Patient support structure, pressure relief module and non-powered pressure regulation method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure relief devices for bedridden patients, such as soft cushions and air mattresses, fail to provide sufficient support and pressure reduction for heavier patients, leading to discomfort and increased risk of pressure ulcers due to inadequate adjustment of pneumatic pressure.
Innovation Solution
A patient support structure comprising multiple resilient members with varying supporting strengths, including a hybrid pressure relief module with an air cell and a resilient member, and a non-powered pressure regulation method using a check valve and pressure regulating valve to adjust pneumatic pressure, ensuring pressure relief across a range of body weights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If air mattresses use excessively high pneumatic pressure to provide support for heavier patients, then supporting strength is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates due to increased hardness
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface is divided into multiple independent air cells arranged in rows and columns. Each air cell can be independently adjusted or deactivated, allowing selective pressure distribution. This segmentation enables the system to provide adequate support for heavier patients while maintaining comfort by distributing weight across multiple cells rather than concentrating pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The air mattress incorporates a dynamic pressure adjustment system with sensors that continuously monitor patient weight and pressure distribution. The pneumatic pressure is automatically adjusted in real-time based on detected load, allowing the system to optimize between support strength and comfort. The system transitions from static to dynamic pressure regulation to adapt to different patient conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If air mattresses use low pneumatic pressure to maintain comfort, then patient comfort is improved, but supporting strength deteriorates leading to bottoming-out for heavier patients
Solution Approach 1:
The air mattress is designed to serve multiple patient weight categories simultaneously through a universal support system. By combining multiple air cells with adjustable pressure zones and resilient members, the system can adapt to provide appropriate support for both lighter and heavier patients without requiring separate devices. The multi-functional design allows a single mattress to handle varying weight loads effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The mattress structure combines air-filled cells with solid resilient members (such as foam or elastic materials) to create a composite support system. The air cells provide adjustable pneumatic support while the resilient members provide consistent mechanical support and prevent bottoming-out. This composite construction ensures adequate supporting strength for heavier patients while maintaining comfort through the compliance of both materials.
3Ease of operation
If soft cushions are used for pressure relief, then ease of operation is improved, but supporting strength deteriorates causing bottoming-out for heavier patients
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces conventional soft cushioning with a pneumatic support system using air-filled cells. These air cells can be inflated to provide firm support for heavier patients while maintaining the simplicity of a cushion-like structure. The pneumatic system allows easy adjustment of support levels by changing air pressure, combining the ease of operation of soft cushions with the supporting strength needed for various patient weights.
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 maintains peak surface pressures below 32 mmHg for 99% of body weights up to 200 kg, providing comprehensive pressure relief and comfort while preventing pressure ulcers, even for heavier patients.
Implementation Method 1
the second resilient member comprises a first supporting area and a second supporting area different in supporting strength
Implementation Method 2
a hybrid pressure relief module with an air cell and a resilient member
Implementation Method 3
a non-powered pressure regulation method using a check valve and pressure regulating valve to adjust pneumatic pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support structure includes a first supporting part, a second supporting part and a third supporting part. The first supporting part includes a first resilient member; the second supporting part includes a second resilient member; and the third supporting part is between the first supporting part and the second supporting part. The first supporting part, the second supporting part and the third supporting part together define a supporting surface extending along a longitudinal axis, and the second resilient member includes a first supporting area and a second supporting area different in supporting strength.