Siderail Control Layout and Fowler Handle Assist in Patient Beds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient handling devices lack efficient and user-friendly controls for pivoting and lifting mechanisms, leading to increased operational effort and accessibility issues for patients in different orientations.
Innovation Solution
The patient handling device incorporates electric actuators, biasing members, and innovative control systems, including staggered control panels and independent handle mechanisms, allowing for manual and electrical pivoting of the deck sections, and hydraulic lifts activated by a pedal, to facilitate easier patient positioning and reduce operational force requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control panels are positioned close to the head end for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but accessibility deteriorates when the patient is in a sitting position
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into multiple control panels positioned at different locations along the siderails. This segmentation allows controls to be accessible from multiple positions, resolving the contradiction between easy access when lying down and accessibility when sitting up.
Solution Approach 2:
Controls are distributed along the longitudinal dimension of the device rather than concentrated at one location. This spatial distribution across different positions along the siderails enables access regardless of patient orientation.
2Ease of operation
If electric actuators are used for pivoting, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates when power is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service through manual overrides that allow operation without external power or electrical assistance. The mechanical override mechanism enables the user to manually pivot the head section when electrical actuators are unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator system can change its operational mode between electrical and mechanical parameters. The clutch mechanism allows switching between powered electrical actuation and manual mechanical operation, ensuring reliability across different power conditions.
3Device complexity
If manual handles require high force for operation, then simplicity of mechanism is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A cable mechanism acts as an intermediary between the manual handles and the pivoting mechanism. This cable system transmits force efficiently from the handles to the pivot axis, reducing the force required while maintaining mechanical simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a hydraulic or pneumatic assist mechanism that works with the manual handles. This fluid-based assistance reduces the force required to operate the pivoting function while keeping the overall mechanism relatively simple.
4Device complexity
If the pedal activates the lift at the fully lowered position, then mechanical simplicity is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to delayed deck raising
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal is designed to activate the lift mechanism before the deck reaches its fully lowered position. This preliminary action allows the deck to begin raising earlier, increasing productivity while the mechanical linkage maintains relative simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal mechanism incorporates a feedback system that detects the deck's position and activates the lift at the appropriate moment. This feedback control optimizes the timing of deck raising without significantly complicating the overall mechanism.
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 solution enhances user accessibility and reduces the operational force needed to adjust the device, providing efficient and safe patient handling by allowing easy switching between manual and electrical modes, and ensuring smooth deck movement, even in the absence of electrical power.
Implementation Method 1
an electric actuator positioned to pivot the upper section about the horizontal pivot axis
Implementation Method 2
a biasing member positioned to urge the upper section toward the raised position and, when the electric actuator is in the second state, the biasing member prevents the upper section from free-falling toward the horizontal position
Implementation Method 3
A variety of different controls, such as buttons, handles, cranks, pedals, and other devices may be used to control and operate the various movements of the components of the patient handling device
Data Source
AI summary
A patient handling device, such as a bed, stretcher, cot, or the like, includes a deck on which a patient may lie and which is surrounded by siderails. Control panels may be mounted on the siderails in a staggered fashion to improve the ease of accessing the control panels. A handle assembly may be included near the top of the Fowler section of the deck which allows a pair of handles to be squeezed independently for manual pivoting of the Fowler section. Squeezing one handle does not increase the force required to subsequently squeeze the other handle. The pivoting of the Fowler section may also be carried out automatically through an electrical actuator. The raising of the deck may be carried out through an electrical pump that pumps hydraulic fluid, and which may be activated near the top end of the stroke of a reciprocating pedal.