Prone Support Surface Contouring With Zoned Pneumatic Bladders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient positioning systems fail to provide adequate comfort and pressure relief for patients in prone positions, particularly for those with pulmonary conditions, leading to increased risk of pressure injuries and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A support apparatus with a surface assembly featuring a pneumatic system of bladders in multiple zones, controlled by a controller to adjust between deployed and non-deployed conditions, providing alternating low pressure therapy and other therapies based on patient morphology and position, including a prone mode for enhanced comfort and pressure relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional patient positioning system is used, then the patient can be positioned on a bed, but adequate comfort and pressure relief for patients in prone positions is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress is divided into multiple independently controllable zones (head zone, seat zone, foot zone) with multiple bladders per zone. This segmentation allows different regions to be adjusted independently to match the patient's body contours and provide localized pressure relief, directly addressing the need for adequate comfort and pressure relief in prone positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts bladder pressure and configuration based on real-time sensors detecting patient position, morphology, and condition. The controller modifies bladder inflation/deflation patterns to adapt to changing patient needs during prone positioning, providing dynamic pressure relief and comfort adjustment throughout the treatment period.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the surface assembly uses multiple bladders in multiple zones, then pressure relief is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic system serves multiple functions: it provides pressure relief, supports patient positioning, adapts to patient morphology, and can be controlled in different modes (prone mode, standard mode, etc.). By integrating these functions into a single coordinated system with a unified controller, the patent reduces overall system complexity despite having multiple bladders and zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors continuously monitor patient position, morphology, and condition, providing feedback to the controller which automatically adjusts bladder pressure and configuration. This closed-loop feedback system automates the complexity management, allowing the system to adapt to patient needs without requiring manual intervention or overly complex control mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the system adjusts bladder pressure dynamically, then patient comfort is enhanced, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic inflation and deflation cycles of the bladders rather than continuous adjustment. The controller activates the compressor in intermittent patterns, allowing bladders to be inflated to provide pressure relief, then deflated, and re-inflated as needed. This periodic action significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous operation while maintaining effective pressure relief and patient comfort.
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 system effectively reduces pressure injuries and enhances patient comfort by dynamically adjusting bladder pressure and providing therapies like alternating low pressure and percussion vibration, improving patient positioning and reducing the risk of complications.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatic system including bladders, a compressor in fluid communication with the bladders, and valves in fluid communication with the bladders
Implementation Method 2
The bladders are adjustable between a deployed condition and a non-deployed condition and a controller is in communication with the pneumatic system. The controller is configured to control the pneumatic system in a standard mode and a prone mode
Implementation Method 3
adjust the bladders in the surface assembly to define surface contours based on the morphology of the person
Data Source
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AI summary
A patient proning system (10) includes a surface assembly (12) configured to be positioned on a frame (14, 50, 52) of a support apparatus (16). The surface assembly (12) includes a pneumatic system (18) that includes bladders (20, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 218, 236) arranged in multiple zones (22, 24, 26, 28) and a pump (30) in fluid communication with the bladders (20, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 218, 236). The pump (30) is configured to adjust the bladders (20, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 218, 236) between deployed and non-deployed conditions. A controller (32) is configured to selectively control the pneumatic system (18) in at least one of a standard mode and a prone mode based on a patient support position, to determine a morphology of a person disposed on the surface assembly (12) when in the prone mode; and to adjust the bladders (20, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 218, 236) in the surface assembly (12) to define surface contours (330) based on the morphology of the person.