Patient support pad

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional support pads with embedded electronic components, such as pressure sensing devices, often increase interface pressure and reduce load redistribution due to their semi-rigid nature, leading to a higher risk of pressure ulcers in patients.

Innovation Solution

A support pad design featuring a sensing device with expandable portions and tab portions between cushion layers, allowing for improved load redistribution and accurate pressure sensing while maintaining flexibility and reducing interface pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electronic components are embedded in a support pad, then sensing capability is improved, but interface pressure increases and load redistribution is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure sensing accuracyVSAvoidinterface pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is divided into multiple discrete components including tab portions and expandable portions. This segmentation allows the electronic components to be distributed across multiple flexible elements rather than forming a single rigid structure, enabling the support pad to maintain pressure sensing capability while reducing peak interface pressure through improved load distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The expandable portions are designed to dynamically change their configuration in response to applied pressure, moving between contracted and expanded states. This dynamic behavior allows the substrate to adapt to varying loads, maintaining sensing accuracy while redistributing pressure to prevent excessive interface pressure on patient tissues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If a rigid support pad is used, then structural strength is improved, but load redistribution capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidload redistribution capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is constructed as a flexible structure comprising tab portions and expandable portions rather than a rigid component. This flexible design allows the support pad to conform to patient body contours and redistribute loads effectively, while the integrated electronic components maintain structural integrity and sensing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The support pad combines flexible cushioning materials with an integrated flexible substrate containing electronic components. This composite structure integrates the load redistribution capabilities of soft materials with the sensing and structural functions of the electronic substrate, achieving both strength and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If a soft support pad is used, then load redistribution is improved, but peak interface pressure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload redistribution capabilityVSAvoidpeak interface pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented substrate structure with distributed tab and expandable portions prevents excessive deformation in any single location. This segmentation allows the soft support pad to redistribute loads effectively while the distributed electronic components monitor and prevent excessive peak pressures from developing at specific interface points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 support pad effectively redistributes loads and senses interface pressure accurately, reducing peak pressure on patients without significant increases in interface pressure, and is compatible with flexible and strong electronic components.

Implementation Method 1

The expandable portions are moveable between contracted and expanded positions in response to pressure applied thereto

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS10314528B2Patient support pad

Publication Date: 2019.06.11 AMERICAN STERILIZER CO

AI summary

A support pad, including a first cushion layer, a second cushion layer, and a sensing device, is provided. The sensing device is positioned between the first and second cushion layers. The sensing device includes a plurality of sensing elements and a substrate. The substrate includes a plurality of tab portions and a plurality of expandable portions. The sensing elements are respectively mounted to the tab portions. The expandable portions are moveable between contracted and expanded positions in response to pressure applied thereto.