Centerline Spinal Support Ramp for Chest Wall Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient incline devices do not adequately support the spine, leading to misalignment and reduced respiratory benefits for obese patients, particularly those with conditions like COPD and CHF, as the curvature of the upper spine compresses the chest wall, impairing breathing and potentially aggravating sleep apnea.
Innovation Solution
A patient incline device featuring an incline ramp and a spinal support that elevates the head and upper torso while providing central spinal alignment, redistributing body mass laterally to extend the chest wall, combined with inflatable components and a pulsating pressure system for enhanced comfort and ventilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional incline ramp is used to elevate the head and upper torso, then the patient's head position is improved for breathing and intubation, but the spine becomes misaligned causing chest wall compression and reduced respiratory benefit
Solution Approach 1:
The incline device is divided into separate functional components: an incline ramp for head elevation and a spinal support element for spine alignment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between head positioning and spinal alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The spinal support element acts as an intermediary between the incline ramp and the patient's spine. It mediates the mechanical forces by providing targeted support to maintain spinal alignment while allowing the head to be elevated, thus preventing chest wall compression.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the patient is placed in a supine position for extended periods, then the patient remains stable and comfortable, but respiratory function deteriorates due to chest wall compression from excess fat
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables dynamic positioning by allowing the patient to be transitioned from a static supine position to an inclined position with spinal support. This dynamic adjustment optimizes respiratory mechanics while maintaining patient stability and comfort during procedures.
3Device complexity
If the upper spine curves in a hunched posture during inclining, then the incline device is simple in structure, but pulmonary mechanics are impaired and work of breathing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal support element provides localized support at the thoracic spine region without requiring complex structural changes to the entire incline device. This local intervention is sufficient to maintain spinal alignment and optimize pulmonary mechanics while keeping the device relatively simple.
Data Source
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AI summary
A patient incline device includes an incline ramp and a centerline spinal support located on a base member. The incline ramp supports the upper torso and head of a patient such that the upper torso and head are elevated with respect to the base member. The centerline support is located adjacent the inline ramp for contact with a central portion of the patient's back located adjacent the spine to elevate the central back portion. According to one embodiment, the incline ramp and the spinal support are inflatable. The width of the spinal support is less than that of the incline ramp to define lateral spaces along opposite sides of the centerline support to receive the arms and side portions of the patient for lateral extension of the chest wall.