Patient Support Connector Assembly Interior Corner Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient support systems, such as mattresses, often suffer from tubing interference during movement, which can lead to shifting and complications in patient care, increasing the risk of pressure sores/ulcers due to inadequate mobilization during prolonged bed rest.
Innovation Solution
A patient support apparatus with a connector assembly positioned in a three-dimensional interior corner of the crib assembly, routing fluid source tubing out of the way of caregivers and patients, and incorporating a flexible cover to secure the connector assembly, ensuring it does not obstruct movement or care while maintaining fluid communication with the patient support system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tubing is coupled directly through a peripheral wall of the patient support, then fluid communication is established, but the tubing shifts during movement and interferes with caregivers
Solution Approach 1:
The tubing connection point is extracted from the peripheral wall and relocated to an interior corner of the patient support structure. This removes the tubing from the interference zone where it previously contacted caregivers during movement, while maintaining its fluid communication function through the connector assembly positioned in the interior corner
Solution Approach 2:
A connector assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the interior corner structure and the tubing. This connector provides a stable mounting point that secures the tubing in a fixed position, preventing shifting during movement while establishing reliable fluid communication with the patient support system
2Reliability
If tubing is secured to prevent shifting, then fluid communication stability is improved, but the tubing may obstruct movement or care
Solution Approach 1:
The tubing connection is relocated from a peripheral wall position to an interior corner position, utilizing three-dimensional space more effectively. This spatial reconfiguration places the tubing in a location where it achieves stability through corner support structures while being positioned out of the operational space where caregivers move, thus eliminating interference without compromising stability
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides a patient support for supporting a patient. The patient support comprises a crib assembly comprising a support material with a cover assembly disposed over the crib assembly. The cover assembly defines a recess and comprising a patient support surface having an outer periphery. The patient support further comprises a connector assembly for connecting the patient support to a fluid source with the connector assembly comprising a connector with a plurality of ports. The assembly defines a three dimensional interior corner adjacent the recess in the cover assembly. The connector assembly is disposed in the recess of the cover assembly such that the plurality of ports of the connector are presented for connection to the fluid source at the three dimensional interior corner and inside the outer periphery of the patient support surface.