Patient Siderail Linkage for Obstruction-Free Transfer Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Siderails on patient-support apparatuses often interfere with obstructions when transitioning between raised and lowered positions due to their kinematic structure, limiting caregiver access and space efficiency during patient transfers.
Innovation Solution
A siderail assembly with a guide mechanism that allows the siderail to move along complex paths, including both horizontal and vertical components, using pivotable links and tracks to guide the siderail's movement, and an adjustable stop mechanism to prevent interference with the patient-support surface or other apparatuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the siderail is positioned in a raised position, then patient safety is improved, but caregiver access to the patient is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The siderail assembly is designed to be dynamically positionable between raised and lowered positions. The kinematic structure with multiple pivot axes allows the barrier to transition smoothly between states, enabling the system to adapt between safety mode (raised) and access mode (lowered) based on operational needs.
2Device complexity
If the siderail moves along a simple vertical path, then the structure is simplified, but the siderail interferes with obstructions during position transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The guide mechanism introduces horizontal movement dimension to the traditionally vertical siderail path. By combining horizontal translation with vertical movement through a multi-axis kinematic structure, the siderail can navigate around obstructions while transitioning between positions, avoiding collisions with patient-support surfaces and adjacent apparatuses.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement path is segmented into multiple independent motion components: horizontal translation along the first path, and vertical adjustment along the second path. This segmentation allows each degree of freedom to be controlled independently, enabling complex navigation around obstructions while maintaining structural manageability.
3Ease of operation
If the siderail is lowered to improve caregiver access, then accessibility is improved, but patient safety is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic positioning of the barrier between raised (safety) and lowered (access) states. The controlled kinematic mechanism ensures smooth transitions between these states, enabling caregivers to lower the barrier for access when needed while maintaining the ability to raise it for patient safety.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If the siderail follows a complex movement path, then interference with obstructions is avoided, but the guide mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex movement path is achieved by segmenting the motion into independent pivot axes and guide tracks. Each axis handles a specific degree of freedom (horizontal translation, vertical movement), breaking down the complex path planning into manageable mechanical components that can be implemented with standard linkage elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A siderail assembly includes a frame, a link mechanism coupled to the frame and movable between first and second positions, and a panel coupled to the linkage and movable therewith between a first position and a second position. The link mechanism is configured to provide compound motion such that the siderail panel follows specific path. The siderail may include electronic controls to limit the movement of the linkage based on the position of the siderail assembly and various portions of a patient-support apparatus on which the siderail may be positioned.