Methods and disinfecting covers for use in disinfecting resilient medical patient pressure redistribution supports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for disinfecting resilient medical patient pressure redistribution supports are inadequate in preventing the transmission of pathogens and maintaining the integrity of the support surface, often requiring aggressive cleaning that damages the surface and shortens its service life.
Innovation Solution
A non-fibrous, polymer-based disinfecting cover with integrated anti-microbial properties is applied to the support surface, providing a barrier against pathogen penetration and fluid transmission while maintaining the surface's pressure distribution characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aggressive cleaning methods are used to disinfect the support surface, then pathogen transmission is reduced, but the surface integrity is damaged and service life is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The solution divides the disinfection function into two separate components: a removable disinfecting cover that contacts the patient and can be easily disinfected or replaced, and the underlying support surface that maintains its structural integrity. This segmentation allows aggressive disinfection of the cover without damaging the expensive support surface, resolving the contradiction between disinfection effectiveness and service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The disinfecting cover acts as an intermediary barrier between the patient and the support surface. It provides the disinfection function while protecting the support surface from direct contact with pathogens and harsh disinfectants, thereby extending the surface's service life while maintaining effective pathogen control.
2Reliability
If a disinfecting cover is applied to maintain pressure distribution, then pathogen transmission is prevented, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disinfecting cover is designed as a thin, flexible membrane that conforms to the contours of the support surface and patient body. This flexible film design provides pathogen barrier functionality without adding significant structural complexity, weight, or rigidity that would interfere with the pressure distribution characteristics of the underlying surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The disinfecting cover is designed to be universally applicable to various support surfaces while providing multiple functions: pathogen barrier, pressure distribution maintenance, and ease of disinfection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.
3Reliability
If a non-fibrous polymer-based cover is used, then fluid transmission is blocked and pathogens are killed, but the breathability and comfort for the patient may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The non-fibrous polymer-based cover incorporates a porous structure that allows vapor and gas transmission while blocking liquid fluids. This porous design enables breathability and moisture vapor escape, maintaining patient comfort through reduced heat and moisture buildup, while still providing effective fluid barrier functionality to prevent pathogen transmission.
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 disinfecting cover effectively kills pathogens like MRSA, Aspergillus niger, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium difficile, and Escherichia coli, while preserving the surface's pressure distribution and reducing the need for aggressive cleaning, thus extending the surface's lifespan and minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
the disinfecting cover being non-fibrous and comprising an anti-microbial disinfectant
Implementation Method 2
is non-fibrous and impervious to the transfer of fluid from the first main surface to the second main surface
Data Source
AI summary
A disinfecting cover for use in disinfecting a weight bearing upper surface of a resilient medical patient pressure redistribution support includes a thin barrier membrane drapable on top of the weight bearing upper surface of the resilient support, and a peripherally-extending edge terminating between the peripherally-extending side of the resilient support between the weight bearing upper surface and the bottom surface of the support. The thin barrier membrane comprises an anti-microbial disinfectant, and being non-fibrous, and impervious to the transfer of fluid from the first main surface to the second main surface. The thin barrier membrane comprises a thickness operable to maintain the weight distribution of a patient on the weight bearing upper surface of the resilient medical patient pressure redistribution support substantially the same compared to the weight distribution without the thin barrier membrane.