Operating Table Air Cell Support for Stable No-Air-Loss Pressure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional low-air-loss patient support systems in operating rooms face issues with continuous air leakage, leading to decreased air pressure and patient instability during surgical procedures, which can cause bedsores due to unrelieved pressure.
Innovation Solution
A patient support system with a plurality of elongate air cells secured to a mounting sheet, connected to a fluid pump and pressure sensor system that maintains a constant air pressure by adjusting air flow through a sealed fluid communication network, preventing air loss and ensuring patient stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a low-air-loss patient support system is used to reduce bedsores, then pressure distribution is improved, but air pressure continuously decreases due to leakage causing patient instability
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates pressure sensors that continuously monitor air pressure within the air cells and provide feedback to a controller. When pressure drops below a threshold, the controller activates the fluid pump to replenish air, maintaining stable pressure and patient position throughout the surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors and replenishes air pressure without requiring external intervention. The integrated pressure sensors and control system enable the mattress to self-regulate air pressure, ensuring continuous patient stability during surgery.
2Stress or pressure
If the fluid pump is cycled on and off to maintain air pressure, then air pressure is maintained, but patient position changes relative to the table surface
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system activates the pump only when pressure drops below a predetermined threshold, rather than cycling it continuously. This maintains air pressure while minimizing patient movement, as the pump operates only when necessary to restore pressure to the target level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains air pressure within a narrow pressure range by adjusting pump operation based on real-time pressure measurements. This keeps pressure changes minimal and patient position stable while still preventing pressure ulcers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional operating room tables are used for positioning, then positioning flexibility is provided, but patient support for bedsore prevention is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the positioning capabilities of conventional operating room tables with an advanced air cell mattress system. The table provides macro-positioning (tilt, elevation, segment positioning) while the air cell mattress provides micro-positioning and pressure distribution control, achieving both positioning flexibility and bedsore prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The air cell mattress system serves multiple functions: it provides pressure distribution for bedsore prevention, maintains patient stability through pressure regulation, and works compatibility with various table positioning configurations, making it universally applicable to different surgical procedures and table types.
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 system effectively maintains a consistent air pressure, preventing bedsores by keeping the patient stationary and stable during surgery, without the need for continuous air addition, thus reducing the risk of pressure-related injuries.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of air cells can be pressurized and sealed so that at least a portion of the plurality of air cells form a no-air-loss patient support surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A patient support system for an operating room table is provided. At least a portion of the patient support system components form a no-air-loss patient support surface. At least one fluid pump can supply air pressure to a plurality of no-air-loss air cells, and at least one pressure release valve can release air pressure from the no-air-loss air cells. A computer can compare air pressure within the air cells to a desired air pressure set point and can modulate the air pressure by actuating the at least one fluid pump and/or the at least one pressure release valve to bring the air pressure within the air cells to a desired air pressure. After the initial air pressure adjustments are made and the desired air pressure is achieved, no further adjustments during the operation are able to be made by the computer so that the patient positioned thereon the patient support system will not be moved by the patient support system during an operation.