Mattress Light Therapy for Bacterial Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wound healing and disinfection methods for medical surfaces, such as mattresses, are ineffective in addressing the root causes of pressure ulcers and fail to completely eliminate bacterial contamination, particularly due to fluid ingress and inadequate light penetration.
Innovation Solution
Integration of light sources and heating elements within or beneath support platforms and mattress covers to disinfect surfaces and promote wound healing, using controlled light wavelengths and temperature settings to target bacterial strains and improve tissue circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If light sources are integrated within or beneath support platforms and mattress covers to disinfect surfaces, then bacterial elimination is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines light sources and heating elements directly within or beneath the support platform and mattress cover structure, merging the disinfection function with the existing support infrastructure. This integration approach allows bacterial elimination while minimizing additional device complexity by utilizing the existing structural framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The support platform and mattress cover are designed to serve multiple functions: providing structural support, regulating temperature, and delivering light therapy for disinfection and wound healing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated disinfection devices, thereby managing device complexity while achieving effective bacterial elimination.
2Temperature
If light sources are positioned within or upon support platforms for wound healing, then tissue circulation is improved, but the risk of occluding blood flow increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light sources and heating elements are positioned to deliver thermal and optical energy locally to the wound area and surrounding tissues, rather than applying heat broadly across the entire support surface. This localized approach improves tissue circulation at the wound site while minimizing the risk of occluding blood flow in adjacent areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates controllable light sources and heating elements that can be dynamically adjusted in intensity and duration based on the specific wound characteristics and patient needs. This dynamic control allows optimization of tissue circulation benefits while preventing excessive heat accumulation that could occlude blood flow.
3Ease of operation
If simple light exposure is used to disinfect mattresses, then ease of operation is improved, but disinfection effectiveness deteriorates due to insufficient light penetration depth
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying solely on light intensity, the patent positions light sources within or beneath the support platform to illuminate surfaces from multiple dimensions and angles. This multi-directional lighting approach enhances light penetration depth and ensures thorough disinfection of mattress surfaces while maintaining ease of operation through automated positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The support platform structure itself acts as an intermediary medium that facilitates light delivery to the mattress surfaces. By integrating light sources within the platform, the system uses the existing structural components to enhance light penetration and distribution, achieving effective disinfection without requiring complex external lighting systems.
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
Facilitates effective disinfection of medical surfaces and promotes wound healing by ensuring complete bacterial elimination and improved tissue circulation without occluding blood flow, addressing the limitations of traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a light source which is tuned to emit one or more wavelengths suitable for disinfecting one or more bacterial strains present upon a mattress or cover
Implementation Method 2
heating elements may also be incorporated with mattresses and/or covers for disinfection prior to patient use
Data Source
AI summary
Disinfection using light therapy is described herein where a support platform which is configured to support a region of a patient's body may integrate or incorporate one or more light elements positioned within, upon, or in proximity to the support platform for exposing the patient's body to the light therapy. Additionally, light sources and/or heating elements may also be incorporated with mattresses and/or covers for disinfection prior to patient use.