Patient Support Tow Mechanism for Single-Caregiver Accessory Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient transport systems require two caregivers to manage a patient support apparatus and a wheeled accessory, making it inefficient to transport both simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A patient transport system with an accessory coupler that allows the patient support apparatus to tow the wheeled accessory, eliminating the need for a separate caregiver to move the accessory by constraining its movement relative to the patient support apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a wheeled accessory is used to support medical accessories during patient transport, then the medical accessories can be transported simultaneously with the patient support apparatus, but a second caregiver is required to move the wheeled accessory separately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wheeled accessory with the patient support apparatus by providing a coupling mechanism that attaches the accessory to the apparatus. This merging allows both the patient support apparatus and the wheeled accessory to be moved together as a single unit, eliminating the need for a second caregiver to transport the accessory separately while maintaining the functionality of both components
2Ease of operation
If two caregivers are assigned to transport the patient support apparatus and wheeled accessory separately, then each component can be moved independently, but the workload and time required for patient transport increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism merges the wheeled accessory with the patient support apparatus into a single transport unit. This allows one caregiver to move both components simultaneously, reducing the time required for patient transport while simplifying the operation by eliminating the need to coordinate two separate caregivers
3Adaptability or versatility
If the wheeled accessory is left uncoupled from the patient support apparatus, then the accessory can be positioned independently, but it cannot be towed along during patient transport
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism provides a dynamic connection between the wheeled accessory and the patient support apparatus. The accessory can be coupled to the apparatus when towing is needed, and decoupled when independent positioning is required. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to switch between different operational modes, maintaining both positioning flexibility and transport efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A patient transport system comprising a patient support apparatus and a wheeled accessory. The wheeled accessory comprises an accessory base and at least two legs radially extending outwardly from the accessory base. The legs are spaced apart from one another to define an accommodation space between two legs. The patient support apparatus comprises a patient support base, and wheels coupled to the patient support base. The patient support apparatus further comprises an accessory coupler capable of releasably securing the wheeled accessory to the patient support apparatus, the accessory coupler movable relative to the patient support base into first and second positions. The accessory base and the patient support apparatus are configured such that at least one of the wheels is at least partially nested within the accommodation space when the wheeled accessory is secured to the accessory coupler and the accessory coupler is in the first position.