Displaceable Contouring Mechanism for Pressure-Balanced Patient Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical support systems, such as operating tables and hospital beds, often cause pressure imbalances that lead to issues like bedsores, reduced blood circulation, and nerve injuries due to their inability to adapt to the individual's contour, resulting in discomfort and potential long-term damage.
Innovation Solution
A medical displaceable contouring mechanism that includes adjustable displaceable contouring units capable of conforming to the individual's shape, reducing pressure differentials and providing customizable support and stabilization across multiple axes, allowing for dynamic positioning and pressure modulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid support mechanisms are used, then structural strength and stability are improved, but pressure distribution worsens causing bedsores and reduced blood circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The support mechanism is divided into multiple independently displaceable contouring units that can move relative to each other. Each unit can adjust its position to distribute pressure across different areas, preventing pressure imbalances while maintaining overall structural strength through the segmented architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The contouring units are designed to be dynamically displaceable rather than fixed. This allows the support surface to adapt its configuration in real-time, redistributing pressure dynamically to avoid harmful pressure points while preserving structural integrity through controlled movement mechanisms.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fixed contour support is used, then pressure distribution is improved, but adaptability to individual contours worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The contouring units can be displaced to different positions to match various body contours. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same support mechanism to adapt to different individuals and positioning requirements while maintaining effective pressure distribution through continuous contact with the body surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its geometric parameters by displacing contouring units to different positions. This allows the support surface to modify its shape and contour to match different body geometries, improving both pressure distribution and adaptability simultaneously.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If displaceable contouring units are used, then pressure distribution and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the support surface into modular contouring units, the complexity is distributed across multiple simple, identical components rather than one complex mechanism. Each unit has a simple displacement capability, but collectively they provide sophisticated pressure distribution and contour adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect relates to reducing a pressure differential across one or more supporting surfaces of a body surface of an individual at least partially by displacing at least one displaceable contouring unit to at least partially conform to one or more contours of the body surface of the individual. Certain aspects can relate to stabilizing at least the one or more supporting surfaces of the body surface of the individual at least partially with at least one of the at least one displaceable contouring unit Other aspects can relate to relatively displacing at least one displaceable contouring unit with respect to a medical device portion based at least in part on a contour of an individual to support at least a portion of the individual while limiting pressure applied to the individual.