Patient Turning Wedge With Directional Glide for Sacral Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices and methods fail to adequately prevent pressure ulcers in bedridden patients, particularly in the sacral region, due to difficulties in turning patients, inconsistent turning angles, and the inability to maintain patient positioning over time, often requiring multiple caregivers and leading to caregiver injuries.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a sheet with directional stitching and glide materials, and wedges with selective gliding assemblies that resist movement in specific directions, allowing for easier patient turning and positioning, including a support for the upper thigh area, to maintain patient stability and reduce friction and shearing forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pillows are used to support the patient's body for turning, then the patient can be positioned on one side or the other, but the pillows are non-uniform and can pose difficulties in achieving consistent turning angles and may slip out from underneath the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the support structure by using a uniform wedge-shaped device with a specific angle (e.g., 30 degrees) instead of variable pillows. This standardized geometric parameter ensures consistent turning angles and eliminates the slipping problem inherent in pillow-based support.
2Reliability
If frequent turning of the patient is performed to combat sacral pressure ulcers, then pressure is taken off of the sacrum, but turning patients is difficult and time consuming and can result in injury to caregivers
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge device enables the patient to be turned with minimal caregiver effort by utilizing the wedge's mechanical advantage. The patient's body weight naturally acts on the wedge surface, facilitating the turning motion without requiring caregivers to manually lift or reposition the patient, thus reducing both time and physical strain.
3Ease of operation
If patients are positioned in an inclined position on the bed, then pulmonary reasons are addressed, but patients tend to slide downward toward the foot of the bed and cause further friction or shearing at the sacrum
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge acts as an intermediary device between the patient and the bed surface. It provides a controlled inclined surface that maintains the therapeutic angle while preventing uncontrolled sliding. The wedge's geometry and friction characteristics mediate the interaction, allowing the patient to remain stable at the desired inclination without excessive friction or shearing forces.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If existing patient positioning devices are used, then patient support is provided, but they cannot be left under a patient for long periods of time due to insufficient breathability
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge device incorporates breathable, porous materials in its construction, allowing air circulation and moisture vapor transmission. This enables the device to be left under the patient for extended periods without causing heat buildup or moisture accumulation that would lead to skin breakdown or discomfort.
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
Facilitates safe and efficient patient turning and positioning, reducing the risk of pressure ulcers by minimizing friction and shearing forces, while allowing single caregiver operation and maintaining patient stability.
Implementation Method 1
a first pull force necessary to create sliding movement of the sheet with respect to the ramp surface in the first direction is greater compared to a second pull force necessary to create sliding movement of the sheet with respect to the ramp surface in a second direction
Data Source
AI summary
A system for use with a bed having a frame and a supporting surface includes a sheet having a bottom surface configured to be placed above the supporting surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface, and a wedge having a wedge body with a base wall, a ramp surface, and a back wall, wherein the base wall has a base engagement member configured to engage a surface of the bed to form a selective gliding assembly that resists movement of the wedge with respect to the bed in a direction extending from the back wall toward the apex, and wherein the base engagement member is configured as a patch, the patch covering only a first portion of the base wall such that edges of the engagement members are spaced from edges of the base wall to allow a second portion of the base wall to be exposed.