Inflatable Upper Body Wedge for Portable Therapeutic Elevation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recreational and therapeutic lounging devices lack proper upper body support, mobility, cost-efficiency, durability, and portability, often failing to provide a comfortable and safe semi-upright positioning that alleviates conditions like gastric reflux and airway blockage.
Innovation Solution
A portable, inflatable Upper Body Elevator with pneumatic cushions and an anchor/butt rest, featuring heat-sealed elongated tubes and a diaphragm for back support, allowing adjustable elevation of the head and chest, and providing support for the upper body in a semi-upright position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pillows or rolled up blankets are used to prop up the consumer, then upper body positioning is achieved, but the device lacks firm support, durability, and proper mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses an inflatable chamber system where air can be pumped in to firm up the support surface or let out to soften it. This pneumatic mechanism allows the same device to provide both firm medical support when needed and remain portable and adaptable for different uses, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support firmness is made dynamically adjustable through the inflation/deflation mechanism. The device can transition from a soft, portable state to a firm, supportive state as needed, allowing it to adapt to different user requirements for both mobility and reliable support.
2Reliability
If large foam wedges are used to provide elevation, then upper body support is improved, but the device becomes heavy and lacks portability
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using heavy solid foam material, the invention employs inflatable chambers that can be filled with air to provide the necessary structural support. Air-filled chambers provide equivalent support to solid foam but with minimal weight, enabling easy portability while maintaining reliable upper body support when inflated.
Solution Approach 2:
The support properties are changed by altering the inflation parameter. When deflated, the device is lightweight and portable; when inflated, it provides firm support. This parameter change allows the device to excel at both portability and support without the weight penalty of traditional foam wedges.
3Ease of operation
If non-adjustable seats or fixed positioning devices are used, then positioning is provided, but the device lacks adaptability for different areas and uses
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed as a universal positioning solution that can be used in multiple locations (home, travel, different rooms) and for multiple purposes (medical support, recreational lounging, reading). The inflatable design and portable nature make it adaptable to various environments and uses, resolving the contradiction between ease of positioning and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device offers dynamic adjustability in firmness and configuration through inflation/deflation, allowing it to adapt to different user needs and locations. This dynamic property enables the same device to serve multiple functions across different areas, from firm medical support to soft recreational lounging.
4Reliability
If medical-grade inclined mattresses are used for therapeutic positioning, then proper therapeutic support is achieved, but the device becomes too expensive for average consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses simple inflatable chambers instead of expensive medical-grade materials and mechanisms. The pneumatic inflation system provides adjustable therapeutic support at a fraction of the cost of traditional medical mattresses, making effective therapeutic positioning accessible to average consumers while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs inexpensive materials and a simple inflatable design that can be manufactured at low cost. Rather than using expensive permanent medical equipment, this approach provides effective therapeutic support through affordable, replaceable inflatable components, improving cost-efficiency while maintaining therapeutic reliability.
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 offers comfortable, safe, and effective positioning for recreational and therapeutic use, alleviating conditions such as gastric reflux and airway blockage, while being lightweight, cost-efficient, and suitable for various environments.
Implementation Method 1
pneumatic cushions
Implementation Method 2
heat-sealed elongated tubes
Data Source
AI summary
An upper body elevator includes a generally wedge-shaped elevator body comprising a lower elevator pillow comprising a first plurality of adjacent air tubes and an upper elevator pillow comprising a second plurality of adjacent air tubes carried by the lower elevator pillow.