Mattress structure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Patients on chronic bedrest who cannot turn over by themselves often develop bedsores due to long-term pressure, requiring significant time and effort from multiple medical professionals, leading to potential injuries for caregivers.
Innovation Solution
A mattress structure featuring an air bag system with independent sub-air bag structures and a fluid driving device that selectively injects fluid to expand these bags, forming a triangular prism-like shape to assist in posture adjustment, reducing caregiver burden and enhancing structural stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual turning over is used for patients on chronic bedrest, then patient posture can be adjusted, but significant time and effort are consumed and medical professionals may experience arm and waist injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical turning system with an automated air bag inflation/deflation system. The air bags are positioned to push the patient's body into different positions (side-lying, semi-recumbent, etc.) automatically, eliminating the need for medical professionals to manually lift and reposition heavy patients, thereby reducing physical strain and time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic air bags that can be selectively inflated and deflated to assist in patient repositioning. The air bags are strategically placed under different body parts (legs, hips, back, shoulders) and when inflated, they generate controlled pushing forces to move the patient into desired positions, providing an automated alternative to manual handling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple air bags are used to assist posture adjustment, then patient positioning capability is improved, but structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air bag system into multiple independent, segmented air bags rather than using a single large air bag. Each air bag is positioned at specific locations (under legs, hips, back, shoulders) and can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows precise positioning control while maintaining overall structural stability, as each air bag supports a specific body region without interfering with others.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different air bag inflation states to different local regions of the patient's body. Each air bag can be inflated or deflated independently based on the desired position, creating localized support and pushing forces. This local quality control enables versatile posture adjustment while maintaining stability in regions where air bags remain deflated or are not actively engaged.
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 structure allows for quick adjustment of patient posture, reducing the risk of bedsores and minimizing caregiver injuries by providing a stable and supportive surface through controlled fluid injection and supporting structures.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid driving device connected to the sub air bag structures, so as to inject fluid into the sub air bag structures selectively
Implementation Method 2
the supporting structures may effectively provide a shape fixing force to resist the outward pressure applied to the sub air bag structure by the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A mattress structure including a base, an air bag structure and a fluid driving device is provided. The air bag structure is disposed on the base. The air bag structure includes a plurality of independent sub air bag structures. A plurality of supporting structures are disposed in each of the sub air bag structures. The fluid driving device is connected to the sub air bag structures so as so inject fluid to the sub air bag structures selectively. When the fluid driving device injects the fluid to at least one of the sub air bag structures so as to make the at least one of the sub air bag structures expand, each of the supporting structure is connected to two opposite surfaces of the expanded sub air bag structure.