The Dolphin Fluid Immersion Simulation® system was initially developed for out-of-water transport of dolphins and seals for the U.S. Navy. The system simulates the effects of a body floating in a fluid, significantly reducing vertical shear, which deforms soft tissue and constricts blood flow. Through continuous analysis and adjustment, Dolphin FIS autonomically detects and autocorrects the surface based on weight, 3D surface area and any patient movement.
How Dolphin Fluid Immersion Simulation® Works
Step 1
Patient lays down and the Dolphin FIS calculates the patient’s weight.
Step 2
As patient sinks into the surface, the Dolphin FIS calculates the surface area and provides the correct amount of air density to mimic fluid immersion.
Step 3
Vascular Occlusion (measurement of blood blocked) is minimized as the Dolphin FIS dynamically reacts to patient’s movements.
Clinical Study Results
University of California – San Diego conducted a study, which highlights the effectiveness of the Dolphin FIS improving tissue perfusion vs. standard O.R. Pads.
Maintenance of Normal Tissue Symmetry
Figure 1
CT scan of subject in prone position.
Natural symmetry of the gluteal area, showing distances from the most posterior point of the ischial tuberosities to the skin surface as 91mm and 86mm.
Figure 2: 2-D Surface
CT scan of subject in the supine position on a two-dimensional surface.
Subcutaneous tissue and muscle has compressed and distorted, as well as the lumen diameter of micro-circulation has been reduced, with complete loss of gluteal fold. Distances from the most posterior point of the ischial tuberosities to the skin surface are 75mm and 78mm.
Figure 3: 3-D Surface
CT scan of subject on the three-dimensional Dolphin surface.
Natural symmetry of the gluteal area returns and maximization of the normal lumen diameter of micro-circulation, with restoration of tissue symmetry. Distances from the most posterior point of the ischial tuberosities to the skin surface are now 109mm and 99mm.
Indications1
Spinal Cord Injury
The Dolphin Fluid Immersion Simulation system is recommended for use by patients with spinal cord injury. Advice should be obtained from the appropriate physician before using the Dolphin FIS system for these patients.
Pressure Redistribution
Pressure Ulcers
Rehabilitation
Neurology
Burns
Amputation
Pain Management
AIDS
Arthritis
Oncology
Available Models
There is a Dolphin FIS product to fit virtually every bed frame and surface in your hospital:
Standard ICU and Med/Surg beds
V-Matt for the VersaCare® bed frame
OR pad
Stretcher pad
Bariatric
Pediatric
Wheel chair pad
Clinical Evidence to Support Dolphin's Effectiveness
Effectiveness of the Dolphin FIS as a Tool to Improve Tissue Perfusion in Points of Compression
Division of Plastic Surgery, University of California - San Diego, San Diego, CA
Findings: The Dolphin FIS provided statistically significant improvements of tissue blood flow as compared to standard beds and gurneys.
Safeguarding Against Nursing Never Events: Best Practices for Preventing Pressure Ulcers and Patient Falls
The Advisory Board Company found that the Dolphin FIS reduced nosocomial pressure ulcers from 11%-0%2.
Recommendations: Fluid Immersion Simulation® recommended for consideration by hospitals treating significant population of spinal cord injury patients or other patient populations with multiple system breakdowns. The Dolphin FIS was rated 5 out of 5 stars for effectiveness.
1Pressure redistribution and pain management are conditions and diagnoses for which the Dolphin Fluid Immersion Simulation System may be indicated. Occasionally, there are orthopedic and neurological patients that require body positioning to be maintained in specific alignment. The use of the Dolphin Fluid Immersion Simulation System for these patients should be considered on an individual basis and discussed with the attending physician.
Unique, advanced technology that drives clinical best practices in wound care.
Biologics originally developed the Fluid Immersion Simulation (FIS) software technology for the United States Navy, Marine Mammal Program. The surface was designed for the purpose of long range transportation of trained marine mammals (dolphins and seals). The surface performed very well, minimizing the effects of soft tissue strain due to the shear forces of the surface against the dolphin’s body.
Like our dolphin friends, human bodies can also be injured by harmful vertical shear forces. Thanks to the lessons learned in development of the mattress for safe dry transport of dolphins, Biologics has incorporated this same advanced Dolphin Auto Vector technology into products for patients in all healthcare settings.
The Joerns Auto Vector Dolphin AutoVector solutions include:
The Dolphin Bed: Med/Surg, ICU beds
Vcare for the VersaCare®1 bed frame
Bariatric surfaces
Pediatric surfaces
Additional sizes available
The Dolphin Pad: Operating room tables
Stretchers
Wheelchair cushions
What is Fluid Immersion Simulation?
State of the art pressure redistribution technology that simulates effects of body "floating" in fluid --> alleviating vertical shear forces that deform soft tissue.
It incorporates concepts from physics - Boyle’s Law (Air Viscosity) and the Archimedes Principal (buoyancy) - into algorithms to simulate immersion in fluid
by using a microprocessor and sophisticated software, system able to three-dimensionally analyze anthropometric (body shape) characteristics of body engaged on attached mattress surface.
