Two-mode therapeutic mattress system

Abstract

A two-mode therapeutic mattress system is provided, including a non-powered air mattress, a pressure dispersion cushion, and a selectively operable air diffusion coverlet in a common modular assembly for improved medical management of skin care. The non-powered air mattress includes longitudinal air cylinders providing a static air support system inflated to predetermined pressure. The longitudinal air cylinders are in pressure communication with elasticized reservoirs, in that the air level in the elasticized reservoirs dynamically reacts to changes in pressure in the longitudinal air cylinders, for example upon receipt of a patient upon the mattress system. The pressure dispersion cushion facilitates pressure relief with a number of lateral and longitudinal cuts resulting in a plurality of separate upright support cells, the size and construction of which may vary over the surface of the pressure dispersion cushion so as to provide selective support characteristics. The air diffusion coverlet contains a plurality of air pockets. The air diffusion coverlet operates in two modes: a “therapy mode” such that compressed air from an air compressor is pumped to the air diffusion coverlet, and an “off” mode in which the air pockets collapse to provide a suitable and relatively smooth bedding component to the therapeutic mattress system. The non-powered air mattress, pressure dispersion cushion, and selectively operable air diffusion coverlet cooperate to provide a single product that addresses localized pressure, maceration, shear stress, and dynamic changes in a patient's condition during the course of time.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 512,882, filed Oct. 21, 2003.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention concerns a therapeutic mattress system that may be operated in two modes. More specifically, this invention concerns a two-mode therapeutic mattress system including a non-powered air mattress, a pressure dispersion cushion, and a selectively operable air diffusion coverlet in a common modular assembly for improved medical management of skin care. [0003] Bedridden, non-ambulatory, or immobile patients are at increased risks for the development of breakdown of the integrity of the skin. Such breakdown may lead to the development of lesions, ulcers, sores, and the like. Such maladies may result in part from physiological causes such as decreased circulation, impaired nutrition, reduced skin thickness and viability, and other bodily weaknesses. However, external factors may also contribute to...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] According to the present invention, an integrated mattress system is provided that includes the combination of non-powered air mattress bladders, foam cushioning providing systematized pressure dispersion, and selectively operable low volume air diffusion to the skin of a patient reclined thereon, along with improved heel comfort and internal bolsters for prompting a patient away from the edges of the bed system.

[0013] The present invention includes a mattress system adapted for fast, easy setup by caregivers. It includes a vapor permeable, yet fluid impermeable, exterior cover comprised of material easily cleaned, which may be bacteriostatically treated, may have antistatic construction and materials, may be treated with anti-fungal modalities, and may provide for flammability prevention or reduction.

[0015] The present invention also includes a pressure dispersion cushion beneath the air diffusion coverlet. The pressure dispersion cushion may be formed of compressible material, such as polyurethane foam. The pressure dispersion cushion may include lateral cuts, from side to side, along its surface, of varying or constant depth, so as to create ribs in the pressure dispersion cushion. Such ribs would provide individually responsive support to the patient reclined upon the mattress system, allowing for reduction of localized pressure upon the skin of the patient. Additionally, the pressure dispersion cushion may include not only lateral cuts but also longitudinal cuts, perpendicular to the lateral cuts, upon its surface. Likewise, the longitudinal cuts may be of varying or uniform depth. So configured with lateral and longitudinal cuts, individual cells would be created, the cells being individually responsive to pressure from bearing the weight of a patient reclined upon the mattress system. About the perimeter of the pressure dispersion cushion, a bolster may also be provided in the present invention. The bolster, too, is comprised of compressible material, such as polyurethane foam, but is less compressible, and may be more dense, than the material used for the pressure dispersion cushion described here and above. As such, the perimeter bolster is firmer and would thereby gently prompt a patient reclined upon the bed away from the edges of the bed, without awkward obstructions from other devices, such as bed rails or gates, interfering with entry to and egress from the bed surface.

[0016] The pressure dispersion cushion described hereinabove may also include a heel relief incline portion. The heel relief incline portion would reside in a plane slightly inclined as compared to the general plane of the other aspects of the pressure dispersion cushion. So configured, the heel relief incline would redistribute load from the heels of a patient reclined upon the bed to the calves, while providing complete foot support.

Problems solved by technology

Bedridden, non-ambulatory, or immobile patients are at increased risks for the development of breakdown of the integrity of the skin.

Such breakdown may lead to the development of lesions, ulcers, sores, and the like.

Such maladies may result in part from physiological causes such as decreased circulation, impaired nutrition, reduced skin thickness and viability, and other bodily weaknesses.

However, external factors may also contribute to the development of such maladies.

Localized points of relatively great pressure are particularly troublesome in the management of skin care and the prevention of skin ulcers.

By remaining in contact with the skin, the moisture softens the skin and makes it more susceptible to breakdown, and thereby more susceptible to the development of skin ulcers.

However, management of maceration across a spectrum of patients, even within a single facility such as a hospital or a nursing home, is not simple.

Skin ulcers, which potentially may lead to infections, bleeding, and secondary maladies and complications, increase the cost of care to the patient.

At the same time, however, increased costs are associated with avoiding the development of such maladies and with treating existing ulcerations.

For example, systems to address the exacerbation of localized pressure as a contributor to skin ulcers may not also address maceration as a factor; for a facility to warehouse both systems increases the cost to the facility for such services.

Still further, a system for reducing shear stress to the skin may not be ideal for addressing either localized pressure or maceration, or both, and thereby increase costs still further.

Furthermore, it must be recognized that the skills of the caregivers called upon to employ such systems may not be uniform such that simplicity in using any such system would be desirable as lowering the likelihood of mistake or misuse.

For such a patient, a system that is not adjustable to therapeutically address the perspiration during the afternoon hours so as to thereby reduce maceration, yet allow for normal perspiration or even externally-applied moisturizers and emollients during the evening, may tend to worsen rather than improve that particular patient's condition.

Many bed systems have large metal rails or similar devices to prevent the patient from accidentally rolling out of the bed, but such barriers may prove awkward and obstructive otherwise, and may tend to provide psychological detriment to the patient.

Furthermore, such systems interfere with entry upon and egress from the bed when needed.

The relatively excessive pressures focused on the heels are often difficult to reduce, in part simply from the configuration of the human anatomy—a supine patient upon a relatively flat bedding surface tends to generate higher localized pressure upon the heels.

However, while addressing particular causes of the development of skin ulcers, such products have not provided a solution in a single product that addresses localized pressure, maceration, shear stress, and dynamic changes in a patient's condition during the course of time.

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