Modular Prone Patient Support for Pressure Ulcer Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient support systems for prone positions are not adaptable to individual patient morphology, fail to support multiple body segments, and inadequately support the head, leading to discomfort and collateral damage such as pressure ulcers and muscle damage.
Innovation Solution
A modular kit of separate modules for supporting and unloading body segments, freely positionable and orientable, which can be used with an external supporting surface to provide customized support for the entire body, including the head, by forming a helix profile for head modules to accommodate various positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a patient remains in a prone position for long periods to improve lung ventilation, then lung oxygenation is improved, but pressure-related damage such as pressure ulcers and muscle damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting arrangement is divided into multiple independent modules (head module, chest module, abdominal module, pelvic module, leg modules) that can be separately positioned and adjusted. Each module supports specific body segments, distributing pressure throughout the body rather than concentrating it in fixed areas, thereby preventing pressure ulcers while maintaining prolonged prone positioning for lung rehabilitation
Solution Approach 2:
The modules are designed to be movable and adjustable relative to each other and to the patient's body. The modules can be repositioned along the patient's body contours and adjusted in height and angle, allowing the system to adapt dynamically to different patient morphologies and positions, optimizing pressure distribution throughout the prone period
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed support structures are used for prone position, then implementation is simple, but adaptability to individual patient morphology is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system consists of separate modules that can be independently adjusted to fit different patient body shapes and sizes. Each module can be positioned at different locations along the patient's body contours, allowing customization for adults, children, and patients with different builds while maintaining ease of implementation through modular assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows the same set of module types to serve multiple functions and adapt to various patient populations. The modules can be configured for different body segments and positions, making the system universally applicable to patients of all ages and morphologies without requiring custom-designed support structures for each patient type
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional mattresses with holes are used to prevent pressure damage, then pressure relief is provided, but the solution is not adaptable to individual patient morphology and only affects limited body segments
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single mattress with fixed holes, the system divides pressure relief into multiple independent modules that can be positioned at specific body segments. Each module can be independently adjusted to target different areas (head, chest, abdomen, pelvis, legs) based on the patient's morphology and pressure risks, providing customized pressure relief rather than a one-size-fits-all solution
Solution Approach 2:
The modules can be dynamically repositioned and adjusted in height, angle, and location along the patient's body contours. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to adapt to different patient morphologies and pressure distribution needs, providing personalized pressure relief that conventional static mattresses cannot achieve
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a supporting system for a patient in a prone position, especially for patients that are intubated and/or mechanically ventilated. The supporting arrangement according to the invention has the purpose of ensuring proper posture of the patient, so as to prevent damages caused by prolonged lying in the prone position. The invention achieves this purpose thanks to a kit of separate modules (10 - 40, 50sx, 50dx - 90sx, 90dx) for containing, pushing, supporting and unloading distinct body segments of the patient's body, said modules being freely positionable and orientable with respect to one another on an external supporting surface such as a mattress. The supporting arrangement according to the invention provides in particular for a sub-arrangement intended for supporting the patient's head and comprising modules for the head (10 - 40) which make it possible to effectively support the user's head in a neutral position as well as in a position turned to the side.