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Flipod– A pneumatic assisted bed rotation device

Posted in Medicine, and Technology

Flipod simplifies bed rotation for non-ambulant patient to relieve respiratory & bed discomfort due to prolonged static positions while sleeping. This currently requires the supervision and help of the caretakers at the expense of their rest.

Simplifying the product to a simple pump assembly, two air bags and two magnets, it offers comfort with a personalised positioning of the air bag by magnets, as well as a pulsating inflation sequence to aid dynamic muscle movement during their sleep daily.

https://youtu.be/QU8jKcqQxr4

Many non-ambulant patients have to be rotated manually in bed by their caretakers in order to relieve bed sores and improve breathing. This situation is prevalent in many homes and significantly increases the caretaker’s burden due to disrupted rest every night. From my research and my role as an active volunteer in the Muscular Dystrophy Association Of Singapore, I understood that the current solution offers a bed frame design that flips the patient’s body mechanically. This requires the user to undergo trainings due to the abrupt rotation method and on top of this, the solution is way too bulky and expensive for most patients.

Stages of Development:
There was a burning desire to solve the complexity, acceptability and affordability of current bed rotation solutions. With these criteria in mind, my explorations were focused on using minimal components and simple technology to lift a person’s body on its side. Initial prototypes were generated to lift the user’s body gently and effectively. However, with constant feedback from the patient, I understood that non-uniform relieve of pressure points for scioliotic patients can be a valuable addition to the project. Furthermore, exploring inflation sequences to achieve the optimal comfort for the end user also resulted in the pulsating nature of the air bags to simulate dynamic muscle movement. This project is in the process of design patenting.

Replacing manual body rotations for non-ambulant patients with the help of inflated air bags that lifts a person’s body to its sides with an intuitive pulsating inflation sequence, for better pulmonary functionality and pressure sore relief in patients.
The air bags can also be positioned specifically to user’s pressure points to provide an optimized relief of bed sores for patients with Scoliosis(Curved Spine) with the help of magnets.

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