EP2005929B1 - Matress support device comprising a heterogeneous inflatable structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a support device, in particular a mattress-type device for supporting a body, in particular the body of a patient, comprising a structure composed, at least partially, of a plurality of suitable inflatable elements or cells. to be inflated with a fluid, in particular inflated with air.

The present invention relates in particular, and not exclusively, to support devices traditionally used in beds and medical chairs, and which comprises said inflatable elements, generally in the form of substantially cylindrical beads which extend transversely to the direction longitudinal of the mattress and are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the mattress.

In a support device of this type, which can be used in particular as a mattress, each inflatable element generally comprises an air supply port and an air exhaust port, which ports are equipped or communicate sealing with at least one air supply means for example via a solenoid valve, which is itself connected to a pneumatic control device controlling the inflation and the regulation of the air pressure inside. inflatable elements of the mattress.

In practice, to fill / inflate one of the inflatable elements of the support device, air is sent into said element through its supply port until the necessary pressure is reached in this inflatable element. Conversely, to empty or deflate one of the inflatable elements or to adjust the pressure inside this element, the supply port is kept closed and the air is evacuated via the evacuation orifice provided for this purpose. and preferably also provided with a solenoid valve also controlled by the pneumatic control device controlling the inflation.

Support devices of this type are used as mattresses for patient care because they allow to ensure an adequate distribution of the interface pressure, that is to say the pressure exerted locally by each point of the body on the Mattress surface, depending on the morphology and position of the patients.

These mattresses in particular make it possible, depending on the number of inflatable elements used, to individually control the pressure and thus the filling of the inflatable elements in the different zones of the mattress to provide a distribution of the interface pressure adapted to the level of each of parts of a patient's body and avoid or reduce the risk of pressure ulcer formation in areas of the body at risk such as the sacrum area and that of the heels for example.

In principle, the ideal comfort of a patient, and the optimal vascularization in particular to avoid the formation of bedsores or to reduce the localized pains in certain zones of support of the body on the mattress, are obtained when the points of support of the body are redistributed on the surface of the mattress, that is to say when the pressure exerted by the different areas of the body on the mattress (called "interface pressure") is substantially identical for all the points of the surface of the body. contact with the mattress and if, on the other hand, this contact surface of the body with the mattress is as high as possible, which requires to adapt the inflation of the inflatable elements of the mattress under the different parts of the body to control the level sink in the different areas of the mattress.

To do this, it is necessary to achieve a distribution of the air pressure inside the inflatable elements by controlling their filling / emptying according to certain pre-established calculations from and according to the measurements made with sensors in, on or under the mattress depending on the type of sensors used.

These sensors known to those skilled in the art can measure the pressure exerted by the body of the patient or the depression of the patient's body in the given compartments of the mattress, as described for example in the European patent EP 0 676 158 , the US Patent 5,983,429 and the European patent EP 1 056 372 in the name of the plaintiff.

The control and regulation of the filling / emptying of the inflatable elements by means of solenoid valves also makes it possible to provide support devices operating in so-called "alternating mode of pressure" mode in which inflatable elements are inflated and deflated alternately and simultaneously. of the support device regularly distributed in the length thereof. For example, one deflates / deflates one element out of two or three or even four and then deflates / inflates the elements adjacent to the previous compartments deflated and then re-inflated.

Thus, each inflatable member of the support device is successively and gradually deflated / re-inflated, creating a kind of wave moving in the longitudinal direction of said support device back and forth and discharging the interface pressure locally, promoting this place the soft tissue vasculature at the interface with the surface of the support device.

Currently, the support devices, especially the mattresses, incorporating such inflatable elements are frequently constituted by a first layer whose geometry must be maintained fixed by construction and which is generally constituted by an air mattress whose envelope is not elastic or by a layer of foam, of generally constant thickness over the entire length of the mattress, forming a so-called lower mattress on which is disposed a second layer, generally called "mattress therapeutic ", formed by a juxtaposition of inflatable elements welded to each other, generally shaped cells or substantially cylindrical elongated flanges extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mattress. Each of the areas of the therapeutic mattress is provided with solenoid valves and adapted pipes adapted to be connected to an inflation and regulation device, generally independent of the mattress. The lower foam mattress and therapeutic mattress formed of inflatable cells are enclosed in a cover specially adapted to allow the supply and emptying of the inflatable tubes of the therapeutic mattress through its pipes connected to an inflation device and adjoining regulation.

