Interwoven Support Surface Ratchet Adjustment for Pressure Offloading
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current support surfaces for wheelchairs and beds fail to effectively prevent decubitus ulcers due to inadequate pressure distribution, requiring costly and time-consuming custom fitting processes that often result in poorly fitting surfaces, leading to increased ulceration risks.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with interwoven support elements and a one-way ratchet mechanism that adjusts to conform to a user's anatomy, allowing for automatic customization of the support surface to redistribute pressure and alleviate pressure points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a support surface uses a fixed, non-adjustable structure, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but it cannot conform to individual user anatomy, leading to poor pressure distribution and increased ulceration risk
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface is divided into multiple independent adjustable segments or zones, each capable of individual adjustment. This segmentation allows the surface to conform to different anatomical contours while using simple, modular adjustment mechanisms rather than a complex monolithic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface transitions from a static, fixed structure to a dynamic, adjustable one. The adjustment mechanisms enable the surface to adapt its configuration based on user anatomy, improving pressure distribution effectiveness while using straightforward mechanical adjustment components.
2Ease of operation
If a support surface is custom-fitted to each user, then pressure distribution and comfort are optimized, but the fitting process is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface incorporates self-adjusting mechanisms that automatically or easily adapt to user anatomy without requiring extensive professional fitting. Users can perform adjustments themselves using simple mechanisms, eliminating the need for time-consuming custom fitting processes while maintaining optimized pressure distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface is pre-configured with adjustment mechanisms and components that enable quick adaptation to different users. Rather than requiring custom fabrication or extensive fitting sessions, the pre-prepared adjustment system allows for rapid customization during actual use.
3Stress or pressure
If a support surface uses thick foam or fluid media to equalize pressure, then pressure distribution is improved, but the surface becomes less stable and less supportive of proper posture
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using uniform thick foam or fluid media throughout, the support surface applies pressure equalization selectively at specific high-pressure zones. The adjustment mechanisms allow localized modification of support characteristics in areas prone to ulceration while maintaining firm, stable support in regions requiring postural control.
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface is divided into zones with different firmness and adjustability characteristics. Harder, more stable regions provide postural support while softer, adjustable regions provide pressure equalization where needed, avoiding the need for entirely soft or fluid-based surfaces.
4Reliability
If a support surface is made adjustable and customizable, then it can conform to user anatomy and prevent ulcers, but the structure becomes more complex and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable support surface is constructed from modular segments or components that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by allowing standardization of parts while maintaining customization capability, reducing overall manufacturing complexity compared to fully custom-built adjustable systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface achieves anatomical conformity through adjustments in parameters such as tension, position, or configuration of existing components rather than requiring complex custom-shaped parts. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while enabling effective pressure redistribution for ulcer prevention.
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 solution provides a stable, customizable support surface that effectively offloads pressure from sensitive areas, reducing the risk of decubitus ulcers and eliminating the need for expensive custom fitting processes, while maintaining consistency and stability over time.
Implementation Method 1
The adjustment mechanism is a one-way ratchet mechanism for adjusting the length of the support element that locks for maintaining an adjusted position of the plurality of interwoven support elements
Implementation Method 2
the adjustment mechanism comprises a tensioner to control the amount of force required to lengthen the interwoven support element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An apparatus is disclosed for adjusting an active length of a plurality of interwoven support elements of a weight bearing surface to conform to contours of a user's anatomy. The weight bearing surface overlies a frame to which the plurality of interwoven support elements are connected. The apparatus includes an adjustment mechanism connected to one of the plurality of interwoven support elements, wherein the adjustment mechanism is attached or releasably attached to the frame. The adjustment mechanism allows the active length of the connected interwoven support element to change as a user bears upon the weight bearing surface, thereby conforming the weight bearing surface to the contours of a user's anatomy. In another aspect, a method for adjusting an active length of at least some of a plurality of interwoven support elements of a weight bearing surface to conform to contours of a user's anatomy is disclosed.