Patient Support Apparatus Handles for Unassisted Ambulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient support apparatuses, such as hospital beds, often pose difficulties for patients to exit unassisted, especially those recovering from complex medical procedures or with mobility issues, leading to potential falls and injuries.
Innovation Solution
A patient support apparatus with a modular design featuring a lift mechanism, articulating deck sections, and integrated handles allows for easy transition from a bed configuration to a chair configuration, enabling patients to safely ambulate to the floor by articulating the leg and foot sections and extending handles for support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional patient support apparatuses are used, then patient support function is provided, but patient mobility and ease of exit are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support apparatus employs articulating deck sections that can dynamically change configuration between a bed configuration and a chair configuration. The leg section and foot sections are articulated relative to the seat section, allowing the apparatus to adapt its structure to facilitate patient mobility and unassisted exit while maintaining structural support when needed.
2Reliability
If patient support apparatus provides stable support, then patient safety is improved, but patient mobility and ambulation capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus transitions from a static support structure to a dynamic one where the leg and foot sections can be articulated to a lowered position, and handles can be extended, enabling patients to safely ambulate while maintaining the ability to return to a stable supported position.
Solution Approach 2:
Handles are provided that can be extended from the foot sections to serve as intermediate support elements during the transition from seated to standing position, mediating between the stable support of the apparatus and the mobility needs of the patient.
3Reliability
If multiple medical professionals assist patient exit, then patient safety is improved, but time consumption and resource utilization worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is designed to enable patients to exit and ambulate unassisted by providing articulating sections that lower the deck to facilitate foot placement on the floor, and extendable handles that provide support during standing and walking, allowing patients to serve themselves without requiring multiple medical professionals.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus for use in ambulating a patient to a floor surface. A patient support deck is operatively attached to a base and has a seat section, a leg section, and a pair of foot sections. The patient support deck is operable between a bed configuration and a chair configuration. In the bed configuration, the seat section, leg section, and foot sections support the patient in a flat position. In the chair configuration, the seat section supports the patient in a seated position, the leg section is articulated adjacent to the floor surface, and the foot sections are articulated relative to the leg section and out of support of the patient. A handle to facilitate patient ambulation is coupled to each of the foot sections, and the handles are arranged to facilitate patient ambulation when the patient support deck is in the chair configuration.