Rescue Stretcher Securement Straps and Padded Mat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lightweight rescue stretchers inadequately restrain patients, particularly against sliding on sloped terrains and lack sufficient support and padding, which can exacerbate injuries during transport, especially in challenging environments like forests or battlefields.
Innovation Solution
A rescue stretcher with an elongated, flexible base panel featuring securement straps that extend transversely, shoulder and leg straps with lift buckles for air-lift rescues, and a padded support mat to prevent sliding and provide protection from debris, designed to securely immobilize patients and facilitate evacuation in various terrains and confined spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transverse straps are used to restrain the injured person, then the person is prevented from rolling off the sides of the stretcher, but the compressive force from tightened straps may complicate or exacerbate existing injuries
Solution Approach 1:
A padded support mat is introduced as an intermediary layer between the injured person and the stretcher base panel. The mat distributes the compressive force from the straps across a larger area, reducing pressure points and preventing injury exacerbation while maintaining effective restraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The padded support mat provides beforehand cushioning by being placed on the base panel before the injured person is positioned on the stretcher. This pre-positioned cushioning layer protects the person from direct contact with the rigid base panel during strap tightening and transport.
2Ease of operation
If lightweight stretchers are used for easy deployment, then the stretcher is easily deployable and transportable, but the stretcher lacks sufficient support and padding to prevent further injury during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The stretcher employs a composite structure combining a lightweight base panel with a padded support mat layer. This composite design maintains the overall lightweight characteristic for easy deployment while adding protective cushioning to prevent injury during transport through rough terrain.
3Device complexity
If the stretcher is designed for basic transport, then the stretcher is simple and lightweight, but the stretcher is not sufficiently sturdy or equipped to support air lift evacuations while firmly restraining the victim
Solution Approach 1:
The stretcher is segmented into functional components: a lightweight base panel for simplicity, a padded support mat for protection, and integrated attachment points (such as D-rings or hooks) for air lift operations. This segmentation allows the stretcher to maintain basic simplicity while adding specific capabilities for air lift evacuations.
4Device complexity
If no padding is provided on the stretcher, then the stretcher remains lightweight and simple, but debris may cause discomfort and possibly further injury as the injured person is dragged through the debris
Solution Approach 1:
The padded support mat is positioned on the base panel before the injured person is placed on the stretcher, providing beforehand cushioning protection. This padding layer shields the person from debris during dragging operations through rough terrain, preventing discomfort and further injury while adding minimal complexity to the stretcher design.
Data Source
AI summary
A stretcher including a flexible base panel sized to support a person lying thereon during a rescue or extrication operation. The base panel includes a header end and an opposite footer end, and further includes a support mat resting on the base panel between the header and footer ends. The stretcher further includes a stability strap coupled to the base panel and fixedly attached to the rear surface of the support mat, the stability strap operable to retain the support mat in position against the flexible panel during use. The rescue stretcher may further include a pair of shoulder straps and leg straps fixedly coupled to the support mat for securing the person to the base panel. A securement strap may be coupled to the base panel and extend across the flexible base panel to help prevent the injured person from rolling off the sides of the stretcher.