Multi-layered patient support cover system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients restricted to bed for extended periods are at risk of developing decubitus ulcers due to pressure-induced capillary occlusion and moisture accumulation, which exacerbates skin maceration and breakdown.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer patient support system with a hydrophobic-hydrophilic gradient in the cover sheet design, where fluids are directed away from the skin and maximally exposed to airflow for efficient evaporation, reducing the risk of skin breakdown and minimizing electrical power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-layer cover sheet is used, then the structure is simple, but moisture management efficiency is insufficient and skin breakdown risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover sheet is divided into multiple layers (e.g., outer layer, middle layer, inner layer) with distinct functions: the outer layer provides structural support and fluid distribution, the middle layer manages moisture transport, and the inner layer contacts the patient to prevent skin breakdown. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover sheet employs composite materials with different hydrophobicity levels in each layer. The outer layer uses hydrophobic materials to repel and distribute fluids, the middle layer uses amphiphilic materials for moisture transport, and the inner layer uses hydrophilic materials to maintain skin comfort. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties to achieve superior skin protection.
2Productivity
If fluid is held in dense local regions under the patient, then the structure is compact, but evaporation efficiency decreases and skin exposure to moisture increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the cover sheet are designed with different properties: areas under patient contact use hydrophobic materials to prevent fluid accumulation, while peripheral areas use more hydrophilic materials to facilitate evaporation. This local quality differentiation ensures that fluid is directed away from skin contact zones to areas optimized for evaporation, simultaneously improving productivity and reducing harmful moisture exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The middle layer acts as an intermediary between the outer fluid-receiving layer and the inner skin-contact layer. It contains hydrophilic channels that actively transport moisture away from the patient interface toward evaporation zones, preventing direct contact between skin and harmful fluids while maintaining structural compactness through efficient intermediate transport pathways.
3Productivity
If high airflow is used to maximize moisture dissipation, then moisture management efficiency improves, but electrical power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover sheet's multi-layer structure with hydrophobic-hydrophilic gradients enables passive moisture management through capillary action and evaporation-driven flow. The hydrophobic outer layer directs fluids to hydrophilic evaporation zones without requiring active pumping, allowing the system to self-regulate moisture dissipation. This reduces reliance on high-power airflow systems while maintaining effective moisture management, thereby lowering electrical power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes the hydrophobicity parameter across different layers to enhance natural evaporation efficiency. By carefully selecting materials with specific contact angles and surface energies, the cover sheet maximizes passive moisture transfer rates, reducing the need for high airflow rates and consequently lowering the electrical power required for moisture dissipation.
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 system effectively prevents and treats decubitus ulcers by managing moisture and heat transfer, reducing the risk of skin breakdown and enhancing the efficiency of moisture dissipation, even in the absence of airflow, thereby lowering the risk of ulcers and electrical power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a first, very hydrophobic layer which is disposed to be in contact with the patient such that all fluids are encouraged to move under osmotic pressure into the device structure away from the patient skin
Implementation Method 2
the layers have different hydrophobic or hydrophilic properties and establish a fluid gradient to preferentially move fluid away from areas that contact a patient
Implementation Method 3
ensuring that the fluids are maximally exposed to the airstreams within the structure, and reduce the likelihood of fluid being held in dense local regions
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, a support system includes a cover sheet with a number of layers. In certain embodiments, a top layer and a bottom layer are bonded to a middle spacer layer.