Sensor Assembly Thermal Management for Air Fluidizable Patient Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patient support apparatuses, such as hospital beds with air fluidizable surfaces, face challenges in accurately controlling temperature and humidity to minimize shear and frictional forces, which are crucial for skin healing, especially for patients with skin trauma.
Innovation Solution
A patient support system incorporating a sensor assembly with a processor, thermal conductor, and thermal insulator within an air fluidizable section, allowing for precise temperature detection and control, thereby optimizing the conditions of the support surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor assembly is placed within the air fluidizable section to detect temperature, then temperature detection accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the device increases due to the need for thermal conductors and insulators
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal conductor is introduced as an intermediary component between the air fluidizable section and the processor to transfer thermal energy efficiently. This mediator enables accurate temperature detection without direct contact between the sensor and the fluidizable material, resolving the contradiction by improving measurement precision while managing device complexity through a dedicated thermal transmission component.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor is extracted from direct placement within the air fluidizable section and positioned externally, connected only through the thermal conductor. This extraction separates the sensitive electronic component from the complex fluidizable environment, allowing accurate temperature sensing while simplifying the overall device architecture by isolating the processing unit.
2Speed
If the processor is positioned within the air fluidizable section for direct temperature sensing, then response time is improved, but thermal interference with the processor increases
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal insulator is positioned between the processor and the air fluidizable section to act as a thermal barrier. This intermediary allows the processor to remain in close proximity for rapid temperature sensing while blocking harmful thermal interference, thus improving response time without compromising processor temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal insulator provides localized thermal protection specifically at the processor location while allowing thermal conduction where needed for sensing. This localized quality approach enables the system to achieve fast response times in the sensing path while protecting the processor from thermal damage through targeted insulation.
3Manufacturing precision
If thermal conductor and thermal insulator are both used in the sensor assembly, then temperature control precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones: a thermal conductor section for heat transmission and a thermal insulator section for thermal protection. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately with optimized properties, improving temperature control precision while facilitating easier assembly and manufacturing through modular construction.
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 shear and frictional forces, providing a comfortable and conducive environment for skin healing by accurately controlling temperature and humidity, enhancing the healing process for patients.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal conductor, and a thermal insulator. The processor is located between the thermal conductor and the thermal insulator
Implementation Method 2
a thermal conductor, and a thermal insulator. The processor is located between the thermal conductor and the thermal insulator
Implementation Method 3
a heat sink is adjacent the thermal conductor
Implementation Method 4
a basin containing fluidization material for creating a two-phase support surface for patient support by distribution of pressurized fluid through the fluidization material
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present disclosure, a patient support system includes a patient support surface having an air fluidizable section and a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly is configured to detect a temperature within the air fluidizable section. The sensor assembly includes a housing with an interior, a processor within the interior of the housing, a thermal conductor, and a thermal insulator.