Air-Bladder Patient Support With Angle-Based Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient support systems fail to provide effective pressure relief and adaptability to various bed configurations and patient types, limiting their ability to accommodate different sizes and styles of beds and patient needs.
Innovation Solution
A patient support system featuring a cover with an air-permeable layer, inflatable bladders, and angle sensors, controlled by a controller that adjusts air pressure based on sensor signals to ensure optimal support and comfort, allowing for customization to different bed configurations and patient types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a patient support system uses a single fixed configuration, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot accommodate different bed configurations and patient types
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support system is divided into multiple independently controllable zones with separate air bladders for head, foot, and body sections. Each zone can be adjusted individually to accommodate different bed configurations and patient needs, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by organizing functionality into manageable segments
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamically adjustable air pressure in each zone controlled by angle sensors that detect bed position changes. This allows the support surface to adapt automatically to different bed configurations (flat, elevated, Trendelenburg, reverse Trendelenburg) without requiring multiple fixed configurations, achieving versatility through dynamic adjustment rather than static variety
2Reliability
If the patient support uses manual adjustment, then device complexity is low, but pressure relief effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Angle sensors provide continuous feedback about bed configuration to the control system, which automatically adjusts air pressure in each zone accordingly. This feedback loop ensures optimal pressure relief effectiveness for each bed position without requiring manual intervention, resolving the contradiction by automating the adjustment process based on real-time sensor data
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of air pressure based on angle sensor input, eliminating the need for manual operation. The control system automatically determines the appropriate pressure configuration for each bed position, achieving reliable pressure relief through autonomous operation rather than manual control
3Adaptability or versatility
If the patient support accommodates all patient types, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different zones of the support surface have independently adjustable air pressure, allowing localized adaptation to specific patient needs (head elevation for respiratory patients, foot elevation for circulatory issues, etc.). This local customization approach enables accommodation of diverse patient types without requiring complete system reconfiguration, managing complexity through targeted adjustment rather than global change
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 provides enhanced pressure relief and adaptability, improving patient comfort and support by dynamically adjusting air pressure in response to patient position and bed configuration, thereby accommodating a range of patient sizes and bed types.
Implementation Method 1
a first angle sensor located in the interior region in a first articulatable portion of the patient support, wherein the first articulatable portion of the patient support is a head section, and a controller coupled to the first and second air supplies and the first angle sensors, characterized in that a second angle sensor is located in the interior region in a second articulatable portion of the patient support; in that the second articulatable portion is a foot section
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of air bladders located beneath the air permeable first layer including one or more transverse bladders and one or more upright can-shaped bladders, a second air supply coupled to the air bladders to selectively inflate and deflate the air bladders
Implementation Method 3
an air permeable first layer located in the interior region, a first air supply coupled to the first layer to provide air flow through the first layer
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure describes a patient support (10, 900) having an air permeable layer (20, 91, 91', 920), a plurality of inflatable bladders (50, 60, 62, 64, 66, 72, 74, 74a, 74b, 76, 78, 80, 84, 86, 90, 140, 142, 960, 962, 963, 964, 965, 966, 974, 974a, 974b, 980, 984, 990, 992, 994, 996), a pressure sensing assembly (68, 70, 328, 968, 970, 1048), and a controller (42,58,958,1542). In one embodiment, a combination of transverse bladders (960, 962, 963) and vertically oriented can-shaped bladders (964, 965) is provided. In one embodiment, one or more angle sensors (502, 1502, 1262) are provided in articulatable sections (32, 34, 932, 934) of the patient support (10, 900).