Such at least partially inflatable structural mattresses allow an aid to the prevention and the effective and increased treatment of the development of pressure ulcers and other lesions or pains related to the prolonged maintenance of patients lying down and almost immobile on the hospital beds, in particular by the implementation of alternating inflation / deflation cycles of the cells of the therapeutic mattress and the use of differentiated inflation pressures of the cells as a function of the different support zones of the patient's body.

However, each patient having a morphology, size, mass and pathologies different from those of another patient, it is desirable to further improve the comfort of inflatable cell mattresses and in particular their ability to adapt the support provided by the mattress in the different areas of the patient's body according to the physical and pathological parameters thereof as mentioned above and the position of the patients on the mattress, in particular when passing from a station lying at a station sitting on the mattress for example.

In addition, the inflatable cell mattress existing to date also have two other major disadvantages.

Indeed, air cells too large generate for example large voids in alternating pressure mode and have the disadvantage of "pass" the patient between the air cells, mainly in the sacrum area; as a result, the lift of this zone is no longer optimized and there is a risk of feeling of discomfort by pressing on the lower layer of the mattress whose texture is different from that of the therapeutic mattress.

The case may be identical, in particular in the heel support zone, where the very small heel bearing surfaces may be located between the air cells, with the same consequences as previously mentioned.

Moreover, in case of inadvertent deflation of the air cells, the lift of the therapeutic mattress is no longer ensured where the lower mattress is absent to serve as a supplementary surface, which in this case also increases the risk of bedsores for the patient.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a support device, as described in claim 1, in particular able to constitute a mattress, providing individuals resting on this device a feeling of increased comfort, and an optimization of the supporting action by redistribution of the interface pressure even alternately pressure whatever their position on this support device and whatever their morphology.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a support device comprising inflatable elements that closely matches the body of an individual resting on the mattress, particularly in the support areas of the body parts most likely to develop bedsores such as sacrum and heels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support device comprising inflatable cells able to support a patient with additional pneumatic support and continuous even in case of failure or damage of the cells while waiting for the replacement of defective cells. .

• au moins une couche supérieure gonflable constituée d'une pluralité d'éléments adjacents solidaires les uns des autres et individuellement gonflables d'un fluide, en particulier d'air, par l'intermédiaire d'un dispositif de gonflage et de régulation de pression pneumatique, et
• au moins une couche inférieure supportant ladite couche supérieure et comportant un logement recevant un capteur d'enfoncement ou de pression, notamment un capteur tel que décrit dans le brevet EP 0 676 158 ou EP 1 056 372 , relié au dit dispositif de commande contrôlant le gonflage et la régulation de pression pneumatique, ledit capteur permettant de déterminer l'enfoncement du corps ou la pression appliquée par le corps d'un dit individu reposant sur la couche supérieure gonflable et de réguler en conséquence la pression de gonflage desdits éléments de ladite couche supérieure en utilisant ces données comme indiqués dans les brevets indiqués précédemment.

To do this, the present invention provides a support device, in particular of the mattress type for supporting the body of an individual, which comprises in at least one outer casing:

• at least one inflatable upper layer consisting of a plurality of adjacent elements integral with each other and individually inflatable with a fluid, in particular air, via a device for inflating and regulating the pneumatic pressure , and
• at least one lower layer supporting said upper layer and comprising a housing receiving a depression or pressure sensor, in particular a sensor as described in the patent EP 0 676 158 or EP 1 056 372 connected to said control device controlling inflating and regulating pneumatic pressure, said sensor for determining depression of the body or pressure applied by the body of a said individual resting on the inflatable upper layer and regulating accordingly the inflation pressure of said elements of said upper layer using these data as indicated in the previously mentioned patents.

