Under-Bed Patient Transfer Frame With Automated Bed-Rail Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient transfer systems are cumbersome, require multiple caregivers, pose risks of injury to both patients and caregivers, and often necessitate significant modifications to the living environment, making them impractical for homecare settings.
Innovation Solution
A patient lift and transfer apparatus with an elongate bed assembly, transfer frame, and lifting web system, featuring automated motors and an electronic control system, allowing single caregiver operation and seamless transfer between horizontal support surfaces without pre-positioning equipment or environmental modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual lifting and transfer methods are used by family members or caregivers, then the system is simple and requires no complex equipment, but the risk of injury to both patient and caregiver increases and the transfer process becomes physically demanding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical lifting with an automated motorized system that uses a winch mechanism to reel in and lift the patient via a sling. The motorized transfer device eliminates the need for caregivers to manually lift and transfer patients, thereby reducing physical strain and injury risk while maintaining system feasibility through a relatively simple mechanical design.
2Ease of operation
If automated motors and electronic control systems are added to enable single caregiver operation, then the ease of operation improves and caregiver effort is reduced, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated transfer device incorporates motors and electronic controls that enable the system to perform transfer operations autonomously with minimal caregiver intervention. The motorized winch automatically reels in the sling to lift the patient, and the electronic control system manages the transfer sequence, allowing a single caregiver to operate the device simply by positioning it and activating the control mechanisms.
3Reliability
If existing transfer systems require pre-positioning equipment and environmental modifications, then the transfer process can be more controlled and safe, but the adaptability to different living environments decreases and installation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, featuring a motorized platform that can move laterally along the bed and adjust its position automatically. The system adapts to different bed configurations and room layouts without requiring pre-installation of overhead rails or fixed infrastructure, as the device can be positioned and operated in various locations around the patient bed.
4Reliability
If multiple caregivers are required for patient transfer, then the safety and control during transfer improve, but the productivity and efficiency of the transfer process decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized transfer device replaces the need for multiple caregivers by automating the lifting and transfer mechanics. A single caregiver operates the device while the motorized winch and positioning system handle the physically demanding aspects of patient transfer, thereby maintaining safety through automated control while significantly improving transfer efficiency and reducing time requirements.
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 efficient, safe, and comfortable patient transfers with reduced time and cost, minimizing caregiver effort and environmental impact, while accommodating various accessory devices and patient sizes.
Implementation Method 1
horizontal lead screw assemblies in the foot rails which are threaded in respective lead screw nuts of the roller base slides to impel movement of the transfer frame
Implementation Method 2
two webs are wrapped around front rollers in such a manner that the webs can be pulled under the patient with essentially no frictional engagement
Implementation Method 3
a forward edge with a roller nose assembly
Implementation Method 4
actuatable clamps located in the web storage and pull strap storage compartments which forcibly pinch across the full width of the forward and trailing ends of the web assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer device comfortably picks up a patient from a bed, then moves to the side of the bed for offloading the patient onto an accessory such as a chair. The bed has rails which act as tracks to engage a roller base of the transfer device, and lead screws for automating sideways movement of the device. The device uses a lifting system having strap storage at the head of the frame and web storage at the foot, the storage units vertically movable along support posts to multiple levels including a stowed level near the bottom and a clearance level near the top. The web storage contains an extendable dual web with a roller nose assembly, and the strap storage contains retractable pull straps having ends secured to the roller nose assembly. The transfer device has a compact design allowing the lifting system to be hidden underneath the bed.