U-Shaped Relief Cushion With Airflow Cooling for Pelvic Pain
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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, and lack a combination of comfort, convenience, and structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A cushion with a U-shaped configuration featuring a resilient core and a basal construct with airways and an air mover to direct cooling air to the affected area, providing both support and continuous airflow for 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 are not effectively alleviated
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion is divided into distinct functional zones: a U-shaped support structure with legs that create a central gap, a resilient core for contour conforming, and a basal construct with integrated airways. This segmentation allows each component to address specific needs - mechanical support, pressure distribution, and thermal management - thereby effectively alleviating pelvic discomfort through targeted functionality rather than uniform design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion incorporates a pneumatic cooling system with airways embedded in the basal construct that channel ambient air through the cushion to the pelvic region. An air mover (fan) creates continuous airflow through the gap between the U-shaped legs, providing active thermal management to reduce inflammation and discomfort associated with prostatitis, thereby enhancing the cushion's therapeutic effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a cushion provides continuous cooling airflow, then pain relief is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air mover operates periodically rather than continuously, cycling on and off to maintain cooling effectiveness while reducing overall energy consumption. The system monitors thermal conditions and activates cooling only when needed, balancing pain relief effectiveness with energy efficiency during extended seated periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion system adjusts airflow parameters (velocity, volume, temperature) based on detected thermal conditions in the pelvic region. By dynamically changing these parameters rather than maintaining constant high-level cooling, the system achieves effective pain relief while minimizing energy consumption of the air mover.
3Ease of operation
If the cushion uses a resilient core for contour conforming, then comfort is improved, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion employs a composite construction combining a resilient core material (such as memory foam or viscoelastic foam) with a rigid U-shaped support framework and a structured basal construct. This composite design allows the resilient core to provide comfort and contour conforming while the rigid framework maintains structural integrity and supports the integrated airway system, achieving both comfort and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion structure is segmented into distinct functional layers: the resilient core for comfort, the U-shaped rigid framework for structural support, and the basal construct with airways for thermal management. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the overall structural integrity, as each segment is designed and positioned to work in conjunction with the others.
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 contour and providing continuous cooling airflow, offering comfort and relief in various seating scenarios while maintaining structural integrity for long-term use.
Implementation Method 1
an air mover arrangement placed at the forward location for moving ambient air from the air inlet, through the airways, and out the corresponding air ports into the gap, then through the gap and out of the cushion at an exhaust outlet
Implementation Method 2
a cushion construct having a resilient core for supporting the person while conforming to the 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 plenum-like portion of 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 plenum-like portion of the gap to provide cooling to the pelvic/genital/rectal region of the person supported on the cushion construct.