Modular Patient Warming Garment for Mobility and Anatomical Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable patient warming devices are not suitable for patients who need to move about and require access to specific anatomical areas, leading to inconvenience and impaired mobility, and there is a need for diverse gown configurations that can be manufactured efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A clinical garment with a front panel comprising an insulated sheet and a permeable sheet, featuring an inflatable blanket section and a removable forced air warming blanket pocket, allowing for patient warming through convection and mobility, with manufacturing techniques that include automated and manual assembly processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an inflatable warming blanket is used to provide patient warming, then patient warming effectiveness is improved, but patient mobility and access to anatomical areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The warming device is divided into separate modular components including a vest portion, blanket portion, and removable warming elements. This segmentation allows the warming function to be distributed across multiple independent components that can be adjusted and reconfigured based on patient needs, enabling both effective warming and maintained mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable and removable warming components that can be dynamically configured. The vest portion can be worn independently, the blanket portion can be added or removed, and air bladders can be selectively inflated or deflated. This dynamic configuration allows the warming effectiveness to be adjusted without restricting patient movement or access to anatomical areas.
2Temperature
If an inflatable warming blanket is used to cover the patient, then patient warming is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is manufactured as separate modular components (vest portion, blanket portion, air bladders, warming elements) that can be produced independently using standardized processes. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by allowing each component to be optimized and produced separately, then assembled through straightforward connections, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vest portion and blanket portion are designed as universal components that can function independently or in combination. The same basic components can serve multiple purposes (warming, mobility, different anatomical configurations) which simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the need for specialized parts for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a removable forced air warming blanket pocket is included in the garment, then versatility and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The removable forced air warming blanket is nested within a pocket integrated into the vest portion. This nesting arrangement allows the warming element to be stored compactly within the garment structure when not in use, and easily removed or inserted when needed. The pocket structure provides a simple mechanical interface that reduces complexity compared to integrated permanent warming systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable pocket design allows the warming element to be dynamically added or removed based on clinical needs. This dynamic configuration provides versatility for different patient requirements and anatomical access needs without requiring a complex permanent structure, as the warming capability can be activated or deactivated simply by inserting or removing the blanket element.
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 garment provides effective patient warming while maintaining mobility and access to anatomical areas, enhancing comfort and convenience in various clinical settings, with efficient manufacturing and assembly methods.
Implementation Method 1
Patient warming using this garment can be provided by convection through the permeable sheet
Implementation Method 2
an insulated sheet comprising an insulated layer positioned between an outer layer and a film layer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A clinical garment for patient warming including a front body panel having a first edge, an opposite second edge, an insulated sheet comprising an insulated layer positioned between an outer layer a film layer, a permeable layer adjacent to the film layer of the insulated sheet, a blanket section defined by a lower portion of the insulated sheet sealed to a lower portion of the permeable along a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposite first and second side edges of the blanket section, and at least one inlet port extending into the blanket section. The garment further includes a first back panel secured to at least a portion of the first edge of the front body panel and a second back panel secured to at least a portion of the second edge of the front body panel.