Patient-orienting alternating pressure support apparatus with lower extremity wedge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current support surfaces for preventing pressure ulcers lack the ability to control the spatial relationship between the patient and the therapeutic surface, leading to ineffective pressure distribution and increased risk of decubitus ulcers in bed-bound or wheelchair-bound individuals.

Innovation Solution

A system that actively orients patients over an anatomy-specific pressure-mitigating contact surface with independently pressurized relief chambers configured in a geometric pattern, combined with elevated side support portions and a wedge portion to mitigate contact pressure and promote blood flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current support surfaces are used for pressure ulcer prevention, then some pressure mitigation is provided, but the spatial relationship between patient and therapeutic surface cannot be controlled leading to continued complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure ulcer prevention effectivenessVSAvoidspatial relationship control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support surface incorporates movable and adjustable components including elevatable side supports that can be positioned at different heights and angles, and a wedge portion that can be adjusted to control patient positioning dynamically, enabling active control of spatial relationships between patient and therapeutic surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support surface is divided into functionally independent segments including side supports, a wedge portion, and pressure-mitigating contact portions with independently pressurized chambers, allowing each segment to be adjusted independently to achieve precise spatial control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If steady pressure is applied to support the patient, then structural support is maintained, but pressure ulcers develop due to lack of blood flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidpressure-induced ischemia

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure-mitigating contact portion employs independently pressurized relief chambers that alternate between inflated and deflated states in a periodic cycle, creating dynamic pressure distribution that maintains structural support while periodically relieving pressure to prevent ischemia and ulcer formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the pressure parameter dynamically by alternating between high and low pressure states in different chambers, transforming the static pressure condition into a dynamic one that prevents tissue damage while maintaining overall support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If patient positioning is left uncontrolled, then device simplicity is maintained, but pressure distribution is suboptimal leading to ulcer complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning control mechanismVSAvoidpressure distribution effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elevated side supports and wedge portion work together to automatically position and orient the patient's body over the pressure-mitigating contact surface through gravitational force and mechanical constraint, enabling self-positioning without requiring complex active control systems or external intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Effectively reduces pressure on specific anatomic regions, preventing pressure ulcers by alternating pressure distribution and promoting blood flow, thereby enhancing patient comfort and reducing the risk of complications.

Implementation Method 1

the independently pressurized relief chambers are configured in a geometric pattern that mitigates contact pressure between a support surface and a specific anatomic region of a patient's body when pressure in the independently pressurized relief chambers is alternated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAlternating pressure:

Data Source

PatentUS9901491B2Patient-orienting alternating pressure support apparatus with lower extremity wedge

Publication Date: 2018.02.27 TURNCARE INC

AI summary

Described herein are systems and apparatuses for enhanced comfort through contact pressure reduction. In particular, the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein prevent or otherwise mitigate pressure by actively orienting a patient over an anatomy-specific pressure-mitigating contact surface on which the patient rests. A pressure-mitigating contact portion of the contact surface includes a plurality of independently pressurized chambers configured in a specific geometric pattern that is designed to mitigate contact pressure between a support surface (e.g., bed or chair) and a specific anatomic region of a patient's body when the specific anatomic region of the patient's body is oriented over an epicenter of the geometric pattern. Additionally, a plurality of elevated side support portions and a wedge interconnected on the base material are configured to actively orient the specific anatomic region of the patient's body over the epicenter of the geometric pattern.