Emergency Transport: Project Summary
D-Lab 2
6/7/2015
Tom Ryan
Sandra Bae
Garrett Means
Table of Contents
Design Brief ................................................................................................................................................ 3
Design Process and Methodology .............................................................................................................. 3
Results ....................................................................................................................................................... 6
Discussion/Conclusion................................................................................................................................ 6
Recommendations for Future Work ............................................................................................................ 8
Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................ 9
Appendix .................................................................................................................................................. 10
Design Notebook Documents ................................................................................................................ 10
Deliverable 1: Initial Design Brief ....................................................................................................... 10
Deliverable 2 ..................................................................................................................................... 11
Deliverables 3 and 4 .......................................................................................................................... 13
Deliverable 5: proposed design concepts, Idea evaluation, project timeline, and budget ................... 14
Annotated Bibliography - Tom ........................................................................................................... 16
Annotated Bibliography - Sandra ....................................................................................................... 17
Annotated Bibliography: Garrett ......................................................................................................... 18
Sketches and Photos ............................................................................................................................ 20
2
Design Brief
Lalana, an organization based in Madagascar, is a non-profit organization originally established in
1998 by a group of engineers and technicians with the intention of promoting sustainable development in
rural areas via road and transportation projects. Thirty Swiss Army mountain stretchers were donated to
Lalana few years ago in hopes of aiding in the transport of rural patients between villages and health
centers. After few years of using the current stretchers, it was found that the current design is unstable,
heavy, and required at least three people to push and carry the stretcher.
The original goals set forth by Lalana were as follows:
● Improvement of the balance system
● Reduction of number of people needed to push/carry stretcher
● Improvement/addition of other components on the stretcher, such as brakes, shocks,
“indestructible” tires
● Expansion of overall size
The original goals encompassed changes to virtually every aspect of the existing design, but through
various communications with the client, it was found that they would rather keep most of the current
design and focus design efforts on the worst of the problems. These were identified as:
● Stability of stretcher, including a way to be able to “rest” the loaded stretcher when needed and
being able to maneuver it with less than 3 to 4 people
● Alternative wheel design and more rugged wheel selection (which is available for purchase and
repair in-country)
Design Process and Methodology
Table 1: Final Criteria and Metric Table
Criteria
Qualitative/
Quantitative
Testing
Procedure
Target Value
Metric or Units of Measure
Maneuverability
/Stability
Qualitative
Focus group that runs
stretcher through rugged
terrain course
20% improvement
over original design
Ergonomics
Qualitative
Focus group that runs
stretcher through rugged
terrain course
20% improvement
over original design
Average of User Survey Results
(scale from 1-10)
Use of
Kickstands
(stability at rest)
Qualitative
“Medics” set up and
breakdown stands while
stretcher is loaded
20% improvement
over original design
Average of User Survey Results
(scale from 1-10)
Average of User Survey Results
(scale from 1-10)
3
With these metrics in mind, the following design changes were proposed:
 A more permanent frame was welded together by adding to “existing” parts in the design. This
was done for greater stability and also provide greater options for design changes in the future
 Kickstands made from steel tubing, welded to the frame to receive and hold handles as stands
 A parallel two-wheel design utilizing the same forks and easy to find parts
Our test was designed to develop a qualitative baseline for the original design and then assess the viability
of our proposed design changes. These stretchers are expected to go through two areas: rugged and
mountainous treks in Anjozorobe for at least ten kilometers and small, narrow streets in the capital
Antananarivo (often in poor condition) for up to three kilometers. For this reason, focus on stability/
maneuverability was given to the handling of the stretcher on roads and trails that are far from ideal. A
variable terrain course was chosen to evaluate the stretcher’s ability to navigate different situations
effectively. This course included poorly maintained roads, rough, uneven soil, and very rough
mountainous conditions.
