Background
At present, the recovery beds for the elderly and convalescent patients being sold in Thailand still have some drawbacks. The design of these beds does not yield comfortability for bodily movement and it causes a feeling of being in a hospital. Furthermore, the price is quite expensive because these beds are imported products.
Goal
The research team plans to design and develop an adjustable bed prototype for home use to meet the needs of the target group that are the elderly, bedridden patients, and patients that need recovery after treatment or surgery.
What does the research team do?
The research team had studied the needs of target group using a human-centric design approach to develop safe products called “Joey-Active bed”. The method had focused on the users’ basic needs, such as bodily movement, safety, ergonomics, and reasonable price.
Research results
The bed prototype possesses an adjustable backrest and the mattress can be rotated up to 90 degrees, which is a proper position for standing and sitting aside the bed. This process has provided the elderly and patients safely for their bodily movement, which helps create a beneficial effect on their mental state since they can do various activities with their family without being bedridden.
Research status
- The bed prototype was put into operation at Klang Hospital and Prasat Neurological Institute in 2018, and has been in used at Klang Hospital up until now.
- The research team has transferred this technology to SB Design Square Company Limited to produce and distribute the products.
Outlook
The research team plans to improve the bed’s mechanism in order to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.
Research team
Dr. Sarawut Lerspalungsanti, Senior Researcher, Dr. Sittha Sukkasi, Senior Researcher, Foifon Srisawat, Senior Research Assistant, Prasit Wattanawongsahun, Senior Engineer, and Narong Pitaksapsin, Senior Engineer of Advanced Engineering Systems Research Team, Engineering Design and Computation Research Group
Contact
Dr. Sarawut Lerspalungsanti, Senior Researcher
Foifon Srisawat, Senior Research Assistant
Tel: 02-564-6500 (4350 or 4349)
Email: Sarawutl@mtec.co.th, Foifons@mtec.co.th