Abdominal Compression Bladder for Shallow Breathing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for promoting shallow breathing in patients during medical procedures, such as radiotherapy and imaging, are inefficient and cause discomfort due to uneven pressure distribution and difficulty in maintaining consistent positioning.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a paddle, a bladder, and a belt where the bladder is interposed between the belt and the paddle, allowing inflation to apply consistent pressure to the patient's abdomen, thereby promoting shallow breathing by minimizing torso movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a compression belt is used to promote shallow breathing, then patient motion is reduced, but pressure distribution becomes uneven causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
A bladder is introduced as an intermediary element between the compression belt and the patient's body. The bladder distributes the compressive force uniformly across its surface area, preventing localized high-pressure points that cause discomfort. The belt applies force to the bladder, which then transmits this force evenly to the patient's torso, resolving the contradiction between effective compression and patient comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder is inflated with air or fluid to create a compliant, pressure-distributing interface. By using pneumatic pressure, the system achieves uniform force distribution across the contact surface while allowing the bladder to conform to the patient's body contours. This pneumatic mechanism enables effective shallow breathing promotion without the harmful localized pressure points associated with rigid or direct belt contact.
2Manufacturing precision
If a rigid compression device is used, then positioning accuracy is improved, but patient comfort and repeatability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder acts as a flexible shell that can be inflated to various pressures, providing a compliant yet controllable compression interface. This flexible membrane maintains consistent positioning by distributing pressure evenly while adapting to slight variations in patient anatomy and breathing patterns. The flexibility allows for repeated use across multiple treatment sessions without causing discomfort or positioning drift.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression force is controlled by adjusting the inflation pressure of the bladder, allowing precise control over the applied force parameter. This enables the system to achieve and maintain consistent positioning accuracy while adjusting the pressure level to ensure patient comfort. The ability to modify the pressure parameter provides repeatability across multiple sessions while maintaining ease of operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces patient motion and discomfort by providing consistent and controlled pressure on the abdomen, facilitating accurate positioning and repeated use across multiple sessions.
Implementation Method 1
inflating the bladder urges the paddle toward the body of the patient so as to apply pressure to the abdomen of the patient
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for promoting shallow breathing of a patient includes a paddle, a belt, and a bladder. The paddle may be configured to contact the body of the patient. The belt may be configured to secure the paddle against the body of the patient. Finally, the bladder may be interposed between the belt and the paddle in the installed condition, such that inflating the bladder urges the paddle toward the body of the patient so as to apply pressure to the abdomen of the patient. A method of promoting shallow breathing is also provided that includes attaching a paddle and a bladder to a belt, such that the bladder is between the paddle and the belt, positioning the paddle on the patient, and inflating the bladder to urge the paddle toward the body of the patient such that the paddle applies pressure to the abdomen of the patient.