Manufacturing of lightweight foldable stretcher for a medical emergency

Abstract

A stretcher is a lightweight, portable device that aids in transferring individuals requiring medical care. Even by knowing its design and functions for many centuries, there is still much room for improvement concerning its comfortability, mobility, and ergonomics. Our project aims to blend design features based on patents, journals, discussions and products to design and build a new lightweight foldable stretcher used in the standard ambulances. Based on the conceptual understanding of this study, if a stretcher is modified to be lighter and easier to fold and operate, it will take less energy and storage space and allow the paramedic or medical professionals to operate and respond to more patients at once. In our design, the mechanical folding legs of the stretcher are controlled by the handles on both sides, making it easier to load/unload the patients. A faster response time for emergency medical services could improve patient survival rates in critical conditions. In addition to less weight, the medical personnel may also respond to different medical transportation needs efficiently. An effort has been made to reduce the weight, cost, and simplify user operation while maintaining a high degree of safety, comfort, and patient-centred care. Taking into account various parameters and dimensional values, 3D Cad model has been made of the stretcher and uniform loading simulation has been performed keeping aluminium alloy as the material in order to make the stretcher lightweight. Clinching joint process is used in the study to join two different materials, aluminium alloy and stainless-steel grade. Due to time constraints, fabrication is carried out using mild steel. Keywords : Stretcher, Lightweight, Design, Simulation, Clinching Joint, Fabrication