Disposable Comfort Sheet With Waterproof-Absorbent Contamination Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient transfer devices face challenges in maintaining hygiene due to contamination from bodily fluids, with current protective sheets requiring skill to install, being difficult to determine if used, and not effectively preventing fluid permeation or contamination.
Innovation Solution
A disposable comfort sheet with a seamless waterproof layer and absorbent layer, featuring dual-layer adhesive strips for secure attachment and easy removal, along with antimicrobial properties and indicator marks to signify use, ensuring effective contamination prevention and patient comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a sheet is made completely of absorbent material, then it can contain bodily fluids, but it is not waterproof and fluids may permeate through to contaminate the patient transfer device
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet combines an absorbent layer with a waterproof layer to create a composite structure that simultaneously provides fluid absorption and waterproof protection, preventing contamination of the patient transfer device while maintaining the ability to contain bodily fluids
2Reliability
If a sheet is made completely of waterproof plastic, then it provides fluid barrier protection, but it cannot sufficiently contain bodily fluids which may trickle off the edge and contaminate surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The combination of waterproof layer and absorbent layer creates a synergistic effect where the waterproof layer provides the fluid barrier while the absorbent layer captures and contains bodily fluids, preventing them from trickling off the edge and contaminating surrounding surfaces
3Productivity
If a sheet is designed to be disposable, then it reduces cleaning time and effort, but it requires skill to install properly and provides no clear indication of prior use
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet is pre-assembled with the absorbent layer attached to the waterproof layer before use, eliminating the need for complex installation procedures and reducing the skill required to install it properly
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet incorporates visual indicators such as color changes or staining patterns that clearly show when the sheet has been used, allowing operators to easily identify and replace contaminated sheets without requiring inspection skills
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 disposable comfort sheet significantly reduces the risk of infectious transmission, simplifies installation and cleaning, and provides clear indication of use, enhancing hygiene and patient comfort during transfers.
Implementation Method 1
a first longitudinal adhesive strip applied to the waterproof layer along a first side edge thereof, and a second longitudinal adhesive strip applied to the waterproof layer along a second side edge
Implementation Method 2
an absorbent layer
Implementation Method 3
a seamless, waterproof layer
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable comfort sheet has a waterproof layer and an absorbent layer, with adhesive strips applied to the waterproof layer along side edges. The sheet is adapted for use with a patient transfer device having upper and lower counter-rotating belts, and protects the upper belt against contamination. The patient transfer device may have registration marks for installation of the sheet, and indicator marks can be printed at predetermined locations on the waterproof layer for alignment with the registration marks. The sheet may include various means for indicating prior use by a patient, such as an ink pattern made of a heat-sensitive or moisture-sensitive ink. The sheet may further include a peel-away layer releasably bonded to the absorbent layer, with additional longitudinal adhesive strips applied to the side edges of the peel-away layer. The peel-away layer protects the lower belt against contamination from the sheet after a patient is delivered.