Patient Support Equipment Shelf With Retractable Connector Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for securing medical equipment on patient transportation systems are inadequate, failing to provide quick release, secure attachment, ease of access, and support for multiple devices, especially in critical care scenarios, while hindering patient transfer.
Innovation Solution
A support assembly with a movable support unit and connector units that can be easily attached to patient supports, allowing the support unit to transition between retracted and extended positions, featuring a locking mechanism for stability and a handle for ease of movement, and accommodating various medical devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If medical equipment is secured using straps or seat belts near the patient, then the equipment can be attached to the patient support, but the equipment becomes inaccessible and patient transfer is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly is divided into separate components: a support unit with shelf and legs, connector units with inter-engageable elements, and attachment portions. This segmentation allows the equipment to be securely mounted on the support unit while maintaining accessibility, and enables the support unit to be detached and repositioned without moving the equipment itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The support unit is designed to be movable between different positions relative to the patient support. The inter-engageable elements allow the support unit to be easily attached and detached, enabling dynamic repositioning to facilitate patient transfer while maintaining equipment security during transport.
2Reliability
If multiple medical devices are transported together, then comprehensive patient care is maintained, but the cumulative weight and complexity of securing the equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support unit with its shelf and connector units is designed as a universal mounting system that can accommodate multiple different types of medical devices simultaneously. The standardized inter-engageable elements and connector design allow various devices to be mounted on the same support structure, simplifying the mounting system while enabling comprehensive patient care through multiple devices.
3Ease of operation
If the support unit is kept in a retracted position, then patient access is improved, but the equipment is not securely supported during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The support unit is designed to be movable between retracted and extended positions relative to the patient support. During patient care activities, the support unit can be retracted to improve patient access. During transportation, the support unit is extended and secured using the inter-engageable elements to ensure stable equipment support. This dynamic positioning capability resolves the contradiction between patient access and equipment stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A support assembly attachable to a patient support is disclosed. The support assembly includes a support unit configured to support one or more devices, and two connector units removably attachable to the patient support. The support unit includes a shelf for supporting one or more devices, two support legs extending downwardly from the support shelf and spaced apart from each other, and two support feet. The two connector units each include a patient support attachment portion removably attachable to the patient support, and a support unit attachment portion removably attachable to the respective support unit. The support unit attachment portion and the respective support foot include inter-engageable elements which can be moved relative to one another to move the support unit between an extended position and a retracted position when the two connector units are attached to the support unit. A patient support assembly is also disclosed.