Innovative Mattress Design for Preventing Pressure Ulcers

The research focuses on developing an advanced mattress design to prevent pressure ulcers, commonly known as bedsores. These occur when sustained pressure on certain skin areas cuts off blood flow, leading to tissue damage.

Current Solutions and Limitations

• Alternating-Pressure Mattresses: Existing mattresses prevent ulcers by inflating and deflating sections, aiming to reduce peak pressure. 
• Limitations: Many designs just reduce peak pressure, resulting in mixed effectiveness. 

New Approach by UCLA Researchers

• Concept: Introduce short periods of higher peak pressure followed by a drop, rather than maintaining a consistently low pressure. 
• Research Bed Construction:
  • Contains 1,260 small electric rams capable of 10 cm movement.
  • Forms a dynamic surface with hills and valleys for pressure distribution.

Testing and Findings

• Methodology:
  • Used a 100-kg dummy, foam pad, and electronic pressure-mapping to evaluate pressure under key areas like back and heels.
  • Assessed the impact on skin area above the blood cut-off pressure (32 mm Hg).
  • Examined sensitivity for personal cut-off pressures ranging from 20 to 40 mm Hg.
• Key Results:
  • Higher peak pressures effectively reduced the area above the cut-off pressure.
  • Optimal pattern: 12-13 cm gap between hills and 2.5 cm height difference between valleys and hills.

Practical Implementation of the Mattress

• Design: Flexible plastic panels joined by metal strips, forming stable patterns under body weight. 
• Operation: Switching mattress shapes requires minimal force (85 N), facilitated by balancing springs. 
• Performance: Reduced pressure area by 34 times compared to standard foam pads; adaptable to different body types.