Alternating Air Mattress Cells With Pressure-Feedback Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inflatable-cell support systems for therapeutic mattresses rely on complex and costly electronic circuits for pressure regulation, with fixed alternating inflation and deflation cycles that do not adapt to the patient's morphology, leading to suboptimal blood circulation and increased risk of bedsores.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that dynamically adjust the inflation and deflation cycle times based on continuous measurements from morphology sensors, using solenoid valves to control fluid communication between cell series, allowing for variable pressure regulation and automatic adaptation to the patient's weight and position, eliminating the need for clocks and reducing system complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If complex electronic circuits with clocks are used for pressure regulation, then fixed alternating inflation cycles can be achieved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the clock component from the control system entirely. Instead of using a clock to trigger fixed-time alternating inflation cycles, the system uses direct pressure sensing and feedback control to manage cell inflation and deflation based on real-time pressure conditions, thereby eliminating unnecessary complexity while maintaining therapeutic functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring pressure in the inflatable cells and using this information to control the solenoid valves. The control system adjusts inflation and deflation timing based on actual pressure measurements rather than fixed time intervals, enabling adaptation to patient morphology and positioning without requiring complex electronic circuits or clocks
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed alternating inflation cycles are used, then system operation is simplified, but therapeutic effectiveness is reduced due to inability to adapt to patient morphology
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment by using embedded pressure sensors to automatically detect patient morphology and positioning, then autonomously modifies the inflation and deflation timing of the cells. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external complex control systems while achieving adaptive therapy based on real-time patient conditions
3Reliability
If continuous pressure monitoring and dynamic adjustment are implemented, then therapeutic effectiveness is optimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic pressure sensing within the inflatable cells themselves to monitor patient contact and cell inflation status. This pneumatic feedback mechanism provides continuous pressure monitoring without requiring complex electronic sensors, and the pressure information is directly used to control the solenoid valves for dynamic adjustment of inflation cycles, achieving reliable therapy with simplified control
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
This approach enhances therapeutic effectiveness by optimizing cycle times based on patient morphology, reducing the risk of bedsores, and lowering system costs by eliminating the requirement for expensive electronic clocks, while ensuring safer operation by preventing sudden deflation due to leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a substantially continuous measurement taken by means of a morphology sensor measuring the stress generated by the patient's body on the cells
Implementation Method 2
each said series of cells being able to be in a state in which communication is open with the pump and with the cells of the other series of cells, or in a state in which communication is closed with the pump and with the cells of the other series of cells and is open with the outside
Data Source
AI summary
A method of inflating, in alternating manner, inflatable cells of a support device for supporting an element to be supported is provided, which device is of the mattress type for supporting the body of a patient, said mattress being made up of cells that are inflatable with a fluid, in particular air, and having at least one zone made up of first and second series of inflatable cells referred to respectively as “first” cells and as “second” cells, the cells of each series communicating fluidly with one another and with inflation means, in which method alternating deflation and re-inflation cycles are performed during which each of said series of cells is deflated and then re-inflated in alternation and in succession, said first cells being deflated and then re-inflated simultaneously respectively with the re-inflation and with the deflation of said second cells, the alternating deflation and re-inflation of said first and second cells of the support device taking place in a cycle controlled by said inflation means being switched on/off, wherein the switching on/off of said inflation means is controlled as a function of the values of the pressures of the fluid measured inside said cells and of comparison of said values with at least one reference pressure value determined as a function of the morphology of the patient.