Rotatable Tubular Slide Sheet for Multi-Directional Patient Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient transfer methods require multiple sizes and orientations of slide sheets for different movements, leading to stock management issues and increased training needs for healthcare workers, which can result in misuse and injuries.
Innovation Solution
A patient transfer apparatus with an elongate open-ended tube formed from flexible sheet material and extending flap portions allows for multiple directional movements, reducing the need for multiple sheets and simplifying alignment, enabling a single apparatus to perform lateral, longitudinal, and rotational transfers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sizes and orientations of slide sheets are used for different patient movements, then the ability to perform various transfers (lateral, longitudinal, rotational) is improved, but the device complexity and stock management requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The slide sheet is designed with a tubular configuration that can be rotated to different orientations, allowing a single sheet to perform lateral transfers, longitudinal transfers, and rotational transfers. The tube structure enables the sheet to be positioned in multiple orientations around the patient, eliminating the need for separate sheets for different transfer types.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide sheet incorporates a rotatable tubular structure that can be dynamically repositioned between different orientations. The tube can rotate 360 degrees around the patient, allowing the same sheet to adapt to different transfer requirements by changing its orientation rather than requiring multiple static sheets of different sizes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sizes of slide sheets are stocked for different patient sizes and movements, then the suitability for various patients is improved, but the loss of time for stock handling and tracking increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single tubular slide sheet design can accommodate different patient sizes and transfer types through rotation and repositioning, eliminating the need to stock multiple sizes. This universal design reduces inventory complexity and the time required to locate and manage appropriate slide sheets for different patients.
3Reliability
If healthcare workers are trained to use multiple orientations of slide sheets for different movements, then the safety and proper usage are improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to increased training requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable tubular design provides a consistent, universal method for all transfer types. Healthcare workers learn one standardized technique for positioning and rotating the tube rather than memorizing multiple orientations for different sheet sizes, reducing training complexity while maintaining safety through proper rotational positioning.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus allows for efficient and safe transfer of patients in multiple directions with reduced risk of misuse, minimizing the need for multiple sheet sizes and orientations, thereby reducing stock handling complexity and training requirements while enhancing safety.
Implementation Method 1
internal surfaces engaging each other and able to slide over one another
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a patient transfer apparatus for assisting in the movement of a patient on a supporting surface.