Figure 1: Examples course terrain conditions
In addition to testing the stability of the stretcher in motion, it was important that it be stable
when at rest. Not only is this important for patient safety while entering or exiting the stretcher, but also
to provide the option for medics to rest periodically during a longer trip. To test this, in the middle of the
course, the users would set up the “kickstands” as designed while the stretcher is loaded with weight. To
simulate the weight of a human patient for this preliminary test, four bags of mulch and a bench vice
were loaded into the bucket. The total weight of this was around 112 lbs. (or 51 kg). This is equivalent to
a lighter person, and was chosen to help identify any issues with this design without stressing it to the
point of full failure.
This part of the test involved stopping the stretcher, removing the handles from one end and
placing them into the stirrups installed along the side of the frame. After one end is set up, the procedure
was repeated for the other end of the stretcher. Ease of set up and stability during the process were
qualitatively assessed for each wheel design. Below is a photo of the basic assembly of the kickstand.
4
Figure 2: Kickstand design prototype using handle as a stand
The assessment of the ergonomics was based qualitatively as well, and focused on general observations
about user position, muscle use, and fatigue after prolonged use. All results were self-reported on a scale
from 1-10, where 1 is the worst, and 10 is best. All individual results for each design were then averaged
together for each category.
5
Results
Table 2: Team Survey Results
Please score all criteria on a scale of
1-10. 1 is worst, 10 is best.
Maneuverability /Stability
on roads
on rough terrain (plowed fields)
on hills
Total:
Usability (by Medics)
ergonomics (comfort of use)
feeling of fatigue
muscle strain
One-wheel design
Tom
Sandra
Garrett
Average
Tom
%
Sandra Garrett Average Difference
6
5
7
7
5
4
7
6
6
6.67
5.33
5.67
5.89
7
7
7
8
7
6
8
7
6
7.67
7.00
6.33
7.00 18.87%
3
3
3
3
3
3
5
3
2
3.67
3.00
2.67
3.11
3
7
7
3
4
5
7
7
7
4.33
6.00
6.33
5.56 78.57%
3
3
4
3.33
3.33
7
6
6
6.33
6.33 90.00%
Total:
Use of Kickstands
ease of set-up/breakdown (with
patient in bucket)
Total:
Two-wheel design
For all of the metrics chosen, the two-wheeled design was a clear improvement to the existing stretcher.
In terms of maneuverability, there was the least improvement. Whereas the two-wheeled design was a
general improvement on dirt roads and even rough terrains, the single wheel design seemed to perform
better on hills. In terms of general usability, there was much less fatigue and muscle fatigue experienced
with the two-wheeled design as there was less need to balance the weight of the patient from side to side
with each step. It should be noted, however, that this result may be different if the terrain tested were
predominantly hilly or mountainous. The kickstand design was a clear improvement, but worked much
more easily with the two-wheeled design. Setting up the kickstands with the one-wheeled design
required three people to do.
Discussion/Conclusion
All of the design changes implemented to the existing stretcher was considered improvements by those
tested, but they should be considered steps in the design process to be taken further by our organization.
The parallel two-wheel design has its advantages, but also a few drawbacks which should be kept in mind.
The two wheels, spaced roughly 30 cm apart, provide stability in most conditions where the one-wheeled
6
design does not. Because the forks for either configuration are the same (but placed on opposite sides of
the central rails) it is possible to choose the configuration best suited for each individual trip before
starting out. For more mountainous terrain, one may choose the single-wheel design, and for longer
distances over moderate terrain, the two-wheeled option may work better. It is possible for each
stretcher to be adaptable to each condition. This adaptability may be advantageous as well for dealing
with flats in the field. If the two-wheel option is used, when a flat tire is experienced, the medics can
quickly remove the second wheel (flat) and convert to the single wheel format to continue the trip with a
minimum of lost time.
Although the two-wheeled prototype was an improvement for the most part, it certainly had its
issues which need to be revisited in order for this design to be adequate. The axle itself was a part of the
design that was both a limitation and a drawback, although this issue may vary greatly depending on the
wheel chosen for the design implementation in Madagascar. For the wheels chosen in this design, the
choices for axle material were limited. Mild steel all-thread (⅜”) was initially used, but it was soon found
that it was too malleable and bent under minimal weight. A hardened steel rod was manufactured from
landscaping spikes, but under the loading used in our tests, this axle too was found to be inadequate. This
bending resulted in rubbing against the rails intermittently, and ultimately would have caused failure in
the tires under full loading.
