Innovation in the Operating Room

U.S. Air Force Maj. Nick Lents, a 673d Surgical Operations Squadron nurse, tightens down a safety restraint at the hospital on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 5, 2021. Lents worked with the Arctic Spark team to develop a 3D printed part to help in the application of the safety restraints. A gap in the railing prevented the straps from being tightened down on certain parts of the bed, often causing the restraints to be positioned sub-optimally for patient safety and comfort. After development of the part, it solved this problem by bridging the gap and supporting the straps. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Patrick Sullivan)

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Innovation in the Operating Room

U.S. Air Force Maj. Nick Lents, a 673d Surgical Operations Squadron nurse, installs a 3D printed bridge between bed rails at the hospital on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 5, 2021. Lents worked with the Arctic Spark team to develop this part, which allows safety restraints to be applied across gaps in the bed’s frame. Without the bridge, the restraints would often have to be applied in sub-optimal locations to avoid the gaps on the frame. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Patrick Sullivan)

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Innovation in the Operating Room

U.S. Air Force Maj. Nick Lents, a 673d Surgical Operations Squadron nurse, applies a restraining strap at the hospital on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 5, 2021. Lents identified an issue with the surgical beds where gaps in the railing prevented safety straps from being applied. He worked with the Arctic Spark team on JBER to develop a 3D printed piece that would cover the gap and support the straps while still breaking away as needed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Patrick Sullivan)

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Innovation in the Operating Room

A Lents Bridge device holds a simulated patient to a bed at the hospital on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 5, 2021. The beds used to hold patients during surgery are segmented to allow for adjustments, however, the gaps between segments makes it difficult to apply straps when a patient needs to be restrained. The Lents Bridge spans the gap to allow restraints to be applied safely, while being designed to break away if the bed needs to be adjusted quickly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Patrick Sullivan)

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Innovation in the Operating Room

Published Aug. 30, 2021
By Airman 1st Class Patrick Sullivan
673 ABW/PA

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- U.S. Air Force Maj. Nick Lents, a 673d Surgical Operations Squadron nurse, tightens down a safety restraint at the hospital on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 5, 2021. Lents worked with the Arctic Spark team to develop a 3D printed part to help in the application of the safety restraints. A gap in the railing prevented the straps from being tightened down on certain parts of the bed, often causing the restraints to be positioned sub-optimally for patient safety and comfort. After development of the part, it solved this problem by bridging the gap and supporting the straps.