Universal Energy Supply for Patient Support Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patient support systems lack a universal energy supply system capable of delivering energy or healing fluids to various devices, limiting their versatility and effectiveness in providing continuous care regardless of the patient's condition or location.
Innovation Solution
A patient support system with a universal energy supply system that includes a fluid movement system and ports for selective fluid communication with devices, allowing for the delivery of fluid or vacuum pressure to a variety of devices, including inflatable devices, actuators, and chambers, with a control system that detects device types and adjusts parameters accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a universal energy supply system is implemented, then device versatility and adaptability are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal energy supply system with a single port that can interface with multiple types of devices (inflatable devices, actuators, ventilators, chambers) through a unified fluid communication interface. This allows one port to perform multiple functions by delivering different types of fluid or vacuum pressure to different devices, thereby improving device versatility without requiring separate dedicated connections for each device type.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid movement system acts as an intermediary between the energy supply and various devices. It includes a control system that detects device types and adjusts fluid delivery parameters accordingly, serving as a mediator that translates a single universal energy source into device-specific operational parameters, thus managing system complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Ease of operation
If multiple devices are powered through a single port, then ease of operation is improved, but control precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically detects the type of device coupled to the port and self-adjusts the fluid delivery parameters accordingly. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual parameter configuration by the user, improving ease of operation while maintaining precise control through automated detection and adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control system detects device type and adjusts parameters in real-time based on the connected device's requirements. This feedback loop ensures precise parameter adjustment while keeping the user interface simple, as the system autonomously adapts to different device types without requiring user intervention for precision control.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support includes a patient support surface, a fluid movement system provided at the patient support, a port mounted at the patient support in selective fluid communication with the fluid movement system, and a device selected from the group consisting of an inflatable device, a conduit, an air operated device, an actuator, a ventilator, and a chamber, with the port adapted for coupling to the device for delivering fluid to the device from the fluid movement system when the device is coupled to the port.