According to the present invention, this support device is characterized in that said upper layer comprises, in at least one central support zone, preferably a substantially central zone intended to support the body zone of the sacrum of a said individual and to the level of which is for example located the sensor, a plurality of individually individualizable inflatable elements having a width less than their height, the width of said individualized inflatable elements of said central support zone being less than the width of the inflatable elements non-individualized of said end zone adjacent to said central support zone.

The term "individually individualized" inflatable cells is here used to mean air cells made individually in the unit and connected, if necessary, one by one in a reversible manner; in particular by pipes, ensuring the flow of air between the different cells, connected to an air supply device and to regulate the inflation pressure of the cells. Thus, said individualized cells can be replaced unitarily. In addition, said individualized cells not being secured to one another over their entire length, like the conventional therapeutic mattress cells, they possess and allow greater freedom of movement in order to fit perfectly the curves and forms of the patient.

For the purposes of the present invention, therefore, "individualized" means cells made individually and connected one by one and capable of being replaced in a unitary manner or else independent, although they are adjacent to one another.

When the cells forming flanges, arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the mattress, are fixed on their longitudinal sides as is conventional, any change in volume of a cell, caused by pressure applied to the cell, has repercussions on the adjacent cells that are integral to it.

On the other hand, individualized cells deform independently of each other, so that the zone consisting of individualized cells better fits the shapes of the patient resting on them, the cells, by their constitution in individualized form, having a greater stability in width. , whatever their level of inflation, compared to juxtaposed cells, welded to each other over their entire length.

The central support zone thus created according to the present invention has a higher cell density, so that the patient is not likely to pass through the cells, especially in case of deflation when the cells are inflated in an alternating mode of pressure. In total, the combination of the characteristic of individualization of the cells, on the one hand, and reduction of their width, the latter being, moreover, preferably stabilized whatever the level of inflation, on the other hand, contributes to improve the lift of this area and the comfort of the patient.

Preferably, the width of said individually individualized inflatable elements in said support zone is substantially constant regardless of the inflation level of said individualized inflatable elements.

This makes it possible to increase the support points provided by the inflatable elements and to optimize their distribution in said support zone when the body of an individual rests on the upper layer of the device.

More particularly, said elements, individually individualized in said support zone, consist of transversely extending coil-shaped cells YY 'with respect to the longitudinal direction XX' of the mattress and arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the mattress, the opposite side faces of each cell being connected to each other by a connecting means conferring a substantially constant width regardless of their level of inflation.

More particularly, said connecting means is constituted by a longitudinal weld extending over a portion of the length of said cells, not extending to their ends, preferably said weld being located substantially in the middle with respect to the height of the cell.

In another embodiment, said connecting means are constituted by a spacer now at a constant distance from the opposite lateral faces of said cells.

The width of the inflatable elements of the upper layer of the device of the invention is here understood to mean their maximum dimension measured along a horizontal straight line parallel to the longitudinal direction XX 'of the device. Similarly, the height of the inflatable elements of the upper layer means their dimension taken along a direction ZZ 'perpendicular to said longitudinal direction XX' of the device.

The support device of the present invention offers the advantage of a better comfort perceived by the individuals resting on the upper layer of the device, whatever the inflating mode of the inflatable elements of said upper layer and the position of the individuals on the device.

In particular, when the device of the invention is used as a medical mattress, on a hospital bed, for example, the comfort perceived by the patients, especially in inflation mode at low alternating pressures, is identical regardless of the positions of the bust succession. bed, while with the current mattresses some patients may feel the sacrum support on the lower layer of the mattress supporting the inflatable upper layer, when the inflatable elements are inflated and deflated alternately pressure.

The support device of the invention has the advantage of having an upper layer comprising, in the support zones, parts of the body that are usually favorable for the development of pressure ulcers such as that of the sacrum, and preferably in all the support zones c. that is, along the entire length of the upper layer, narrower individualized inflatable elements or cells whose particular shape provides, in the support zones considered, increased concentration and proximity of the contact surfaces of the inflatable cells which provides thus an increase in the overall contact area with the body of an individual resting on the device in the support areas considered and therefore a better distribution of the body contact points on the inflatable cells resulting in a decrease in interface pressures and therefore a better distribution of the weight of the body on said cells, which results no feeling of increased comfort.