Figure 3: Failure of double-wheel axle
The kickstand design is a simplified version of a rotational joint found in a more modern design of
the mountain stretcher. Although a great improvement over not having any stand, if a similar rotational
joint to the one pictured below is found in the area, it would be an even better option for the kickstand
concept.
7
Figure 3: Rotational joint for handles for increased stability and ease of use of kickstand concept
(“Mountain Stretcher Light,” 2015)
Recommendations for Future Work
Although the first prototype successfully improved upon values for our chosen metrics, there are
further improvements on this design that should be explored. Ultimately, the goal of this design was not
only to meet the perceived needs of our client, but to provide a usable stepping off point for the next set
of improvements in the design. The current design is made to be taken apart for tough hikes up
mountainous terrain to reach a patient. With no such need present in its new life, the frame should be
made more permanent and stable. New design elements should be built off of that frame instead of the
bucket itself. This will enable the bucket to eventually be phased out of the design altogether, as they
wear out or are replaced by lighter options, without completely disabling the entire stretcher.
Most importantly, the two-wheel design needs to be explored further. In addition to an improved
axle design to better deal with the increased loads of a full-sized patient, different modes of wheel
attachment should be looked at. As in most of the stretcher designs found in our prior art, the wheel
forks are attached to the frame, and not the bucket itself. Making these forks quickly detachable for
easier patient transfer to hospital gurneys would also be a useful option here. Alternative wheel
orientations, such as an in-line two-wheeled may be worth looking at as well.
As explained above, going beyond the simple sleeve attachment for the kickstand would greatly
improve that innovation. It would not only provide for easier set-up and breakdown of the kickstand
option, but would also provide different angles for taller or shorter medics to need to push or pull the
stretcher. Other ergonomic improvements should also be explored, but until the needs of the actual users
is specifically assessed, this issue will have to be tabled. Lastly, it is important to keep in mind the other
original goals that Lalana had for the current stretcher when making these first changes. Disc brakes, if
available in the area, could be added to the tire chosen for the desired braking system.
8
Bibliography
Mountain Stretcher Light. (2015). Retrieved January 1, 2015, from
http://tyromont.com/uploads/tx_ttproducts/datasheet/Datasheet_93240_Mountain_Stretcher_LIGHT.p
df
9
Appendix
Design Notebook Documents
Deliverable 1: Initial Design Brief
Client/Business -- Lalana is an organization established in 1988 by a group of engineers and technicians with
the intention of promoting sustainable development in rural Madagascar via road and transportation projects.
Problem Statement -- Rural patients need a safe, efficient form of transportation to local medical facilities. The
solution must be sustainable and utilize locally available resources.
Goals – To sustainably design a structurally stable and comfortable stretcher to efficiently and safely transport
patient over rugged terrain in rural Madagascar.
Target market/customer -- Isolated patients in need of acute medical transport over potentially rugged terrain.
Specifications –


Can be maneuvered by as little as 2 people.
Improved balance/stability
Benchmarks -Links to some potential benchmarks researched online:









http://www.kong.it/en/2-products/items/f25-stretchers/p166-lecco
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/438186238720601348/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/488851734526240121/
http://www.hamishmacinnes.com/stretcher1.htm\
http://www.emsworld.com/product/11063692/faretec-inc-el2000-patient-transport-device
http://www.emsworld.com/product/10844751/north-coast-outfitters-ltd-beach-rescue-stretcherbasket-wheel-set
http://www.northcoastoutfitters.com/sr701-series.html
http://www.frestems.fi/products/military-stretcher-equipment/promil-215-nato-stretcher-cart/
http://www.northcoastoutfitters.com/sr301-series.html
Approximate budget (prototype/in quantity) – Unknown at this time
Approximate timeline -- Approximately 8 weeks
Final Deliverables – The ultimate goal is to design and prototype a complete, working stretcher within the
given time frame, but if this is not possible, A design notebook outlining the process and all avenues explored
by our team will be passed on to the client so that it may be finished at a later date.
