Inclined Therapeutic Cushion Structure for GERD Sleep Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current therapeutic cushion systems fail to effectively manage symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other digestive disorders, as they do not provide adequate support for the entire body and are not designed to accommodate the specific needs of adults or adolescents.
Innovation Solution
A therapeutic cushion system featuring a support element with a angled top surface, a riser element, and a body element that can be configured to support users in an inclined side position, allowing the user's arm to be placed within a receiving portion, thereby reducing reflux episodes and facilitating stomach emptying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large, contoured body pillow is used to facilitate relief from persistent back and neck pain, respiratory and digestive disorders, then the therapeutic effect is improved, but the bulk of the pillow is in excess of what is practical for use by a normal individual in a bed
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is divided into multiple functional sections: a head support portion, a body support portion with first and second sides, and a receiving portion between them. Each section serves a specific therapeutic purpose, allowing the pillow to provide comprehensive support without requiring excessive overall bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillow utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by creating a receiving portion between the first and second sides of the body support portion, where a user's arm can be positioned. This dimensional configuration provides therapeutic benefit without increasing overall pillow volume.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pillows are designed for infants or head-only region support, then those specific conditions are addressed, but they fail to provide support for the entire body or address adult GERD needs
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is designed as a multi-functional device that can support various body regions (head, body, arm) and address multiple conditions including GERD, back pain, and respiratory disorders. The same pillow structure serves both infant and adult users, as well as multiple therapeutic needs, without requiring separate specialized devices.
3Ease of operation
If an elevated pillow with protrusion is used for cardiac or respiratory conditions, then comfort for those conditions is improved, but extended support below the sacrum region is not provided and only supine position is allowed
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow design allows users to dynamically adjust their positioning by placing their arm in the receiving portion between the first and second sides of the body support portion. This creates multiple stable positions including lateral decubitus and semi-Fowler's positions, enabling position flexibility while maintaining comfort for cardiac and respiratory conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for providing therapeutic treatment for symptoms associated with GERD and/or other digestive disorders and/or other medical conditions are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a support element that has a first end portion and a second end portion and a top surface disposed at an angle relative to a bottom surface of the support element. The second end portion has a height greater than the first end portion. A riser element is configured to be coupled proximate to the second end portion of the support element. A body element is configured to be disposed on at least one of the support element or the riser element. The body element has a first arm and a second arm connected together by an arc portion.