Filtered Exhaust Warming Pad for Stable Surgical Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current standalone surgical warming and positioning systems lack interoperability, leading to inefficiencies, compromised thermal efficacy, and increased infection risks due to turbulent airflow, which can cause patient instability, pressure ulcers, and nerve damage.

Innovation Solution

An integrated system with a biocompatible bladder featuring internal airflow lumens, a universal air inlet, and a filtered exhaust port with HEPA/ULPA filtration, along with a precision flow control valve, to ensure compatibility with positioning devices and minimize turbulence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If forced air warming systems are used to maintain normothermia, then patient thermal regulation is improved, but turbulent airflow increases infection risks by dispersing airborne pathogens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient core temperatureVSAvoidairborne pathogen dispersal

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a heated blanket as an intermediary warming device that provides thermal comfort without generating turbulent airflow. The blanket is heated to a controlled temperature and contacts the patient directly, serving as a mediator between the warming system and the patient, thereby eliminating the need for forced air circulation and reducing pathogen dispersal risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical forced air circulation system with a thermal conduction-based heating system. Instead of using fans and airflow to deliver warmth, the system uses electrically heated elements within the blanket that transfer heat through direct thermal contact with the patient's body, substituting a mechanical airflow system with a thermal conduction system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If positioning devices (grounding pads, RF pads, gel pads) are placed on patient skin, then patient positioning and electrical grounding are improved, but conductive warming efficacy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient positioning stabilityVSAvoidwarming efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies conductive warming to the patient's body before positioning devices are placed. By establishing thermal contact and initiating the warming process in advance, the system ensures that the patient receives the full benefit of conductive heating before any barriers are introduced, thereby maintaining warming efficacy while still allowing positioning devices to be used for their intended purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If positioning devices obstruct contact between warming system and patient skin, then positioning function is maintained, but thermal efficacy and tissue offloading are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoidthermal transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements different surface characteristics in different regions of the blanket. Areas where positioning devices will be placed have modified properties (such as reduced friction or different material composition) to allow easy positioning device application, while other areas maintain high thermal conductivity and skin contact quality. This spatial differentiation of properties allows the system to simultaneously achieve good positioning capability and high thermal efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 provides effective patient warming, pressure management, and reduced infection risk by maintaining normothermia, preventing pressure ulcers, and ensuring stable patient positioning while eliminating turbulent airflow.

Implementation Method 1

The device comprises a biocompatible bladder with one or more internal airflow lumens, a multi-layered structural foam core for conductive warming

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConductive warming: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

A precision flow control valve regulates pressure (0.05-0.3 kPa) and exhaust flow (0-50 L/min) to enable adjustment of the rigidity of the device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow control: Valve

Implementation Method 3

a filtered exhaust port with bacterial/viral or HEPA/ULPA filtration (≥99.97% for ≥0.3 μm)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250381063A1Integrated Patient Warming And Positioning System With Filtered Exhaust and Controlled Airflow

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 INFINITUS MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A filtered exhaust heat pad integrates warming, positioning, and handling via a bladder with one or more lumens, a universal inlet, and a filtered exhaust outlet. The system delivers conductive warming (37-42° C.), adjustable rigidity, and turbulence reduction, supporting pressure offloading (≤32 mmHg) and clean-to-clean transfers. The system is configurable for orthopedic, abdominal, chest, pelvic, head, and neck surgeries, and the system integrates with blankets, minimizing contamination and enhancing interoperability.