Inflatable Patient Support Device with Selective Gliding Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices and methods fail to adequately prevent pressure ulcers in bedridden patients, particularly in the sacral region, due to difficulties in turning and positioning patients, which is time-consuming and requires multiple caregivers, and existing devices lack breathability and compatibility with low-air loss technology.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable patient support device with a top and bottom sheet forming a cavity, allowing airflow to reduce friction and featuring directional stitching material for selective gliding assemblies to facilitate easy movement and positioning, along with wedges for angled support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequent turning and positioning is performed to prevent pressure ulcers, then patient safety is improved, but caregiver time and physical exertion increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable device with selective gliding assemblies enables the patient to be repositioned through self-generated forces (body movements, breathing) rather than requiring constant caregiver intervention. The device autonomously provides the necessary friction control and positioning support, freeing caregivers from frequent manual handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable device acts as an intermediary between the patient and the bed surface, mediating the interaction through controlled friction surfaces. This intermediary enables easy repositioning while protecting the patient's skin, reducing the need for direct caregiver-patient manual handling.
2Ease of operation
If traditional pillows are used to support patient positioning, then positioning is achieved, but consistency and reliability are poor due to slipping and non-uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The device changes the friction parameter dynamically through inflation and deflation cycles. By adjusting the inflation pressure, the friction between the patient and device surface can be controlled to prevent slipping while maintaining consistent positioning angles, unlike static pillows.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system transitions from static pillows to a dynamic inflatable device that can adjust its properties in real-time. The selective gliding assemblies allow controlled movement in certain directions while preventing unwanted sliding, providing reliable and consistent positioning.
3Stability of the object's composition
If high-friction surfaces are used to prevent patient sliding, then patient stability is improved, but skin damage from friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device implements different friction qualities in different locations and directions. The selective gliding assemblies provide high friction in directions where stability is needed (perpendicular to gliding direction) while providing low friction in directions where easy movement is desired (parallel to gliding direction). This local differentiation of friction properties resolves the contradiction between stability and skin protection.
4Ease of operation
If manual patient boosting is performed to maintain inclined position, then patient positioning is maintained, but physical exertion and skin shear forces increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables the patient to maintain inclined positioning through self-generated forces. The selective gliding assemblies allow the patient's body movements and breathing to automatically adjust positioning without requiring external boosting forces from caregivers.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical boosting action is replaced by a pneumatic system (inflatable device). Instead of caregivers applying force to boost the patient, the inflatable device uses air pressure to provide the necessary support and positioning forces, significantly reducing physical exertion.
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 solution reduces the risk of pressure ulcers by enabling easier and safer patient turning and positioning, minimizing skin friction and shear forces, and is compatible with low-air loss technology, reducing the physical exertion required for caregivers.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of passages extending from the cavity to an exterior of the device, through the bottom sheet... The passages are configured to permit air to pass from the cavity to the exterior of the device and to flow between a bottom surface of the device and a supporting surface upon which the device is configured to rest
Data Source
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AI summary
An inflatable device for turning or positioning a person in a bed. The inflatable device includes an inflatable body formed by a top sheet and a bottom sheet disposed beneath the top sheet to define a cavity configured to be inflated such that the top sheet forms a top wall of the cavity and the bottom sheet forms a bottom wall of the cavity. The device further includes at least one port having a port opening in fluid communication with the cavity and configured to provide an air input for air for inflating the cavity, wherein the at least one port comprises an elastic member for adjusting a size of the port opening.