Exercise Therapy Bed with Pressure-Triggered Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hospital beds do not effectively help patients regain muscle strength during recovery, especially for obese subjects, as they require manual lifting and lack integrated exercise devices, which can be dangerous and psychologically degrading.
Innovation Solution
A person support apparatus with rotatable head and foot sections, equipped with strain gauges and actuators, that adjusts positions based on pressure changes to facilitate muscle-strengthening exercises, allowing patients to perform exercises independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional hospital beds are used, then patients can rest comfortably, but they cannot effectively perform muscle-strengthening exercises and require manual lifting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hospital bed with exercise therapy devices into an integrated system. The head section actuator and foot section actuator are merged with the bed structure, allowing patients to perform sit-up and leg-curl exercises without external equipment. This integration eliminates the need for separate exercise devices while providing comprehensive rehabilitation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The strain gauge detects patient movement automatically and triggers the actuator to assist the patient through the exercise range of motion. The system serves itself by using the patient's own movement initiation to activate the assistance mechanism, reducing the need for manual intervention while ensuring safe and effective exercise execution.
2Extent of automation
If manual lifting is used to help patients stand, then patients can be positioned upright, but it is dangerous and psychologically degrading
Solution Approach 1:
The head section and foot section are designed to be rotatable relative to the seat section, allowing dynamic adjustment of patient position. The actuators enable controlled rotation to transition patients from lying to sitting positions, providing automated position adjustment that adapts to rehabilitation needs without requiring complex manual lifting procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate exercise devices are brought to the bed, then patients can perform exercises, but the devices require installation and setup and may not be properly fitted
Solution Approach 1:
The hospital bed is designed to perform multiple functions: patient support, sit-up exercises, leg-curl exercises, and position adjustment. The head section actuator and foot section actuator enable different exercise modes within a single device, eliminating the need for multiple separate exercise devices and their associated installation and setup requirements.
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
Enables patients to perform exercises safely and independently, improving muscle strength and preparing them for upright standing without the need for manual lifting, enhancing rehabilitation efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
At least one strain gauge is provided proximate the patient facing surface of the support surface to detect a change in pressure against at least one of the head section and the foot section
Data Source
AI summary
A person support apparatus includes a support surface having a patient facing surface and includes a head section, a seat section, and a foot section, the head section and the foot section being rotatable with respect to the seat section. One or more actuators are provided to rotate the head section and the foot section with respect to the seat section. At least one strain gauge is provided proximate the patient facing surface of the support surface to detect a change in pressure against at least one of the head section and the foot section. A controller is configured to transmit a signal to one or more of the actuators to rotate a corresponding one of the head section or the foot section in response to receiving data from the at least one strain gauge indicating a change in pressure that exceeds a predetermined reduction in pressure.