Patient Transfer Device Wire Cleaning Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient transfer devices are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and ergonomically challenging, and often fail to ensure thorough cleaning, which can lead to contamination.
Innovation Solution
A patient transfer device equipped with laterally spaced retractable pulling members and an absorbent member around the wire for continuous cleaning, allowing the wire to be cleaned in both directions, with an automatic or manual wetting arrangement for the absorbent member to maintain hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning of the wire is performed, then cleaning can be done, but it is labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The wire cleaning system performs cleaning automatically during the wire's retraction and extension cycles. The absorbent member is automatically wetted by a wetting arrangement, and the wire passes through the absorbent member during normal operation, enabling self-cleaning without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning action occurs continuously during each retraction and extension cycle of the wire. The wetting arrangement maintains the absorbent member in a wet state, ensuring that cleaning happens with every wire movement rather than requiring separate cleaning operations.
2Loss of time
If the wire is not cleaned thoroughly, then cleaning time is reduced, but contaminations remain on the wire and can be transferred to the bobbin and other patients
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent member serves as an intermediary between the wire and the cleaning liquid. It captures contaminations from the wire surface through absorption and adhesion, preventing direct contact between the wire and the cleaning liquid while ensuring thorough cleaning. The absorbent member can be removed and replaced easily after capturing contaminants.
3Extent of automation
If a retractable wire system is used, then patient transfer is automated, but the wire and bobbin are prone to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning action occurs continuously during each retraction and extension cycle of the wire. The wetting arrangement maintains the absorbent member in a wet state, ensuring that cleaning happens with every wire movement rather than requiring separate cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent member serves as an intermediary between the wire and the cleaning liquid. It captures contaminations from the wire surface through absorption and adhesion, preventing direct contact between the wire and the cleaning liquid while ensuring thorough cleaning. The absorbent member can be removed and replaced easily after capturing contaminants.
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 device simplifies regular cleaning, ensuring that the wire and bobbin remain contamination-free, enhancing patient safety and reducing the risk of transferring contaminants to other patients.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent member removably arranged around the wire... the absorbent member can hold a cleaning liquid that cleans the wire
Implementation Method 2
at least one motor operatively and mechanically connected to bobbin of the pulling members so as to allow retraction of the wire by means of the motor
Data Source
AI summary
A patient transfer device for transferring a patient placed on a movable sheet from a first surface to a receiving surface, said patient transfer device including first and second laterally spaced apart retractable pulling members, at least one motor operatively connected to the pulling members so as to allow retraction of the pulling members by means of the motor, where the pulling members comprise a bobbin and a wire, where the patient transfer device comprises an insert removably arranged around the wire and/or in a pad of the transfer device. Accordingly, the wire may be cleaned in a reliable manner.