Protective canopy for bed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal protective equipment for medical professionals does not effectively shield the airspace around patients in hospital beds from contagious aerosols generated by coughing or sneezing, requiring additional sanitization of hospital environments.
Innovation Solution
A foldable protective canopy is secured to hospital bed rails, comprising U-shaped frames and a flexible sheet that forms a canopy around the patient, allowing room air and medical equipment access while preventing aerosol contamination, with adjustable hinges for easy deployment and sanitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective canopy is implemented around the patient, then airspace protection is improved, but access for medical equipment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The canopy incorporates dynamic elements including a flexible barrier sheet that can be manipulated, and an adjustable arm member with multiple positions (extended, retracted, intermediate). This allows the canopy configuration to change based on operational needs, maintaining protection while enabling equipment access.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm member serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the barrier sheet, creates openings for equipment access when retracted, and can be positioned in intermediate states to balance protection and accessibility. The same structural element adapts to different operational requirements without requiring separate components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a rigid protective structure is used, then protection effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and sanitation difficulty deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The canopy uses a flexible barrier sheet instead of a rigid enclosure. This thin film material provides effective pathogen protection while being inherently simpler in construction than rigid structures, easier to clean and sanitize, and more adaptable to the contours of the hospital bed and patient position.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure is segmented into a simple frame (arm member with hinges) and a separate flexible barrier sheet. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently: the frame provides minimal necessary support, while the barrier sheet provides the protective function with minimal complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the canopy is fully enclosed, then protection is improved, but air flow and patient comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier sheet is selectively positioned to provide protection where needed while leaving openings in other areas. The arm member can be positioned to create controlled openings for air flow and equipment access, rather than forming a complete enclosure. This localized protection approach maintains patient comfort and air circulation while providing adequate pathogen barrier function.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a foldable protective canopy for attachment to a bed, the canopy comprising at least first, second and third generally U-shaped frames including respective ends joined at first and second hinges removably attachable to a bed, the canopy having a deployed position wherein the first and second U-shaped frames extend upwardly and the third U-shaped frame extends horizontally from the first and second hinges, a flexible sheet is secured to the first, second and third U-shaped frames, the sheet forming a top wall and side walls over the patient, the first U-shaped frame defining an opening into the canopy to permit room air to enter the canopy, the canopy including a folded position wherein the first and second U-shaped frames are rotatable about the first and second hinges toward the third U-shaped frame to expose the head of a patient.