Multi-Layer Cover Sheet for Bed Sore Moisture and Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients confined to bed for extended periods are at risk of developing decubitus ulcers due to pressure-induced capillary occlusion, exacerbated by moisture and heat, which existing support surfaces fail to manage effectively.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer patient support system with a hydrophobic-hydrophilic gradient in its cover sheet, designed to move fluids away from the skin and maximize airflow exposure, reducing the risk of skin breakdown and requiring less airflow and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-layer cover sheet is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot effectively manage moisture and heat, leading to increased risk of decubitus ulcers
Solution Approach 1:
The cover sheet is divided into multiple functional layers: a patient-contact layer with moisture-wicking properties, an intermediate layer for fluid distribution, and an outer layer for airflow exposure. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally, managing moisture and heat effectively while preventing decubitus ulcers.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover sheet employs composite materials with different hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties in each layer. The patient-contact layer uses hydrophilic materials to absorb moisture, while the outer layer uses hydrophobic materials to repel fluid and promote evaporation. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by providing effective moisture management through material diversity.
2Reliability
If high airflow is used to evaporate fluids, then moisture management is improved, but electrical power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover sheet is designed to passively manage moisture through its multi-layer structure and hydrophobic/hydrophilic gradient, which automatically directs fluid away from the patient and exposes it to airflow for evaporation. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for high-power active airflow systems, lowering electrical power consumption while maintaining effective moisture management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the cover sheet layers to optimize moisture evaporation at lower airflow rates. By adjusting the hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity parameters and layer thicknesses, the system maximizes fluid exposure to airflow, enabling efficient evaporation with reduced electrical power consumption.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fluids are allowed to pool under the patient, then the structure is simple, but skin maceration and decubitus ulcers are exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The cover sheet incorporates local quality variations through its multi-layer construction, with each layer having specific hydrophobic or hydrophilic properties tailored to its function. The patient-contact layer has high moisture absorption capacity, while deeper layers have progressively different properties to direct fluid laterally away from pressure points, preventing pooling and skin maceration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a hydrophobic/hydrophilic gradient that creates a three-dimensional fluid pathway, moving fluid not just vertically through layers but laterally across the cover sheet surface. This dimensional approach to fluid management prevents pooling under the patient by directing fluid toward edges where it can evaporate, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and effective fluid 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 decubitus ulcers by efficiently managing moisture and heat, minimizing fluid pooling at pressure points, and lowering interface pressures, while also being energy-efficient and adaptable to various support surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
the layers have different hydrophobic or hydrophilic properties and establish a fluid gradient to preferentially move fluid away from areas that contact a patient
Implementation Method 2
the layers have different hydrophobic or hydrophilic properties and establish a fluid gradient
Implementation Method 3
Exemplary embodiments can also provide the ability to evaporate a bolus of fluid over a longer period of time
Implementation Method 4
ensuring that the fluids are maximally exposed to the airstreams within the structure
Implementation Method 5
aid in the prevention of decubitus ulcer formation and/or promote the healing of such ulcer formation by managing patient skin exposure to moisture at the support surface cover sheet interface
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, a support system includes a cover sheet with number of layers. In certain embodiments, a top layer and a bottom layer are bonded to middle spacer layer.