10
Deliverable 2
Design Consideration Brainstorming (important elements):
Stability/balance (two wheels?)
Must be able to be controlled/moved by two people maximum
Local materials?
Inexpensive?
Rugged design (off-road, rural paths, streets)
Improved handles
Project
Improvement
of the balance
system
Handled by
two people
Able to
overcome
rugged/mount
ainous terrain
Inexpensive
Total
Medical
Stretcher
4
3
2
1
10
Project Considerations: It will be helpful to brainstorm on the design considerations as we did in class to help frame
the problem. Please include at least 10. Reduce them to 5 and put in a decision matrix with weights. In order to
better understand the problem include answers to the following questions:
1.
Who is the client? Who are you designing the technology for?
The client is Lalana, an organization established in 1988 by a group of engineers and technicians with the intention
of promoting sustainable development in rural Madagascar via road and transportation projects. Though the client
is Lalana, the technology is specifically meant for the locals in Anjozorobe.
2.
Who is the target customer? Who will actually be using the device? Be specific.
The primary user of this product will be any patient in the low neighborhoods of the capital (Antananarivo) or in the
rural areas of Anjozorobe city with the need for medical transport to a health center.
3.
What are the specifications given for the technology?
●
●
4.
Improve the balance system of the stretchers: replacing / adapting the stands or redesigning for two wheels
Reduce the number of people needed to push/carry the stretcher
What are the technical, social, environmental, and financial considerations?
Technical: We are limited to the physical limitation of the current medical stretcher.
11
Social: Because this medical stretcher will be used by the locals in Madagascar, it has to be intuitive and simple
enough that they will know how to use it. In addition, this medical stretcher has to be working that it’ll be able to
work with two or more people.
Environmental: Because this medical stretcher will be used in Antananarivo and Anjozorobe, it has overcome small
narrow streets, which are often in poor conditions and very rugged.
Financial: less than $100 US.
5.
Other existing designs?
● http://www.kong.it/en/2-products/items/f25-stretchers/p166-lecco
● https://www.pinterest.com/pin/438186238720601348/
● https://www.pinterest.com/pin/488851734526240121/
● http://www.hamishmacinnes.com/stretcher1.htm\
● http://www.emsworld.com/product/11063692/faretec-inc-el2000-patient-transport-device
● http://www.emsworld.com/product/10844751/north-coast-outfitters-ltd-beach-rescue-stretcherbasket-wheel-set
● http://www.northcoastoutfitters.com/sr701-series.html
● http://www.frestems.fi/products/military-stretcher-equipment/promil-215-nato-stretcher-cart/
● http://www.northcoastoutfitters.com/sr301-series.html
● Other designs include the design built by Kurt Kornbluth.
6.
What will a successful design do?
It will address these following issues:
Improve the balance system of the stretchers: replacing / adapting the stands or redesigning for two wheels
Reduce the number of people needed to push/carry the stretcher
Overcome rugged/mountainous terrain, while still being efficient and effective delivering patients.
●
●
●
7.
What is the timeline?
7 weeks
8.
What is the project budget? What is the cost and quantity of products needed?
The project budget will be approximately $100.
9.
What is the end deliverable?
The end deliverable will hopefully be a prototype of a modified medical stretcher that will address
the presented issues. However, if we’re not able to create a working prototype within the time frame, we
will have a design notebook outlining the process and all avenues explored by our team will be passed on to
the client so that it may be finished at a later date.
10.
What skills and information will you need to design a successful product?
Remember, the problem statement and design considerations will be refined as you gather more information.
Information:
12
We will need to know how the locals use the medical stretcher, who uses the medical stretcher, how long it takes
them to arrive to their destination
Skills: Welding, woodshop skills, rapid prototyping, drawing outlines
Deliverables 3 and 4
Has your problem statement changed since learning more information? Update your problem statement if
needed.
With the updated information, we are still going to have the same fundamental idea on how to approach
this problem, but our priorities on how to fix it have changed.
