Post-surgical pillow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Post-surgical patients, particularly those who have undergone mastectomy, face challenges with pain management and protection of the chest and underarm areas due to the lack of a device that can securely hold ice or warm packs in place without causing discomfort or pain, especially during movement, and existing pillows fail to provide adequate support and positioning.
Innovation Solution
A post-surgical pillow designed to protect the chest and underarm area with integrated pockets for temperature control elements, a detachable and washable cover, and an adjustable neck strap to ensure the pillow remains in place during activity, featuring notches and grooves for secure positioning and removable temperature control elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pillow is designed to protect the chest and underarm areas, then protection and support are improved, but the pillow cannot securely hold ice or warm packs in place without patient arm support
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is divided into distinct functional zones including a chest protection portion, underarm support portions, and integrated pockets specifically positioned to hold temperature control elements. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function independently, securing ice packs without requiring arm support while maintaining chest and underarm protection.
Solution Approach 2:
Integrated pockets serve as intermediary structures between the temperature control elements and the patient's body. These pockets securely hold ice or warm packs in place, allowing the elements to remain positioned without direct contact with the patient's arms, thus eliminating the need for arm support while maintaining therapeutic effect.
2Reliability
If a pillow is designed with integrated pockets for temperature control elements, then pain management is improved, but the pillow structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow combines multiple functions into a single integrated structure: chest protection, underarm support, and temperature control element positioning. By merging these functions into one device with integrated pockets, the design eliminates the need for separate ice pack holders or multiple pillows, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective pain management.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillow serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it protects the chest from external forces, provides underarm support, and securely positions temperature control elements for pain management. This multi-functionality is achieved through a unified design where the same structural elements serve different therapeutic functions, avoiding the need for separate specialized devices.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a pillow is used constantly for several weeks after surgery, then continuous protection is improved, but the pillow gets dirty and requires washing
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow cover is designed as a removable, washable component that can be separated from the inner pillow structure. This segmentation allows the cover to be easily removed for washing and replacement, maintaining hygiene during extended use while preserving the functional integrity of the inner pillow for continuous protection.
4Ease of operation
If a pillow is designed to stay in place without arm support, then patient comfort is improved, but the pillow may slip during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow incorporates adjustable straps and flexible positioning features that adapt to different patient movements and body positions. The underarm support portions and integrated pockets are designed to maintain secure positioning through dynamic adjustment rather than rigid fixation, allowing the pillow to stay in place during normal movement while maintaining patient comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
A pillow is provided having an elongated main body having a first end and a second end and a length from the first end to the second end. The pillow may further have a first notch at a top edge of the elongated main body adjacent the first end and a second notch at the top edge of the elongated main body adjacent the second end. The pillow may then have a first pocket at an inner surface of the elongated main body between the first notch and a bottom edge of the elongated main body and a second pocket at the inner surface between the second notch and the bottom edge.