Patient Transfer Panel With Low-Friction Bridging for Stable Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transferring patients from a gurney to a radiation treatment couch are inefficient due to high friction, requiring brute force and complex systems, and often result in patient disturbance and positioning issues.
Innovation Solution
A patient transfer system comprising a patient support panel with side rail portions and modular base members with clamps and bridging members, allowing for smooth sliding between the gurney and treatment couch with minimal friction, using low-friction materials and adjustable alignment for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional transfer board with sheets/coverings is used, then the patient can be transferred from gurney to treatment couch, but high friction occurs between the sheets and surfaces requiring brute force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transfer board with a low-friction intermediate layer (such as polyethylene or Teflon) between the patient support surfaces and the gurney/treatment couch surfaces. This intermediary layer reduces the coefficient of friction, allowing the patient to be transferred with minimal force and without requiring brute force maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface property parameter by using materials with inherently low friction coefficients (such as polyethylene, Teflon, or other low-friction materials) for the transfer board surfaces. This material selection fundamentally alters the friction parameter from high (traditional sheets) to low, enabling easy sliding and transfer operations.
2Productivity
If a traditional transfer board is used, then patient transfer is possible, but much of the sheet remains exposed creating high friction during sliding
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer board is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides a low-friction sliding surface, supports the patient's weight, bridges the gap between gurney and treatment couch, and facilitates bidirectional transfer. This multi-functionality improves transfer efficiency by consolidating multiple requirements into a single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The low-friction material layer on the transfer board acts as an intermediary that eliminates the need for large exposed sheet areas. The intermediary surface itself provides the sliding interface, reducing friction resistance and improving transfer efficiency without requiring additional sheet material.
3Ease of operation
If roller systems are used for patient transfer, then transfer can be achieved, but the systems become complex and still leave much to be desired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of patient transfer from complex roller systems and implements it through a simple, lightweight transfer board with low-friction surfaces. By removing unnecessary mechanical complexity (rollers, motors, control systems) and retaining only the core sliding function, the system achieves ease of operation with minimal device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer board is designed as a simple, inexpensive, single-use or limited-use device that can be easily cleaned and reused. This approach trades the high cost and complexity of reusable roller systems for a simpler, more economical solution that maintains patient transfer capability while reducing device complexity.
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
Enables efficient and safe patient transfer with minimal personnel effort, maintaining patient stability and reproducibility, and can be used in various applications beyond radiation therapy.
Implementation Method 1
The patient support panel is formed of a low friction material such as polyethylene or Teflon®
Data Source
AI summary
A patient transfer system including a patient support panel, a first base member mounted on a first support structure, e.g., a gurney, and a second base member mounted on a second support structure, e.g., a patient treatment table. The patient support panel has a pair of longitudinally extending side rails. Each base member has at least one clamp arranged to engage a rail of the patient support panel to hold it in place thereon. The clamps are releasable to enable the patient support panel to be slid off of one base member and onto the other base member. If the support structures are spaced apart at least one bridging member is provided to bridge the gap therebetween and allow the patient support member to be slid thereacross.