Climate-Controlled Bed Topper With Zoned Fluid and Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current climate control systems for beds fail to effectively prevent pressure ulcers and enhance comfort by not adequately addressing temperature, moisture, and pressure distribution issues, leading to discomfort and potential sores in bedridden patients.
Innovation Solution
A climate-controlled conditioner mat or topper member with fluid zones and non-fluid zones, featuring a spacer material to distribute fluids and maintain shape, integrated with fluid modules for thermal conditioning and moisture sensing, which can be securely attached to beds to provide targeted temperature and humidity control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional bed mattress is used, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but it cannot effectively control temperature and humidity levels, leading to increased risk of pressure ulcers
Solution Approach 1:
The conditioner mat is designed as a nested structure where the spacer material is positioned within the interior chamber formed between the upper and lower layers. The fluid modules and conduits are integrated within this nested configuration, allowing multiple functional components to be housed within a compact, layered structure that maintains simplicity while adding climate control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The bed system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the upper layer with openings for fluid ejection, the interior chamber for fluid circulation, the lower layer for structural support, and non-fluid zones for pressure distribution. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally while working together to prevent pressure ulcers through controlled fluid delivery.
2Temperature
If climate control features are added to the bed, then temperature and humidity control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conditioner mat implements local quality by providing climate control only in specific zones where openings are positioned on the upper layer, rather than uniformly across the entire bed surface. The fluid modules selectively deliver conditioned fluid to targeted areas, allowing temperature control where needed while maintaining structural simplicity in non-active regions through non-fluid zones.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fluid circulation system is implemented, then moisture control is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer material functions as a porous element within the interior chamber, allowing fluid to circulate through its structure while maintaining the chamber's shape. This porous configuration enables moisture control through passive capillary action and fluid distribution without requiring complex pumping mechanisms, simplifying manufacturing while achieving effective moisture management.
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 system effectively reduces the risk of pressure ulcers and enhances comfort by providing controlled temperature and humidity levels, improving pressure distribution and overall occupant comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a spacer material positioned within the interior chamber, wherein the spacer material is configured to maintain a shape of the interior chamber and configured to help with the passage of fluids within at least a portion of the interior chamber
Implementation Method 2
the fluid module is configured to thermally condition fluid being transferred from the fluid transfer device to the interior chamber of the conditioner mat
Implementation Method 3
The fluid module comprises a thermoelectric device configured to selectively heat or cool fluid being transferred to the interior chamber of the conditioner mat
Implementation Method 4
convective heater or other thermal conditioning device
Data Source
AI summary
According to certain arrangements, a conditioner mat for use with a bed assembly includes an upper layer comprising a plurality of openings, a lower layer being substantially fluid impermeable, at least one interior chamber defined by the upper layer and the lower layer and a spacer material positioned within the interior chamber. In one embodiment, the spacer material is configured to maintain a shape of the interior chamber and to help with the passage of fluids within a portion of interior chamber. The conditioner mat can be configured to releasably secure to a top of a bed assembly.