Patient Lifting Sling with Draining Intermediate Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slings used for lifting elderly or infirm people are not practical for use in wet environments, such as baths or pools, as they tend to collect water, leading to slip hazards and skin irritation due to coarse materials.
Innovation Solution
A sling design featuring water-draining intermediate panels made of materials like mesh, comprising less than 50% of the surface area, combined with non-draining back and leg panels, and steering strips to facilitate safe movement without lifting, preventing skin irritation and water spillage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water draining material is used for the intermediate panels, then water drainage is improved, but skin irritation risk increases due to coarse material contact
Solution Approach 1:
The sling is designed with different material properties in different regions: the intermediate panels (areas not in contact with the person's body) use coarse water-draining material, while the back panel and leg panels (areas contacting the skin) use smooth, skin-friendly material. This local differentiation allows water drainage functionality where needed while minimizing skin irritation risk where contact occurs.
2Reliability
If more water draining material is used, then water drainage improves, but the proportion of coarse material increases causing more skin irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that water-draining material should comprise between 50-90% of the intermediate panels but less than 50% of the total sling surface area. This quantitative control ensures adequate drainage functionality in the intermediate panels while limiting the overall proportion of coarse material to minimize skin irritation risk.
3Ease of operation
If steering strips are made as loops, then they are easier to grasp, but carers may be tempted to use them for lifting causing injury
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the steering strips into closed loops that could be grasped for lifting, the patent uses open-ended strips that cannot support lifting loads. This inverted approach maintains the steering guidance function while eliminating the dangerous temptation for carers to use them for lifting, as the open ends prevent secure grasping under load.
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 design allows for effective water drainage while minimizing skin contact with coarse materials, reducing the risk of slip hazards and tissue viability, and prevents carers from using steering strips for lifting, ensuring safe handling and reduced risk of injury.
Implementation Method 1
the water draining material used for the intermediate panels, such as preferably a mesh material, will allow water to drain away when the person is being lifted from the bath or pool
Data Source
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AI summary
A sling for lifting a person comprises a back panel for supporting the back of a person, two leg panels each for supporting the leg of a person, two intermediate panels, each connected to the back panel and to a respective leg panel, and one or more fastening components connected to the panels, wherein the intermediate panels are comprised of water draining material and comprise less than 50% of the surface area of the sling. Preferably, the sling also comprises one or more steering strips connected to the back panel.