Inflatable Convective Pad With Openings For Surgical Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inflatable convective pads used for warming during surgery can interfere with surgical procedures, particularly cardiac surgery, due to restrictions in access and potential heat-related injuries to ischemic extremities, as they restrict airflow and may cause burns when heated, pressurized air comes into contact with vulnerable areas.

Innovation Solution

The inflatable convective pad features at least two openings between its ends and sides, allowing for arm restraint and reduced heat transfer to the feet by blocking convective heat in specific areas, thereby minimizing interference with surgical access and preventing thermal injuries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If an inflatable convective pad is deployed under a person during surgery, then the person is warmed by convection of warmed air from beneath, but the draw sheet and immobilized arms press against the sides of the pad and restrict airflow through the device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewarming effectivenessVSAvoidairflow restriction

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The pad is divided into multiple independent air chambers (first plurality and second plurality of chambers) positioned on opposite sides of the centerline. This segmentation allows airflow to continue through multiple pathways even when draw sheets press against certain areas, preventing complete airflow restriction while maintaining warming effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the pad have different structural characteristics - the air chambers are positioned specifically away from the centerline to create zones of varying airflow resistance. This local differentiation allows the pad to accommodate draw sheets in certain areas while maintaining effective airflow in other regions for optimal warming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If heated, pressurized air is used to inflate the pad for warming, then the person is warmed effectively, but ischemic extremities are particularly vulnerable to injury and burns can result where feet press against the pad

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewarming effectivenessVSAvoidthermal injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The foot area is excluded from the heated air circulation system by positioning the air chambers away from the centerline and creating a foot end region that does not receive direct heated airflow. This extraction of the vulnerable foot area from the thermal field prevents burns while maintaining warming effectiveness in other body regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The pad design proactively prevents thermal injury by structurally configuring the air chambers and airflow paths to avoid direct contact between heated air and ischemic extremities before injury can occur. The foot end region is designed to minimize heat transfer, creating preliminary protection against thermal damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Temperature

If the pad is inflated with warmed, pressurized air for convection warming, then the person is warmed by convection, conduction and radiation, but access to necessary surgical sites may be interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewarming effectivenessVSAvoidsurgical access

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The air chambers are positioned asymmetrically on opposite sides of the centerline rather than symmetrically distributed, creating an uneven airflow pattern that can be optimized for both warming effectiveness and surgical access. This asymmetric configuration allows surgical teams to access midline and peripheral sites more easily while maintaining thermal therapy effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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

This design enhances surgical access while maintaining effective warming by reducing heat transfer to vulnerable areas, thereby preventing burns and ensuring safer, more accessible surgical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

A stream of warmed pressurized air is received in the pneumatic structure by way of an inlet port. The pad is inflatable.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressurisation: Pressurisation

Implementation Method 2

the pad warms the person by convection of warmed air, and also by conduction and radiation, from beneath and around the person

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the pad warms the person by convection of warmed air, and also by conduction and radiation, from beneath and around the person

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConduction (thermal): Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

the pad warms the person by convection of warmed air, and also by conduction and radiation, from beneath and around the person

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS8470012B2Inflatable convective pad for surgery

Publication Date: 2013.06.25 GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORP

AI summary

An inflatable convective pad for warming a person during surgery has two ends, two sides, and at least two openings, each located in an area of the pad between the two ends and between a respective side and the center of the pad. The openings, which may be in the form of slits, allow the threading of a sheet or the person's arms through the pad to restrain the arms during surgery.