Person support apparatus system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Emergency medical service (EMS) personnel face stress and strain when lifting individuals from a lying position onto a backboard and then transferring them to an emergency cot, as it is difficult to maintain a proper lifting position due to the flat surface of the backboard.
Innovation Solution
A person support apparatus system with a deck and primary lift that raises the deck off the ground, allowing an auxiliary lift to be positioned underneath for further height adjustment, reducing the need for EMS personnel to lift the person's full weight and facilitating easier transfer onto an emergency vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a backboard is used to transport a person, then the person can be moved from the ground to a cot, but the backboard must be lifted while lying flat on the ground which creates stress and strain on EMS personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting function is segmented into two parts: a primary lift mechanism attached to the backboard that raises it to an intermediate height, and a secondary lift mechanism on the cot that raises it to the final operating height. This segmentation allows EMS personnel to apply force in two separate stages rather than lifting the full weight in one difficult motion from the ground.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary lift mechanism acts as an intermediary device between the ground and the cot. It provides an intermediate lifting stage that transitions the backboard from a low ground position to a higher intermediate position, making the subsequent transfer to the cot easier and reducing the force required at any single moment.
2Ease of operation
If the backboard is kept flat on the ground for patient placement, then the patient can be easily positioned, but EMS personnel cannot maintain a proper lifting position
Solution Approach 1:
The primary lift mechanism is pre-attached to the backboard and activated before the patient is transferred to the cot. This preliminary lifting action raises the backboard to an intermediate height while the patient is still being positioned, creating a better lifting geometry for EMS personnel before the heavy lifting phase begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static flat-backboard-on-ground configuration to a dynamic two-stage lifting process. The backboard moves through two distinct height phases (ground to intermediate, then intermediate to final cot height), allowing EMS personnel to adjust their positions and apply force more effectively at each stage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single lift mechanism is used, then the device is simpler, but it cannot provide sufficient height adjustment for both patient positioning and vehicle loading
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting system is divided into two independent but coordinated mechanisms: the primary lift on the backboard and the secondary lift on the cot. Each mechanism handles a specific height range, providing the full adaptability needed for both patient positioning and vehicle loading without requiring one overly complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The two-stage lift system provides multi-functionality: the primary lift handles the initial raise from ground level for patient access and positioning, while the secondary lift handles the final raise to cot operating height and vehicle loading height. This universal system handles multiple operational requirements through a coordinated pair of mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A person support apparatus includes a deck with a seat section, a leg section, and a back section. The back section is pivotally mounted to the seat section. The leg section has a proximal end pivotally mounted to the seat section and a cantilevered end spaced a first distance from its proximal end. The seat section, the leg section, and the back section are arranged to lie in a common plane when the deck is in a supine configuration to support a person in a supine position. A lift is mounted to the seat section of the deck, with the lift being configured to raise the deck relative to a supporting floor surface to a maximum height less than the first distance.