Variable Speed Bed Lift Control for X-Ray Patient Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators face challenges in safely lifting patients during X-ray diagnostics, particularly when the bed reaches a 90° angle, as patients with bent or weak legs may fall forward, requiring constant attention to prevent discomfort and ensure safety.

Innovation Solution

A bed apparatus with a bed stop position controller and pressure sensors that automatically adjust the lifting speed and stop the bed at predetermined angles, reducing operator burden and enhancing patient safety by preventing forward falls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the bed lifting speed is increased to improve productivity, then the lifting operation becomes faster and more efficient, but the patient may fall forward or feel uneasy when the lifting angle reaches about 90°

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebed lifting speedVSAvoidpatient safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the bed lifting speed variable rather than constant. The control unit adjusts the lifting speed dynamically based on the bed's lifting angle, specifically reducing speed when the angle approaches 90° to prevent patient discomfort or forward falling, while allowing higher speeds at other angles to maintain productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the speed parameter of the bed lifting operation based on the lifting angle. By modifying the speed parameter dynamically during the lifting process, the system achieves both efficient operation and patient safety, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the operator constantly watches the patient condition to ensure safety, then patient safety is improved, but the operator burden increases and operation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidoperator burden
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the bed apparatus to automatically monitor and adjust its operation based on patient position and lifting angle. The control unit continuously tracks the bed angle and automatically reduces speed when necessary, eliminating the need for constant operator attention while maintaining patient safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from sensors that detect bed lifting angle and patient position to automatically adjust lifting speed. This closed-loop control provides continuous safety monitoring without requiring operator intervention, reducing operator burden while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the bed lifting speed is varied to prevent patient discomfort, then patient safety is improved, but the lifting operation becomes more complex and requires additional control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs multiple functions: it controls bed lifting speed, monitors lifting angle, detects patient position, and automatically adjusts operation parameters. By consolidating these functions into a single control system, the patent manages complexity while achieving improved patient safety through automated speed variation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP1769745B1Bed apparatus, x-ray diagnostic apparatus, and method of controlling a bed for x-ray diagnostic apparatus
Publication Date: 2013.09.18 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP1769745B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1769745B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1769745B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bed apparatus includes a bed, a bed lifting unit that lifts the bed, and a bed stop position control unit that controls the bed lifting unit such that the bed stops at a position out of the maximum stroke according to a predetermined stop condition.