Tilt Frame for Patient Intubation Head Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patient head support systems hinder quick access for intubation as they are cumbersome and difficult to tilt, requiring removal of support packs to position a patient's head for intubation procedures.
Innovation Solution
A therapeutic bed with a frame that can rotate between supine and prone positions, featuring a tilt frame pivotably coupled to the chassis, allowing for easy adjustment of the patient's head position using a latch mechanism and optional gas spring or guiderail for precise tilt adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If support packs are used to fully support the patient's body and head in prone position, then patient stability is improved, but access to patient for intubation procedures becomes difficult requiring removal of support packs
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into modular components: a head support assembly with a tilt frame that can be independently adjusted, and separate body support packs. This segmentation allows the head support to be modified for intubation access without removing body support packs, maintaining patient stability while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilt frame is designed with a pivotable connection to the chassis, allowing it to dynamically adjust between a first position (supporting head in prone position) and a second position (tilted back for intubation). This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need to remove support packs while providing quick access for intubation procedures.
2Ease of operation
If pillows are used to elevate shoulders for head tilting during intubation, then head positioning for intubation is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming requiring removal and repositioning of support packs
Solution Approach 1:
The tilt frame is pre-configured with a pivotable connection mechanism that allows rapid transition to the tilted back position. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for time-consuming removal and repositioning of support packs, enabling quick head positioning for emergency intubation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilt frame's dynamic pivotable connection enables rapid adjustment between support positions. The mechanism allows the head support to be quickly tilted back to the appropriate angle for intubation without manual removal of packs, significantly reducing the time required for intubation preparation.
3Ease of operation
If support packs are removed to access patient torso for positioning, then intubation access is gained, but patient support and safety are compromised during the process
Solution Approach 1:
The support system separates head support functions from body support functions into distinct modular components. The head support assembly with tilt frame can be independently adjusted for torso access while body support packs remain in place, maintaining patient support and safety while providing necessary access for positioning.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional support packs are used, then full body support is provided, but the system lacks adjustability for tilting head to appropriate position for intubation
Solution Approach 1:
The tilt frame incorporates a pivotable connection mechanism that provides dynamic adjustability for head tilting. This mechanical feature adds adaptability for intubation positioning while maintaining relatively simple overall structure through the use of a single pivotable joint between the tilt frame and chassis.
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
Facilitates efficient and secure tilting of the patient's head for intubation by allowing the tilt frame to be rotated out of the plane of the chassis, providing optimal positioning for airway access while maintaining patient safety during prone therapy.
Implementation Method 1
a tilt frame having a first end pivotably coupled to the chassis and a second end, the tilt frame configured to constrain movement of the head of the patient when the tilt frame is rotated about the first end with respect to the chassis
Data Source
AI summary
Support assemblies for supporting the head of a patient during rotation are described. A head support can be tilted so as to orient a patient for intubation. For example, the head support may include a tilt frame that is configured to position a patient's airway automatically and efficiently to an orientation suitable for patient airway intubation. In some embodiments, a tilt frame may allow for automatic positioning of a patient's airway to a predetermined orientation generally deemed suitable for patient airway intubation and allow for easy adjustment of the angle of the tilt frame so as to particularly orient an individual patient's airway as needed for a medical procedure.