What are the important design considerations and criteria? Make a list.
1. Lighter able to be maneuvered and lifted by 2 people
2. Two wheel design
3. Greater stability
What are the metrics (the unit of measurement) on how you will evaluate the design?
Qualitative scale from 1 (bad) to 10 (best)
1. Maneuverability:
a. Roads
b. Rough terrain
c. Hills
2. Usability
a. Ergonomics
b. Fatigue
c. Muscle strain
3. Use of kickstand
a. Ease of set up/breakdown
What are the target values for each metric?
Better qualitative score than the original in each category
Design Metrics Table
Please score all criteria on a scale
of 1-10. 1 is bad, 10 is best.
One-wheel design
Two-wheel design
Maneuverability
(including ability to balance)
Tom Sandra Garrett Average Tom Sandra Garrett Average
on roads
on rough terrain (plowed fields)
on hills
13
Total:
Usability (by Medics)
ergonomics (comfort of use)
feeling of fatigue
muscle strain
Total:
Use of Kickstands
ease of set-up/breakdown (with
patient in bucket)
Total:
Revise you problem definition based on any new information
How can medical stretcher be improved so that it’s maneuverable and usable by two people yet just as
durable as the existing frame. A two wheel design should be explored to increase stability. Use of a stand
should be explored to increase stability.
Brainstorm design ideas (at least 20) that will solve the problem as understood
1. Using local materials
2. Rugged design (off-road, rural paths, streets)
3. Increasing the size of unit
4. Bigger Tires
5. Thicker tires
a. Curiosity Rover
6. Using an incline
7. Laying the stretcher flat
8. Adding more tires
9. Adding a stand
10. Making the axes attached to the tire and carrier longer
11. Creating a pivot at the handles
12. Seesaw stretcher
13. Placing the tires horizontally next to each other
14. Placing the tires on opposite ends of the carrier
15. Less metal
16. Replacing the carrier with a durable fabric
17. Make the frame out of aluminum to decrease weight (available?)
18. use bicycle parts to build stretcher
19. make wheel base detachable from stretcher (for carrying in hard to navigate areas)
20. Make parts of the unit foldable for more maneuverability
Deliverable 5: proposed design concepts, Idea evaluation, project timeline, and budget
14
1. You will choose the top 3 design concepts to be explored during the quarter using an evaluative
matrix as well as any other method you choose.
Concept
Usable to the
environment
Local
Materials
Ergonomics
Modification
of tools
Budgetary
Concerns(?)
Overcome
Rugged
Terrains
Using more
than one
wheel
4
3
4
5
2
4
Using
Handles as
Stands
3
4
4
3
3
2
Use existing
hardware
5
5
4
4
5
4
2. As a group, select your top 3 ideas. Use you Design Criteria (deliverable #3) to help decide which
ideas are best based on the most important considerations.
a. Two wheel in-line
b. One wheel (rugged tire)
c. Two wheel parallel
3. Use a Pugh Chart to help.
Idea
Maneuverabilit
y
Rugged
ness
Stability
Light
Weight
Speed
Adaptability
Two wheel
in-line
-1
+1
+1
-2
0
+2
One Wheel
(rugged tire)
0
+2
+1
-1
0
+1
Two wheels
parallel
-1
+1
+2
-1
0
+1
Status Quo
4. Write down in words why each idea is a good idea. Why is it better than the other ideas?
a. The two wheels in-line is a good idea because it allows for greater stability than the simple onewheeled design. This design may have the option to use low-tech shocks to allow for greater
adaptability to terrain whilst creating a smoother ride for the patient.
15
b. The one wheel design with a rugged tire is a good design that may require little modification to the
existing design. It is highly maneuverable on rough terrain, and using a tire such as a wheel-barrow
flat-free (solid) will ensure that the wheel will not pop at a bad time.
c. The two parallel wheel design will provide the speed needed in such a transport and the stability
needed to reduce the number of people needed to control it. If needed, the base could be quickly
reconfigured for areas where the wheels are more of an impediment than a help.
