Hinged Offloader Support for Adjustable Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Caregivers face challenges in adjusting pillows to properly offload pressure from patients, leading to discomfort and difficulty in positioning, which can result in pressure injuries and inefficient care provision.
Innovation Solution
An offloader system comprising a main support and auxiliary supports hingedly coupled to allow rotation, with polymeric covers and optional inflatable cushions, designed to provide customizable support and comfort by redistributing pressure effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pillows are used to offload pressure from patients, then pressure relief is achieved, but it is difficult to adjust and position them properly
Solution Approach 1:
The offloader system incorporates movable and adjustable components including rotatable auxiliary supports, adjustable positioning mechanisms, and flexible positioning elements that allow caregivers to dynamically adjust the device to properly offload pressure from specific patient body parts while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The offloader system is divided into multiple independent components including a main support body, multiple auxiliary supports, and separate positioning elements that can be independently adjusted and positioned to achieve optimal pressure relief configuration
2Reliability
If multiple pillows are used to offload pressure, then pressure distribution improves, but device complexity and difficulty in positioning increase
Solution Approach 1:
The offloader system combines multiple support functions into an integrated device where the main support body and auxiliary supports work together as a unified system, reducing the need for multiple separate pillows while maintaining effective pressure distribution across different patient body parts
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary supports are designed to perform multiple functions including pressure relief, positioning, and support for different patient body parts, allowing a single device to replace multiple specialized pillows and reduce overall system complexity
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 offloader system enables efficient and comfortable pressure redistribution, reducing the risk of pressure injuries and enhancing caregiver efficiency by allowing multiple configurations for optimal patient support.
Implementation Method 1
The main cover is formed from a polymeric material. The auxiliary cover is formed from a polymeric material.
Implementation Method 2
The auxiliary cover is hingedly coupled to the main cover along the first edge and the second edge so that the auxiliary support is rotatable relative to the main support.
Implementation Method 3
The main support includes an inner core, a first sheet, and a second sheet. The second sheet is coupled to the first sheet along a periphery of the first sheet and cooperates with first sheet to form a cover. The cover extends around and encloses the inner core to form an inflatable cushion.
Data Source
AI summary
An offloader system includes a main support. The main support includes a main support body and a main cover. The main support body has a main rounded surface with a first edge. The main cover extends around the main support body. The main cover is formed from a polymeric material. The offloader system also includes an auxiliary support. The auxiliary support includes an auxiliary support body and an auxiliary cover. The auxiliary support body has an auxiliary rounded surface with a second edge. The auxiliary cover extends around the auxiliary support body. The auxiliary cover is formed from a polymeric material. The auxiliary cover is hingedly coupled to the main cover along the first edge and the second edge so that the auxiliary support is rotatable relative to the main support.