Pneumatic Bed Section Elevation for At-Home Patient Care
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for at-home patient care are costly and complex, lacking the ability to easily elevate bed sections and provide contactless monitoring of vital signs without disturbing patients, making extended hospitalization and home care challenging.
Innovation Solution
A bed assembly with inflatable air bladders and a patient-care system that allows for the elevation of mattress sections and integrated point-of-care monitoring, using pneumatic actuators and valves to adjust the bed positions and a control panel for manual or automatic operation, enabling caregivers to monitor patients without disturbing them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional consumer beds are used for at-home patient care, then the setup is simple and cost-effective, but the ability to elevate bed sections and provide monitoring capabilities is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple hospital bed functions (elevation capability, monitoring systems, positioning adjustments) into a single integrated bed assembly that can be used at home. The head section and foot section are merged with elevation mechanisms and monitoring integrations, allowing traditional beds to gain advanced functionality without requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The bed assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: supporting the patient, elevating specific sections (head, foot, knees), monitoring vital signs, and providing adjustable positioning. This multi-functional design allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate medical equipment pieces in a home care setting.
2Reliability
If hospital-grade monitoring and elevation systems are implemented, then patient care capability is improved, but the cost and complexity of equipping the home increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bed is divided into distinct functional sections (head section, foot section, knee section) that can be independently elevated and monitored. Each section has its own control mechanisms and sensors, allowing the system to provide hospital-grade care through modular, manageable components rather than a monolithic complex system.
3Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of bed sections is used, then the system is simpler, but the ease of operation and patient comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment mechanisms with automated pneumatic or electric elevation systems. The head, foot, and knee sections can be adjusted automatically through control panels or remote devices, eliminating the need for manual cranking or physical manipulation of mechanical levers, thereby improving ease of operation.
4Ease of operation
If contactless monitoring is implemented, then patient disturbance is reduced, but the measurement capability requires advanced technology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses sensors and monitoring devices positioned within or near the bed structure to detect vital signs without requiring direct contact with the patient. These intermediary detection elements (such as pressure sensors, optical sensors, or wireless monitoring devices) capture physiological data while maintaining patient comfort and minimizing disturbance.
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 assembly enhances at-home care by providing adjustable bed positions and contactless monitoring, reducing the complexity and cost of patient care, allowing for more effective and comfortable treatment in home settings.
Implementation Method 1
The elevation system includes at least one pneumatic bladder positioned between the top plate and the base plate and at least one valve coupled to the at least one pneumatic bladder
Implementation Method 2
The bladder has a sheet that defines an internal space and the elevation system further includes a foam insert positioned within the internal space of the bladder and the foam insert is configured to apply an outward force on the sheet to expand the bladder to the inflated state
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure is related to a bed assembly. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a bed assembly that is compatible with a traditional consumer bed and can enhance the traditional consumer bed so it provides features of a traditional hospital bed.