Gel Overlay Pad for Stable Patient Positioning Without Pressure Points

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing patient positioning devices, such as bean bag and gel pads, often cause pressure points and surface irregularities during medical procedures, which can lead to discomfort and skin protection issues for patients on operating room tables.

Innovation Solution

A gel-infused polyurethane visco-elastic foam overlay pad is designed to conform to the patient's anatomy and bridge gaps between the bean bag device's surface irregularities, reducing pressure points and enhancing skin protection by merging with the bean bag's surface, while maintaining support and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a bean bag device is used to support a patient, then the device conforms to the patient's shape and provides stability, but pressure points and surface irregularities form causing discomfort and skin protection issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient stabilityVSAvoidpressure points on skin

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A gel overlay pad is introduced as an intermediary layer between the bean bag device and the patient's skin. The gel pad conforms to both the irregular bean bag surface and the patient's anatomy, distributing pressure evenly while maintaining the stability provided by the bean bag device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution uses a composite structure combining the bean bag device (providing stability) with a gel overlay pad (providing pressure distribution). This composite approach allows each material to perform its optimal function without the drawbacks of the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a gel pad is used to provide shape conformance and comfort, then skin protection improves, but the device may lack the stability and positioning capability of a bean bag device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin protectionVSAvoidpatient positioning stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The gel pad is merged with the bean bag device by placing it directly over the bean bag surface. This combination allows the gel pad to provide skin protection while the underlying bean bag device maintains patient positioning stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The overlay pad system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the skin from pressure points, conforms to the patient's anatomy for comfort, and maintains the stable positioning provided by the bean bag device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If the overlay pad is made from dense foam material, then durability and support improve, but the pad becomes difficult to ship and store due to bulk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepad support capabilityVSAvoidshipping and storage convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The overlay pad is designed to be dynamically compressible for shipping and storage, then expands to its full functional form during use. This allows the pad to maintain high support capability when needed while being space-efficient during logistics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pad uses a flexible foam material that can be folded or rolled into a thin profile for shipping and storage, then expands to provide full support and cushioning when deployed for patient positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 effectively minimizes pressure ulcers, neuropathy, and nerve damage by distributing weight evenly, providing a smooth and stable surface that maintains patient positioning without allowing movement, thus improving comfort and safety during medical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

A gel-infused polyurethane visco-elastic foam overlay pad is designed to conform to the patient's anatomy and bridge gaps between the bean bag device's surface irregularities

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Implementation Method 2

a gel-infused foam pad configured in shape and size to support a patient on an operating room table

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGel infusion: Gel

Data Source

PatentUS10688004B2Overlay support pad for medical bean bag device

Publication Date: 2020.06.23 PRIME MEDICAL

AI summary

A patient positioning overlay pad which works in conjunction with a bean bag device to fill gaps in the bean bag device when the bean bag device conforms to a shape of the body, the overlay pad providing support, protection, and comfort for a patient when the patient is positioned on an operating room table in a predetermined position during a medical procedure.