With a pressure alternating embodiment acting both cells, each individual air cell of even rank is connected by a pipe with the preceding or following air cell, but still of even rank; the same is true with air cells of odd rank, in order to maintain a synchronism in alternating pressure inflation modes, especially in the sacrum support zone.

Such comfort improvement is obtained especially as soon as the width of the inflatable elements in said central zone of said upper layer is at least 25% lower, and preferably at least 50% lower than their height.

In addition, the width of said individualized inflatable elements of the upper layer is substantially constant regardless of the inflation state of these elements, which advantageously avoids, in alternate pressure mode, the separation phenomena related to the deflation of an element. between two swollen ones and the local sensation of crushing that results for individuals resting on the device.

• la figure 1 représente schématiquement selon une coupe verticale longitudinale un matelas constituant un dispositif de support selon l'invention dans un premier mode de réalisation;
• la figure 2 représente schématiquement selon une coupe verticale longitudinale un matelas constituant un dispositif de support selon l'invention dans un second mode de réalisation;
• les figures 3 et 3A représentent en vue de face (figure 3) et de côté (figure 3A) une cellule gonflable 121c spécifique de la zone de support centrale 12C du matelas thérapeutique 12 du dispositif de support de l'invention dans les modes de réalisation des figures 1 et 2 ;
• la figure 4 représente schématiquement selon une coupe verticale longitudinale un matelas constituant un dispositif de support selon l'invention dans un troisième mode de réalisation;
• les figures 5 et 5A représentent en vue de face (figure 5) et de côté (figure 5A) une cellule gonflable 121c de la zone de support centrale 12C du matelas thérapeutique 12 du dispositif de support de l'invention dans le mode de réalisation de la figure 4, comportant deux chambres de gonflage indépendantes ;
• la figure 6 représente un agrandissement de la zone de support 12B d'un dispositif de support selon l'invention dans un des modes de réalisation présenté aux figures 1 à 3 ;
• la figure 7 représente un agrandissement de la zone de support 12B d'un dispositif de support selon l'invention dans un des modes de réalisation présenté aux figures 1 à 4 et qui comporte une structure particulière de réalisation de la zone spécifique de support des talons T dans la zone de support 12B.

Other features and advantages will emerge from the following detailed description of various alternative embodiments of the support device of the present invention, a description made with reference to the appended figures among which:

• the figure 1 schematically represents in longitudinal vertical section a mattress constituting a support device according to the invention in a first embodiment;
• the figure 2 shows schematically in longitudinal vertical section a mattress constituting a support device according to the invention in a second embodiment;
• the Figures 3 and 3A represent in front view ( figure 3 ) and side ( figure 3A ) an inflatable cell 121c specific to the central support zone 12C of the therapeutic mattress 12 of the support device of the invention in the embodiments of the Figures 1 and 2 ;
• the figure 4 schematically represents in longitudinal vertical section a mattress constituting a support device according to the invention in a third embodiment;
• the Figures 5 and 5A represent in front view ( figure 5 ) and side ( Figure 5A ) an inflatable cell 121c of the central support zone 12C of the therapeutic mattress 12 of the support device of the invention in the embodiment of the figure 4 , comprising two independent inflation chambers;
• the figure 6 represents an enlargement of the support zone 12B of a support device according to the invention in one of the embodiments presented to Figures 1 to 3 ;
• the figure 7 represents an enlargement of the support zone 12B of a support device according to the invention in one of the embodiments presented to Figures 1 to 4 and which comprises a particular structure for producing the specific support zone of the heels T in the support zone 12B.

The support device of the invention will now be described in different embodiments and relative to a particularly appropriate and specific use thereof as a mattress for hospital beds.

On the figure 1 a support device 1 according to the present invention is shown diagrammatically in a first embodiment.

