Wheelchair Support Surface Pressure Locking After Air Setpoint Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional low-air-loss patient support systems for wheelchairs are prone to air leaks, requiring continuous monitoring and the use of cumbersome pressure-raising devices powered by batteries, which can fail, and often necessitate additional calibration units, posing risks for patients at risk of bedsores.
Innovation Solution
A patient support system comprising a plurality of sealed air cells, a fluid pump, pressure release valves, and a control system that maintains a consistent air pressure through a network of tubing, allowing for automatic adjustment to prevent bedsores without the need for external air addition or battery-powered devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If low-air-loss patient support systems are used to reduce bedsores, then pressure relief is improved, but the system requires continuous air replenishment and monitoring which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the patient's own body weight as the driving force for air circulation. As the patient shifts position, their weight compresses and releases the air cells, creating natural pressure differentials that drive air flow through the system without requiring external pumps or power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power source (battery and motor) from the system entirely, relying instead on the passive mechanical energy from patient movement to drive the air circulation and pressure regulation functions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If pressure-raising means is added to maintain air pressure, then pressure stability is improved, but the system becomes more cumbersome and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the patient's own body weight as the driving force for air circulation. As the patient shifts position, their weight compresses and releases the air cells, creating natural pressure differentials that drive air flow through the system without requiring external pumps or power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power source (battery and motor) from the system entirely, relying instead on the passive mechanical energy from patient movement to drive the air circulation and pressure regulation functions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If battery-powered pressure raising means is used, then pressure control is improved, but the reliability decreases due to battery depletion or failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source (battery and motor) from the system entirely, relying instead on the passive mechanical energy from patient movement to drive the air circulation and pressure regulation functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the patient's own body weight as the driving force for air circulation. As the patient shifts position, their weight compresses and releases the air cells, creating natural pressure differentials that drive air flow through the system without requiring external pumps or power sources.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional wheelchair pressure relief devices are used, then pressure relief function is provided, but additional calibration units are required which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the patient's own body weight as the driving force for air circulation. As the patient shifts position, their weight compresses and releases the air cells, creating natural pressure differentials that drive air flow through the system without requiring external pumps or power sources.
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 system effectively maintains a consistent air pressure to reduce the risk of bedsores by automatically adjusting to the desired set point, eliminating the need for continuous monitoring and reducing the weight and complexity of the support system.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of sealed air cells
Implementation Method 2
a fluid pump, pressure release valves, and a control system that maintains a consistent air pressure through a network of tubing
Implementation Method 3
pressure release valves, and a control system that maintains a consistent air pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support system for a wheelchair is provided. At least a portion of the patient support system components form a no-air-loss patient support surface. At least one fluid pump can supply air pressure to a plurality of no-air-loss air cells, and at least one pressure release valve can release air pressure from the no-air-loss air cells. A computer can compare air pressure within the air cells to a desired air pressure set point and can modulate the air pressure by actuating the at least one fluid pump and/or the at least one pressure release valve to bring the air pressure within the air cells to a desired air pressure. After the initial air pressure adjustments are made and the desired air pressure is achieved, no further adjustments during the operation are able to be made by the computer so that the patient positioned thereon the patient support system will not be moved by the patient support system during an operation.