Patient Support Side Ramp Pivot Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient support apparatuses require emergency responders to lift patients from the floor to a litter, which is strenuous and increases the risk of injury.
Innovation Solution
A patient support apparatus with a base and litter that includes a side ramp mechanism allowing patients to be moved from the floor to the litter without lifting, utilizing a base lift mechanism and litter lift mechanism for vertical adjustment, and side ramps that pivot to facilitate horizontal movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional patient support apparatus uses a rigid litter at a fixed height, then the structure is simple and stable, but emergency responders must lift the patient from the floor to the litter, which is strenuous and increases injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The litter is made dynamically adjustable in height through a base lift mechanism that can raise and lower the litter between a first height (when coupled to the base) and a second height (when separated from the base). This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for lifting patients while maintaining structural simplicity through controlled mechanical movement.
Solution Approach 2:
A side ramp is introduced as an intermediary element to facilitate patient transfer. The side ramp is coupled to the litter and can be positioned to contact the floor, creating a gradual incline that allows patients to be moved onto the litter without direct lifting by emergency responders.
2Ease of operation
If the litter is lowered toward the ground to reduce vertical distance, then patient transfer becomes easier, but the vertical distance reduction is insufficient when the litter is separated from the base
Solution Approach 1:
The base lift mechanism provides dynamic vertical adjustment of the litter, enabling it to reach a second height that is lower than the first height when separated from the base. This ensures the litter can be positioned optimally for patient transfer regardless of its coupling state with the base.
Solution Approach 2:
The side ramp acts as a mechanical intermediary that bridges the vertical gap between the floor and the litter. By contacting the floor and providing an inclined surface, it effectively reduces the functional vertical distance for patient transfer even when the litter is at its lowest position while separated from the base.
3Productivity
If emergency responders lift the patient onto the litter, then patient transfer is effective, but the physical strain on responders increases and injury risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The side ramp creates a gradual incline that transitions the patient from floor level to litter level, effectively creating an equipotential pathway that eliminates the need for vertical lifting. This reduces the force required by emergency responders while maintaining transfer effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The side ramp serves as a mediator between the floor and the litter, distributing the transfer effort over a longer distance and reducing peak forces on emergency responders. This intermediary structure transforms a high-risk lifting operation into a lower-risk sliding or rolling motion.
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
Reduces the strain on emergency responders by enabling patient movement without lifting, enhancing safety and efficiency in transferring patients to the litter.
Implementation Method 1
the side ramp is pivotable relative to the litter between a first position and a second position
Implementation Method 2
a base lift mechanism configured to move the litter relative to a floor surface between a first height and a second height when the litter is coupled to the base
Implementation Method 3
a litter lift mechanism configured to move the patient support deck between the first height and the second height when the litter is separated from the base
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus supports a patient and comprises a litter. The litter comprises a patient support deck and extends longitudinally between first and second ends. A base is configured to support the litter and comprises a base lift mechanism configured to move the litter between lifted and lowered base positions. A side ramp is coupled to the patient support deck along the litter between the first and second ends and extends laterally away from the patient support deck to an engagement end. The side ramp is pivotable relative to the litter between first and second positions. In the first position, the side ramp is planar with or angled upwardly to extend above the patient support deck. In the second position, the side ramp is angled downwardly to extend below the patient support deck for contacting the floor surface with the engagement end when in the lowered base position.