Patient Surface Topper With Localized Airflow for Bed Sore Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient support surfaces, such as mattresses, often require a large volume of air to effectively cool and dry the skin, increasing the risk of bed sores due to inefficient air distribution and high pressure requirements.
Innovation Solution
A topper design featuring a top and bottom fabric layer with a middle layer of three-dimensional material, including separate pieces of material and air distribution sleeves, which directs air flow to specific regions of the body, reducing the area of air distribution and pressure needed, while allowing for both actively and passively cooled areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large volume of air is supplied to the topper, then effective cooling and drying of patient skin is achieved, but the pressure and complexity of the air distribution system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The topper is divided into multiple independent air-conducting channels or regions, each capable of receiving and distributing air separately. This segmentation allows air to be distributed more efficiently through dedicated pathways, reducing the overall pressure needed while maintaining effective cooling and drying across the patient contact surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the topper are designed with varying air distribution characteristics tailored to specific anatomical areas. High-risk pressure areas receive targeted air flow through locally optimized channels, while other regions have adjusted air distribution patterns. This localized approach improves overall effectiveness without requiring uniformly high pressure across the entire system.
2Area of stationary object
If air is distributed across the entire topper surface, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but the volume of air required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air distribution system is divided into multiple discrete channels or zones that collectively cover the entire topper surface. Each segment handles a portion of the total air flow requirement, allowing comprehensive area coverage while distributing the air volume demand across separate pathways rather than requiring one large-volume system.
Solution Approach 2:
Air is directed primarily to high-priority areas where cooling and drying are most critical, such as pressure points and skin-fold regions. While the entire surface is covered, the air distribution is optimized to provide sufficient airflow to key areas without requiring excessive air volume to be distributed uniformly across all regions, thereby reducing total air consumption while maintaining effective coverage.
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
This design reduces the pressure and volume of air required for effective cooling and drying, minimizing the risk of bed sores by targeting high-risk areas with efficient air distribution and natural airflow, while maintaining patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The first piece of material may comprise three-dimensional material configured to conduct air between the top layer of fabric and the bottom layer of fabric
Implementation Method 2
The second piece of material may be separated from the first piece of material to block pneumatic communication between the first piece of material and the second piece of material
Data Source
AI summary
A topper for a patient support surface includes an actively-cooled region that is positioned to deliver air flow under a specific area to provide localized treatment and/or moisture removal to a patient supported on the topper.