Patient support apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patient bed systems face challenges such as the risk of skin conditions like bed sores due to heat and moisture, unreliable pneumatic systems, difficulty in monitoring support surface degradation, limited access for x-ray sleeves, and lack of automated fluid ingress detection, leading to safety hazards and increased healthcare costs.
Innovation Solution
A patient support apparatus with integrated features including a microclimate management system, a pneumatic blower and controller for air flow management, an end-of-life indicator, a heel suspension mechanism, and a conductive substrate for fluid ingress detection, which enhances patient comfort, safety, and operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate pneumatic box and pump module are used to supply air to the microclimate structure, then adequate cooling and drying of patient skin is achieved, but space is occupied within the patient room and pumps may get lost or become unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the pneumatic blower directly into the support surface structure, merging the air supply function with the support surface itself. This eliminates the need for separate pneumatic boxes and pump modules, reducing space occupation and the risk of equipment loss while maintaining microclimate management capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface is designed to perform multiple functions: providing structural support, managing microclimate through integrated air supply, and enabling wound therapy. The integrated pneumatic system allows the support surface to serve as both the patient support structure and the air delivery mechanism, eliminating dedicated pump modules.
2Productivity
If hose attachments are used to connect pumps to microclimate structures, then air flow is provided, but connections become unreliable and require cleaning after each use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hose attachment component entirely by integrating the pneumatic blower directly into the support surface. This eliminates the connection interface that requires cleaning and maintenance, improving reliability by removing the failure point associated with removable hose connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated pneumatic system is designed to be self-contained within the support surface, eliminating the need for external connections. The system serves itself by having the blower unit permanently integrated, removing the need for repeated connection and cleaning operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If x-ray sleeves are installed in toppers, then x-ray access is enabled, but support surfaces without toppers cannot accept x-ray sleeves and access is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the x-ray sleeve directly into the support surface structure, making the support surface itself capable of accommodating x-ray cassettes. This eliminates the requirement for a separate topper, enabling universal x-ray access across all support surfaces regardless of topper presence.
Solution Approach 2:
The x-ray sleeve function is merged with the support surface structure itself rather than being a separate component. This integration allows the support surface to provide both structural support and x-ray imaging capabilities without requiring additional layers or accessories.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If manual hand checks are performed to detect bottoming out, then patient support adequacy is assessed, but the process is intrusive and uncomfortable for patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated bottoming out detection system using sensors that continuously monitor support surface conditions. The system detects bottoming out events automatically without requiring manual intervention, eliminating the need for intrusive hand checks and improving patient comfort while maintaining monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical assessment method (hand checks) is replaced with an automated sensor-based detection system. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact assessment, reducing patient discomfort while providing continuous objective monitoring of support adequacy.
5Duration of action of stationary object
If support surfaces are used beyond their useful lives, then continuous patient support is maintained, but degradation increases likelihood of skin breakdown and pressure ulcers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an end-of-life indicator system that provides feedback on support surface condition and usage. This system monitors degradation parameters and alerts when the support surface approaches the end of its useful life, enabling timely replacement before degradation causes skin breakdown or pressure ulcers.
Solution Approach 2:
The end-of-life indicator system provides advance warning before the support surface actually degrades to harmful levels. This preliminary detection allows proactive replacement scheduling, preventing skin breakdown and pressure ulcers by replacing surfaces before they reach dangerous degradation states.
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 the risk of skin conditions, improves air flow management, monitors support surface degradation, facilitates x-ray access, and detects fluid ingress, thereby enhancing patient safety and reducing healthcare costs.
Implementation Method 1
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 2
The pneumatic blower may conduct air through the inlet port to the topper
Implementation Method 3
A first conductive trace may be carried by the flexible substrate, and a second conductive trace may be carried by the flexible substrate adjacent to the first conductive trace. The presence of a threshold amount of liquid on the flexible substrate may form a closed circuit with the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus may include a support surface 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. An opening may be formed in a side of the support surface. A cavity may extend from the opening into the support surface. An inlet port may be positioned within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the top face. A blower assembly may be configured to position within the cavity. The blower assembly may have an outlet port that couples to the inlet port when the blower assembly is positioned within the cavity. The blower assembly may conduct air through the inlet port to the top face of the support surface.