Inflatable Transfer Surface for Stable Trendelenburg Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current operating room transfer systems struggle to provide both a secure position for patients in angled positions and ease of movement on and off surgical tables, causing discomfort and displacement during surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

An inflatable transfer device with a top panel, bottom panel, stringers, and a high-friction surface that maintains patient position at angles, allowing for secure positioning and easy transfer between surfaces using air inflation and air bearing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a patient is positioned on a traditional operating room table at an angled position, then the patient can be securely positioned for surgical procedures, but the patient experiences discomfort and difficulty in movement on and off the table

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient positioning stabilityVSAvoidpatient transfer ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device transitions from a static traditional operating table to a dynamic inflatable transfer device that can be inflated and deflated. The inflatable chamber allows the device to adapt its volume and surface area, enabling smooth transfer of patients between horizontal and angled positions without disturbing the patient during the transition process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses pneumatic pressure within the inflatable chamber to generate an air bearing that supports the patient. By controlling air flow into and out of the chamber, the device creates a cushioning effect that allows the patient to be transferred smoothly between surfaces while maintaining stability during angled positioning for surgical procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional operating room table is used for patient transfer, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the device cannot provide both secure angled positioning and ease of movement simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inflatable transfer device serves multiple functions: it acts as a support surface during transfer, provides a cushioning air bearing for smooth movement, maintains secure positioning during angled surgical procedures, and enables easy transfer between surfaces. This multi-functionality is achieved through the single inflatable chamber system that can be inflated or deflated as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses flexible inflatable panels that can be inflated or deflated to change the device's configuration. The flexible nature of the inflatable chamber allows the device to adapt to different positioning requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure compared to traditional mechanical tilting tables.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 ensures patient stability during angled surgical positions and facilitates smooth transfer without disturbing the patient, reducing discomfort and maintaining surgical integrity.

Implementation Method 1

The inflatable transfer device is transferred by providing an air flow to the inflatable chamber to generate an air bearing beneath the bottom panel of the inflatable transfer device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir bearing: Air Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

The high-friction surface is configured to maintain a patient in a fixed position when the inflatable transfer device and the patient are positioned at an angle with respect to a horizontal support surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20260026983A1Trendelenburg patient positioning device

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 D T DAVIS ENTERPRISES LTD (D B A HOVERTECH INT)

AI summary

Embodiments of an inflatable transfer device including a top panel, a bottom panel coupled to the top panel to define an inflatable chamber therebetween, and a high-friction surface coupled to the top panel are disclosed. A top edge of each of the stringers is coupled to the top panel and a bottom edge of each of the stringers is coupled to the bottom panel. The high-friction surface is configured to maintain a patient in a fixed position when the inflatable transfer device and the patient are positioned at an angle with respect to a horizontal support surface.