Inflatable Bariatric Overlay for Imaging Bed Adaptation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current patient handling systems are inadequate for bariatric patients, as they lack sufficient lateral support, lead to motion artifacts, and pose risks during transfer due to surface elevation changes and pinch hazards, especially during medical imaging procedures.
Innovation Solution
A bariatric overlay with a flexible top pallet and a rigid bottom pallet, featuring a bladder that inflates to reduce elevation differences and provide a flat surface for patient transfer, and deflates to conform to the shape of the imaging bed for secure positioning, made from translucent materials for imaging compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a concave bed pallet is used to cradle the patient during imaging, then patient support and positioning are improved, but surface elevation changes and transfer difficulties occur
Solution Approach 1:
The overlay system dynamically changes its configuration between two states: a concave state during imaging to cradle the patient, and a flat state during transfer to eliminate elevation changes. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction by adapting the surface geometry to the operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the surface geometry parameter of the overlay from concave to flat using an inflatable bladder mechanism. By controlling the inflation/deflation of the bladder, the overlay transitions between providing cradling support and providing a smooth transfer surface, eliminating the need for separate equipment.
2Measurement precision
If regular imaging systems are used for bariatric patients, then imaging capability is maintained, but lateral support is insufficient causing motion artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The overlay combines rigid and flexible materials in a composite structure. The rigid portion provides structural support and lateral stability, while the flexible portion conforms to the patient's body contours. This composite design provides the necessary lateral support to prevent motion artifacts while maintaining imaging quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The overlay provides different levels of support at different locations: wider lateral support in the mid-section to prevent rolling, and conformable support at the head and feet. This localized quality distribution addresses the specific stability needs of bariatric patients during imaging.
3Ease of operation
If sheets or sliding boards are used for patient transfer, then transfer capability is provided, but pinch hazards and surface elevation changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The overlay uses a flexible, inflatable bladder enclosed within a supportive structure. When deflated, it creates a smooth, continuous surface that eliminates the gaps and elevation changes present in traditional sheets and sliding boards, thereby eliminating pinch hazards while maintaining transfer capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If bariatric patients are transferred across gaps and surface elevation changes, then transfer flexibility is maintained, but patient safety is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The overlay dynamically transforms from a concave imaging configuration to a flat transfer configuration, providing a continuous, gapless surface during patient transfer. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the need for multiple transfer components and reduces surface elevation changes, thereby improving patient safety while maintaining transfer flexibility.
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 bariatric overlay reduces surface elevation changes, provides wider and more stable support, minimizes motion and pinch hazards, and ensures safer patient transfer and positioning during imaging, addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
A bladder resides between the flexible top pallet and the rigid bottom pallet. When actuated, the bladder expands and props up a central axis of the flexible top pallet.
Implementation Method 2
The flexible top pallet, rigid bottom pallet, and bladder are made of a material translucent to an imaging modality.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses for assisting patient movement to/from a gurney to/from a patient handling system are provided. In one embodiment, a bariatric overlay is provided that includes a flexible top pallet and a rigid bottom pallet. A bladder resides between the flexible top pallet and the rigid bottom pallet. When actuated, the bladder expands and props up the flexible top pallet. The flexible top pallet, rigid bottom pallet, and bladder are made of a material translucent to an imaging modality. In various embodiments, the shape of the rigid bottom pallet is similar to the shape of a scanning bed of the patient handling system. For example, when the shape of the scanning bed is concave the rigid bottom pallet is concave in shape also.