Reconfigurable Proning Bed for ARDS Patient Support

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional patient beds fail to provide sufficient support, comfort, and configurability for patients in the prone position, particularly for those with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), leading to discomfort and long-term issues like numbness and muscle fatigue due to inadequate adjustment of head, arm, and leg positions.

Innovation Solution

A reconfigurable proning bed equipped with sensors and actuators that automatically adjust the position of the head, arms, legs, and torso to accommodate individual patient needs, including an entertainment system and side rail position system, allowing for personalized comfort and support during extended prone positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional patient beds are used for prone positioning, then the bed structure is simple and cost-effective, but the patient experiences insufficient support, discomfort, numbness, and muscle fatigue due to lack of configurability

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconfigurabilityVSAvoidbed structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bed is divided into multiple independently controllable sections including head position system with adjustable pillows, arms position system with upper and lower sections, legs position system with right and left sections, and body position system with upper and lower sections. Each section can be adjusted separately to provide customized support while maintaining overall system manageability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bed incorporates actuators that enable dynamic adjustment of each section's position and orientation in real-time based on patient needs. The system transitions from a static conventional bed to a dynamic reconfigurable platform that can adapt during patient treatment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If manual adjustment of bed components is used, then the device complexity is low, but the patient comfort and support are insufficient due to lack of real-time customization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient comfortVSAvoidcontrol system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Sensors are integrated into each bed section to automatically detect patient position and preferences, enabling the system to self-adjust without requiring constant manual intervention. The bed sections autonomously reconfigure based on detected patient needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that provide continuous feedback about patient position and comfort levels, which the control system uses to make real-time adjustments. This closed-loop control ensures optimal patient comfort while managing system complexity through automated decision-making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Duration of action of stationary object

If extended prone positioning is required for ARDS treatment, then the treatment effectiveness improves, but patient discomfort and muscle fatigue increase due to inadequate bed support

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprone positioning durationVSAvoidnumbness and muscle fatigue

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bed sections are pre-configured with multiple adjustable positions and support configurations that can be set before patient placement. The system prepares optimal support configurations in advance to prevent discomfort during extended prone positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously adjusts physical parameters such as section angles, elevation levels, and support pressures to optimize patient comfort during prolonged treatment. These parameter changes prevent stagnation-related discomfort while maintaining therapeutic prone positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11273087B1Autonomus and user-input reconfigurable proning bed and method for reconfiguring proning bed in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 ALFAISAL UNIVERSITY

AI summary

There is provided a reconfigurable autonomous and user-input proning bed. The proning bed includes controllers and at least one of: a head position system (HPS) to detect a position of the head of the patient configurable and reconfigurable to be automatically positioned; an arms position system (APS) to detect the presence of the arms of the patient and change a level and inclination of APS upper sections and APS lower sections; a legs position system (LPS) to detect the presence of the legs of the patient and change a level and inclination of LPS upper sections and LPS lower sections; and a body position system (BPS) to detect the presence of the torso of the patient and change a level and inclination of a BPS upper section and a BPS lower section. The proning bed can include an integrated entertainment position system and side rail position system.