Axillary Support Cushion Layout for Side-Lying Pressure Relief
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Positioning on one's side while sleeping or under anesthesia causes increased pressure on shoulder and axillary structures, leading to pain, numbness, and altered sleep patterns, particularly for individuals with shoulder or neurologic disorders, as existing support structures fail to alleviate pressure effectively.
Innovation Solution
An axillary support device comprising a head cushion, a thoracic cushion, and a connector that creates a valley to receive the upper arm, providing support to maintain a neutral cervical spine alignment and relieve pressure on the axilla, with optional inflatable bladders and compressible foam-like materials for adjustment and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user positions themselves in a sidelying position for sleeping or resting, then the user can maintain a comfortable sleeping posture, but increased pressure is applied to the shoulder and axillary structures causing pain and injury
Solution Approach 1:
The axillary support device acts as an intermediary element positioned between the user's body weight and the axillary structures. The device includes a head cushion, thoracic cushion, and connector that together create a valley to receive the upper arm, distributing pressure away from the axilla while maintaining comfortable sidelying positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device applies local quality by providing targeted support at specific anatomical locations - the head cushion supports the head to maintain neutral cervical alignment, the thoracic cushion supports the thorax to relieve axillary pressure, and the connector creates a valley to receive the upper arm. Each component has specific dimensions and properties optimized for its local function.
2Reliability
If existing support structures are used to maintain sidelying position, then the user can sleep on their side, but the support structures fail to alleviate pressure on the axilla effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is segmented into distinct functional components: a head cushion with specific height for cervical support, a thoracic cushion with specific height for axillary relief, and a connector that creates a valley to receive the upper arm. This segmentation allows each component to address specific pressure points while working together to maintain reliable sidelying positioning.
3Reliability
If the head cushion and thoracic cushion are made with sufficient height to provide support, then neutral cervical alignment and axillary decompression are achieved, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The head cushion, thoracic cushion, and connector are merged into a single integrated support device that can be positioned together to provide coordinated support. The connector joins the head cushion to the thoracic cushion, creating a unified structure with a valley that receives the upper arm, simplifying usage while maintaining the reliability of cervical and axillary support.
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 stress on the axilla and associated structures, preventing injuries and maintaining comfortable sleep positions for individuals with shoulder and upper extremity conditions, while also supporting the thorax to decompress the shoulder and axilla, thereby alleviating pain and numbness.
Implementation Method 1
An inflatable bladder may be provided in at least one of the head cushion and the thoracic cushion to enable adjustment of the volume of the fluid.
Implementation Method 2
The head cushion and/or the thoracic cushion may be formed from a compressible foam-like material.
Implementation Method 3
The head cushion and/or the thoracic cushion may be formed from a compressible foam-like material.
Data Source
AI summary
An axillary support device is provided for decompressing the axilla (armpit) and associated structures in a sidelying position. A thoracic cushion provides firm axillary support to a user at the level of the mid to upper thorax, distal to the axilla. A head cushion connected to the thoracic cushion supports the user's head and may maintain a neutral cervical spine alignment position. A connector connecting the cushions creates a valley to receive an upper arm of the user. A back support may be used to maintain the sidelying position. An inflatable bladder may be used to adjust the axillary support device in order to appropriately relieve pressure on the user's axilla and associated structures. With the axillary support device, the upper arm of the user is relatively free to extend perpendicularly in front of the body in the sidelying position with reduced stress on the lateral shoulder and axilla.