Flipod

Bedridden patients who are immobilised due to medical reasons are in prolonged contact with bed sheeting. This causes physical and thermal discomfort as well as leads to accumulation of moisture. Furthermore, the prolonged static position impedes body blood circulation and the constant pressure leads to wound injuries (bedsores/pressure ulcers). These pressure wounds usually develop at bony areas of the body (due to higher pressure load) such as the heel, shoulders (scapulae) and hip (sacrum). Studies have shown that Continuous Lateral Rotation Therapy (CLRT) is an effective method to manage these ulcers. However, CLRT is highly laborious and strenuous for the caretakers. Flipod is a pneumatic bed rotation device for non-ambulant patients that relieves respiratory & bed discomfort. With a customisable positioning architecture and personalised pneumatic sequences, this assistive device enables dynamic muscle movement in patients with varying degrees and locations of soreness.

 Keywords: Soft robotics; pneumatics; assistive devices; rehabilitation.