Flexible Heated Underbody Electrode for Surgical Warming Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heated mattresses and warming systems for surgical applications are inadequate due to stiffness, lack of flexibility, and inefficiency in heat distribution, which can lead to hypothermia, pressure ulcers, and safety concerns such as sparking and fires. Existing solutions, like resistive wire heaters, are unsafe in the operating room, and capacitive coupling electrodes are cumbersome and non-stretchable, limiting their effectiveness and safety.
Innovation Solution
A flexible and conformable heated underbody support system that integrates a capacitive coupling electrode with a conductive or semi-conductive fabric heating element, allowing for optimal patient accommodation and simultaneous thermal and electrical grounding, using materials like polypyrrole for enhanced flexibility and safety, and incorporating inflatable chambers for improved heat transfer and patient positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If warm water mattresses are used for therapeutic patient warming, then patient warming effectiveness is improved, but the mattress becomes stiff and causes pressure injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the warming medium from liquid water to gas (air), fundamentally altering the mattress properties. The air circulation system provides warming without the stiffness and pressure problems of water-filled mattresses, allowing the mattress to remain compliant while achieving therapeutic warming effects
2Power
If resistive wire heaters are used for patient warming, then heating capability is improved, but safety is compromised due to sparking and fire risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the resistive wire heating mechanism with a fluid-based heat transfer system. Instead of using electrical resistance heating elements that can spark and cause fires, the system uses heated air circulation to provide warmth, eliminating the electrical contact hazards while maintaining effective heating capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary medium for heat transfer. Rather than direct contact between heating elements and the patient, the system heats air which then circulates to provide warmth, creating a safe buffer that eliminates direct electrical hazards while maintaining therapeutic warming
3Ease of operation
If sheet-like heaters with carbonized fabric are used, then flexibility is improved, but the fabric becomes fragile and requires lamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function entirely from the mattress structure, eliminating the need for carbonized fabric heaters and their associated fragility problems. By using air circulation for heating, the system removes the fragile heating elements that would require lamination, achieving both flexibility and durability
4Stress or pressure
If thick foam layers are placed between heater and patient, then pressure relief is improved, but heat transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses air as a controllable intermediary medium that can be heated and circulated. This allows heat to be transferred efficiently through the air medium while the foam layers remain in place to provide pressure relief, solving the conflict between thermal efficiency and pressure management
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, reduces the risk of pressure ulcers, and ensures safety by maintaining optimal heat transfer and electrical grounding, while being flexible and conformable to accommodate patients without the limitations of traditional laminated structures.
Implementation Method 1
the heated underbody support includes a grounding electrode for electrosurgical equipment
Implementation Method 2
conductive or semi-conductive fabric heating element, allowing for optimal patient accommodation and simultaneous thermal and electrical grounding
Implementation Method 3
maintaining optimal heat transfer and electrical grounding
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include a heated underbody support with electrosurgical grounding, such as a heated mattress, heated mattress overlay, or heated pad for supporting a person. The heated underbody support may include a flexible heating element formed of a sheet of conductive or semi-conductive material, a first bus bar along a first edge of the heating element adapted to receive a supply of electrical power, a second bus bar extending along the second edge of the heating element, and a temperature sensor. The heated underbody support may include a layer of compressible material adapted to conform to the person under pressure from the person resting upon the support located beneath the heating element. A water resistant shell may encase the heating element, the first and second bus bars, and the temperature sensor. A return electrode wire may be electrically connected to the flexible heating element to connect to an electrosurgical generator.