Department of Mathematics

Stryker Medical

Patient Transfer Device (Continuum Mechanics)*

Liaison: Martin Stryker

GG Adams, in a January 2000 paper in the Transactions of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, stated that friction could be reduced to near-zero between an elastic half space and a rigid surface through the induction of incident rectangular dilatational waves, which interrupt the creation and existence of stick-slip zones. This was proven using the theory of strength of materials, elasticity theory, and continuum mechanics. It is proposed that this theory may be used in the area of patient transfer. Namely, a thin sheet, placed under the patient in a stretcher, may be vibrated (using an separated actuator or by designing the sheet with electroactive materials), allowing practioners to slide the patient more easily to another stretcher/bed surface. In order to develop this technology, the theory must be extended to non-linear materials, i.e. stationary surface is the foam mattress, and the moving surface is the patient.

*Summary prepared by Michael Hernandez, Associate Project Manager, Stryker Medical, mhernand@med.strykercorp.com

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For any additional questions regarding the program curriculum and/or the extension deadline for the application to the MSIM program, contact us at msim@math.msu.edu

Contact

Department of Mathematics
Michigan State University
619 Red Cedar Road
C212 Wells Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824

Phone: (517) 353-0844
Fax: (517) 432-1562

College of Natural Science