Dynamic Inflatable Chambers for Pressure Injury Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional technologies fail to effectively manage the spatial relationship between the human body and support surfaces, leading to pressure injuries and related complications in immobile individuals due to prolonged pressure application on specific anatomical regions, which can result in ischemia and systemic inflammation.

Innovation Solution

A pressure-mitigation device with inflatable chambers controlled by a controller to create pressure gradients by varying the inflation and deflation of chambers, mimicking natural body movements to redistribute pressure points and prevent prolonged tissue compression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional support surfaces are used, then the device complexity is low, but pressure injuries occur due to inability to control spatial relationship and redistribute pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure injury preventionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support surface is divided into multiple independently controllable zones or regions that can be selectively pressurized or depressurized. This segmentation allows precise control over pressure distribution at different anatomical locations, enabling effective pressure injury prevention while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support surface transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic system that can actively adjust pressure distribution in real-time. By continuously varying pressure across different zones, the system mimics natural body movements and redistributes pressure points, preventing prolonged tissue compression without requiring complex manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Force

If pressure is applied to immobilized individuals, then the support surface provides necessary support, but prolonged pressure causes ischemia and tissue damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport forceVSAvoidpressure injury and ischemia

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support surface applies pressure in periodic cycles rather than continuously, alternating between pressurization and depressurization phases. This periodic action redistributes pressure points over time, preventing any single area from experiencing prolonged compression that would lead to ischemia and tissue damage, while still providing necessary support during each cycle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes pressure parameters (magnitude, distribution, duration) across different zones of the support surface. By varying these parameters in response to detected pressure patterns or predetermined protocols, the system maintains adequate support force while preventing harmful prolonged pressure on vulnerable anatomical regions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If individuals remain in the same position for prolonged periods, then ease of operation is maintained, but pressure injuries develop on bony prominences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition maintenanceVSAvoidpressure injury prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support surface system operates autonomously to prevent pressure injuries without requiring user action. The system self-adjusts pressure distribution across different zones, mimicking the function of voluntary position changes that ambulatory individuals naturally perform, thereby maintaining ease of operation while ensuring pressure injury prevention through automated pressure redistribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Prevents pressure injuries and reduces ischemia by dynamically shifting pressure points across the body, enhancing tissue perfusion and reducing the risk of systemic inflammation, thus promoting recovery and improving patient management.

Implementation Method 1

create pressure gradients by varying the inflation and deflation of chambers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20250318972A1Pressure-mitigation apparatuses for improved treatment of respiratory illnesses and associated systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 TURNCARE INC

AI summary

Introduced here are pressure-mitigation apparatuses able to mitigate the pressure applied to a human body by the surface of an object. A controller device can be fluidically coupled to a pressure-mitigation device that includes a series of selectively inflatable chambers. When a pressure-mitigation device is placed between a human body and a surface, the controller device can continuously, intelligently, and autonomously circulate air through the chambers of the pressure-mitigation device. As further discussed below, the controller device may cause the chambers to be selectively inflated, deflated, or any combination thereof. Such an approach is useful in a variety of contexts. For example, pressure-mitigation apparatuses may be used to improve treatment of patients suffering from respiratory illnesses and patients who are partially or completely immobilized for extended durations (e.g., as part of a medical procedure).