U-Shaped Patient Turning Sling for Bedside Repositioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Caregivers face injuries and muscle strain due to the repetitive and prolonged lifting and pulling required to turn immobile patients onto their side for patient care tasks, often necessitating a second person for assistance.
Innovation Solution
A U-shaped sling apparatus with side straps and handles is placed under the patient's neck and knees, secured to the bed, allowing caregivers to turn patients without placing anything under the torso, thereby distributing the patient's weight and reducing the force needed for turning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If caregivers use traditional methods (draw sheet or hands) to turn patients, then the patient can be turned onto their side, but the caregiver experiences muscle strain and injuries from repetitive lifting and pulling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a turning apparatus as an intermediary device between the caregiver and the patient. This apparatus includes a sling that cradles the patient's torso and extensions that attach to the bed frame, allowing the caregiver to turn the patient by pulling the extensions rather than directly lifting or pulling the patient's body. This mediator transfers the mechanical force from the caregiver to the patient in a controlled manner, reducing strain on the caregiver.
Solution Approach 2:
The turning apparatus is segmented into distinct functional components: a sling portion that contacts and supports the patient's torso, extension portions that attach to the bed frame, and connection elements that join these components. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally - the sling provides patient support, the extensions provide anchor points, and the connections transmit force efficiently.
2Productivity
If caregivers turn patients without assistance, then patient care tasks can be completed, but caregivers experience poor body mechanics and repetitive strain
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus serves as a mechanical intermediary that enables a single caregiver to perform patient turning without compromising body mechanics. The extensions attach to the bed frame and provide leverage points, allowing the caregiver to use their body weight and pulling motion rather than lifting motion, thus maintaining better body mechanics while completing patient care tasks efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the turning operation from a vertical lifting motion (which strains the caregiver's back and muscles) to a horizontal pulling motion along the bed frame. By extending the apparatus along the length of the bed and attaching to the frame, the caregiver pulls in a different dimensional direction that is mechanically more advantageous and reduces strain.
3Ease of operation
If traditional turning methods are used, then the patient can be repositioned, but a second person is required to hold the patient in place during care tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus acts as a mechanical intermediary that replaces the need for a second caregiver. The extensions attach to the bed frame and the sling secures the patient, creating a system that automatically holds the patient in the repositioned state without requiring human intervention to maintain position. This allows a single caregiver to both turn and secure the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The turning apparatus is designed to be self-securing once the patient is repositioned. The sling cradles the patient's torso and the extensions attach to the bed frame, creating a self-supporting system that maintains patient position without requiring continuous manual intervention. The apparatus essentially serves itself by using the bed frame as an anchor point.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for turning a patient onto their side without having to place anything under the patient's torso in order to turn the patient are provided. This disclosure provides apparatus and methods for turning a patient with these apparatus without having to place anything under the patient's torso. Certain embodiments provide apparatus specifically designed to enable a caregiver to turn a patient without the assistance of a second person to hold them in place.