Hospital Bed Siderail Control Unit With Recessed Pivot Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patient support apparatuses, such as hospital beds, often have siderails that are difficult for patients to control due to their location and hardness, leading to accidental activation of caregiver controls and discomfort for patients and caregivers.
Innovation Solution
A patient control unit that can be moved between a recessed position and a raised position, with user inputs accessible in both configurations, and a flexible siderail panel to cushion patient contact, along with a caregiver control unit with recessed grooves to prevent inadvertent activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If caregiver controls are located on the outside portion of the siderail, then caregivers can easily access the controls, but patients may inadvertently contact and activate the controls
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is segmented into a base portion that remains in the recess and an upper portion that can be moved, allowing the controls to be positioned away from patient reach while maintaining caregiver accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is nested within a recess in the siderail structure, with the base portion received in the recess and the upper portion extending outward, creating a layered configuration that protects controls from inadvertent activation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If patient control unit is placed in a recess, then accidental activation is reduced, but patient access to controls becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing it to be moved between a retracted position (reducing accidental activation) and an extended position (improving patient access), with the upper portion pivotable relative to the base portion
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit can be pre-positioned in the recess during setup, and then moved to the optimal position for patient access when needed, allowing flexible adaptation to different patient requirements
3Strength
If siderail is constructed of hard plastic moldings, then structural strength is maintained, but patient comfort during contact is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The siderail structure has different local qualities: the main structure remains hard plastic for strength, while the recess area incorporates cushioning material to provide local softness for patient comfort during contact
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
Improves patient access to controls and reduces accidental activation, while providing a safer and more comfortable interface for patients and caregivers by allowing the control unit to be easily moved and the siderail to flex and cushion impacts.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible siderail panel to cushion patient contact
Data Source
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AI summary
An occupant support apparatus 10 includes a frame 12 and an occupant support deck 14 above which an occupant is supportable. A siderail 22 has a raised position in which at least a portion of the siderail is higher in elevation than the patient support deck. The siderail includes a recess 42. The occupant support also includes a control unit 44 having user inputs configured to be engaged by a user. The control unit is movable relative to the siderail between a first position in which at least a majority of the patient control unit is received in the recess and a second position in which at least a majority of the control unit resides outside the recess and extends past a perimeter of the siderail. In one embodiment the control unit also has an upper portion 50, which is pivotable about a generally vertical axis