Patient Mattress Immersion via Inflatable Bladder Matrix

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing patient support systems fail to provide adequate immersion and pressure distribution for patients, leading to discomfort and potential health issues.

Innovation Solution

A patient mattress featuring a matrix of inflatable bladders formed from gelatinous elastomeric sheets, with channels for fluid communication between bladders, providing improved immersion and pressure distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If a traditional solid mattress surface is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but immersion and pressure distribution are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure distributionVSAvoidmattress structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mattress surface is segmented into multiple independent inflatable bladders arranged in a matrix pattern. Each bladder can be independently controlled to provide localized pressure adjustment, enabling superior pressure distribution compared to traditional solid surfaces while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs inflatable bladders connected to a fluid distribution system that uses pneumatic pressure to adjust mattress firmness and pressure points. This hydraulic/pneumatic mechanism allows dynamic adaptation to patient body contours, providing enhanced immersion and pressure relief without requiring complex mechanical structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Stress or pressure

If gelatinous elastomeric sheets are used to form bladders, then immersion capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveimmersionVSAvoidbladder fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses thin gelatinous elastomeric sheets to form the bladder walls, allowing these flexible membranes to conform to patient body shapes and provide effective immersion. The thin-film construction enables the bladders to deform smoothly under fluid pressure, enhancing pressure distribution while the sheet-based fabrication method simplifies manufacturing compared to molded alternatives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The bladder structure combines gelatinous elastomeric material with reinforcement layers or composite construction to achieve the desired balance of flexibility and durability. This composite approach allows the thin elastomeric sheets to provide immersion while the composite structure maintains manufacturability and structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Stress or pressure

If multiple bladders are joined to form a matrix, then pressure distribution is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure distributionVSAvoidbladder matrix structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure distribution system is divided into multiple discrete bladder units arranged in a matrix, with each unit independently controllable. This segmentation allows precise local pressure adjustment across different body zones while the modular arrangement keeps the overall system manageable through standardized components and connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple individual bladders are merged into a unified matrix structure with interconnected fluid channels, allowing centralized control of pressure distribution. The merging of separate bladder units into an integrated system enables coordinated pressure adjustment across the entire mattress surface while sharing common fluid supply and control infrastructure, reducing overall complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 mattress offers enhanced immersion and pressure distribution, reducing discomfort and improving patient care by providing a supportive and therapeutic surface.

Implementation Method 1

Each bladder is formed from a gelatinous elastomeric sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A patient mattress for supporting a patient includes a plurality of inflatable bladders

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatics: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentUS12329700B2Patient/invalid handling support with immersion sensing

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A patient support includes a mattress with an inflatable bladder, where the inflatable bladder has a cavity and an upper bladder wall forming an outwardly facing side for facing and supporting the patient on the patient mattress and forming an inwardly facing side facing into the cavity. The patient support further includes a light transmitter operable to emit light through the cavity to impinge on the inwardly facing side of the upper bladder wall and a light receiver operable to detect a reflection of the light off the inwardly facing side of the bladder wall, with the light receiver generating a signal responsive to detecting the reflection. A controller is in communication with the light transmitter and is operable to determine immersion of a patient into the mattress based on the signal from the light receiver.