Multi-Chamber Support Surface Pad for Consistent Air Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air distribution support surface products often experience reduced airflow due to patient weight compression, which restricts the effectiveness in preventing skin breakdown and discomfort, and have inadequate air distribution due to single inlet tubes being obstructed by the user's weight.
Innovation Solution
An air distribution support surface pad with a vapor permeable portion, a fluid-resistant portion, and an intermediate fluid passing portion forming multiple air chambers, where the intermediate material includes an air diffusion structure with larger fluid openings on one surface and smaller openings on the opposing surface, allowing for distributed inflation and airflow, and a U-shaped fluid dispensing structure for uniform air distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single chamber air distribution support surface is used, then the device is simple in structure, but patient weight compresses the top sheet causing reduced airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The single chamber is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) separated by partitions. This segmentation prevents compression at one location from affecting the entire air distribution system, as each chamber maintains independent air flow paths through the top sheet to the patient's skin.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single inlet tube is used, then the device is simple to manufacture, but the tube is easily obstructed by patient weight or user's foot
Solution Approach 1:
The single inlet tube is replaced with multiple inlet tubes (first inlet tube, second inlet tube, third inlet tube), each serving different chambers. This ensures that if one inlet becomes obstructed, air supply continues through the other inlets, maintaining reliable air distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet tubes are positioned at different locations and orientations (e.g., extending along long sides versus short sides of the pad). This spatial distribution in multiple dimensions reduces the likelihood that patient weight or user's foot will simultaneously obstruct all inlet tubes.
3Device complexity
If a single air dispensing point is used, then the device is simple in construction, but air distribution across the surface is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The single air dispensing point is replaced with multiple air dispensing points distributed across different chambers. Each chamber has its own inlet tube positioned to dispense air at specific locations, creating uniform air distribution across the entire pad surface rather than concentrating airflow at one point.
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
This design enhances airflow and comfort by maintaining air distribution across the surface despite patient weight, preventing compression and ensuring consistent air flow to the skin, thereby improving therapeutic outcomes for skin health.
Implementation Method 1
The vapor permeable material may be, for example, a sheet of breathable material, and the fluid resistant material may be, for example, a sheet of waterproof material. The intermediate material may be interposed between the vapor permeable material and the fluid resistant material to form a plurality of chambers
Implementation Method 2
The intermediate material may include an air diffusion structure defined by at least a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first surface may comprise fluid openings larger than fluid openings in the second surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
An air distribution support surface product includes a vapor permeable material such as a sheet of breathable material, a fluid resistant material, such as a sheet of waterproof material and an intermediate fluid passing material interposed between the vapor permeable material and the fluid resistant material to form a plurality of chambers. One of the chambers serves as a type of fluid retention chamber and another chamber serves as a type of fluid loss chamber. A fluid intake opening may be provided to allow fluid, such as air, to inflate the chambers. In one example, both of the chambers share the intermediate fluid passing material. As such, the fluid retention chamber is formed by the fluid resistant material and the intermediate fluid passing material. The fluid loss chamber is formed by the vapor permeable material and the intermediate fluid passing material.