled, but the patient loses the ability to interrupt or adjust the lifting process
Solution Approach 1:
The hoist system transitions from static automated control to dynamic patient-controlled operation. The patient can adjust the level of automation in real-time by using different input methods (crank for manual control, buttons for semi-automated, voice/eye tracking for more automated). This dynamic adaptability allows the patient to choose their preferred level of involvement in each lifting operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hoist incorporates multiple control interfaces (crank mechanism, buttons, voice commands, eye tracking) that serve different patient needs and abilities. This multi-functionality ensures that regardless of the patient's physical or cognitive condition, they can maintain autonomy and control over the lifting process while still benefiting from automated assistance when needed.
3Reliability
If the hoist uses passive support mechanisms, then the lifting process is simple and safe, but the patient cannot actively participate in their own lifting process
Solution Approach 1:
The hoist transforms from a passive support device to an active self-service system where the patient controls their own lifting. By operating the crank or using control interfaces, the patient actively participates in the lifting process while the hoist provides the necessary mechanical support. This maintains safety through controlled movement while enabling patient engagement and autonomy.
Data Source
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AI summary
Hoist provided with a basic frame, two lifting arms with armpit supports, clamping pads and/or fixings for a support belt, an adjusting mechanism which connects the lifting arms displaceably with the basic frame and at least one drive arranged for driving the adjusting mechanism for the purpose of displacing the lifting arms relative to the basic frame, such that the lifting arms follow a path which guides the patient, who is supported by for instance the armpit supports, the clamping pads and/or the support belt, from a seated position to a standing position. The hoist is provided with at least one signal receiver arranged for receiving an input signal delivered by the patient and for generating an output signal. Further, the hoist has a control which is arranged for controlling the at least one drive depending on the output signal delivered by the at least one signal receiver.