Inflatable Turn Bladders for Dynamic Sleep Surface Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current adverse event mitigation systems in sleep environments, such as those for obstructive sleep apnea, lack effectiveness in preventing and responding to adverse events during sleep, as they often rely on static positions and inadequate real-time monitoring and intervention.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic support system comprising a person support apparatus with laterally angled sleep surfaces and a control system that uses sleep sensors to monitor sleep patterns, detect adverse events, and adjust the sleep surface configuration to prevent or mitigate these events through rotation and other therapeutic interventions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a static support structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to respond to and prevent adverse events during sleep deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure transitions from static to dynamic through the integration of inflatable bladders that can adjust their volume and pressure in real-time. This allows the system to adapt to user movements and physiological changes during sleep, enabling active prevention of adverse events such as sleep apnea and positional asphyxia while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor user position, breathing patterns, and physiological parameters. This feedback is processed by a control system that automatically adjusts bladder inflation to correct detected issues, creating a closed-loop system that improves reliability through real-time response without requiring complex manual intervention
2Reliability
If real-time monitoring and dynamic adjustment systems are implemented, then the effectiveness in preventing adverse events is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to perform multiple functions through a single integrated platform: monitoring physiological parameters, detecting adverse events, determining user sleep position, and controlling bladder inflation patterns. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate dedicated systems for each function while maintaining comprehensive monitoring and intervention capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors and adjusts support configuration without requiring external intervention. The control system processes sensor data and autonomously activates appropriate intervention patterns, reducing the need for complex user interfaces or manual operation while ensuring consistent real-time response to detected adverse events
3Reliability
If the support apparatus rotates the user during sleep, then the likelihood of adverse events is reduced, but the disturbance to sleep continuity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects early signs of adverse events such as breathing irregularities or positional deterioration before they fully develop. By initiating gentle rotation or position adjustment at these early stages, the system prevents adverse events from occurring while minimizing disruption to established sleep patterns, as the intervention happens proactively rather than reactively
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 effectively reduces the likelihood and severity of adverse events like obstructive sleep apnea by dynamically adjusting the sleep surface to maintain optimal body positioning, thereby improving sleep quality and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one support piece comprises a pair of laterally-spaced fluid bladders communicatively coupled to each other to allow fluid to move between interior cavities of the fluid bladders
Data Source
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AI summary
A dynamic support system (1100) configured to control the configuration of sleep surface 1114 based at least in part on data entered into control system 1190 and/or sensed by one or more sleep sensors 1196. Sleep surface 1114 is formed of a closed air system 1160 that induces the user's body to rotate laterally when sleeping. The closed air system 1160 includes one or more pairs of fluid bladders communicatively coupled to each other.