Patient Support Microclimate Control for Heat and Moisture Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microclimate systems used in patient supports often fail to maintain rated levels of heat withdrawal and evaporative capacity due to environmental conditions such as high temperatures and humidity, leading to skin moisture issues and increased risk of decubitus ulcers.
Innovation Solution
A microclimate system comprising a support surface with a topper and an air box, equipped with a controller, blower, environmental sensor unit, and conditioning unit, which adjusts operating parameters based on detected environmental conditions to ensure rated performance levels of heat withdrawal and evaporative capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If microclimate systems operate with fixed parameters, then device complexity is reduced, but they fail to maintain rated performance levels under varying environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The microclimate system transitions from fixed operating parameters to dynamic adjustment based on environmental conditions. The controller continuously monitors temperature and humidity sensors, then adjusts blower speed and heater power accordingly to maintain rated performance levels of heat withdrawal and evaporative capacity across varying environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by using environmental sensors to detect current temperature and humidity levels, comparing these against desired performance parameters, and automatically adjusting operating parameters through the controller. This closed-loop feedback ensures the system maintains rated performance despite external environmental variations.
2Reliability
If environmental conditions are monitored and operating parameters are adjusted dynamically, then rated performance is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microclimate system performs self-adjustment by automatically monitoring its own performance through integrated sensors and correcting deviations without external intervention. The controller autonomously modifies operating parameters based on sensor feedback, enabling the system to self-regulate and maintain consistent heat withdrawal and evaporative capacity across varying environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves multiple functions: it monitors environmental sensors, processes sensor data, determines appropriate operating parameter adjustments, and executes control signals to various system components. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single control unit rather than requiring separate systems for each function.
3Reliability
If the system increases power consumption to maintain performance in hot and humid environments, then rated evaporative capacity is achieved, but energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts power consumption based on actual environmental conditions rather than operating at fixed high power levels. The controller modulates blower speed and heater power according to real-time sensor readings, consuming only the necessary energy to achieve rated evaporative capacity for current conditions, thereby improving energy efficiency while maintaining performance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operating parameters (blower speed, heater power) dynamically in response to environmental conditions. Rather than maintaining constant high power consumption, the system adjusts these parameters up or down as needed to achieve the required evaporative capacity, optimizing the balance between performance reliability and energy efficiency.
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 maintains rated performance levels of heat withdrawal and evaporative capacity across varying environmental conditions, preventing skin moisture issues and reducing the risk of decubitus ulcers.
Implementation Method 1
Some microclimate systems blow air along the interface of a patient's skin with a support surface
Implementation Method 2
The topper may be configured to conduct air along a top face of the support surface so that heat and moisture from a patient lying on the support surface are drawn away from the top face of the support surface
Implementation Method 3
The environmental sensor unit may include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or a pressure sensor
Implementation Method 4
The environmental sensor unit may include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or a pressure sensor
Implementation Method 5
The conditioning unit may include a heater configured to warm air moving from the blower to the topper
Implementation Method 6
The conditioning unit may include a heater configured to warm air moving from the blower to the topper and/or a cooler configured to cool air moving from the blower to the topper
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present disclosure, a microclimate system includes a topper and an air box. The topper is configured to conduct air along a surface of the topper so that heat and moisture from a patient lying on the topper are drawn away from the surface. The air box includes a blower coupled to the topper to provide air to the topper to be conducted along the surface of the topper. The air box may also include an environmental sensor unit coupled configured to detect environmental information corresponding to the environment around the microclimate system.