The support device of the figure 1 form a mattress adapted to support the body of an individual, including a patient, and which comprises in a removable cover 11 an upper layer formed by a therapeutic mattress 12 resting on a lower layer formed of a lower support mattress 13.

The therapeutic mattress 12 consists of inflatable elements or air cells 121 adjacent to each other and oriented in a direction ZZ 'perpendicular to the longitudinal direction XX' of the device 1. These inflatable elements 121 are divided into three adjacent support zones of three main parts of the body of an individual lying on the device 1: a first zone 12A for supporting the trunk and the head, a second zone 12B for supporting the legs and feet and a third zone 12C interposed between the zones 12A and 12B of basin support.

In a known manner, said inflatable elements 121 each comprise or cooperate, whether in said central zone 12C or in said zones 12A, 12B, with at least one pneumatic supply, respectively discharge, air connected and adapted to be actuated by a pneumatic pressure inflating and regulating device 2 housed, in the embodiment shown, under the end of the support zone 12B and in the extension of the lower mattress 13.

According to a preferred feature of the device of the invention, the inflatable elements 121 of said upper layer consist of a thermoplastic polymer material, in particular a polyurethane (PU) material. Such a material has the advantage of being both flexible and resistant and, by virtue of its thermoplastic nature, of being sensitive to the heat of the human body thus favoring the comfort and flexibility of the support provided to an individual resting on the mattress 1.

The lower support mattress 13 comprises a reservation for a depression or pressure sensor 3 situated in a central position of the mattress 1 under the support zone 12C and ensuring the regulation of the internal pressure of the cells 121 of the therapeutic mattress 12 by the inflator and regulator 2 depending on the morphology and position of the patient on the mattress 1.

According to the invention, the lower mattress 13 of the device is, like the therapeutic mattress 12, made up of a plurality of individually inflatable elements or cells 131 able to be connected to the inflation and pneumatic pressure regulation device 2. In this particular embodiment, said inflatable elements 131 of the lower layer 13 of the mattress 1 are then preferably made of a material of flexibility and heat-sensitivity lower than those of the material of which are formed the inflatable elements 121 of the therapeutic mattress so as to maintain a fixed geometry; in particular, the envelope of the inflatable cells 131 of the lower mattress 13 may be made of fabric, in particular a nylon ^® fabric, coated with polyurethane.

The alternation of materials, polyurethane for the therapeutic mattress 12, nylon fabric ^® polyurethane coating for the lower mattress 13, allows to provide the necessary comfort to the first and the maintenance of a stable geometry to the second. Moreover, in case of detection of failure or air leakage in the inflator and regulator of the air cells 121, 131 of the upper and lower mattresses 12, 13, the lower mattress 13 can be locked tight, that is to say ie maintained in constant pressurization, which guarantees safety in case of failure.

In accordance with the present invention and as shown in figure 1 , the therapeutic mattress 12 is constituted by two sections 12A, 12B of air cells 121a, 121b integral with each other and formed by flat welding of two polyurethane sheets along lines of welds parallel to each other and a central section 12C comprising individual air cells 121c, independent but adjacent to each other, of the same height as the cells 121a, 121b end sections of the mattress 12A, 12B but of reduced width, typically half as wide as air cells welded to plate 121a, 121b.

The figure 3 represents an air cell 121c of the support zone 12C of the therapeutic mattress in the embodiment of the Figures 1 and 2

The individual air cells 121c of the section 12C are made of thermoplastic polyurethane, of identical material to the two sections 12A and 12B of the therapeutic mattress 12. They are also formed by flat welding two sheets of polyurethane.

