Postural Sleep Support Pillow for Airway Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pillows fail to address snoring and sleep apnea issues as they primarily support the head and neck, neglecting the need for holistic body posture and comfort, which can lead to airway obstruction during sleep.
Innovation Solution
A pillow design that includes a headrest, rib support, and a recess to accommodate an arm, aligning the head and spine to keep airways open, providing comfort and flexibility for various sleeping positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing pillows only support the head and neck, then the pillow structure is simple, but the airway clearance effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is divided into multiple functional zones: a head support region with contours for the head and neck, a mid-section with arm accommodation recesses, and a body support region. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function while collectively achieving comprehensive airway clearance and body alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillow extends beyond the traditional head-only support in the longitudinal dimension, incorporating body support and arm accommodation features. This dimensional extension transforms the pillow from a simple head rest to a comprehensive postural support system that addresses airway clearance through full-body alignment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pillow supports only head and neck, then manufacturing is simple, but holistic body posture support is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow construction is segmented into distinct functional regions including head support contours, arm recesses, and body support zones. Each segment can be manufactured separately or as integrated zones, providing versatility in body posture support while managing manufacturing complexity through modular design approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillow is designed to perform multiple functions: supporting the head, accommodating arms, supporting the body, and maintaining airway clearance. This multi-functionality is achieved through integrated design elements that serve several purposes simultaneously, enhancing adaptability without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.
3Reliability
If traditional pillows are used, then the device complexity is low, but sleep quality improvement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the pillow have specialized qualities: the head support region features contours tailored to head and neck anatomy, the arm recesses provide localized accommodation, and the body support region offers appropriate firmness. This local differentiation of qualities enhances sleep quality by addressing specific anatomical and postural needs in each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillow is pre-shaped and pre-positioned to automatically align the head, neck, and spine in a neutral position when the user lies down. This preliminary configuration of support structures ensures airway clearance and proper posture are achieved immediately upon use, improving sleep quality without requiring user adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of assisting sleep, including apparatus and methods for assisting sleep. In one form, the invention provides a postural support apparatus comprising a first supporting means (5) adapted to support the head of the user, a second supporting means (15) adapted to support the rib cage of the user, and a recess (3) intermediate the first supporting means (5) and the second supporting means (15), the recess (3) being adapted to accommodate at least part of an arm of the user, wherein the apparatus aligns the head and spine of the user such that the user's airways are kept open.