Patient Support Device With Glide Assembly For Pressure Ulcer Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices and methods fail to adequately protect bedridden patients, particularly in the sacral region, from pressure ulcers due to difficulties in frequent turning and positioning, which is time-consuming and requires multiple caregivers, and existing devices lack breathability and compatibility with low-air loss technology.
Innovation Solution
A patient support device with a sheet configured for placement beneath the patient, featuring straps with retraction straps made of stretchable materials for easy tensioning and release, and a high-friction top surface and low-friction bottom surface to facilitate movement and prevent slipping, along with an absorbent pad and wedges for support and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequent turning and positioning is performed to prevent pressure ulcers, then patient safety is improved, but time consumption and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables patients to reposition themselves through the glide assembly mechanism that allows the patient to push off the support surface and rotate the body support, eliminating the need for caregiver assistance and reducing time consumption while maintaining patient safety and pressure ulcer prevention
2Ease of operation
If traditional pillows and positioning devices are used, then patient positioning is achieved, but consistency and reliability deteriorate due to slipping and non-uniform support
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a glide assembly with directional friction properties that provides consistent support and prevents slipping in specific directions, while the body support structure offers localized support at critical areas to maintain positioning consistency and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The glide assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the patient and the support surface, providing a reliable interface that prevents slipping and ensures consistent positioning through its directional friction characteristics
3Ease of operation
If patient handling is performed manually, then patient movement is achieved, but healthcare worker injury risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables patients to perform their own repositioning through the glide assembly mechanism, eliminating the need for healthcare workers to manually handle and move patients, thereby reducing injury risk while maintaining handling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The device replaces manual mechanical handling with a mechanical glide assembly system that uses friction and support surfaces to enable patient repositioning, eliminating the need for healthcare workers to physically lift and move patients
4Ease of operation
If non-breathable positioning devices are used, then patient support is provided, but breathability and compatibility with low-air loss technology deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates breathable materials in the support structure that allow air circulation and are compatible with low-air loss technology, maintaining patient support capability while improving breathability and adaptability to modern bed systems
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 device enables efficient and safe turning and positioning of patients, reducing the risk of pressure ulcers by distributing pressure more evenly and allowing for frequent repositioning without the need for multiple caregivers, while also protecting healthcare workers from injury by minimizing physical exertion required for patient handling.
Implementation Method 1
The retraction strap includes a stretchable material and has a length when not under tension. The strap and retraction strap are configured such that extending the free end to a maximum distance away from the connection point results in stretching the retraction strap beyond the length
Implementation Method 2
a high-friction top surface and low-friction bottom surface to facilitate movement and prevent slipping
Implementation Method 3
a high-friction top surface and low-friction bottom surface to facilitate movement and prevent slipping
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support device includes a sheet configured to support an upper body of a patient when the sheet and the upper body of the patient are lifted. The sheet has a plurality of peripheral edges. The plurality of peripheral edges includes a head edge. The patient support device includes a head support connected to a portion of the head edge of the sheet, such that the head support extends outwardly from the sheet. The patient support device further includes one or more head support straps connected to the head support. The head support is configured to support a head of the patient when the one or more head support straps and the head of the patient are lifted.