Patient Transport Frame Assembly With Integrated Device Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient transport apparatuses, such as cots and stair chairs, often require patients to be transferred between different devices during transportation, especially when navigating stairs with emergency care equipment, posing challenges for caregivers in narrow spaces.
Innovation Solution
A patient transport apparatus with a seat assembly, fowler assembly, and support frame assembly that allows for adjustable patient support configurations and integrated storage of treatment devices, enabling seamless transition between undocked and docked modes and facilitating stair navigation with built-in track driving devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate patient transport apparatuses (cot and stair chair) are used, then specialized functionality for each transport scenario is improved, but device complexity and need for patient transfer between devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the stair chair and cot into a single integrated patient transport apparatus. The apparatus includes a stair chair configuration with seat assembly, fowler assembly, and foot assembly that can be transformed into a cot configuration by extending the foot assembly and adjusting the fowler assembly to create a flat patient support surface. This eliminates the need for separate devices and patient transfers while maintaining specialized functionality for both stair navigation and ambulance transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate as a stair chair for navigating stairways, transform into a cot for loading into ambulances, and provide adjustable patient positioning through the fowler assembly. The foot assembly can be extended and locked at different positions, and the fowler assembly can be adjusted between upright and horizontal positions, enabling the single device to replace multiple specialized apparatuses.
2Ease of operation
If emergency care equipment is transported separately by caregivers, then equipment accessibility is improved, but caregiver workload and navigation difficulty in narrow spaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates emergency care equipment storage and support directly into the patient transport apparatus. The frame assembly includes mounting structures that can secure oxygen tanks, medication boxes, and other medical equipment to the apparatus frame. This allows equipment to be transported together with the patient without requiring separate caregivers to carry equipment, improving both accessibility and caregiver efficiency in narrow stairwells.
3Adaptability or versatility
If patient transfer between devices is required, then specialized transport capabilities are improved, but treatment continuity and patient comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated apparatus maintains continuous patient support throughout the entire transport process. The patient remains on the same support surface as the apparatus transitions from stair chair configuration to cot configuration. The fowler assembly and foot assembly work together to maintain patient positioning and support, ensuring treatment continuity and eliminating disruptions associated with transferring between separate devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient transport apparatus for supporting a patient and a patient treatment device. The patient transport apparatus includes a seat assembly having a seat frame. A fowler assembly having a fowler frame is coupled to seat frame and is moveable relative to the seat assembly. The seat and fowler assemblies support the patient. A fowler actuator moves the fowler frame relative to the seat frame. A support frame assembly is coupled to the fowler frame. The support frame assembly includes a handle extending from the fowler frame and has a grasping portion spaced from the fowler frame. A mounting member is coupled to the handle. The mounting member defines a brace surface shaped for supporting the patient treatment device. The brace surface is spaced from a grasping portion of the handle to permit a user to grab the handle while supporting the patient treatment device.