Inflatable Transport Device With Release Valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Casualties transported using inflatable devices are at risk of further injury due to vibrations and changes in altitude, which can cause hemorrhage and pressure injuries, especially during aircraft extraction where devices may over-expand.

Innovation Solution

A transport device with independent chambers and a release valve to prevent over-inflation, made from durable engineering polymers, featuring a pump and handles for secure transport, designed to reduce pressure injuries and hemorrhage by absorbing vibrational energy and regulating internal pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the inflatable device is used for casualty transport, then the casualty can be extracted and transported to safety, but the device may over-expand during altitude changes causing further injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecasualty safety during transportVSAvoidover-expansion injury

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The inflatable device is divided into multiple independent chambers instead of a single chamber. This segmentation allows each chamber to be independently controlled and prevents catastrophic over-expansion of the entire device. When one chamber is inflated, the others remain deflated or at lower pressure, providing structural support while limiting the risk of over-expansion injury to the casualty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A pressure-regulating valve system is implemented that automatically responds to pressure changes within the chambers. The valve provides feedback control by releasing excess pressure when predetermined thresholds are exceeded, preventing over-inflation. This closed-loop pressure regulation ensures the device adapts to altitude changes without causing harmful over-expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Strength

If the inflatable device is inflated to provide support, then the casualty is stabilized, but pressure injuries may occur from excessive or uneven pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport stabilityVSAvoidpressure injury

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses multiple independent chambers that can be individually inflated to different pressure levels. This allows the pressure distribution to be optimized across different body regions, providing necessary support while avoiding excessive pressure on any single area that could cause pressure injuries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different chambers can be inflated to different pressure levels tailored to the specific support needs of different body regions. This localized pressure control ensures each area receives appropriate support without causing pressure injuries, allowing the device to adapt to various casualty positions and injury types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If the device is made from durable engineering polymers, then the device strength and durability are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice durabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device utilizes materials with specific physical properties (such as thermoplastic polyurethane coatings on nylon) that provide both durability and manufacturability. By selecting materials with appropriate melting points, flexibility, and bonding characteristics, the device achieves high strength while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing processes like heat sealing and ultrasonic welding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively reduces the risk of further injury during transport by absorbing vibrational energy and regulating pressure, preventing hemorrhage and pressure injuries, and providing thermal insulation for the casualty.

Implementation Method 1

the release valve prevents the at least two chambers from exceeding a predetermined maximum internal pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure regulation:

Implementation Method 2

designed to reduce pressure injuries and hemorrhage by absorbing vibrational energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 3

each of the top surface and the bottom surface comprise an engineering polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS20250000724A1Method and device for the reduction of hemorrhage

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 KINGFISHER MEDICAL INC

AI summary

A method and device of reducing further injury to an injured casualty during transport is described. The method includes the use of a transport device configured with an inflation port and a release valve. The release valve prevents over-pressurization of the device during transport where altitude changes and/or vibration occur, preventing hemorrhaging and pressure injury. A method of reducing pressure injury in the transport of casualties using the transport device is also described.