Shafi Imran, Farooq Muhammad Siddique, De La Torre Díez Isabel, Breñosa Jose, Espinosa Julio César Martínez, Ashraf Imran
College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan.
National Centre for Robotics and Automation, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan.
Healthcare (Basel). 2022 Oct 30;10(11):2174. doi: 10.3390/healthcare10112174.
Patient care and convenience remain the concern of medical professionals and caregivers alike. An unconscious patient confined to a bed may develop fluid accumulation and pressure sores due to inactivity and deficiency of oxygen flow. Moreover, weight monitoring is crucial for an effective treatment plan, which is difficult to measure for bedridden patients. This paper presents the design and development of a smart and cost-effective independent system for lateral rotation, movement, weight measurement, and transporting immobile patients. Optimal dimensions and practical design specifications are determined by a survey across various hospitals. Subsequently, the proposed hoist-based weighing and turning mechanism is CAD-modeled and simulated. Later, the structural analysis is carried out to select suitable metallurgy for various sub-assemblies to ensure design reliability. After fabrication, optimization, integration, and testing procedures, the base frame is designed to mount a hydraulic motor for the actuator, a DC power source for self-sustenance, and lockable wheels for portability. The installation of a weighing scale and a hydraulic actuator is ensured to lift the patient for weight measuring up to 600 pounds or lateral turning of 80 degrees both ways. The developed system offers simple operating characteristics, allows for keeping patient weight records, and assists nurses in changing patients' lateral positions both ways, comfortably massage patients' backs, and transport them from one bed to another. Additionally, being lightweight offers reduced contact with the patient to increase the healthcare staff's safety in pandemics; it is also height adjustable and portable, allowing for use with multiple-sized beds and easy transportation across the medical facility. The feedback from paramedics is encouraging regarding reducing labor-intensive nursing tasks, alleviating the discomfort of long-term bed-ridden patients, and allowing medical practitioners to suggest better treatment plans.
患者护理与便利性一直是医疗专业人员和护理人员共同关注的问题。卧床不起的昏迷患者可能会因活动不足和氧气流通不畅而出现液体蓄积和褥疮。此外，体重监测对于有效的治疗方案至关重要，但对于卧床患者来说很难测量。本文介绍了一种智能且经济高效的独立系统的设计与开发，该系统用于侧向旋转、移动、体重测量以及运送无法活动的患者。通过对多家医院的调查确定了最佳尺寸和实用的设计规格。随后，对所提出的基于起重机的称重和转动机构进行了CAD建模和模拟。之后，进行结构分析以选择适合各个子组件的冶金材料，以确保设计的可靠性。经过制造、优化、集成和测试程序后，基础框架设计用于安装用于执行器的液压马达、用于自我维持的直流电源以及用于便携性的可锁定轮子。确保安装称重秤和液压执行器，以便抬起患者进行高达600磅的体重测量或双向80度的侧向转动。所开发的系统具有简单的操作特性，能够记录患者体重，并协助护士双向改变患者的侧向位置，舒适地按摩患者背部，并将他们从一张床转移到另一张床。此外，该系统重量轻，减少了与患者的接触，提高了医护人员在疫情期间的安全性；它还可以调节高度且便于携带，可与多种尺寸的病床配合使用，并便于在医疗机构内运输。护理人员对于减少劳动强度大的护理任务、减轻长期卧床患者的不适以及让医生能够提出更好的治疗方案的反馈令人鼓舞。
