Inflatable Bladder Patient Turning Device to Reduce Pressure Ulcers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prolonged bed rest without adequate mobilization leads to increased risks of pressure ulcers, pulmonary complications, and hospital-acquired infections, and existing patient turning systems with inflatable bladders can cause localized pressure increases due to complex mechanisms and design challenges.
Innovation Solution
A patient turning device and system that includes a crib assembly with conformable layers and inflatable bladder assemblies positioned between the crib and the patient support deck, allowing for controlled movement and redistribution of pressure through fluid communication with a source, enabling gentle turning and offloading of weight-bearing areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If inflatable bladders are integrated within the mattress, then patient turning capability is achieved, but localized pressure increase occurs and design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress is divided into multiple independent inflatable bladders arranged in a grid pattern, allowing selective inflation of specific regions to turn the patient without uniformly increasing pressure across the entire mattress surface
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the mattress have bladders with different inflation characteristics - head and foot sections use softer materials for comfort, while lateral sections use firmer materials for effective patient repositioning, creating localized pressure distribution tailored to anatomical needs
2Adaptability or versatility
If inflatable bladders are integrated within the mattress, then patient turning capability is achieved, but design complexity and accommodation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable bladder system serves multiple functions simultaneously: patient turning, pressure ulcer prevention, and comfort adjustment, eliminating the need for separate mechanical turning devices and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses fluid pressure as a controllable parameter to achieve patient turning - by adjusting inflation pressure in specific bladder regions, the mattress can gently shift patient position without complex mechanical actuators or moving parts
3Productivity
If manual turning by medical personnel is used, then patient mobilization is achieved, but labor intensity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress system automatically performs patient turning through controlled inflation of internal bladders, eliminating the need for manual intervention by medical personnel and freeing them for other critical care tasks
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 effectively reduces the risk of pressure ulcers and pulmonary complications by providing controlled movement and pressure redistribution, improving patient comfort and safety while preventing localized pressure points.
Implementation Method 1
The inflatable bladder assemblies are configured to be arranged in fluid communication with a fluid source. The inflatable bladder assemblies are selectively expandable upon receiving fluid from the fluid source.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient turning device for a patient support apparatus. The patient turning device includes a first and second bladder assembly each including a plurality of layers and seals defining a bladder volume. The bladder volumes are selectively inflatable with fluid to expand the respective bladder assembly, and consequently move a patient support surface of the patient support apparatus. A portion of a lower layer of the first bladder assembly and a portion of an upper layer of the second bladder assembly define an overlapping region of the bladder volumes. The patient turning device is coupled to an underside of a carrier sheet and positioned between a crib assembly and a bottom cover. An augmenting feature is configured to resiliently expand as at least one of the first and second bladder assemblies receives the fluid to move at least a portion of the crib assembly away from a patient support deck.