Annotated Bibliography - Tom
Bell, P. (2015). A Short History of Stretchers. In The Oracle. Mountain Rescue England and Wales.
Retrieved from http://www.mountain.rescue.org.uk/files.php?file=The
Oracle/Equipment/Stretchers.pdf
This is a section of an online resource book that outlines the history of stretchers, from theie inception to
present day. It is exceptionally useful as a resource, because it spells out all of the major iterations of
design throughout history.
Conrad, K. M., Reichelt, P. A., Lavender, S. A., Gacki-Smith, J., & Hattle, S. (2008). Designing ergonomic
interventions for EMS workers: Concept generation of patient-handling devices. Applied
Ergonomics, 39, 792–802.
This journal article describes the results of a qualitative, descriptive study focusing on design changes to
patient-carrying devices based on end-users suggestions. A number of EMS workers were interviewed
about various tasks associated with moving a patient and then asked to give design suggestions. From
these suggestions, twenty ideas were generated and five devices were later built to test the success of
these design choices.
Hignett, S., Willmott, J. W., & Clemes, S. (2009). Mountain Rescue Stretchers: Usability Trial. Work, 34,
215–222. doi:10.3233/WOR-2009-0918
This journal article outlines a field experiment examining the usability of four mountain rescue stretchers.
Results indicated no clear winner, but a number of design modifications were recommended for future
designs based on the study.
Mountain Stretcher Light. (2015). Retrieved from
http://tyromont.com/uploads/tx_ttproducts/datasheet/Datasheet_93240_Mountain_Stretcher_LI
GHT.pdf
This is a product page for the modern version of the stretcher that we are designing to change. I was led
to this product by information found in another one of the sources ("A Short History of Stretchers"). It
may be useful to examine the design changes this company has already implimented to the design and/or
purchase one for our examination and testing.
16
Turner, K. (2015). Transfer: Stretcher Wheel Attachment for Search and Rescue. Retrieved from
http://www.kirkturnerdesign.com/transfer/dpsve27a5pzjnm6k3pfthvjqq50tah
This is a design powerpoint-style presentation of a design for a wheeled attachment for a rescue litter. It
includes a problem statement, client indentification, design goals, research, development, and
specifications for a design that addresses a number of the issues our team is facing with our design
modification.
Geography of Madagascar. (2015). Retrieved from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Madagascar?oldformat=true
Madagascar. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Madagascar#/overview
The World Factbook: Madagascar. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/theworld-factbook/geos/ma.html
Annotated Bibliography - Sandra
Crome, L. "The Stretcher Problem." British Medical Journal 2.4111 (1939): 819-20. Web.
<http://www.jstor.org/stable/20314361>.
The online journal talks about the problems stretchers faced over the history. The problem
it faced was that it lacked standardization. While talking about the problems of the lack of
standardization, it talks the necessity of why stretchers need to standardized. The journal
argues that by having a standardized stretchers, paitnets will be spared the pain, discomfort,
and danger of being moved from one stretcher to another. It also talks about the primary
components of what constitutes a stretcher (i.e. a head rest, poles that makeup the frame,
and a body to carry the patient)
"Geography of Madagascar." Geography of Madagascar. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2015.
On this website, it lists fact about Madagascar, such as talking about its topography,
climate, and the animals and plants it contains. Because this is a an except from the
Country Studies-Area Handbook program of the U.S. Department of the Army, it is a
reliable source containing facts.
Greene, R. "Stretcher for Mountain Casualties." British Medical Journal 1.4235 (1942): 336. Web.
<http://www.jstor.org/stable/20322489>.
This online journal talks about casualties, especially in mountains. This journal is useful
due to the fact Madagascar as mountain terrains and rocky roads. So by reading the journal
it allows to understand that for an efficient stretcher to work in mountainous terrains, it
17
argues that it requires special training as well as special apparatus. They say that for
mountain terrains, sled stretchers are useful even if snow is not present because the labor of
carrying down the patient is lessened.
