Alternating pressure support apparatus and method for same
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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
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current support surfaces are used, then basic pressure support is provided, but the spatial relationship between the patient and the therapeutic surface cannot be controlled, leading to ineffective pressure distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface incorporates movable and adjustable components including an adjustable backrest, movable leg supports, and reconfigurable positioning elements that allow dynamic adjustment of the patient's spatial relationship with the therapeutic surface, transforming a static support system into an adaptive one that can actively control positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface is divided into multiple independently controllable zones including head support, backrest, leg supports, and foot supports, each capable of independent adjustment. This segmentation allows precise control over different body regions' spatial relationships with the therapeutic surface, enabling targeted pressure distribution management
2Adaptability or versatility
If patients remain in the same position for prolonged periods, then bed-bound or wheelchair-bound individuals can be cared for, but pressure on the skin causes ischemia and skin breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface implements periodic adjustment cycles where the positioning elements and pressure distribution characteristics are systematically varied over time. This periodic action prevents continuous pressure on the same skin areas, mimicking the natural benefit of repositioning without requiring patient movement, thereby preventing ischemia and skin breakdown
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple parameters including pressure distribution patterns, surface contact areas, and positional angles of support elements. By dynamically altering these parameters, the system adapts the therapeutic surface to mitigate pressure on vulnerable skin areas, reducing the risk of decubitus ulcers and infection
3Ease of manufacture
If standard support surfaces are used, then general support is provided, but they lack anatomy-specific pressure mitigation capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface incorporates zones with different local characteristics tailored to specific anatomical regions. Each zone has optimized pressure distribution properties, contact surface area, and support firmness appropriate for the underlying anatomy, providing targeted pressure relief where needed while maintaining support elsewhere
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface transitions from a static, uniform design to a dynamic system where different anatomical zones receive customized pressure management. The movable components and adjustable elements allow the surface to adapt its characteristics to match anatomical requirements, enhancing pressure relief effectiveness without complicating the basic support function
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 in the relief chambers and ensuring proper patient positioning, thereby enhancing comfort and reducing the risk of deep venous thrombosis.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of independently pressurized relief chambers 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
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of elevated side support portions interconnected on the base material and configured to actively orient the specific anatomic region of the user's body laterally over the epicenter of the geometric pattern. The wedge portion interconnected on the base material and configured to actively orient the specific anatomic region of the user's body lengthwise over the epicenter of the geometric pattern
Data Source
AI summary
Introduced here are pressure-mitigation systems able to mitigate the pressure applied to a human body by a surface and associated methods for operating the same. A system can include a pressure-mitigation surface with a plurality of chambers whose pressure can be varied by a controller that regulates the flow of fluid produced by a pump. The plurality of chambers may be arranged in a geometric pattern designed to mitigate the pressure on a specific anatomic region when the human body is arranged over the pressure-mitigation surface.