Pressure-Mitigating Surface With Inflatable Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current support surfaces for preventing pressure ulcers lack the ability to control the spatial relationship between the patient and the therapeutic surface, leading to ineffective pressure mitigation and increased risk of decubitus ulcers in bed-bound or wheelchair-bound individuals.
Innovation Solution
The development of a pressure-mitigating contact surface with independently pressurized relief chambers configured in a geometric pattern, combined with elevated side support portions and a wedge portion, actively orients the patient over specific anatomic regions to reduce contact pressure, utilizing a pump and controller to alternate pressure and maintain optimal blood flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current support surfaces are used, then basic pressure distribution is provided, but the spatial relationship between patient and therapeutic surface cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface is divided into multiple independently pressurized chambers arranged in a geometric pattern, allowing different regions to be controlled separately. This segmentation enables precise control over the spatial relationship between the patient and therapeutic surface while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface transitions from a static structure to a dynamic system with inflatable chambers that can adjust pressure and shape in real-time. This dynamic capability allows the surface to adapt to patient positioning needs while the pump and controller provide automated management to prevent excessive complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If steady pressure is applied to one location, then support is provided, but ischemia and skin breakdown occur
Solution Approach 1:
The independently pressurized chambers alternate pressure periodically, creating cycles of compression and decompression at different locations. This periodic action prevents steady pressure from causing ischemia while the automated pump and controller manage the timing and sequence, reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes pressure parameters dynamically by inflating and deflating specific chambers in sequence. This allows pressure to be redistributed over time and space, preventing localized ischemia while the automated control system handles the complexity of coordinating multiple parameter changes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If patients remain in one position, then stability is maintained, but pressure ulcers develop
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the support surface have specialized functions through locally optimized chamber configurations. The geometric pattern creates zones with different pressure characteristics that guide patient positioning and repositioning automatically, reducing the need for complex active control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface automatically performs patient repositioning through its alternating pressure pattern and geometric chamber arrangement, which create natural positioning forces. This self-service capability reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for external actuators or complex control systems while maintaining adaptability.
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 solution effectively mitigates pressure ulcers by ensuring no area is subjected to constant pressure, promoting blood flow and reducing the incidence of pressure ulcers, while also providing comfort and preventing deep venous thrombosis.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure-mitigating contact portion includes a plurality of independently pressurized relief chambers configured in a geometric pattern that mitigates contact pressure between a support surface and a specific anatomic region of a patient's body when the specific anatomic region of the patient's body is oriented over an epicenter of the geometric pattern
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a pump and controller to alternate pressure and maintain optimal blood flow
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems and apparatuses for enhanced comfort through contact pressure reduction. In particular, the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein prevent or otherwise mitigate pressure by actively orienting a patient over an anatomy-specific pressure-mitigating contact surface on which the patient rests. A pressure-mitigating contact portion of the contact surface includes a plurality of independently pressurized chambers configured in a specific geometric pattern that is designed to mitigate contact pressure between a support surface (e.g., bed or chair) and a specific anatomic region of a patient's body when the specific anatomic region of the patient's body is oriented over an epicenter of the geometric pattern. Additionally, a plurality of elevated side support portions and a wedge interconnected on the base material are configured to actively orient the specific anatomic region of the patient's body over the epicenter of the geometric pattern.