Pressure-Relief Patient Support With Moisture-Permeable Bladders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients develop pressure sores and moisture-related issues due to prolonged immobility, which existing mattress technologies have not adequately addressed by reducing pressure and improving air circulation effectively.
Innovation Solution
A patient support system with a compressible layer and a moisture vapor permeable cover that enhances air circulation and moisture management, incorporating bladders and a gel layer to distribute pressure and wick away moisture, while maintaining a smooth surface for comfort and reducing skin maceration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional mattress is used to support patients, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but pressure sores and moisture build-up occur due to inadequate pressure distribution and poor air circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress is divided into multiple independent air cells arranged in a grid pattern, where each cell can be independently inflated or deflated. This segmentation allows localized pressure adjustment beneath different body parts, distributing pressure evenly while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured as a modular system.
Solution Approach 2:
The mattress uses an air circulation system with inflatable cells connected to an air source and control valves. By regulating air pressure in each cell, the system dynamically adjusts support and pressure distribution across the patient's body. The pneumatic mechanism also facilitates air flow through the mattress structure, preventing moisture build-up while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of flexible membranes and basic pneumatic components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pressure is reduced on patient's skin to prevent pressure sores, then pressure sore risk decreases, but support and stability for the patient may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress employs dynamically adjustable air pressure in each cell, allowing the support characteristics to be modified in real-time based on patient needs. The system can transition between soft support modes (for pressure relief) and firm support modes (for stability), with control systems that adjust cell pressure independently to maintain both pressure sore prevention and adequate support stability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the mattress can have different pressure levels and support characteristics tailored to specific body parts. High-pressure zones provide firm support for areas requiring stability, while low-pressure zones prevent pressure sores on vulnerable areas. This local differentiation of support quality allows the mattress to simultaneously reduce pressure sore risk and maintain overall support stability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If air circulation is improved to prevent moisture build-up, then skin maceration risk decreases, but the complexity of the air management system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress incorporates porous or permeable materials in the mattress layers that allow passive air circulation through capillary action and pressure gradients. This natural air flow mechanism prevents moisture build-up without requiring complex active ventilation systems, reducing device complexity while effectively preventing skin maceration through continuous moisture wicking and evaporation.
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 reduces pressure points, improves air circulation, and effectively manages moisture, thereby minimizing the risk of skin maceration and pressure sores, providing enhanced comfort and care for patients.
Implementation Method 1
a compressible layer that includes air flow passages extending laterally and transversely through the layer
Implementation Method 2
a compressible layer... The cover envelopes the compressible layer
Implementation Method 3
The cover is adapted to allow moisture vapor... to pass through the cover and into the compressible layer
Implementation Method 4
allow moisture vapor to pass through the cover... and into the compressible layer
Implementation Method 5
air flow passages extending laterally and transversely through the layer... provide enhanced air circulation
Implementation Method 6
air flow passages... allow moisture vapor to flow out of the cover
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A patient support includes a layer of fluid pressurized bladders, the bladders each having a chamber and an upwardly facing surface for facing and supporting a patient, and a cover over the layer of fluid pressurized bladders. Respective bladders in at least a group of the bladders each have a resilient body in its respective chamber to reform the shape of the respective bladder when a compression load on the respective bladder is removed wherein the pressure in the respective bladders is generally maintained without a powered supply of air. The cover has an upwardly facing patient surface and a bladder layer facing surface, with the patient surface for forming a patient support surface on the support, and the bladder layer facing surface for lying on the upwardly facing surfaces of the bladders.