Multi-Mode Sacral Unloading Mattress for Pressure Ulcer Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patient support apparatuses, such as hospital beds, fail to effectively manage pressure distribution, leading to conditions like pressure ulcers and pulmonary complications in immobile patients due to friction and sweat buildup.
Innovation Solution
A patient support apparatus with inflatable support cushions and a controller that determines the patient's position to selectively deflate and inflate cushions, redistributing pressure to alleviate pressure on sensitive areas like the sacrum and trochanter, using pressure sensors and actuators for dynamic adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a patient is supported on a patient support apparatus for an extended time, then the patient receives continuous support, but pressure ulcers and pulmonary complications may develop due to friction and sweat buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress system dynamically adjusts the inflation and deflation of individual air cells in response to detected patient movements or changes in position, transforming a static support surface into an active, adaptive system that continuously optimizes pressure distribution to prevent pressure ulcers while maintaining support
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure sensors embedded in the mattress detect pressure distribution and patient position, providing feedback to the control system which then adjusts air cell inflation accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that prevents harmful pressure buildup while maintaining appropriate support throughout extended periods
2Device complexity
If the mattress uses a single uniform support surface, then the structure is simple, but it cannot effectively redistribute pressure to alleviate pressure on sensitive areas like the sacrum and trochanter
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress is divided into multiple independently controllable air cells or zones that can be inflated or deflated separately, allowing targeted pressure relief on sensitive areas such as the sacrum and trochanter while maintaining support in other regions, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and pressure redistribution capability
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 solution effectively reduces pressure on critical areas, thereby preventing pressure ulcers and pulmonary complications by dynamically adjusting the mattress's support based on the patient's position, improving comfort and reducing the risk of hospital-acquired conditions.
Implementation Method 1
mattress having plurality of inflatable support cushions for supporting a patient's body
Implementation Method 2
at least one pressure sensor for each of the plurality of inflatable support cushion selected from the group of: piezo electric pressure sensor
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present disclosure, a patient support apparatus includes a mattress having an air bladder system configured to sense pressure levels along the mattress surface and perform unloading of mattress areas corresponding to specific patient body areas to relief loading to the area, and to perform unloading independently or in combination with lateral rotation. The air bladder system may include a support bladder system and a rotation bladder system.