[Design of a bedsheet specifically for the integrated external counterpulsation device]

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a non-invasive assisted circulation technique that could increase the diastolic blood perfusion of the heart, brain, and other vital organs, as well as the blood velocity in the arterial system. It has significant therapeutic effects on atherosclerosis, especially coronary heart disease and ischemic cerebrovascular diseases. It is an important rehabilitation treatment method. However, external counterpulsation devices currently used in clinical practice are not equipped with dedicated bedsheets. If the mattress of the integrated external counterpulsation device is contaminated with secretions or blood, only ultraviolet irradiation and surface wiping can be performed, which cannot achieve thorough cleaning and easily leads to bacterial growth and pathogen infection, posing potential risks of hospital-acquired infections. There are differences in size between traditional bedsheets and the mattress of the integrated external counterpulsation device, and there is no opening design that matches the position of the airbag cover of the integrated external counterpulsation device, which is not convenient for clinical use. If holes are cut on the traditional bedsheets at the airbag covers of the integrated external counterpulsation device, the quick-connect joints need to be repeatedly disassembled when changing the sheets, which may cause the quick-connect joints to loosen, resulting in insufficient inflation or air leakage of the airbag covers and affecting the treatment effect of external counterpulsation. To address the above issues, medical staff at the First People's Hospital of Zhaoqing designed a bedsheet specifically for the integrated external counterpulsation device, and obtained a National Utility Model Patent of China (ZL 2023 2 0265709.9). The main structure of this bedsheet includes a sheet body, first type openings, second type openings, Velcro fasteners, and corner cut outs. The planar size of the single sheet matches that of the mattress of the integrated external counterpulsation device. The designs of the first-type and second-type holes facilitate the direct passage of the calf, thigh, and hip airbag cover devices and quick-connect joints of the integrated external counterpulsation device and can be fixed with velcro, eliminating the need to disassemble the quick-connect joints at the airbag covers during use. The corner cut-out design facilitates the sheathing and fixing of the single sheet with the mattress of the integrated external counterpulsation device, making it less likely to shift or loosen. The sheet specifically for the integrated external counterpulsation device is characterized by simple and convenient operation, strong practicality, and wide applicability. It can avoid the repeated disassembly of quick-connect joints and time consumption when changing sheets, prevent the loosening of quick-connect joints, and improve the treatment effect of external counterpulsation. At the same time, it can save the operation time of nursing staff, improve work efficiency, reflect the concept of "people-oriented", and is suitable for clinical promotion.