Gel Elastomer Fastening Device for Medical Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current releasable fastening devices, such as hook and loop systems, may not provide sufficient stability and security for positioning applications, particularly in medical settings where secure attachment and easy detachment are crucial for patient comfort and medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A user positioning apparatus utilizing malleable pads with gel elastomers, where a first gel elastomer is releasably connected to a second gel elastomer via adhesive layers, allowing for secure attachment to various surfaces and easy removal, along with a releasable band using gel elastomer pieces for wrapping around platforms and users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hook and loop releasable fasteners are used, then ease of attachment and detachment is improved, but stability and security are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines gel elastomer material with adhesive properties to create a composite fastening system. The gel elastomer provides both the mechanical flexibility needed for easy attachment/detachment and the adhesive bonding strength needed for stability and security, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the unique properties of gel elastomer that change under different conditions - the material transitions from a flexible state for easy attachment to a bonded state for stability. The gel elastomer's ability to maintain adhesion while allowing controlled detachment provides both ease of operation and reliability.
2Reliability
If adhesive layers are used to connect gel elastomers, then stability and security are improved, but ease of detachment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gel elastomer's adhesive properties are designed to be condition-dependent, allowing the material to maintain strong bonding under normal conditions for stability, but enabling easy detachment when needed. The material's unique physical-chemical properties allow it to transition between bonded and detached states without requiring excessive force.
Solution Approach 2:
The gel elastomer adhesive layer is designed as a single-use or limited-use component that provides sufficient bonding strength during the procedure but can be easily detached and discarded, eliminating the need for complex reattachment mechanisms and ensuring ease of detachment.
3Reliability
If gel elastomer is used for secure attachment, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the gel elastomer material itself - it provides structural support, adhesive bonding, and flexibility simultaneously. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing device complexity while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gel elastomer serves multiple purposes: it acts as the fastening element, the adhesive layer, and the structural component. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of parts needed in the device, simplifying the structure while providing reliable stable attachment.
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 solution provides a stable and secure attachment for positioning devices and patients, resisting shear forces while allowing for easy detachment, enhancing patient safety and procedural efficiency in medical settings.
Implementation Method 1
An adhesive layer is connected to the second gel elastomer
Implementation Method 2
The solution provides a stable and secure attachment for positioning devices and patients, resisting shear forces
Data Source
AI summary
A user positioning apparatus is provided including a malleable pad including a first gel elastomer. The first gel elastomer is releasably connectable to the second gel elastomer, and an adhesive layer is connected to the second gel elastomer. Further provided is a user positioning method. The user positioning method includes providing a malleable pad including a first gel elastomer, providing a platform, connecting the malleable pad to the platform via the first gel elastomer, providing a user, and positioning a body part of the user on the malleable pad. Further provided are a releasable fastening system, a releasable band, and a method for connecting a user to a platform. Further provided is a user positioning device including a malleable pad including a gel elastomer, the gel elastomer including a reaction product of a composition including an isocyanate prepolymer and a polyether polyol.