Inflatable Underbody Support With Bottom-Out Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current underbody support mattresses with inflatable chambers lack a reliable mechanism to determine when a patient's most protruding body part is about to 'bottom out' to ensure maximal surface contact and prevent pressure injuries, and there is a need for accurate non-invasive core body temperature measurement during medical procedures.

Innovation Solution

The development of flexible and conformable heated underbody supports with volume-controlled inflatable chambers and compression-sensitive switches that adjust air volume to prevent bottoming out, along with integrated temperature sensors for accurate core body temperature measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If air is released from the inflatable chamber to allow the patient to sink in for maximal surface contact, then pressure relief is improved, but the risk of the patient bottoming out increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact pressureVSAvoiddetermination of bottoming out point

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The compression-sensitive switches are pre-positioned within the inflatable chamber at a specific distance (0.5-1.0 inches) from the base layer. This preliminary placement allows the system to detect and prevent bottoming out before it occurs, enabling the patient to sink in maximally while maintaining safety margins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The compression-sensitive switches provide real-time feedback when the patient's body contacts them during sinking. This feedback signal triggers the air pump to stop releasing air, preventing further sinking that would cause bottoming out. The system continuously monitors and adjusts air release based on this feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If compression-sensitive switches are placed within the inflatable chamber to detect bottoming out, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of bottoming outVSAvoidcontrol mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compression-sensitive switches are self-contained within the inflatable chamber structure, requiring no external wiring or complex installation. When activated by patient contact, they automatically trigger the air pump control, making the system self-regulating without requiring operator intervention or complex external control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the patient is allowed to sink maximally into the inflatable chamber, then pressure injury prevention is improved, but the ability to detect the optimal stopping point deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure injuryVSAvoidoptimal accommodation point

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The compression-sensitive switches act as intermediaries positioned between the patient's body and the base layer of the mattress. They provide an intermediate detection point that allows the patient to sink close to the bottom while maintaining a safety margin, translating the invisible bottoming out point into a detectable signal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution ensures maximal patient accommodation and pressure relief by preventing bottoming out and accurately measuring core body temperature, enhancing patient safety and comfort during medical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

A compression-sensitive switch within the inflatable chamber may be actuated by the patient's body part that is protruding down into the support the furthest

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression sensing:

Implementation Method 2

A controller may be in operational communication with the air pump and may initiate operation of the air pump to introduce or remove air from the inflatable chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir displacement:

Implementation Method 3

flexible and conformable heated underbody supports with volume-controlled inflatable chambers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10959675B2Patient securing overlay for underbody supports

Publication Date: 2021.03.30 AUGUSTINE TEMPERATURE MANAGEMENT LLC

AI summary

Apparatus and methods related to an underbody support for supporting a body of a being, such as during surgery to prevent contact pressure injuries. In certain embodiments, the underbody support may include one or more inflatable chambers enclosing a volume. At least one of the inflatable chambers may include one or more compression sensitive switches for monitoring the volume of the inflatable chamber, and the one or more compression sensitive switches may be located within the inflatable chamber. In some embodiments the one or more compression sensitive switches are sized to close when the said inflatable chamber is deflated to a desired residual volume.