Expandable Bariatric Support Surface With Reconfigurable Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support surfaces, such as mattresses, fail to adequately accommodate individuals of larger size, particularly bariatric patients, as they do not expand to fit their increased width and height, leading to potential falls and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A support apparatus with a reconfigurable sleeve that can be expanded to increase the width or length of the support surface, featuring a main cushion and a sleeve that can be secured in a stowed or expanded configuration, optionally filled with a cushion insert, and equipped with an air supply system for inflation, allowing adjustment to fit larger individuals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the support surface is designed with a fixed size, then the device complexity is low, but it cannot accommodate bariatric patients of larger size
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface is divided into a main cushion and a separate sleeve component. The sleeve can be attached to extend the support surface when needed, and removed or stowed when not needed. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different patient sizes without permanently increasing the complexity of the base unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve is designed to be dynamically attachable and detachable from the main cushion using zippers or fasteners. This dynamic configuration allows the support surface to transition between a standard size and an extended size, accommodating different patient needs while maintaining a simple base structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the support surface is expanded to fit bariatric patients, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is designed to wrap around and nest with the main cushion, forming an integrated extended support surface. When the sleeve is attached, it nests along the sides of the main cushion, creating a unified structure that appears as a single extended unit rather than separate components, thereby reducing perceived complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve serves multiple functions: it extends the support surface area, provides additional cushioning when filled with cushioning material, and can be adjusted to different positions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, as the single sleeve element performs multiple roles in accommodating bariatric patients.
3Reliability
If a cushion insert is added to the sleeve, then the comfort and support are improved, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning material is pre-loaded into the sleeve during manufacturing, so that when the sleeve is attached to the main cushion, the cushioning is already in place. This preliminary action eliminates the need for users to separately insert cushioning material, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining the comfort and support benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve is designed with an openable configuration that allows the cushioning material to be easily inserted or adjusted by the user if needed. The self-service design enables users to maintain or adjust the cushioning without requiring specialized tools or complex procedures, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining support reliability.
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 solution provides a customizable support surface that accommodates bariatric patients, reducing the risk of falls and enhancing comfort by expanding to fit their dimensions, while maintaining stability and support.
Implementation Method 1
the support apparatus further includes an air supply system in communication with the sleeve to inflate the sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A support apparatus for a person includes a main cushion having a bottom surface, a top surface to form a support surface for a person supported on the main cushion, and a length having a perimeter that has longitudinal and lateral sides extending around the perimeter. In addition, the support apparatus has at least one sleeve located along one of the sides of the man cushion. The sleeve is configured between a stowed state, where the sleeve is closely adjacent to the one side, and a deployed state, where the sleeve forms an extension of the top surface of the main cushion to thereby increase the width or the length of the support surface.