On the figure 3 each air cell 121c has at its center, with respect to its height, a weld S extending in the longitudinal direction of the cell YY '(transverse direction of the mattress), which makes it possible to establish a connection between the lateral faces opposed to the cell, to limit the expansion of the width of the cell and to maintain a substantially constant width for all the cells of said central support zone 12c, regardless of the level of inflation. In addition, the weld S extends over only a portion of the length of the cell, not extending to the longitudinal ends 122 of the cell, so that vertical end flanks 123 are not separated in two zones, such as 121ca and 121cb areas, on either side of the weld S in the middle part of the cell. In other words, because at the level of the vertical end flanks 121a and 121cb communicate, said vertical flanks stabilize the two zones 121ca and 121cb, with respect to each other, in the vertical direction. In addition, each air cell 121c also comprises a plastic connector, of tubular orifice type C, welded in the axis of this central weld and allowing a connection of a pneumatic communication pipe with the other air cells 121c of the same section. 12C, the odd cells being connected together and the even cells are also connected together. At the opposite end of the connector, is arranged, in the axis of the central weld, a tubular opening E opening on the face opposite to that of the connector C, for connection to the air distribution connection pipe. This hydraulic connection assembly between the different cells ensures mechanical stability of all of said individualized cells of the zone 12c.

The therapeutic mattress 12 comprising the two sections 12A and 12B and the central zone 12C is physically held by plastic snaps on the outer shell 11, placed so as to guarantee an effective mechanical resistance while maintaining a freedom of the therapeutic mattress 12. These plastic snaps allow disassembly in case of replacement of the therapeutic mattress 12 wholly or in part of the sections 12A and / or 12B and / or the central area 12C.

The cells 121c of the central zone 12C also have a width certainly less than the cells 121a, 121b but which remains substantially constant regardless of their inflation pressure, which provides the advantage of a better performance perceived by the people lying on the mattress 1, especially when the pressure of the cells 121a, 121b, 121c of the different support areas 12A, 12B, 12C of the therapeutic mattress 12 is regulated by the inflation and pneumatic control device 2 in low alternating pressure mode according to the In fact, in particular, as a function of the positions of the bending bed of the bed on which the support device 1 of the invention is installed as sleeping mattress patients, some patients may feel the support on the polyurethane coated fabric of the lower mattress 13.

The small individual air cells 121c of the central support zone 12C of the therapeutic mattress 12 offer better perception and better support than the cells 121a, 121b and better preservation of the skin tissues of the patient especially when the bust is raised because they provide by their reduced width, an increased contact area in the central support area 12C on which rests the sacrum of the patient which is a very sensitive and conducive to the formation of bedsores.

As indicated above, the lower mattress 13 comprises a reservation or housing 132 formed substantially at its center under the support zone 12C of the therapeutic mattress 12 and receiving a pressure sensor 3 for regulating the pressure of the cells 121a, 121b, 121c of the different The sensor 3 is preferably a depression or pressure sensor as described in European patents. EP 0 676 158 and EP 1 056 372 in the name of the plaintiff. The thickness of the sensor 3 is traditionally lower than that of the lower mattress 13 a small insert 4 is placed on said sensor 3 to make up this difference in thickness and establish contact between the sensor surface and the cells 121c of the support zone 12C of the therapeutic mattress 12.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, said insert 4 is constituted by an airbag formed of the same material, in this case a thermoplastic polyurethane, that the air cells 121 of the therapeutic mattress 12. This airbag 4 is well sure able to be connected like all the inflatable cells 121, 131 of the therapeutic mattress 12 and the lower mattress 13 to the inflator and regulator of pneumatic pressure 2 of the device 1.

The insert 4 made of thermoplastic polyurethane, identical to the material of the therapeutic mattress 12 and placed above the sensor 3, is supplied with air at the same pressure as the lower mattress 13. This makes it possible to add a layer of air additional under the support area 12C of the sacrum of the patient and thus participates in a better lift by reducing the risk of eschar. Indeed, the use of the same material for the realization of the cells 121a, 121b, 121c of the therapeutic mattress 12 and this insert 4 can limit the parasitic sensations due to the depression of the patient in the mattress, sensations that can be troublesome when the therapeutic mattress 12 and the insert 4 are each made of different materials.

In a first embodiment shown in FIG. figure 2 , the support device 1 of the invention advantageously comprises an intermediate layer 14 disposed between the upper layer formed by the inflatable mattress 12 and the lower layer formed by the inflatable mattress 13, said intermediate layer 14 consisting of a plurality of individually inflatable elements or cells 141 forming an intermediate inflatable mattress whose cells 141, such as those of the mattresses 12 and 13 are able to be connected to the pneumatic pressure inflating and regulating device 2 housed at the end of the lower mattress 13.

