Segmented Anti-Decubitus Mattress for Uniform Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-decubitus pads promote the formation of pressure sores due to discontinuities in connecting areas, which can lead to uneven support and pressure concentration on bedridden patients.
Innovation Solution
An anti-decubitus underlay with segmentation lines that change direction, an elastic upper side, and a shaped body filling of spherical particles, allowing for sliding and overlapping segments to distribute pressure evenly and prevent 'lying cavities', combined with a bed support structure that includes a ventilation intermediate layer for enhanced comfort and prevention of shear forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the anti-decubitus pad is made from individual elements connected by connecting elements (e.g., snap fasteners), then the pad can be assembled and handled independently, but the connecting areas form discontinuities that promote pressure sore formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual pad elements into a single continuous cover structure that segments the filling material instead. This eliminates the need for connecting elements like snap fasteners, creating a continuous surface without discontinuities that would cause pressure concentrations, while still allowing the segmented filling to provide pressure distribution benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation to the filling material rather than the cover structure. The filling is divided into multiple segments that can shift independently within the continuous cover, providing pressure distribution benefits without creating surface discontinuities. This resolves the contradiction by segmenting the internal support structure while maintaining a continuous external surface.
2Ease of manufacture
If the segmentation lines are straight and equidistant, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but the overlapping effect is limited and does not adapt to different displacement directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses curved or meandering segmentation lines instead of straight lines. These curved paths create overlapping regions that can accommodate patient movement in multiple directions, enhancing the adaptability of the pad while maintaining manufacturability through standard cutting and sewing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmentation lines are designed with asymmetric patterns that create varying overlap zones in different areas of the pad. This asymmetric design allows the pad to adapt to different displacement directions and patient positions, providing enhanced versatility while remaining manufacturable.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the upper side of the cover is rigid, then the structure is stable and easy to manufacture, but it cannot provide cushioning effect and allows lying cavity formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible upper cover surface that can deform and conform to patient contours, providing cushioning effects and preventing lying cavity formation. The flexibility is achieved through material selection and construction methods that maintain structural integrity while allowing necessary deformation for comfort and pressure distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the cover material, specifically its elasticity and compliance, to enable cushioning functionality. By selecting materials and construction methods that provide appropriate flexibility, the cover can adapt to patient movement and provide pressure relief while maintaining sufficient structural stability.
4Strength
If the shaped bodies are non-spherical, then they may provide more support structure, but they can block each other and prevent smooth sliding during patient movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses spherical or rounded shaped bodies within the filling material. These spherical elements can roll and slide past each other smoothly, accommodating patient movement without creating blockages or pressure concentrations. The spherical shape provides adequate support while enabling the necessary flexibility and movement 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
The solution provides uniform support, prevents pressure sore formation by distributing pressure evenly, enhances comfort through cushioning and ventilation, and stabilizes the patient's position, while minimizing the risk of shear-induced tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
The spherical formation of the particles supports the sliding of the particles on one another without the particles being able to block one another due to their shape
Implementation Method 2
If the shaped bodies are designed to be elastically yielding
Implementation Method 3
If the shaped bodies consist of expanded polystyrene, the advantageous properties of elastic resilience
Implementation Method 4
the upper side of the cover is designed to be elastic, at least in a support area, and is pretensioned by the shaped body filling
Implementation Method 5
areas of the adjoining underlay segments can slide over one another, so that in any case the anti-decubitus underlay also has a cushioning effect in the area of the segmentation axes
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an anti-decubitus-support (10) comprising a segmented receiving covering in order to form support segments (12) along a plurality of segmentation axes (13) and which comprises an upper side and a lower side. The support segments are filled with a filling which consists of a plurality of moulded bodies and they are defined by the segmentation lines which extend along the segmentation axes. Said segmentation lines comprise several direction changes in the path thereof which is longitudinal to the segmentation axes (13) and at least the upper side of the covering is at least formed in an elastic manner in the bearing area and is tensioned by the moulded body filling.