Support Surface Cooling With Vapor-Permeable Pressure Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Patients confined to bed for extended periods are at risk of developing decubitus ulcers due to pressure that interrupts blood supply to capillaries, and existing support surfaces do not effectively manage moisture and heat to prevent or treat these ulcers.

Innovation Solution

A support surface cooling device with a vapor permeable layer and spacer material is placed between the patient and a mattress, utilizing high air flow rates to reduce skin temperature and promote the removal of moisture and heat, thereby preventing and treating decubitus ulcers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a support surface is used to provide pressure relief, then decubitus ulcer prevention is improved, but moisture and heat management is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecubitus ulcer preventionVSAvoidmoisture and heat accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a porous foam material with specific porosity (40-90%) to enable moisture vapor transmission and heat dissipation while maintaining pressure relief properties. The porous structure allows air circulation through the support surface, addressing the moisture and heat accumulation problem without compromising ulcer prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite material structures combining different foam densities and porosity levels to simultaneously achieve pressure distribution, moisture wicking, and thermal regulation. The composite approach integrates multiple functional properties into a single support surface system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If air flow rate is increased to remove moisture and heat, then skin temperature reduction is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin temperatureVSAvoidair mover energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes air flow parameters by controlling the air mover to provide specific flow rates (e.g., 0.002-0.02 CMS) that achieve effective cooling and moisture removal while minimizing energy consumption. The system adjusts air flow parameters to balance thermal management efficiency with energy usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The porous support surface material provides passive moisture wicking and evaporative cooling that works without additional energy input, complementing the active air mover system. This self-service property reduces the energy burden on the mechanical air movement component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of substance

If a multilayer support surface structure is used, then moisture vapor transmission is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture vapor transmissionVSAvoidsupport surface structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support surface is divided into functional layers with distinct properties: a porous foam layer for pressure relief and moisture absorption, and an air-permeable cover for vapor transmission. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function while working together as an integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The use of porous foam material provides inherent moisture vapor transmission capability without requiring complex multilayer constructions. The porosity itself (40-90%) serves as the primary mechanism for vapor diffusion, simplifying the overall structure compared to traditional multilayer approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 device achieves a significant reduction in skin temperature from approximately 97.5°F to 88°F, enhancing the prevention and treatment of decubitus ulcers by reducing interface pressure and effectively managing moisture and heat transfer.

Implementation Method 1

In particular embodiments, the skin temperature of the patient is reduced via conductive cooling.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConductive cooling: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the air flow according to the invention can provide high vapor transfer rates, including for example, those in excess of 500 gm/m2/hr

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

with the higher air flow rate proximal to the patient, the skin temperature of the patient has calculated to be reduced

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2804508B1System for support and thermal control

Publication Date: 2018.04.25 HUNTLEIGH TECHNOLOGY LTD

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AI summary

In various embodiments, a support surface cooling device configured to reduce the skin temperature of a patient.