Support apparatus, system and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for mitigating and treating decubitus ulcers, such as pressure ulcers, are inadequate in maintaining adequate subcutaneous blood flow and providing relief from shear and environmental effects, as they often involve distributing weight over large areas with low interface pressures, which may not effectively manage localized blood flow and shear forces.
Innovation Solution
The development of support surface overlays that selectively apply high interface pressures to small areas of the body, with inflatable compartments arranged in a matrix to form contact nodes and interstices, allowing for focused pressure and pressure relief, and incorporating features like nipple-like protrusions to enhance blood flow and temperature/humidity control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If weight is distributed over large areas with low interface pressures, then the support surface reduces overall pressure on the body, but it fails to effectively manage localized blood flow and shear forces
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface overlay applies different pressure levels to different locations: high pressure (exceeding vascular occlusion threshold) at interstices to compress tissue and promote blood flow, and low pressure at contact nodes to minimize direct pressure on bony prominences. This localized pressure differentiation resolves the contradiction by enabling both overall pressure reduction and localized blood flow management.
Solution Approach 2:
The overlay is segmented into multiple contact nodes and interstices arranged in a matrix pattern. This segmentation allows independent pressure control at each location, enabling the system to simultaneously reduce overall pressure while creating localized high-pressure zones that promote blood flow through tissue compression and release.
2Reliability
If high interface pressure is applied to small areas, then subcutaneous blood flow is improved through pressure exceeding the vascular occlusion threshold, but the risk of blood vessel pinching increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overlay dynamically alternates between inflated and deflated states, creating periodic pressure cycles. During inflation, interstices apply high pressure to compress tissue and promote blood flow; during deflation, pressure is released to prevent sustained compression and blood vessel pinching. This periodic action resolves the contradiction by providing blood flow promotion without continuous compression damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static pressure application to dynamic pressure modulation. The contact nodes and interstices can independently inflate and deflate, creating moving pressure patterns that adapt to user needs. This dynamics allows the system to promote blood flow through pressure variation while avoiding the harmful effects of sustained high pressure.
3Stress or pressure
If the support surface uses traditional redistribution techniques, then the interface pressure remains below the vascular occlusion threshold, but it does not provide adequate relief from shear and environmental effects
Solution Approach 1:
The overlay acts as an intermediary layer between the user and the support surface. It introduces contact nodes and interstices that mediate pressure distribution, creating localized high-pressure zones that promote blood flow while the overall low-pressure environment reduces shear forces. The alternating inflation/deflation pattern further mediates environmental effects by creating microclimate control.
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
These overlays improve subcutaneous blood flow by applying pressures that exceed or fall below the vascular occlusion threshold, reducing the risk of blood vessel pinching and enhancing capillary and lymphatic flow, while providing effective pressure relief and temperature control, thus aiding in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers.
Implementation Method 1
selectively impart upon the user interface pressures substantially exceeding the vascular occlusion pressure at certain points of contact
Data Source
AI summary
A therapeutic support device includes a bladder having one or more independently inflatable compartments, each including a plurality of inflatable cells. When inflated, each inflatable cell forms a contact node that may support a user or another object disposed thereon. The inflatable compartments can be alternately inflated and deflated such that contact pressure can be applied to and relieved from corresponding portions of the user's body in an alternating manner.