Inflatable Patient Support Pressure Control With Modular Service Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient supports, such as foam mattresses, suffer from air leakage issues and require cumbersome sleeve removal for maintenance, lacking advanced features like pressure regulation and easy service access.
Innovation Solution
A patient support system featuring inflatable cells with a core, one-way valves, pressure sensors, and a controller for pressure management, along with a modular design for easy maintenance and integration with external devices for therapy modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a foam mattress is used for patient support, then the mattress provides basic comfort and support, but air leaks through the cover and the mattress requires cumbersome sleeve removal for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support system is divided into modular components including removable covers, inflatable cells, and core elements. The cover can be independently removed for maintenance without affecting the underlying support structure, eliminating the need to remove entire sleeves as in traditional foam mattresses.
2Reliability
If conventional foam mattresses are used, then the structure is simple, but air pressure cannot be regulated and air escapes through the cover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional foam with inflatable cells that can be filled with air or fluid to provide adjustable support. One-way valves are integrated to maintain pressure by preventing air escape during patient egress, while allowing controlled inflation. This pneumatic system provides reliable pressure maintenance unlike passive foam structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure sensors are integrated into the inflatable cell system to monitor air pressure levels. When pressure drops below a threshold (indicating patient egress), the system automatically triggers inflation to restore pressure. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures consistent pressure maintenance without manual intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If foam mattresses are used, then the material is simple and cost-effective, but the mattress cannot provide advanced therapy modes or pressure management
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable cell system serves multiple functions: providing pressure support, enabling turning therapy through differential inflation, facilitating low air loss therapy through controlled pressure management, and allowing easy deflation for patient transfer. The modular design with standardized interfaces enables integration of various therapy modes without requiring completely different system architectures.
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 provides enhanced comfort and support through pressure regulation, maintains air pressure within the cells, and allows for easy maintenance and integration with external devices for various therapy modes, improving patient care.
Implementation Method 1
a cell which is inflatable with a fluid to a pressure above an ambient pressure
Implementation Method 2
a valve in fluid communication with an interior of the cell, the valve being configured to permit fluid to egress from the interior of the cell when the pressure is greater than a threshold pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support is provided. The patient support may include a plurality of inflatable members. The plurality of inflatable members may include a core including a resilient material. The patient support may be controlled with a first controller positioned within an envelope of the patient support. The patient support may include a detector to detect when an external controller is coupled to the patient support, the patient support being controlled by the second controller when the second controller is present.