Transport Bed Overlays With Load Cells for Fast Patient Weighing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurate weight measurement of patients is challenging in emergency medical settings due to patient condition, environmental conditions, and time constraints, leading to medication dosing errors and safety issues during patient transport.
Innovation Solution
A patient weighing system for patient transport devices, comprising overlays that actuate between flat and inclined positions, sensor sub-systems with load cells and shear load cells, and a controller to calculate total patient weight, integrated with a user interface for precise weight determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional weighing methods are used in emergency settings, then measurement precision is improved, but time consumption increases and patient safety decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patient transport device is divided into multiple overlays (head overlay, body overlay, leg overlay) that can be independently positioned and weighed. Each overlay contains its own load cell sensor system, allowing simultaneous measurement of different patient body parts without requiring the patient to be completely repositioned, thus reducing measurement time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The overlays are designed to be dynamically adjustable between flat and inclined positions to accommodate different patient conditions and measurement requirements. The system can adapt the overlay configuration based on real-time patient needs, enabling rapid and accurate weight measurements in varying emergency scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If overlays are positioned at inclined positions, then adaptability to patient conditions is improved, but measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each overlay is equipped with its own dedicated load cell sensor system and voltage amplification board, allowing independent measurement capability. The shear load cells are specifically positioned to measure forces in the inclined direction, while regular load cells measure forces in the flat direction, providing localized measurement quality that simplifies the overall control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that receives weight data from multiple load cells and voltage amplification boards, processes the information, and calculates the total patient weight. This intermediary processing layer manages the complexity by consolidating data from multiple sources and presenting a single accurate measurement.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensor sub-systems are integrated, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple load cells and voltage amplification boards are merged into a unified measurement system where the controller integrates data from all sensors. The head overlay, body overlay, and leg overlay each contribute to the total weight measurement, and the system combines these measurements to provide an accurate overall patient weight despite the increased number of components.
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
Enables accurate and timely weight measurement, reducing medication errors and ensuring safe patient transport by providing precise weight-based dosages and adhering to industry standards.
Implementation Method 1
each sensor sub-system of the set of sensor sub-systems including at least one load cell, the at least one load cell configured to measure a weight of a portion of a patient's body
Implementation Method 2
the at least one shear load cell configured to measure a weight of a portion of a patient's body when the at least one overlay is in the inclined position
Data Source
AI summary
A patient weighing system includes a set of overlays configured to cover a top face of a patient transport device. At least one overlay of the set of overlays may be configured to actuate between at least a flat position and an inclined position. The system may further include a set of attachment sub-systems configured to couple each overlay to the top face of the patient transport device. The system may further include a set of sensor sub-systems including a load cell and a shear load cell. Each set of sensor sub-systems may be configured to measure a weight of a portion of a patient's body.