Prone Cart Adjustable Patient Surface and Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional prone carts are uncomfortable, lack user accessibility, and do not provide adequate storage, making it difficult for patients to maintain prolonged non-weight bearing and prone positions, leading to chronic pain and limited mobility.

Innovation Solution

A prone cart with an adjustable patient surface, removable push handle, large storage tray, foot protection, and safety belts, featuring smooth wheels and a foot brake, designed for comfort, safety, and convenience, allowing for increased mobility and independence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional prone carts are used, then basic mobility function is provided, but patient comfort deteriorates leading to chronic pain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient comfortVSAvoidchronic neck, shoulder and back pain

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patient surface is made adjustable in length (60-78 inches) to accommodate different patient sizes and positions, transforming the static conventional design into a dynamic, adaptable system that maintains patient comfort during prolonged use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patient surface includes extra depth specifically at certain areas to accommodate custom padding and therapy pads, providing localized comfort enhancement where patients need it most without adding unnecessary complexity elsewhere

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If conventional prone carts are used, then mobility function is provided, but user accessibility deteriorates making social interaction and daily activities difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility capabilityVSAvoiduser accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patient surface is divided into a tray-within-a-tray configuration with multiple adjustable sections, allowing patients to independently position different parts of the surface to facilitate social interaction and daily activities while maintaining mobility function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If conventional prone carts are used, then basic transport function is provided, but storage capability deteriorates lacking user accessible storage area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport functionVSAvoidstorage capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The storage tray is integrated into the patient surface structure as part of the tray-within-a-tray design, merging the transport function with storage capability so that personal items, pillows, and safety belts can be conveniently stored within the patient surface itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Stability of the object's composition

If conventional prone carts are used, then fixed height design is maintained, but adaptability deteriorates lacking user accessible adjustability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixed height structureVSAvoidadjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patient surface incorporates telescopic adjustment mechanisms allowing the length to be varied from 60 to 78 inches, transforming the fixed-height conventional design into an adjustable system that adapts to different patient needs while maintaining structural stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9402773B2Prone cart

Publication Date: 2016.08.02 GILLETTE CHILDRENS SPECIALTY HEALTHCARE

AI summary

A prone cart for transporting a patient in a hospital or clinic setting is provided. The prone cart includes a frame having a pair of extension slides coupled thereto and first and second sets of wheels. An upper portion includes first and second moveably adjustable trays operably coupled to said extension slides. The second tray includes a plurality of apertures in at least one side rail and the first tray includes at least one locking spring pin operably receivable by one of said plurality of apertures. The prone cart also includes a patient support surface.