Compliant Foam Head and Neck Covering for Anesthetized Patient Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Anesthetized patients are at risk of trauma to the head and neck during surgical procedures due to external pressures and movements, with existing protective measures like molded helmets offering inadequate protection and potential for heat loss.
Innovation Solution
A compliant head and neck covering made from medical-grade foam material with cut regions for the eyes, mouth, and neck, integrated with closure mechanisms and optional elastic materials, designed to conform to the patient's contours and reduce trauma risks, while also incorporating features for heat retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a molded helmet is used to protect the head, then protection against external trauma is improved, but heat loss through the head increases and pressure marks occur on the forehead and chin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible foam sheet instead of a rigid molded helmet. The foam sheet can be conformably wrapped around the patient's head and secured with straps, providing protection while allowing heat dissipation and avoiding pressure marks on the forehead and chin areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam sheet is cut to create specific openings for the eyes, ears, mouth, and nose, allowing selective protection while maintaining visibility, breathing, and heat dissipation pathways. This segmented approach addresses both protection and thermal management needs.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a molded helmet is used to protect the head, then protection against external trauma is improved, but the helmet shifts position and exposes eyes, cheeks, nose, and back of head to injury
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible foam sheet can dynamically adapt to the patient's head shape and movement, unlike a rigid helmet. It is secured with adjustable straps that allow for position adjustments while maintaining continuous protection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible nature of the foam sheet allows it to conform to the patient's head contours and move with the patient, preventing position shifts and ensuring continuous coverage of vulnerable areas like eyes, cheeks, nose, and back of head.
3Productivity
If the patient is rolled over during surgery, then surgical access is improved, but neck injury risk increases due to lack of support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines head protection and neck support into a single foam sheet structure. The neck support portion is integrated with the head covering and secured with straps, providing continuous support during patient repositioning while allowing surgical access.
4Productivity
If surgical instruments and body positioning techniques are used, then surgical procedure is enabled, but unintentional trauma to head, face, ears, eyes, and neck area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foam sheet is applied to the patient's head and neck before the surgical procedure begins, providing preemptive cushioning and protection against potential trauma from surgical instruments and positioning techniques throughout the procedure.
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 foam covering effectively reduces the risk of trauma by distributing pressure, maintaining patient safety, and minimizing heat loss through the head and neck area during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The foam material is compliant so that the body portion conforms to contours of the head and neck of the anesthetized patient
Implementation Method 2
A significant amount of heat can be lost passively through the head and neck. The foam covering effectively reduces the risk of trauma by distributing pressure, maintaining patient safety, and minimizing heat loss through the head and neck area
Data Source
AI summary
A head and neck covering is cut from a flat sheet of foam material to form a body portion of the head and neck covering. The foam material has a first surface cut to form an eye region, mouth region and neck region. The foam material has a second surface opposite the first surface which is continuous other than an opening for intubation. The foam material is compliant so that the body portion conforms to contours of the head and neck of the anesthetized patient. A closure mechanism is attached to the body portion for securing the head and neck covering around the anesthetized patient. The foam material reduces a potential for trauma to the head and neck of the anesthetized patient. A plurality of channels is formed in the foam material. Warm fluid is circulated through the channels to reduce heat loss for the patient.