Redesign and Ergonomic Analysis of Scoop Stretcher for Full Body Immobilization During Casualties

摘要

In the context of pre-hospital care, incapacitated persons need to be transferred from places of casualties with proper precautionary measures. Immobilization of body especially spine, is of prime concern during transfer of patients for averting further consequences. The aim of this research work is to redesign the existing scoop stretcher for full body immobilization during casualty transfer. An attempt has been made to provide head, vertebral column and pelvis immobilization and to provide comfort to both the patient as well as the person carrying the stretcher. The proposed design is simulated and analyzed for ergonomic consideration in a virtual CAD environment. The designed scoop stretcher overcomes the loop holes in the existing one in terms of comfort, usability and motion restriction. For physical visualization and design verification, a prototype has been fabricated. The intuitive design may bring a radical change in providing pre-hospital services.