Neonatal Sling with Pressure-Diffusing Netting and Integrated Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing neonatal care systems face challenges with hard mattress surfaces that lack breathability and are prone to misuse, such as improper installation or unclean conditions, and require improved transportability with continuous patient monitoring and temperature regulation.

Innovation Solution

A neonatal sleep device featuring a collapsible frame structure with a pressure-diffusing netting sling that allows for breathable support, integrated heating, and physiological signal acquisition, enabling adjustable tilt angles and secure, clean use, along with transportability and environmental control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a hard mattress surface is used in existing neonatal care systems, then structural support is provided, but breathability is poor and misuse is prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidpoor breathability and misuse risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a mesh or netting material for the sling surface that provides structural support while maintaining breathability through its porous structure. This allows air circulation around the neonate while preventing skin breakdown and reducing misuse risks associated with hard, non-breathable surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The sling is constructed as a composite structure combining a frame component and a netting material, creating a system that integrates structural support with breathable surface properties. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between needing strength for support and requiring porosity for breathability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a sling sleep device is implemented, then breathability and comfort are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreathability and comfortVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sleep device is segmented into distinct components: a removable sling with netting material, a frame structure, and integration with the bassinet. This segmentation allows the breathable sling to be used independently or with the frame, providing comfort benefits while managing complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sling is designed to be universally applicable - it can be used alone or integrated with the bassinet frame, providing multiple functions (sleeping surface, support structure, breathable interface). This multi-functionality addresses comfort needs while avoiding unnecessary complexity by using a versatile component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the frame structure is made collapsible, then transportability is improved, but stability during use may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetransportabilityVSAvoidstability during use

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure incorporates collapsible elements that allow it to transition between a stable, extended configuration during use and a compact, collapsed configuration for transport. This dynamic design provides both stability when needed and portability when required, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 device provides a comfortable, breathable, and secure sleeping surface that minimizes pressure points, prevents misuse by ensuring a clean environment, and allows for continuous patient monitoring and temperature regulation during transport.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure-diffusing netting material extending from a top end to a bottom end between opposing lateral sides

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure distribution: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

A heating coil may be configured to heat a neonate supported on the sling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

A plurality of stretchable conductive electrodes may extend through the pressure-diffusing netting material and may be configured to acquire physiological signals from the neonate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20220288349A1Neonatal care system with sling sleep device

Publication Date: 2022.09.15 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

A bassinette for a neonatal care system includes a frame structure with at least one vertical a support member extending downward from a top support member. A sling is suspended from the top support member and configured to support a neonate. The sling comprises a pressure-diffusing netting material extending from a top end to a bottom end between opposing lateral sides. A heating coil may be configured to heat the neonate supported on the sling, and a sling controller may be secured to the frame and configured to selectively control the heating coil to heat the neonate. Additionally, a plurality of stretchable conductive electrodes may extend through the pressure-diffusing netting material and may be configured to acquire physiological signals from the neonate. The stretchable conductive electrodes may be configured to communicate the physiological signals from the plurality of conductive electrodes to a sling controller.