Bed-Integrated Sheet Pulling for Safer Patient Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient repositioning systems in healthcare settings are inefficient and pose risks to caregivers due to manual handling or inadequate mechanical solutions, particularly when dealing with obese or uncooperative patients, and there is a lack of commercially viable products that effectively address the issue of safely moving patients towards the head end of a bed.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a mattress with a movable head end piece, a sheet with beaded edges retained by spaced retainers, and a sheet receiver housing with a drive mechanism that allows for easy access and cleaning, enabling the sheet to be pulled towards the head end without articulating the bed, thus reducing the need for manual lifting and minimizing infection control challenges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual pulling or lifting is used to reposition the patient, then the patient can be moved toward the head end, but the caregiver faces potential injury risk and the process becomes physically demanding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical pulling with an automated mechanical system consisting of a motorized winch, drum, and reel assembly. The motorized drum winds the sheet to pull the patient toward the head end, eliminating the need for caregivers to manually lift or pull heavy patients, thus reducing caregiver injury risk while maintaining repositioning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sheet as an intermediary element between the patient and the repositioning mechanism. The sheet is attached to the patient and wound around a drum, serving as the medium through which force is transmitted to move the patient. This intermediary approach allows controlled, gradual repositioning without direct manual contact with the patient's body
2Productivity
If complex lifting devices are used to move the patient, then patient repositioning capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single device: the sheet serves as both the patient support layer and the pulling medium; the drum serves as both the winding mechanism and the force transmission element; the footboard serves as both the bed component and the mounting structure for the repositioning system. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining repositioning efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the patient's own sheet and bedding as part of the repositioning mechanism. The sheet already present on the patient is utilized as the pulling medium, eliminating the need for separate ropes or straps. The footboard structure already present in the bed is used as the mounting point for the drum, reducing the need for additional complex mounting hardware
3Ease of operation
If the head end of the bed is raised to reposition the patient, then the patient naturally migrates toward the foot end, but this requires frequent bed articulation and increases infection control challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for bed articulation (raising/lowering the head end) with a horizontal pulling mechanism. The motorized drum winds the sheet to pull the patient horizontally toward the head end along the bed surface, eliminating the need to articulate the bed frame. This reduces the frequency of mechanical movements and minimizes exposure to potential contamination sources associated with bed adjustment
4Ease of repair
If traditional sheet attachment methods are used, then the sheet can be pulled, but accessing the housing and drive mechanism requires articulating the bed, complicating maintenance and cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the repositioning system into modular components: the drum assembly is mounted on the footboard as a separate unit, the motor is a distinct component that can be accessed independently, and the sheet attachment point is separate from the housing. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access and service individual components without requiring bed articulation, simplifying repair and cleaning procedures
Data Source
AI summary
A patient repositioning system for pulling a patient toward a head end of a bed includes a sheet, a mattress, and a housing which contains at least a part of a drive mechanism for operatively coupling to and pulling the sheet. The housing resides below a head end piece of the mattress, and is secured to the bed deck. The sheet pulling structure extends out of the housing via a slot and releasably attaches to the sheet, in a manner which has a low profile so as to pass through the slot. The sheet is longer than and wider than the mattress, and has beaded longitudinal side edges which are retained within rows of spaced retainers located on opposite sides of the mattress. During pulling of the sheet, the contoured shape of the housing facilitates movement of the sheet into the housing via the slot, even though the sheet width extends beyond the lateral edges of the mattress. The sheet may include indicia for indicating a “loaded” condition, and also usage indicia to indicate that it is time for a new sheet to be used.