Prostatic Relief Cushion With Airflow Cooling for Prolonged Sitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat cushions fail to effectively alleviate pain and discomfort in the pelvic/genital/rectal regions, particularly for individuals with prostatitis, especially during extended seated periods, lacking both comfort and effective cooling mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A cushion with a resilient core and a basal construct featuring laterally spaced members and an airway system that directs ambient air to the affected area, providing cooling through strategically placed air outlets and fans for enhanced comfort and relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional seat cushions are used, then basic seating support is provided, but pain and discomfort in the pelvic/genital/rectal regions is not effectively alleviated
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion is divided into distinct functional zones: a resilient core construct for support and contouring, and a basal construct with airway channels for cooling. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally, with the resilient core addressing pressure distribution and the basal construct addressing thermal comfort and pain relief.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion provides localized cooling through air outlets positioned at specific locations (including a central outlet and lateral outlets) to target the pelvic/genital/rectal regions directly. The resilient core also provides localized pressure relief by conforming to the body's posterior profile, distributing pressure away from sensitive areas.
2Productivity
If extended seated periods are spent, then work or daily activities are maintained, but pain and discomfort in the pelvic region increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling airway system operates continuously throughout extended seated periods, maintaining a constant flow of cool air through the air outlets to the pelvic region. This continuous cooling action prevents the buildup of heat and discomfort that would otherwise accumulate during prolonged sitting, enabling sustained productivity without pain escalation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a cushion construction with cooling mechanisms is added, then cooling relief is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion employs a pneumatic cooling system using air flow through defined airway channels in the basal construct. This approach provides effective cooling without requiring complex mechanical components, refrigeration systems, or active fluid circulation, thereby maintaining relatively simple construction while delivering thermal relief.
Solution Approach 2:
The basal construct incorporates airway channels that function as a porous structure for air flow, allowing cool air to reach the pelvic region through passive or actively assisted convection. This porous approach simplifies the cooling mechanism compared to sealed refrigeration systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
4Ease of operation
If a cushion conforms to body profile for comfort, then pressure distribution is improved, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion combines different material properties in a composite construction: the resilient core uses viscoelastic or memory foam materials that provide both contouring conformability and structural support, while the basal construct uses a rigid or semi-rigid material with integrated airways. This composite approach allows the cushion to conform to the body profile for comfort while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to support the cooling system and withstand repeated use.
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 cushion effectively alleviates pain and discomfort by conforming to the body's profile and providing continuous cooling, offering comfort and relief in various seating environments while maintaining structural integrity and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
an air mover arrangement for moving ambient air from the air inlet, through the airway, and out the one air outlet into the gap to provide cooling
Implementation Method 2
a cushion construct having a resilient core for supporting the person while conforming to the person's posterior profile contour configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A cushion and method provide relief of pain or discomfort in the pelvic/genital/rectal region of a person. The person is supported on a resilient cushion construct which conforms to the person's posterior profile contour configuration, while locating a gap beneath the pelvic/genital/rectal region of the person. An airway is extended to the gap, through a basal construct located beneath the cushion construct and an air mover moves ambient air through the airway and into the gap to provide cooling to the pelvic/genital/rectal region of the person supported on the cushion construct.