Lightweight Absorbent Transporter with Anti-Hypothermia Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional litters used for transporting injured soldiers or patients are heavy, lack insulation to prevent hypothermia, and are not designed to absorb body fluids, leading to contamination and increased risk of injury during transport, especially in harsh environments.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight, portable transporter with an anti-hypothermia structure featuring a backing substrate, absorbent body, and gripping devices, which includes insulating material segments to retain body heat and absorb fluids, and is designed for easy carrying and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional litters are made large and strong enough to support injured soldiers or patients, then the strength and durability are improved, but the weight increases making them difficult to carry by one soldier

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestrengthVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The litter is constructed using composite materials including a lightweight rigid foam core covered with flexible fabric or mesh materials. This composite structure provides the necessary strength and durability to support injured soldiers or patients while significantly reducing the overall weight compared to traditional wood or metal pole constructions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The litter employs flexible fabric or mesh coverings that conform to the body shape while providing sufficient support and protection. These thin film materials replace heavy structural elements, maintaining structural integrity while reducing weight for easier portability by single soldiers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If conventional litters are made of strong cloth or leather stretched between poles, then the strength is improved, but the insulation to prevent hypothermia is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestrengthVSAvoidbody heat loss

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The litter incorporates insulating materials such as foam cores, down inserts, or thermal blankets within the structure to provide thermal insulation. These insulating layers are integrated into the composite construction, maintaining structural strength while preventing heat loss from the injured person's body during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The litter provides targeted insulation at critical areas where heat loss occurs, such as under the body and around the extremities. The insulating materials are strategically positioned to maximize thermal retention while maintaining overall structural integrity and comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If conventional litters are used without fluid absorption capability, then the simplicity is maintained, but blood or body fluids contaminate the stretcher causing infection and slipperiness

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesimplicityVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The litter integrates fluid-absorbing materials such as superabsorbent polymers, gel pads, or absorbent foams into the structure. These absorbent layers are incorporated as part of the composite construction, providing continuous fluid absorption capability that prevents contamination and slipperiness without significantly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The litter's fluid absorption system operates automatically without requiring external intervention. The absorbent materials continuously uptake and contain body fluids through capillary action and absorption mechanisms, providing self-regulating protection against contamination and reducing the need for additional protective measures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 transporter effectively reduces body heat loss, prevents contamination, and facilitates safe transport of injured individuals in challenging conditions by maintaining body warmth and absorbing fluids, while being lightweight and easy to handle and store.

Implementation Method 1

The anti-hypothermia structure has one or more material segments. The material segment is a lightweight insulating material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

The transporter has a backing substrate, an absorbent body on the backing substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

an absorbent body on the backing substrate, where the absorbent body absorbs blood and body fluids from the transported person

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS9173791B2Lightweight absorbent transporter

Publication Date: 2015.11.03 INTEGRATED MEDCRAFT LLC

AI summary

A lightweight, portable transporter for carrying a person having anti-hypothermia structures and an absorbent body is provided. The transporter has a backing substrate, an absorbent body, a gripping device, and anti-hypothermia structures, such as material segments or covers that reduce loss of body heat of the person being carried on the transporter. A method of using the transporter is provided.