Adjustable Treatment Support Surface for Prone Patient Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional treatment devices often cause discomfort for patients in a prone position due to issues with breast and stomach support during therapeutic treatments.
Innovation Solution
A treatment device with an actuator assembly that selectively deforms resilient layers to adjust support regions, providing customizable comfort for users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional treatment devices use a fixed rigid support structure, then structural stability is maintained, but user comfort deteriorates due to inability to accommodate breast and stomach support needs
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface is divided into multiple independent zones including a first support zone for the breast area and a second support zone for the stomach area. Each zone can be independently adjusted through separate actuators, allowing customized support for different body parts while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment device transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. actuators enable real-time modification of the support surface configuration, allowing the device to adapt to different user body types and comfort requirements during therapeutic treatments.
2Ease of operation
If the treatment device adds adjustable support regions for breast and stomach, then user comfort is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional actuators and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
Adjustability is implemented locally only where needed for breast and stomach support rather than across the entire treatment surface. This targeted approach provides comfort adjustment capabilities in critical areas while minimizing the overall complexity of the actuator and control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The device modifies physical parameters such as the position, angle, and curvature of support surface segments through actuators. By changing these parameters locally in specific zones, the system achieves comfort adjustment without requiring complete redesign of the entire structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the resilient layer is made more deformable for better comfort, then support customization is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient layer is segmented into multiple independent zones with different deformation characteristics. Each zone can be selectively deformed by corresponding actuators, allowing areas requiring customization (breast and stomach regions) to be more deformable while other areas maintain greater structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure utilizes composite construction combining resilient materials with rigid framing. The resilient layers provide deformability and comfort in contact areas, while the underlying rigid structure maintains overall stability and positional integrity during adjustments.
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
Enhances user comfort and convenience by allowing tailored support adjustments for different body parts, especially during prone positions.
Implementation Method 1
a first resilient layer that is positioned on top of the section base... an actuator assembly that is configured to selectively deform the second support region relative to the first support region
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
A treatment device (12) for supporting a user (10) during a therapeutic treatment includes a device body (216) and an actuator assembly (222). The device body (216) is configured to support the user (10) during the therapeutic treatment. The device body (216) includes a first body section (224) that supports at least a portion of the user (10) during the therapeutic treatment. The first body section (224) has (i) a rigid, section base (228), (ii) a first resilient layer (230A) that is positioned on top of the section base (228), the first resilient layer (230A) including a first support region (224F) and a second support region (224S), and (iii) a section cover (232) that covers the first resilient layer (230A), the section cover (232) being adapted to engage the user (10). The actuator assembly (222) is configured to selectively deform the second support region (224S) relative to the first support region (224F).