Transfer Mattress Plenum Layout for Side Rail Clearance

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing patient transfer mattresses cannot be used on patient transfer vehicles, such as wheeled hospital beds or gurneys, when fully or partially inflated due to interference with the side rails, requiring complete deflation and causing discomfort to patients.

Innovation Solution

A mattress design featuring three adjacent longitudinally oriented plenums with independent airflow communication and isolation, allowing for selective inflation and deflation of specific plenums to accommodate varying support surfaces and avoid interference with adjustable side rails.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the transfer mattress is fully or partially inflated, then patient comfort is improved, but the side rails cannot be raised due to collision with the mattress margins

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient discomfortVSAvoidside rail operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mattress is divided into three separate longitudinally oriented plenums (first, second, and third plenums) that can be independently inflated or deflated. This segmentation allows the first and second plenums to be deflated to accommodate side rails, while the third plenum remains inflated to maintain patient comfort and support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mattress incorporates dynamic inflation/deflation capability through separate inlet/outlet valves for each plenum. The system can transition between different operational states: fully inflated for comfort, partially inflated with specific plenums deflated for side rail accommodation, or fully deflated for storage or transfer operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the transfer mattress is completely deflated to accommodate side rails, then side rail operation is enabled, but patient comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveside rail operationVSAvoidpatient discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mattress is divided into three separate longitudinally oriented plenums (first, second, and third plenums) that can be independently inflated or deflated. This segmentation allows the first and second plenums to be deflated to accommodate side rails, while the third plenum remains inflated to maintain patient comfort and support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the mattress (represented by different plenums) have different inflation states tailored to their specific functions. The first and second plenums can be deflated in the regions where side rails need to operate, while the third plenum maintains inflation to provide continuous patient support and comfort in regions where it is needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If a single plenum design is used, then the mattress structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate both inflated comfort and deflated operational requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemattress configuration flexibilityVSAvoidmattress structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mattress is divided into three separate longitudinally oriented plenums (first, second, and third plenums) that can be independently inflated or deflated. This segmentation allows the first and second plenums to be deflated to accommodate side rails, while the third plenum remains inflated to maintain patient comfort and support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The three-plenum mattress design provides multiple functional configurations: it can be fully inflated for patient comfort, partially inflated with selective plenum deflation for side rail accommodation, or fully deflated for storage or transfer operations. This multi-functionality allows a single mattress structure to serve multiple operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables comfortable patient transport by allowing the mattress to be positioned on mobile transport devices without deflating completely, ensuring smooth operation of side rails and reducing patient discomfort.

Implementation Method 1

When the lower plenum is charged with pressurized air through the lower inlet/outlet valve, the escape of the air under pressure through the perforations creates an air bearing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir bearing: Air Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS7627910B2Partially deflatable transfer mattress and method for transporting a patient in comfort

Publication Date: 2009.12.08 D T DAVIS ENTERPRISES LTD (D B A HOVERTECH INT)

AI summary

A transfer mattress includes an upper mattress having three longitudinally oriented plenums and three separate inlet/outlet valves that are each arranged in airflow communication with their respective plenum. First and second of the plenums are arranged in airflow communication with one another while a central plenum is arranged in airflow isolation from the first plenum and the second plenum so that the first and second plenums may be inflated and deflated independently of the central plenum. A lower inflatable mattress is separated by a common wall from the upper mattress. A lower inlet/outlet valve is arranged in airflow communication with a lower plenum defined by the lower inflatable mattress. A bottom wall defines a plurality of perforations so that when the lower plenum is charged with pressurized air, it escapes under pressure through the perforations to create an air bearing under the mattress. A method for transporting a patient in comfort is also provided by the invention.