Inflatable Patient Turning Wedge for Stable Repositioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing patient turning and supporting devices are labor-intensive, prone to patient sliding, and pose risks of pressure ulcers and caregiver injuries, particularly for unconscious or disabled individuals.

Innovation Solution

An inflatable device with a turning wedge and support bolster, configured to inflate and deflate to reposition patients without manual intervention, featuring multiple layers and attachment lines to form valleys for stable patient positioning, and a system with tubular pockets for additional support and retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual turning methods are used, then patient repositioning can be achieved, but labor intensity increases and caregiver injury risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient repositioning efficiencyVSAvoidcaregiver effort and injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The inflatable device automatically repositions the patient through self-inflation of turning wedges and support bolsters, eliminating the need for manual caregiver intervention and reducing labor intensity while maintaining effective patient turning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses pneumatic inflation through cavities and chambers to create turning wedges and support bolsters that automatically reposition the patient, replacing manual mechanical effort with controlled air pressure to reduce caregiver strain and injury risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If traditional turning methods are used, then patient repositioning occurs, but patient sliding increases pressure ulcer risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepositioning frequencyVSAvoidpressure ulcer risk from sliding

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device inflates support bolsters and turning wedges in advance before patient repositioning is needed, creating stable support structures that prevent sliding during the turning process and eliminate pressure ulcer risks associated with uncontrolled patient movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes the physical state of support structures by inflating and deflating cavities to create turning wedges and support bolsters with specific geometries and pressures, optimizing patient stability and preventing sliding that leads to pressure ulcers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If simple inflatable structures are used, then device complexity is reduced, but patient positioning stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidpatient positioning stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the inflatable structure into multiple independent cavities and chambers that can be inflated separately to form turning wedges and support bolsters at different locations, providing stable patient positioning while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device applies different inflation pressures and creates different structural forms (turning wedges versus support bolsters) at different locations within the inflatable device, optimizing patient stability and positioning without requiring complex overall structural design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Facilitates safe and efficient patient repositioning, reducing the risk of pressure ulcers and caregiver injuries by maintaining patient stability and minimizing manual effort.

Implementation Method 1

The inflatable device includes at least one input port for receiving air to inflate the at least one cavity, where the inflatable device is configured such that when the at least one cavity is inflated, a turning wedge and a support bolster are formed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatics:

Data Source

PatentUS20250375330A1Method and device for turning and positioning a patient using fillable chambers

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 SAGE PROD LLC

AI summary

A system for repositioning or supporting a patient includes a first sheet, the first sheet configured to receive a patient on a top side, and a second sheet coupled to the first sheet, wherein the second sheet comprises at least one tubular pocket therein, and wherein the second sheet is configured to contact a support surface. The system further includes at least one support device configured to be inserted within the at least one tubular pocket, such that when the at least one support device is inserted within the at least one tubular pocket, at least a portion of the patient is elevated relative to the support surface.