Pivoting Support Board for Patient Transfer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for assisting patients from a lying to a sitting position or vice versa put caregivers at risk of injury and cause physical and emotional discomfort to patients, as they require bending and lifting, which can lead to back pain and compromised spinal loading.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical support board that pivots and tilts to lift patients from a lying to a sitting position, with an upper section supporting the torso and a lower section supporting the legs, allowing caregivers to minimize strain and patient discomfort by distributing weight and using handles or torsion springs for leverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If caregivers manually lift patients from lying to sitting position, then patient mobility is improved, but caregiver injury risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient mobility assistanceVSAvoidcaregiver injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A mechanical transfer device acts as an intermediary between the patient and caregiver. The device includes a support surface that contacts the patient and a frame with handles that the caregiver controls, eliminating direct manual lifting while maintaining effective patient transfer capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical lifting system (caregiver's body and arms) with a mechanical device system consisting of a support surface, frame, and handles. This substitution reduces the physical burden on caregivers while achieving the same patient transfer function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If caregivers use proper lifting techniques, then caregiver safety is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecaregiver safetyVSAvoidpatient discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical transfer device serves as a mediator that provides stable, controlled support to the patient throughout the transfer process. The support surface and frame structure distribute forces evenly, preventing the awkward positioning and insecurity that occur during manual lifting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device segments the transfer function into distinct components: a support surface for patient contact, a frame for structural support, and handles for caregiver control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving both caregiver safety and patient comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If no assistance device is used, then device complexity is minimized, but caregiver strain increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassistance device structureVSAvoidcaregiver spinal load

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mechanical system that substitutes for the caregiver's body mechanics. The frame and handle configuration provides mechanical advantage, reducing the spinal load on caregivers by transferring the lifting force to the device structure rather than the caregiver's musculoskeletal system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed to be simple and intuitive, allowing caregivers to operate it with minimal training. The self-explanatory handle configuration and stable support surface enable caregivers to perform transfers independently without requiring complex operational procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 support board reduces the risk of injury to caregivers and minimizes physical and emotional stress for patients by distributing weight and using mechanical advantages to facilitate safe and comfortable transitions between lying and sitting positions.

Implementation Method 1

The support board is pivoted and tilted upwards in order to move the person from a lying position to an upright and sitting position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 2

The support board comprises a loadable torsion spring that is released to move the support board to the upright and sitting position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsion Spring: Torsion Spring

Data Source

PatentUS10813810B2Method of and apparatus for assisting persons from a lying position to a sitting position and a sitting position to a lying position

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 LEVER UP INC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for assisting persons from a lying position to a sitting position comprises a mechanical support support board for supporting a body of the person while lying in bed. An extension of the support board reaches away from the bed to accommodate the legs and thighs of the person. The support board is pivoted and tilted upwards in order to move the person from a lying position to an upright and sitting position. The support board assists caregivers with lifting a patient in and out of bed while minimizing both risk of injury to the caregiver and physical and emotional discomfort to the patient.