Patient-Turning Assemblies with Nested Cushions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient-turning assemblies lack the combination of features and steps necessary for efficient and comfortable patient turning, leading to inadequate support and potential complications such as poor blood circulation and tissue sores.
Innovation Solution
The proposed patient-turning assemblies include a flexible sling with a sleeve and cushions, where the patient is laid on the sling, the sleeve is positioned over them, and straps are used to turn the patient onto the cushions, providing support and relief from compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple sling is used for patient turning, then the device complexity is reduced, but the patient support and comfort deteriorate leading to poor blood circulation and tissue sores
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing cushions inside sleeves that are coupled to the sling. The sleeves act as containers that hold the cushions in predetermined positions, creating a nested structure where the cushion is inserted through an opening in the sleeve and retained within it. This nested configuration provides enhanced patient support and pressure distribution without requiring a completely complex device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the patient support system into segmented components: the sling body, multiple sleeves positioned at different locations, and individual cushions for different body parts. This segmentation allows each component to serve a specific function - the sling provides overall support, sleeves provide localized cushioning, and cushions distribute pressure on sensitive areas. The segmented approach improves patient comfort and circulation while maintaining manageable device complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple components (sleeves, cushions, straps) are added to improve patient turning, then the patient support quality improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into an integrated assembly where the sling, sleeves, cushions, and straps work together as a coordinated system. The sleeves are coupled to the sling, cushions are inserted into the sleeves, and straps are used to secure the assembly. This merging of components creates a unified patient support and turning system that provides comprehensive care while managing overall device complexity through functional integration.
3Ease of operation
If traditional patient turning methods are used, then the ease of operation is maintained, but harmful effects occur such as tissue sores and poor blood circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-positioning cushions inside the sleeves at locations corresponding to sensitive body areas before the patient is placed on the sling. The cushions are inserted through openings in the sleeves and positioned to protect bony prominences and sensitive tissues. This prior cushioning prevents tissue damage and improves blood circulation during patient turning operations while maintaining ease of use through the integrated assembly design.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are patient-turning assemblies including a patient-turning assembly for turning a patient, which patient-turning assembly may include: a sling having: a first sling portion having a handle; and a second sling portion extending from the first sling portion; a sleeve fixedly coupled to the second sling portion; a channel disposed between the sleeve and the second sling portion; and a cushion capable of either ingress into or egress from the channel, or both.