Pivoting Hospital Bed Sections for Patient Repositioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elderly and disabled individuals who spend extended periods in bed face challenges such as bedsores due to inadequate turning mechanisms, risk of falling, and lack of independence in adjusting their position, with existing solutions being inefficient or causing injuries.

Innovation Solution

A bed system with pivotally movable sections attached to an existing hospital bed using linear actuators, allowing independent control of the angle between sections for improved patient positioning and support, reducing the risk of bedsores and enhancing mobility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual turning method is used, then bedsores can be avoided, but large strains are placed on the back of caregivers and it is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebedsore preventionVSAvoidcaregiver strain

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing the patient to initiate and control their own repositioning through the control unit. The patient can independently adjust the bed sections without requiring physical assistance from caregivers, thereby eliminating caregiver strain while maintaining effective bedsore prevention through regular repositioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical turning process is replaced by an automated mechanical system consisting of actuators, a control unit, and a communication unit. The control unit receives signals from the patient and automatically activates the actuators to reposition the bed sections, substituting the manual mechanical effort with an automated electromechanical system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If barriers are placed on the sides of the bed, then the risk of falling out of bed is reduced, but the barriers may cause injury to the person by striking them

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefall preventionVSAvoidinjury risk from barriers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bed sections are designed to be dynamically movable rather than static barriers. The first and second sections can be independently repositioned using actuators, allowing the bed to adapt to the patient's needs without requiring fixed barriers that could cause injury. This dynamic adjustment maintains fall prevention while eliminating the harmful static barriers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a pillow is placed below the knees to maintain leg position, then comfort is improved, but the pillow becomes compact and support reduces over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleg position comfortVSAvoidsupport stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The passive mechanical support of a pillow is replaced with an active electromechanical system. The actuator-controlled bed sections provide dynamic support that can be adjusted and maintained without compacting, replacing the degradable pillow support with a reliable automated mechanical system that maintains proper leg positioning and comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the bed system uses multiple actuators for independent section control, then patient positioning flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidactuator control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bed is segmented into multiple independently controllable sections (first section and second section), each with its own actuator. This segmentation allows flexible positioning of different body parts independently, achieving high adaptability while managing complexity through modular design where each segment can be controlled separately by the control unit based on patient needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The bed system effectively reduces the risk of bedsores by enabling efficient patient repositioning without straining caregivers, providing stable support and maintaining circulation, while allowing greater independence and safety for users.

Implementation Method 1

a first and a second actuator, preferably linear actuators, connected to said first and second sections thereby enabling movement of the sections

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLinear actuator: Linear Motor

Implementation Method 2

said first and second sections being pivotally movable around an axis parallel with the length of the bed system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPivotal movement: Hinge

Data Source

PatentUS11446190B2Bed system for attachment to a hospital bed for turning a patient

Publication Date: 2022.09.20 CARETURNER A S

AI summary

There is provided a bed system for turning a patient, which system is simple to install on existing beds and which does not require any modification of the existing bed. The bed system has a base frame with attachment means for attachment of the bed system to an existing frame of a hospital bed. First and second sections with bed elements ensure proper support for the patient, and these sections are pivotally movable around an axis parallel with the length of the patient.