Robotic Posture Transfer Assist Device for Bed-Bound Patients
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Care-givers face challenges in repositioning bed-bound patients, particularly elderly and overweight individuals, due to the extensive effort required, which increases the risk of conditions like decubitus ulcers or bedsores.
Innovation Solution
A robotic posture transfer assist device with a stabilizer, robotic arm, and end-effector, controlled by a controller module and user input device, that assists in repositioning patients by applying force and adjusting their posture with multiple degrees of freedom, including the use of a turning pillow for support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual repositioning is used, then no additional equipment is needed, but extensive effort and multiple care-givers are required
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device enables self-service repositioning where the patient can independently control the robotic arm through user input devices, eliminating the need for multiple care-givers and reducing the physical burden while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical repositioning with an automated robotic system that uses motors and actuators to perform the physical task, substituting human effort with mechanical automation while keeping the control interface simple
2Ease of operation
If robotic assistance is used, then physical burden on care-givers is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system is divided into modular components including a robotic arm, user input devices, and control mechanisms that can be independently managed and simplified, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining robotic assistance benefits
Solution Approach 2:
User input devices serve as intermediaries between the care-giver and the robotic arm, translating simple user commands into precise robotic movements, thereby reducing the complexity of direct control while maintaining ease of operation
3Productivity
If multiple care-givers manually move the patient, then no equipment is needed, but extensive effort is required
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device enables a single care-giver to perform repositioning tasks independently through automated control, eliminating the need for multiple care-givers and significantly improving repositioning efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical collaboration of multiple care-givers with an automated robotic system, substituting human labor with mechanical automation to improve productivity while reducing the quantity of personnel needed
4Adaptability or versatility
If robotic arm with multiple degrees of freedom is used, then precise posture adjustment is achieved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
User input devices act as intermediaries that simplify the control of the multi-degree-of-freedom robotic arm by translating intuitive user commands into precise coordinated movements, reducing control system complexity while maintaining high adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the robotic arm's position and adjust movements automatically, reducing the complexity of manual control while enhancing posture adjustment capability through adaptive control
Data Source
AI summary
Robotic posture transfer assist devices for assisting a posture transfer of a patient in a bed may include a device body, a stabilizer coupled with the device body and the bed, and at least one robotic arm having a plurality of degrees of freedom, wherein the robotic arm may be coupled with the device body. Robotic posture transfer assist devices may further include an end-effector removably coupled with the robotic arm, a controller module that provides a control signal to the robotic arm to control a movement of the robotic arm about the plurality of degrees of freedom, and a user input device that provides a command signal to the controller module to command the movement of the robotic arm, wherein the control signal provided by the controller module corresponds with the command signal.