How It Works
Below you will find a quick glance into how the Dolphin AutoVector surfaces work. These products relieve pressure points found in traditional hospital/surgical bed surfaces by applying our Fluid Immersion Simulation™ software algorithms and precisely adjusting the density of the surface to accommodate the unique anatomical features of the patient. The patient is suspended in a near neutrally buoyant state, minimizing or totally eliminating soft tissue deformation. Traditionally, this could only be accomplished in the center of an air-fluidized bed.
Patient lays down on the Dolphin AutoVector surface
The Dolphin AutoVector system automatically calculates the exact settings needed to safely provide relief from the pressure of the patient's body in contact with the surface
Vascular Occlusion (measurement of the amount of blood blocked) is minimized as the surface dynamically reacts to patient's movements instantaneously and in real-time.
Dolphin AutoVector Bed
The Auto Vector Bed with Fluid Immersion Simulation (FIS) is the cornerstone of the Dolphin Auto Vector Multi-Surface System. The Auto Vector surface allows caregivers to provide many of the best elements of air-fluidized therapy, including three-dimensional volumetric engagement, elimination of gradient shear forces, and superior outcomes for flaps, grafts, and pressure ulcers, while eliminating some of its shortcomings, such as insensible water loss which can lead to dehydration of the patient, lack of ability to incline head of bed, and the challenges that present when turning patients....More
Dolphin AutoVector Pad with FIS
A comprehensive review of the relevant literature identified a 21.2% incidence of pressure ulcers in surgical patients.1 Vascular and cardiac procedures are especially risky with prevalence rates well beyond 20%.2 O’Connell demonstrated that procedures lasting longer than four hours triple the risk of tissue damage.3 Even the healthiest patient can be at risk for tissue damage if a surgical procedure lasts longer than four hours. Until now there was very little the Operating Room and skin care teams could do. Many factors contribute to the development of a pressure ulcer during surgery: high acuity patients with multiple co-morbidities, administration of anesthesia that lowers blood pressure and slows down perfusion, long surgical duration, the need for surgical positioning, and a paralyzed patient on a non-compliant surface that does not redistribute pressure very well. This "Perfect Storm” of contributing factors makes these patients particularly vulnerable to pressure ulcer development....More
Dolphin Stretcher Mattress with FIS
Patients can spend long hours in the emergency department awaiting diagnosis and admission. Stretchers with standard mattresses may not provide adequate pressure redistribution to prevent skin breakdown in these patients. Innovative strategies for pressure management are required in the ED to provide optimum prevention. A study by Tarpey, et al. suggests 40% of patients admitted through the emergency department are at risk for pressure ulcer development4....More
The History of Dolphin AutoVector Technology
The Auto Vector surface was developed in response to the need to transport specially trained marine mammals, such as dolphins, over long distances outside of water. Unfortunately, dry transport of these large mammals, and the subsequent exposure to the vertical shearing forces of gravity, caused internal organ trauma and circulatory distress. The challenge was to create a physiologically compatible non-aquatic environment for dry transport that provided the necessary buoyancy to protect these special creatures.
In response to this need, Biologics, Inc., began development of Fluid Immersion Simulation software technology under contract with the United States Navy in 1997. This technology would be incorporated into a transport surface that could mimic the buoyancy of fluid immersion to minimize physical trauma to these mammals, while providing the cost-effectiveness and ease of dry transport. The Auto Vector surface was developed, and the surface proved to minimize the effects of gravity’s shearing forces on the dolphin’s internal organs and physiological processes.
Like our dolphin friends, human bodies can also be injured by harmful vertical shear forces. Thanks to the lessons learned in development of the mattress for safe dry transport of dolphins, Biologics has incorporated this same advanced Dolphin Auto Vector technology into products for patients in all healthcare settings. Now, Joerns Healthcare is able to deliver these same therapeutic support surface solutions for hospital beds, operating room tables, stretchers and wheelchairs, as well as, bariatric and pediatric surfaces, to your patients.
References
1 Stotts, N.A. (1999). Risk of pressure ulcer development in surgical patients: a review of the literature. Adv in Wound Care. 12(3): 127-136.
2 Papantonio, C.T., Wallop, J.M. and Kolodner, K.B. (1994). Sacral ulcers following cardiac surgery: incidence and risks. Adv in Wound Care. 7(2): 24-36.
3 O’Connell, M.P. (2006). Positioning impact on the surgical patient. Nurs Clin North Am. 41(2):173-192.
4 Tarpey A, Gould D, Fox C, Davies P, and Cocking M. (2000). Evaluating support services for patients in transit through the accident and emergency department. J Clin Nurs. 9(2):189-198.
The Dolphin Fluid Immersion Simulation® system was initially developed for out-of-water transport of dolphins and seals for the U.S. Navy. The system simulates the effects of a body floating in a fluid, significantly reducing vertical shear, which deforms soft tissue and constricts blood flow. Through continuous analysis and adjustment, Dolphin FIS autonomically detects and autocorrects the surface based on weight, 3D surface area and any patient movement.
The Auto Vector surface was developed in response to the need to transport specially trained marine mammals, such as dolphins, over long distances outside of water. Unfortunately, dry transport of these large mammals, and the subsequent exposure to the vertical shearing forces of gravity, caused internal organ trauma and circulatory distress. The challenge was to create a physiologically compatible non-aquatic environment for dry transport that provided the necessary buoyancy to protect these special creatures.