Biodegradable Patient Lateral Transfer Surface Using PLA Composite
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Solution Overview
Problem
The disposal of non-biodegradable plastic patient support surfaces in healthcare settings poses an environmental challenge and contradicts sustainability goals, as these materials are difficult to recycle and contribute to plastic waste.
Innovation Solution
Development of a biodegradable patient lateral transfer support surface using flexible material sheets made from polymers such as polyamide, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC, combined with a biodegradable additive blend or copolymer of poly-lactic acid (PLA) and poly-terephthalate, which enhances the material's biodegradability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-biodegradable plastic materials are used for patient support surfaces, then durability and hygiene (single-use capability) are improved, but environmental sustainability and waste management deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the plastic material by incorporating biodegradable additives (such as starch, cellulose, or other natural polymers) into the conventional plastic matrix. This modification allows the material to maintain its functional properties during use while enabling biodegradation after disposal, thus resolving the contradiction between hygiene reliability and environmental harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system combining conventional plastic polymers with biodegradable components. The plastic matrix provides durability and hygiene properties, while the biodegradable additive enables environmental decomposition. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of both reliability and reduced environmental harm.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If biodegradable additives are mixed into polymeric materials, then biodegradability is improved, but material strength and structural integrity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the biodegradable additive in specific regions or at controlled concentrations within the polymer matrix. Rather than uniformly distributing the additive throughout the material, the formulation ensures that biodegradation occurs at the molecular level while the overall structural integrity is maintained through optimized composition ratios and distribution patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed relates to a lateral transfer support surface and method of making. The flexible material sheets are sealed to one another to form at least one chamber, at least one of the flexible material sheets having air exit holes therein. The flexible material sheets is made of a polymer selected from a group consisting of polyamide, polyester, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinylchloride (PVC) and combinations thereof; and an additive comprising a blend or copolymer of (1) a first polymer selected from a poly-lactic acid (PLA), a polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) or a combination thereof and (2) a second polymer which is a poly-terephthalate.