Patient Support Fluid Ports for Universal Bedside Energy Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patient support systems lack a universal energy supply system capable of delivering energy or healing fluids to various devices, limiting their ability to provide continuous and adaptable care for patients across different conditions and locations.
Innovation Solution
A patient support system incorporating a universal energy supply system with a control system, fluid movement system, and multiple ports for selective fluid communication, which detects devices and adjusts energy delivery based on their requirements, including the use of RFID tags for device identification and pressure control, and optionally includes heating/cooling devices and onboard supplies for self-contained operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a universal energy supply system is implemented to deliver energy or healing fluids to various devices, then the adaptability and versatility of the patient support system is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for fluid movement systems, control systems, and multiple ports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal energy supply system that can deliver various forms of energy (pressurized fluid, vacuum, heated fluid, cooled fluid) to multiple different device types through a single integrated system with standardized ports. This allows the same infrastructure to support diverse functions including patient positioning, respiratory support, wound care, and temperature control, thereby improving adaptability without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function
2Ease of operation
If multiple ports are provided at spaced locations around the patient support for device coupling, then the ease of operation is improved by allowing caregiver access from either side or end of the bed, but the device complexity increases due to the fluid movement system and control system requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the patient support system into multiple independently accessible ports distributed at spaced locations around the support structure. Each port can be independently coupled to different devices, allowing caregivers to access and operate the system from various positions (either side or end of the bed) without requiring access to a centralized control location, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining system coordination through the control system
3Adaptability or versatility
If the fluid movement system provides both high pressure/low volume fluid and high volume/low pressure fluid at different ports, then the adaptability is improved for different device requirements, but the device complexity increases due to the need for separate fluid delivery pathways and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid delivery system into multiple independent pathways within the fluid movement system, allowing different ports to provide different fluid characteristics (high pressure/low volume for certain devices, high volume/low pressure for others) through a coordinated control system. This segmentation enables the system to match specific fluid delivery requirements to different device types while maintaining overall system integration
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support including a patient support surface, a fluid movement system provided at the patient support, and a plurality of ports mounted at the patient support, which are in selective fluid communication with the fluid movement system. At least one of the ports is adapted for coupling to a device for delivering fluid to the device from the fluid movement system or delivering a vacuum pressure to the device from the fluid movement system for suctioning fluid through the device when the device is coupled to the port.