Inflatable Spinal Support Wedge for Patient Incline Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient incline devices fail to fully support the spine of obese patients, leading to misalignment and reduced respiratory benefits, as well as aggravation of conditions like sleep apnea due to the curvature of the upper spine and compression of the chest wall.
Innovation Solution
A patient incline device featuring an inflatable wedge-shaped spinal support that contacts the back to promote spinal alignment, redistributing body mass and enhancing chest wall expansion, combined with an inflatable head support pillow and a base member, allowing for adjustable inflation and attachment options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional incline ramp is used to elevate the patient's upper torso, then respiratory benefits are improved, but the spine becomes misaligned and chest wall compression occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface is divided into multiple independent inflatable chambers: a first chamber (incline ramp) for torso elevation and a second chamber (spinal support) for spinal alignment. This segmentation allows each chamber to independently perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between respiratory benefit and spinal alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The spinal support chamber acts as an intermediary element between the incline ramp and the patient's spine. It provides the necessary support and alignment function that the incline ramp alone cannot provide, mediating the conflict between achieving incline position and maintaining spinal alignment.
2Ease of operation
If the patient is inclined without proper spinal support, then the incline position is achieved, but chest wall area contracts and respiratory benefits are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the incline function (first chamber) from the spinal support function (second chamber), the system achieves the incline position while simultaneously preventing chest wall contraction through proper spinal support, thus resolving the contradiction between incline position and chest wall expansion.
3Device complexity
If a simple incline ramp is used, then device complexity is reduced, but spinal alignment and chest wall support are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inflatable chambers (pneumatic system) to provide adjustable spinal support. This approach offers a relatively simple structure compared to rigid mechanical support systems, while still achieving reliable spinal alignment and chest wall support through controlled inflation of the second chamber.
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 device improves pulmonary mechanics by laterally extending the chest wall, reduces muscle fatigue, and facilitates easier central venous access, while providing comfort and support for obese patients, thereby alleviating respiratory difficulties and promoting better breathing.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable incline ramp located on an upper surface of the base member, the incline ramp adapted to support a patient such that the patient's upper torso is elevated with respect to the base member; a wedge-shaped inflatable spinal support air chamber located on the incline ramp
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A
AI summary
A patient incline device includes a base member, an inflatable incline ramp located on an upper surface of the base member, an incline ramp adapted to support a patient such that the patient's upper torso is elevated with respect to the base member, an inflatable head support pillow and a wedge-shaped inflatable spinal support air chamber located on the incline ramp and angling upward in a direction away from the incline ramp, and aligned with a centerline of the incline ramp, wherein the peak end of the wedge extends to about the region of the patient's lumbar curve so that the buttocks are not raised upon inflation. The wedge-shaped spinal support chamber may also include a pop-up air chamber having internal air vents to the spinal support chamber such that when the spinal support chamber inflates, the pop-up chamber rises as pressure accumulates and lifts a thoracic curve portion of the patient's spine. An accessory lift device is provided for use in situations where raising the patient's buttocks and pelvis is wanted. The accessory is an inflatable air chamber having side lobes adapted to lie along each lateral side of the inflatable pad base and a seat portion that crosses transversely over the inflatable base pad beneath the patient's buttocks.