Interlocking Air-Inflated Pad for Patient Transfer and Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient transfer systems are cumbersome, often causing back injuries to hospital staff and fail to maintain patient temperature during lateral movement, as they are heavy, non-disposable, and require additional devices for temperature regulation.
Innovation Solution
A patient lifter device with an air-inflated pad featuring two interlocking chambers, one for heated or cooled air circulation and the other for ambient air, allowing for controlled temperature maintenance and reduced effort in patient transfer, constructed from lightweight, disposable materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional patient transfer systems are used, then patients can be transferred between locations, but hospital staff suffer from back injuries and physical strain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using air pressure to inflate chambers within the transfer device, creating lift that reduces the weight-bearing burden on hospital staff during patient transfer operations
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer device is divided into multiple independent chambers that can be individually inflated and deflated, allowing for controlled lifting and transfer while distributing the mechanical load
2Ease of operation
If traditional patient transfer systems are used, then patients can be moved laterally, but patient body temperature is not maintained during transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated device: the transfer mechanism and temperature control system are merged into one unit, allowing simultaneous lateral movement and thermal maintenance during patient transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs multiple functions simultaneously - it serves as both a mechanical transfer system and a temperature control system, eliminating the need for separate heating/cooling equipment
3Temperature
If heated or cooled air delivery systems are added to patient transfer devices, then patient temperature can be maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air delivery system is integrated directly into the chamber structure of the transfer device, combining the mechanical transfer function with the thermal control function in a single unified system rather than separate components
4Strength
If heavy, non-disposable materials are used in patient transfer devices, then device strength and durability are improved, but ease of disposal and reduced staff strain are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable design where the transfer device can be used once and then discarded, eliminating cleaning and sterilization requirements while maintaining sufficient structural strength for single-use patient transfer operations
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 maintains patient temperature during surgery, reduces strain on hospital personnel, and simplifies the transfer process by using a single, compact, and easily disposable system that combines temperature control and lifting functions.
Implementation Method 1
an air-inflated pad having a top surface and a bottom surface formed by way of a first interlocking chamber and a second interlocking chamber laterally fused together
Implementation Method 2
The first interlocking chamber includes an inlet appointed to be supplied with a regulated, controlled low pressure and controlled temperature heated or cooled air. The heated air or cooled air is circulated through the first interlocking chamber
Implementation Method 3
The second interlocking chamber has a plurality of air venting apertures located in the bottom surface of the air-inflated pad. An inlet provided in the second interlocking chamber is appointed to be supplied with ambient air at a regulated, controlled pressure to facilitate lifting and lateral displacement during patient transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A combination patient-transfer air-inflated pad and intraoperative heater device has first and second interlocking chambers laterally fused together. The air-inflated pad has a top surface and a bottom surface formed by way of the first and second interlocking chambers. The first interlocking chamber is formed as a comb-type structure having a main spine with two or more prongs alternately separated by valleys. The second interlocking chamber is a mirror comb-type structure to the first interlocking chamber. The device is fabricated from two thin layers of plastic material, selectively configured and fused. With this construction, the bulk of the device, as well as the cost of manufacture, are reduced. The device is affordable for single use, obviating the difficulty and possible incompleteness of sterilization between uses. The first interlocking chamber has an inlet appointed to be supplied with regulated, controlled low pressure and controlled temperature heated or cooled air. The second interlocking chamber has a plurality of air venting apertures in said bottom surface of said air-inflated pad. The second interlocking chamber has an inlet appointed to be supplied with ambient air at a regulated, controlled pressure to facilitate lifting and lateral displacement during patient transfer. The device may be easily re-employed when the patient is transferred from one location to another and may function as an alternating pressure mattress if needed.