Nelson, Audrey, Bernice Owen, John D. Lloyd, Guy Fragala, Mary W. Matz, Margaret Amato, Judith
Bowers, Susan Moss-Cureton, Glenn Ramsey, and Karen Lentz. "Safe Patient Handling and
Movement." AJN, American Journal of Nursing 103.3 (2003): 32-43. Web.
This journal talks about the care planning for safe patient handling and movement. This is
useful for the stretcher as we’re transporting patients not only from one location to another,
but also lifting and putting in the patient in the stretcher. This journal gives out pointers on
methods and strategies on how to carefully asses the patient, as well moving the patient.
"Standardization for Stretchers." British Medical Journal 2.4117 (1939): 1104-105. Web.
<http://www.jstor.org/stable/20314777>.
This journal talks about the standardization of medical stretchers, and talks
specifically about the measurements and sizes of the stretchers. It also talks about the
reasons why medical stretchers should be proposed size as stated in the journal.
Annotated Bibliography: Garrett
Cao, Quinghua. "Design on Fast Rescue Stretcher with a Single Operation." Computer-Aided Industrial
Design & Conceptual Design (CAIDCD), 2010 IEEE 11th International Conference on 1 (2010): 463-65.
IEEE Xplore. 17 Nov. 2010. Web. 30 Apr. 2015.
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/ielx5/5676242/5681221/05681310.pdf?tp=&arnumber=5681310&isnumber=5681
221
This is a paper on the design of a rescue stretcher that can transform into a bicycle by a group of
Chinese engineers. While no specific standards are referenced, they claim that it meets the
structural requirements of other stretchers. They also claim that the stretcher can be made from
low cost, non-specialty parts.
"Geography of Madagascar." Geography of Madagascar. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2015.
http://www.wildmadagascar.org/overview/geography.html
This website gives a detailed description of the range of topography and climates found in
Madagascar. This information could be used to guide the choice of materials and design features
relevant to such conditions.
Guha, S. K., and S. Anand. "A New Stretcher Design for Easy Manoeuvrability on Narrow Staircases and
Rough Ground for Developing Countries." ARCHIVE: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical
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Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine 1989-1996 (vols 203-210) 203.18 (1989): 55-60.
Web.
https://128.120.146.187/content/203/1/,DanaInfo=pih.sagepub.com+55.full.pdf
This is a paper that compares three different stretcher types for a variety of usability metrics. The
point of the paper is to identify if they’re new two-wheeled configuration on a standard stretcher is
better than other two-wheeled or 4 wheeled stretchers. To do this they compare the usability,
qualitatively, for tasks like transport over rough terrain and negotiating narrow staircase landings
etc.
Liu Y-S, Feng Y-P, Xie J-X, Luo Z-J, Shen C-H, et al. (2012) A Novel First Aid Stretcher for Immobilization
and Transportation of Spine Injured Patients. PLoS ONE 7(7): e39544. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0039544
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0039544
This paper presents a novel stretcher design that incorporates a “patient shaped” collapsable
padded canvas that can be rigidly formed to a patients body using a chemical stiffener pre
transport. They use both qualitative and quantitative metrics to define the success of the
intervention. They tested usability in a variety of terrains and rescue situations. They also
transported those with different spinal injuries to hospitals that later confirmed their safe transport
without adding to the injury.
Mcneil, Edward L. "The Emergency Department Stretcher." Annals of Emergency Medicine 11.12 (1982):
680-83. Web. 29 Apr. 2015. http://ac.els-cdn.com/S0196064482802667/1-s2.0-S0196064482802667main.pdf?_tid=a5ce3322-ef51-11e4-b11a00000aab0f26&acdnat=1430409648_1ee6d41a5609654a2ccab607e5e5cd97
This paper highlights the pros and cons of a particular emergency room stretcher design by
illustrating what characteristic features a proper stretcher should have. It does this by explaining in
terms of how the patient should feel or be manipulated in the stretcher. While we aren’t necessarily
interested in the stretcher design, we are interested in these design features and the importance
they have for the patients well being.
http://www.hamishmacinnes.com/stretcher2.htm
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Sketches and Photos
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Working Photos of Prototype:
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