Rescue Stretcher Strap Layout to Prevent Patient Sliding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rescue stretchers with transverse straps primarily rely on compressive forces, which can exacerbate injuries and fail to prevent sliding movements along the top and bottom ends, especially in air-lift and sloped terrain scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A rescue stretcher design featuring an elongated, flexible base panel with eyelets and securement straps that extend transversely, longitudinally, and diagonally to cradle the patient, minimizing compressive forces and preventing movement along all sides, using a combination of straps and buckles for adjustable securement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transverse straps are tightly cinched to restrain the person on the stretcher, then the person is prevented from rolling off the sides, but compressive forces are exerted on the injured person which may complicate or exacerbate existing injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system is segmented into multiple strap orientations (transverse, longitudinal, and diagonal) rather than relying solely on transverse straps. This segmentation allows different strap groups to handle different directional forces, reducing the need for excessive tightening of any single strap group and thereby minimizing compressive forces on the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces longitudinal and diagonal strap orientations in addition to the conventional transverse straps. This dimensional expansion of the restraint system enables multi-directional force distribution, allowing the straps to work together in a three-dimensional configuration that reduces compressive loading on the patient while maintaining restraint effectiveness.
2Reliability
If multiple strap orientations are added to prevent sliding and reduce compressive forces, then patient safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The strap system is designed with multi-functionality where the same basic strap component can serve multiple restraint functions depending on its orientation and attachment points. The straps are configured to simultaneously address lateral restraint, longitudinal sliding prevention, and compressive force reduction, allowing a unified strap system to perform multiple safety functions without requiring entirely separate restraint mechanisms.
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 head-supporting region and a body-supporting region. The head-supporting region is sized to support the head and shoulders of the person and the body-supporting region is sized to support a human torso. The stretcher further includes a securement strap extending from the head-supporting region along one side of the base panel and crossing over to the body-supporting region at the other side of the base panel. The securement strap extends diagonally across the shoulder and torso of the person to arrest the shoulder and limit sliding movement of the person toward the header end of the panel.