Patient Support Unit Recesses for Device Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional patient stretchers with single support elements often result in instability, lack of space, and discomfort due to the placement of equipment, which can hinder effective patient support and transportation.

Innovation Solution

A patient stretcher with a movable patient support unit featuring a support element that includes recesses in the leg region to accommodate medical devices, providing a stable and flexible surface for patient support, combined with a transport unit for secure and controlled movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single support element forms a coherent support surface, then structural simplicity is achieved, but stability and space for equipment are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport surface structureVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support surface is segmented into multiple independent support elements (first support element with first recess, second support element with second recess) instead of a single coherent surface. Each support element can independently accommodate equipment, providing stability while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a spatial dimension by incorporating recesses (cutouts) in the support elements. These recesses create three-dimensional space within the support surface structure itself, allowing equipment to be accommodated without adding external components or increasing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If equipment is placed on the support surface, then functional versatility is improved, but stability and patient comfort deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment accommodationVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support elements have non-uniform local quality with recesses strategically positioned in specific areas. This allows equipment to be accommodated in designated zones without affecting the overall stability of the support surface, as the recesses are integrated into the structural design rather than being external additions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the support function and equipment accommodation function into a single integrated support element structure. The recesses are formed as part of the support element itself, combining what were previously separate functions (support surface and equipment mounting) into one unified component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a single support surface is used, then device complexity is reduced, but space for equipment and patient comfort are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport surface structureVSAvoidavailable space
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The support elements are designed with a porous-like structure featuring recesses or cutouts. This creates void spaces within the support surface that can accommodate equipment, effectively increasing the usable space without adding external components or increasing the overall footprint of the support system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Data Source

PatentEP2868301B1Patient support unit
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 STARMED GMBH
  • EP2868301B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2868301B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2868301B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a patient support unit (10a-c), in particular a movable patient support unit, with at least one support element (12a-c) that forms at least one support surface (14a-c) for a patient. In order to provide a generic device with improved properties with regard to an arrangement of devices, it is proposed that the at least one support element (12a-c) has at least one recess (16a-c) which is arranged in a leg area (18a-c) of the at least one support surface (14a-c) and is provided for receiving at least one device (20a-c).