Patient Repositioning Sheet Mechanism to Reduce Skin Shear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patient repositioning methods, such as manual lifting and use of mechanical devices, lead to caregiver injuries due to shear forces on the patient's skin, particularly for patients with fragile skin or those who have been on a bed for an extended period, increasing the risk of pressure ulcers.
Innovation Solution
A patient repositioning apparatus integrated into patient support apparatuses like beds, stretchers, or chairs, which uses a sheet coupled to a component via clamps or tethers, and a force generating device to move the sheet relative to the support surface, reducing shear forces by lifting and translating the patient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual lifting or mechanical devices are used to reposition patients, then patient repositioning can be achieved, but caregiver injuries occur due to shear forces on the patient's skin
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support surface is divided into multiple independently controllable sections. The apparatus applies localized forces to specific segments of the patient's body, allowing repositioning while distributing mechanical loads to reduce shear forces across the skin surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus introduces an intermediary system between the caregiver and the patient that uses controlled mechanical forces through the support surface. This intermediary mechanism transfers repositioning forces in a controlled manner that minimizes harmful shear forces while still achieving patient movement.
2Productivity
If mechanical devices are used to move patients, then repositioning can be performed, but pressure ulcers may develop due to shear forces on fragile skin
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus applies different force characteristics to different local areas of the patient support surface. By controlling the distribution and direction of forces locally, the system achieves efficient repositioning while protecting fragile skin areas from harmful shear forces that could cause pressure ulcers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts force parameters including magnitude, direction, and distribution during the repositioning process. By continuously optimizing these parameters, the apparatus maintains high repositioning efficiency while keeping shear forces within safe limits to prevent skin damage and pressure ulcers.
3Ease of operation
If the backrest is raised to facilitate breathing for patients with respiratory conditions, then patient comfort and breathing are improved, but gravity causes the patient to migrate down the backrest requiring frequent boosting
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus enables continuous or near-continuous control of patient position through automated or assisted mechanical forces. This allows the backrest to remain in the optimal elevated position for breathing while the system continuously counteracts gravitational effects, eliminating the need for frequent manual boosting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service functionality by automatically counteracting gravity's effect on the patient's position. The apparatus uses its own mechanical forces to maintain the patient in the desired position without requiring repeated external intervention, thereby reducing the frequency of repositioning operations while maintaining comfort and breathing facilitation.
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
The apparatus reduces shear forces on the patient's skin during repositioning, minimizing the risk of injuries and pressure ulcers while enhancing patient safety and caregiver comfort.
Implementation Method 1
reduces shear forces on the patient's skin when the patient is being repositioned
Data Source
AI summary
A patient handling system comprising a patient support apparatus having a patient support surface, a component, and a force generating device inducing movement or assisting in movement of the component, and a sheet for covering at least a portion of the patient support surface, and the sheet coupled to the component wherein when the force generating device is operated to induce movement or assist in movement of the component, the movement induces the sheet to move relative to the patient support surface.