Centerline Spinal Support Incline Ramp for Chest Wall Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient incline devices fail to fully support the spine, leading to undesirable spinal curvature and impaired respiratory benefits, especially for obese patients, as they do not adequately align the spine, which can worsen respiratory issues and 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 support, redistributing body mass to promote pulmonary mechanics and facilitate easier central venous access, with optional inflatable components and a pulsating pressure system for 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 contraction and reduced respiratory benefit
Solution Approach 1:
The incline device is divided into separate functional components: an incline ramp for elevating the head and upper torso, and a separate spinal support element positioned along the patient's back. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the ramp provides the necessary incline for intubation while the spinal support maintains proper spinal alignment, resolving the contradiction between head positioning and spinal alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The spinal support acts as an intermediary element between the incline ramp and the patient's body. It mediates the interaction by providing the necessary support to maintain spinal alignment while allowing the ramp to function for head elevation. This intermediary component ensures that the beneficial effects of inclining the patient are not compromised by spinal misalignment.
2Productivity
If the patient is inclined without proper spinal support, then the head is elevated for better breathing, but the chest wall area contracts reducing pulmonary mechanics
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the support function into distinct components: the incline ramp addresses the need for head elevation to improve breathing, while the separate spinal support component specifically addresses chest wall contraction by maintaining proper spinal alignment. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of both breathing efficiency and prevention of chest wall contraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The spinal support provides preliminary counter-action to the chest wall contraction that would otherwise occur due to spinal misalignment. By preemptively supporting the spine in proper alignment, the device prevents the harmful contraction of the chest wall area before it can occur, thereby maintaining pulmonary mechanics while still providing the breathing benefits of head elevation.
3Ease of operation
If conventional incline devices are used for obese patients, then head elevation is achieved, but the spine cannot be fully supported leading to aggravated sleep apnea
Solution Approach 1:
The incline device is segmented into an incline ramp for head elevation and a dedicated spinal support component. This segmentation is particularly important for obese patients as it allows the spinal support to be specifically designed and positioned to provide adequate support along the entire length of the spine, preventing the hunched posture that would otherwise occur and aggravate sleep apnea.
Solution Approach 2:
The spinal support component provides localized quality support specifically where needed along the patient's back. For obese patients, this localised spinal support ensures proper alignment is maintained in the critical areas, preventing chest wall contraction and maintaining airway patency during sleep, while the incline ramp provides the necessary head elevation.
Data Source
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.