Selectable Control Valve Design for Alternating Mattress Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patient support systems fail to effectively redistribute pressure to prevent bedsores in bedridden patients, as they require manual adjustment by caregivers, which is often incomplete or inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable mattress system with a selectable control valve and stepper motor that allows for the selective distribution of supportive fluid to inflatable chambers, enabling the redistribution of a patient's weight and alternating pressure to reduce skin contact pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual adjustment by caregivers is used to redistribute patient weight, then patient repositioning can be achieved, but the process is inefficient and often incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress system automatically redistributes patient weight through alternating inflation and deflation of chambers without requiring caregiver intervention. The system serves itself by using integrated sensors and control mechanisms to detect pressure points and adjust chamber pressures accordingly, eliminating the need for manual repositioning while maintaining continuous pressure relief.
Solution Approach 2:
The mattress transitions from a static structure to a dynamic system that continuously adjusts chamber pressures in response to patient positioning and movement. The alternating pressure mechanism creates dynamic weight redistribution patterns that adapt to patient needs, improving repositioning efficiency while reducing operational complexity.
2Reliability
If selective distribution of supportive fluid to inflatable chambers is implemented, then pressure redistribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress is divided into multiple independent inflatable chambers that can be selectively inflated and deflated. This segmentation allows targeted pressure relief at specific body contact points while maintaining support in other areas, improving pressure redistribution effectiveness without requiring a completely complex control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The selectable control valve acts as an intermediary mechanism that simplifies the connection between the fluid distribution system and individual chambers. By providing a centralized valve system with standardized ports, the complexity of selective fluid distribution is managed through a single control point rather than requiring complex individual controls for each chamber.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If continuous pressure monitoring and adjustment is performed, then skin breakdown is minimized, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress employs alternating pressure cycles where chambers are inflated and deflated in periodic sequences rather than maintaining continuous adjustment. This periodic action provides sufficient pressure relief to prevent skin breakdown while allowing the pump and control system to operate intermittently, reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring and adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous pressure relief effectiveness through overlapping inflation cycles of adjacent chambers. While individual chambers cycle on and off, the overall pressure redistribution function continues without interruption, ensuring skin protection while allowing energy-efficient intermittent operation of individual components.
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 reduces the risk of bedsores by allowing for continuous low pressure, alternating pressure, percussion, and vibration therapy, and microclimate management, thereby minimizing skin breakdown and associated medical complications.
Implementation Method 1
a compliant seal, where the engagement spring maintains a load on the compliant seal such that the compliant seal form a fluid tight seal with the rotating plate
Implementation Method 2
a stepper motor having a motor body that is coupled to the valve case
Implementation Method 3
an inflatable mattress system includes a pump, a selectable control valve in fluid communication with the pump
Data Source
AI summary
Selectable control valves and mattress systems incorporating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, an inflatable mattress system includes a pump, a selectable control valve in fluid communication with the pump, and a mattress pad having a plurality of inflatable chambers that are in fluid communication with the selectable control valve. The selectable control valve includes a valve case having an inlet port and a plurality of supply ports, a stepper motor having a motor body that is coupled to the valve case, a rotating plate having a passage and coupled to the stepper motor, and a plurality of seal cartridges positioned within the valve case. The seal cartridges each include an engagement spring and a compliant seal, where the engagement spring maintains a load on the compliant seal such that the compliant seal forms a fluid tight seal with the rotating plate.