Programmable Support Surface for Pressure Redistribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for preventing pressure ulcers, such as specialty beds, often fail to effectively redistribute pressure across the body, leading to continued risk of ulceration in high-risk areas and potential new ulcer formation in unexpected areas.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring an array of programmable supports that adjust under computer control to reduce pressure on identified high-risk areas while minimizing increased pressure on other body parts, using sensors and actuators to map and manage pressure distribution across a support surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If specialty beds with air loss mattresses or alternating pressure mattresses are used to redistribute pressure, then pressure distribution is improved, but pressure ulcers still occur in high-risk areas and new ulceration occurs in unexpected areas
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface is divided into multiple independently controllable zones or regions. Each zone can be adjusted separately to apply different pressure levels, allowing precise targeting of high-risk areas while maintaining lower pressure in other regions. This segmentation enables the system to respond to specific pressure hotspots without affecting the entire surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the support surface are assigned different pressure characteristics based on their specific requirements. High-risk areas receive enhanced pressure redistribution and support, while low-risk areas maintain standard pressure levels. This local differentiation ensures that pressure management is tailored to the specific needs of each body region.
Solution Approach 3:
The support surface incorporates dynamically adjustable elements that can change pressure distribution in real-time based on detected pressure patterns and patient position. The system continuously monitors pressure across the surface and automatically adjusts support characteristics to maintain optimal pressure distribution, adapting to changing conditions as the patient moves or repositions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pressure is reduced on identified high-risk areas, then ulcer risk in those areas is reduced, but pressure on other body parts increases potentially causing new ulceration
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface is divided into multiple independently controllable zones or regions. Each zone can be adjusted separately to apply different pressure levels, allowing precise targeting of high-risk areas while maintaining lower pressure in other regions. This segmentation enables the system to respond to specific pressure hotspots without affecting the entire surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor pressure distribution across the support surface and provide real-time feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts pressure in each zone to maintain optimal distribution, preventing both over-pressure in identified areas and compensatory over-pressure in other regions that could cause new ulceration.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to reduce pressure on selected areas on a body include an array of programmable supports and at least one sensor to detect a physical property of the body. Each programmable support of the array of programmable supports includes an adjustable member and a mechanism to adjust the length of the adjustable member based on the detected physical property of the body.