Patient Support Cushioning Layers with Hexagonal Bladders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patient support systems, such as hospital bed mattresses, often fail to provide adequate pressure distribution and moisture management, leading to discomfort and potential health issues for patients, especially during turning and immersion.
Innovation Solution
A patient support system featuring multiple cushioning layers, including inflatable bladders and a gel layer with hexagonal footings, supported by a foam crib, along with a cover that allows air flow and accommodates changes in mattress thickness, ensuring pressure distribution and moisture management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple cushioning layers are added to improve pressure distribution, then patient comfort and pressure distribution are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning system is divided into multiple discrete layers (bladder layer, gel layer, foam crib) with different functions. Each layer is segmented to provide specific support characteristics - the bladder layer for pressure redistribution, the gel layer for contouring and immersion, and the foam crib for structural support. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently while working together to achieve superior pressure distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite cushioning system combining different materials with complementary properties: inflatable bladders (flexible, compressible), gel (viscoelastic, contouring), and foam (structural support). This composite approach leverages the advantages of each material while mitigating their individual limitations, achieving comprehensive pressure distribution without excessive complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover is made from liquid-proof material to prevent liquid intrusion, then protection against liquid intrusion is improved, but moisture management capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover incorporates a breathable mesh panel with controlled porosity that allows water vapor and moisture to pass through while blocking liquid penetration. The porous structure enables moisture management through evaporation and air circulation, preventing moisture buildup under the cover while maintaining liquid-proof protection. This resolves the contradiction by allowing selective permeability based on the physical state of the contaminant.
Solution Approach 2:
The breathable mesh panel acts as an intermediary layer between the patient and the external environment. It mediates the conflict between liquid protection and moisture ventilation by allowing vapor transmission while blocking liquid droplets, thus preventing both liquid intrusion and moisture accumulation simultaneously.
3Shape
If the cover is made smooth to maintain surface topology, then aesthetic appearance and patient comfort are improved, but accommodation of mattress thickness changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed with dynamic properties that allow it to adapt to changes in mattress thickness. The side panels are configured to contract or expand, and the head and foot panels can unfold or fold, enabling the cover to maintain a smooth surface topology while accommodating the movement of turning bladders and changes in cushioning layer thickness. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction between surface smoothness and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover utilizes flexible fabric panels that can deform and rearrange to maintain surface smoothness. The flexible nature of the cover material allows it to conform to the underlying cushioning layers even when their thickness changes due to bladder inflation/deflation or gel layer movement, thus maintaining aesthetic appearance and patient comfort.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If air flow channels are added to improve moisture management, then moisture management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow channels serve multiple functions: they facilitate moisture management by allowing vapor transmission, provide structural support for the foam crib, and enable air circulation for temperature regulation. By making the air flow system multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated moisture management components, thus improving moisture management without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 improved pressure distribution and moisture management, enhancing patient comfort and support during turning and immersion, while maintaining a smooth surface and reducing the risk of liquid intrusion.
Implementation Method 1
the cushioning layers include a gel layer
Implementation Method 2
the cushioning layers include a bladder layer... a plurality of inflatable bladders... each of the bladders has a hexagonal cross-section
Implementation Method 3
at least one of the cushioning layers includes transverse openings allowing air to pass through the at least one cushioning layer to direct air flow through the at least one cushioning layer
Implementation Method 4
the cushioning layers are supported on a foam crib... the foam crib including at least two hinged panels to allow turning of a patient supported on the patient support
Implementation Method 5
the cover is formed from a material that prevents liquid intrusion but allows gas and moisture to flow through the cover
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A
AI summary
A patient support for supporting a patient includes a plurality of cushioning layers arranged such that their supporting surfaces when unloaded are generally arranged in a plane, and with each cushioning layer interlocked with each adjacent cushioning layer wherein each cushioning layer provides lateral and longitudinal support to each of its adjacent cushion layer.