Patient Support Gesture Controls for Contact-Free Bed Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing patient support apparatuses face challenges in ease of use and infection containment, particularly due to the location and accessibility of controls, which can lead to increased risk of transmitting infectious agents.

Innovation Solution

The patient support system incorporates controls that can be operated through gestures or movements without direct contact, with sensors and controllers positioned to detect forces and movements, allowing for wireless communication and integration with various components of the apparatus, such as elevation adjustment mechanisms and siderails, to facilitate intuitive control and reduce contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If controls are positioned on control panels on the patient support apparatus, then the controls are accessible to caregivers, but the controls require direct contact which increases the risk of transmitting infectious agents

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessibility of controlsVSAvoidTransmission of infectious agents

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based controls with non-contact sensing technology. Sensors detect gestures, movements, or forces applied to the patient support apparatus without requiring physical contact with control surfaces, thereby eliminating the transmission risk while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces sensors as an intermediary between the user and the control system. These sensors detect user intent through gestures or forces and translate them into control commands, allowing caregivers to operate the apparatus without direct contact with control panels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If controls are positioned on siderails or foot end of the patient support apparatus, then both caregivers and patients can access the controls, but the controls are not designed for infection containment

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessibility by multiple usersVSAvoidInfection containment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical control panels located on siderails and foot ends with non-contact sensing systems. These sensors can detect gestures or forces from any user (caregiver or patient) without requiring contact with shared surfaces, providing universal accessibility while ensuring infection containment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional control panels are used on the patient support apparatus, then the controls are easy to implement, but they require direct contact which reduces infection containment

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveImplementation of controlsVSAvoidInfection containment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces easily manufactured but contact-based control panels with non-contact sensing systems. While the sensing technology is more complex than simple buttons, it eliminates infection risks and can be integrated into existing apparatus structures through sensor arrays or wireless detection capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution enhances the ease of use and reduces the risk of infection transmission by allowing caregivers to control patient support apparatuses through non-contact means, improving accessibility and safety in healthcare settings.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor is a load cell positioned on a siderail or on the head section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce detection: Force

Data Source

PatentUS8984685B2Patient support apparatus and controls therefor

Publication Date: 2015.03.24 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A patient support apparatus system includes sensors adapted to sense a gesture of a person, or forces exerted by the person on the patient support apparatus, and to control the movement of a component of the patient support apparatus based on the gesture or forces. The movement of the patient support apparatus matches the direction of the person's gesture or applied forces. The speed of the gesture and magnitude of the applied force also influence the movement of the patient support apparatus component. The controlled movement may be the upward and downward motion of a patient support deck on the patient support apparatus, or it may be the pivoting of a section of the patient support deck, or it may be other movement. Control of the patient support apparatus is carried out based on the intent of the user, as evidenced by the user's gesture or applied forces.