Inflatable Patient Positioning Bladders for Low-Friction Repositioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Caregivers face difficulty in positioning patients on beds due to the physical effort required to lift, pull, and move them, necessitating mechanical assistance to reduce this burden.

Innovation Solution

An inflatable patient positioning unit with positioner bladders, arranged over a cushion at the foot end, which inflates sequentially to create a wave effect, lifting the patient's legs and engaging the torso to facilitate easier repositioning, and includes percussion bladders to reduce static friction through vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If caregivers manually lift, pull, and move patients to reposition them, then positioning can be achieved, but the physical effort and difficulty for caregivers increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of patient positioningVSAvoidphysical effort required

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical effort with a pneumatic system. Inflatable bladders positioned under the patient's back and legs are inflated to lift and reposition the patient automatically, eliminating the need for caregivers to manually lift and move the patient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses inflatable bladders connected to an air pump system. By controlling the inflation and deflation of these bladders, the system can lift, position, and reposition patients smoothly without requiring manual physical effort from caregivers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If mechanical positioning devices are added to the bed, then patient repositioning becomes easier, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of patient positioningVSAvoidcomplexity of positioning system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning system is divided into multiple independent inflatable bladders positioned at different locations (under back, legs, etc.). Each bladder can be independently controlled, allowing for precise and flexible patient positioning while keeping the overall system modular and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inflatable bladder system serves multiple functions: lifting the patient, repositioning the patient, providing pressure relief, and maintaining patient comfort. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices for each task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the patient is moved quickly to reduce repositioning time, then productivity increases, but the stability and safety of patient movement decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepositioning speedVSAvoidstability of patient position

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses controlled periodic inflation and deflation of bladders to move the patient in a smooth, rhythmic manner. This periodic action allows for stable and controlled repositioning rather than sudden movements, maintaining patient safety while achieving repositioning goals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the inflation pressure and timing of different bladders during the repositioning process. This dynamic control ensures that the patient moves smoothly and stably throughout the transition, maintaining safety and comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 inflatable patient positioning unit reduces the effort required for repositioning by creating a wave effect to move patients towards their head end, minimizing friction and ensuring stable movement, while also providing options for vascular positioning and heel relief.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the plurality of positioner bladders may be coupled pneumatically to the pressurized air source. The controller may be configured to operate the pressurized air source to inflate the positioner bladders included in the inflatable patient positioning unit.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic inflation: Pressurisation

Implementation Method 2

The plurality of percussion bladders may be arranged over the cushion between the patient positioning unit and the head end of the cushion. As a result of inflating the plurality of percussion bladders, the torso of a patient lying on the support surface may vibrate relative to the cushion causing decreased static friction between the torso of the patient and the support surface.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS9259098B2Inflatable patient positioning unit

Publication Date: 2016.02.16 HILL ROM SERVICES INC

AI summary

A patient support surface includes a cushion and an inflatable patient positioning unit. The cushion is adapted to support a patient. The inflatable patient positioning unit is arranged over a portion of a top side of the cushion at a foot end of the cushion. The inflatable patient positioning unit includes a plurality of positioner bladders shaped so that when inflated a distal end of each positioner bladder is taller than a proximal end of the positioner bladder.