U-Shaped Prone Pillow with Segmented Elevation for Neck Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pillows and cushions fail to provide adequate comfort and support for users in the prone position, leading to discomfort and difficulty in maintaining this position for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A U-shaped prone lying enhancement pillow with a perimetric fitment to the face, featuring a compliant yet supportive cushion that hugs the face contours, providing selective pressure and maintaining a neutral position of the neck and spine, while allowing airflow through a central open area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional pillows are used in prone position, then head support is provided, but neck and spine alignment deteriorates leading to discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is divided into distinct functional zones: a first region for forehead support and a second region for cheek support, with the cheek region positioned at a lower elevation. This segmentation allows each zone to independently support different facial features while maintaining overall neck and spine alignment in the prone position.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillow incorporates regions with different elevations and support characteristics - the forehead region provides higher support while the cheek region provides lower support. This local differentiation in quality enables the pillow to simultaneously support multiple facial areas while maintaining proper cervical alignment.
2Ease of operation
If face contact area is increased for comfort, then pressure distribution improves, but airflow restriction increases causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow design segments the face-contacting surface into distinct forehead and cheek regions with different elevations. This segmentation creates natural airflow channels between the regions, allowing air to pass through while still providing comprehensive facial support and pressure distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillow introduces a vertical dimension through elevation differences between the forehead and cheek regions. This three-dimensional structure creates airflow pathways that would not exist in a flat design, enabling simultaneous face contact and air circulation.
3Ease of operation
If pillow elevation is increased for forehead support, then forehead comfort improves, but cheek and nose pressure increases causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow implements local quality differentiation by creating a forehead region with higher elevation for optimal forehead support, while the cheek region maintains a lower elevation to reduce pressure on the cheeks and nose. Each region is optimized for its specific function rather than using a uniform height.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillow is segmented into distinct forehead and cheek support regions with different elevations. This segmentation allows the forehead region to be elevated for comfort while the cheek region remains lower to minimize pressure, solving the contradiction between forehead support and cheek pressure.
Data Source
AI summary
New systems, devices and methods for applying treatments and aiding in comfort are provided, including a new type of face mask that also serves as a pillow (a “mask/pillow”), aiding human users in lying in the prone position (serving as a “prone lying enhancement pillow”). A horseshoe-shaped mask/pillow is provided, including a perimetric fitment to a human user's face. A first surface of the mask/pillow is provided, on a side of the mask facing a user's forehead, as well as one or more treatment and pressure-applying inserts, which may be reversibly fastened and unfastened in place. A second, floor-facing surface, provided on the opposite side of the mask/pillow, interfaces with a flat ground, floor or other surface to generate pressure to the user's face. The inserts may include a handle section and an applicator section comprising treatment materials for treating the user's skin and face.