Overcoming challenges in patient transportation: A novel stretcher design for uneven terrains

Abstract

Transporting patients through stretchers and wheelchairs is a critical activity in the emergency management services. When such systems need to be used in uneven terrain, outdoor environments, and stairs, the transportation process imparts severe difficulty and challenges for medical attendants and paramedics. Most of the available transportation systems are designed to function on the plain engineered surface. This paper presents a novel concept of a rocker-bogie mechanism-based stretcher for patient transportation in uneven terrain. The rocker-bogie mechanism is proven to be an effective suspension system for navigating through obstacles and stairs. The design considerations of the rocker-bogie mechanism for inclusion in the stretcher are discussed. Static structural analysis of the system is performed using commercial finite element analysis software. Parameters pertaining to structural safety are analyzed. Based on the results of the structural analysis the feasibility of the proposed design is assessed.