The intermediate mattress 14 is usually regulated by the pressure of the therapeutic mattress 12 which provides a homogeneous bearing surface with respect to the sensor 3 housed in the reservation 132 of the lower mattress.

The intermediate mattress 14 and its air cells 141 are preferably formed by flat welding polyamide-coated polyamide fabrics, which provides good geometric stability of the intermediate mattress 14 whose main function is to allow a better integration of the profile and the mass of the body of a patient lying on the support device 1 and leveling in a horizontal plane all the cells 121 of the therapeutic mattress.

That the support device 1 of the invention comprises one, two or three distinct layers consisting of elements or cells individually inflatable such the three mattresses 12, 13, 14, the inflatable elements 121, 131, 141 preferably have substantially an elongated form of bead which allows both a good flexibility of each of the layers, and in particular of the inflatable elements relative to each other as well as a good adaptation of the device 1 to the morphology of the individuals.

The stacking of the mattresses 12, 13, and 14 also provides improved comfort with the mattresses whose air cells are structured in one direction and then in the other, for example transverse welds oriented in their length in a direction ZZ 'perpendicular in the longitudinal direction XX 'of the device for the therapeutic mattress 12 and the lower mattress 13, and longitudinal welds oriented in their length parallel to said longitudinal direction XX' of the device for the intermediate mattress 14.

In a third embodiment shown at figure 4 the elements or cells 121c individualized in said central support zone 12C of the upper layer 12 each comprise two independent and superimposed chambers 121c1, 121c2 which respectively form an upper chamber 121c1, of identical shape and function as the cells 121c of the therapeutic mattress 12 of the devices 1 in the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2 , and a lower chamber 121c2 intended to replace the airbag 4 between the pressure sensor 3 and the therapeutic mattress 12 as presented in the embodiments of the invention. Figures 1 and 2 . Such a cell 121c comprising two superimposed chambers 121c1, 121c2, separated by a longitudinal weld S1 extending over their entire length, is shown in FIG. figure 5 .

Said chambers 121c1, 121c2 are, like all the inflatable elements of the device 1, capable of being inflated independently of one another and each comprise or cooperate with at least one pneumatic means, such as a supply pipe, respectively discharge, air connected to and adapted to be powered by a pneumatic pressure inflating and regulating device 2, preferably located, as in the previous embodiments, at one end of the lower mattress 13 under the therapeutic mattress .

Preferably, the upper chamber 121c1 has a volume greater than that of the lower chamber 121c2 while having a width equal to that of said lower chamber 121c2. Said upper chamber 121c1 is typically substantially identical to the single chamber air cell 121c shown in FIG. figure 3 and used in the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2 . The upper chamber 121c1 has a longitudinal lateral weld S at its center relative to its height, not extending to the ends 122 of the chamber, to ensure geometric stability of the upper chamber in width and a connector or tubular orifice C for supplying the chamber 121c1 with air and, at the opposite end and on the opposite face of this connector C, a hole or tubular orifice E for exhausting the air from the chamber.

Below this upper chamber 121c1 is welded a lower chamber 121c2. In practice, it is desirable that the volume of the upper chamber 121c1 is at least between 150% and 250% of the volume of the lower chamber 121c2.

In addition, the lower chambers 121c2 of all the air cells 121c communicate with each other and form a layer of safety air in case of failure of the upper part 121c1 of the cells - due, for example - to an air leak generated by damage to the envelope of the therapeutic mattress; this layer of safety air can support the patient, not optimally, but by temporarily avoiding a risk of eschar, waiting for the replacement of defective cells.

The lower chambers 121c2 of each cell 121c communicate with the lower chamber 121c2 of the air cell 121c previous or next. On the other hand, said lower chambers 121c2 are supplied with air independently of the upper chambers 121c1 of the air cells 121c and can not communicate with them. The lower chambers 121c2 are thus closed by said solder S1, which extends over its entire length, and sealed, and comprise two plastic connectors or welded tubular orifices C for connection to the other lower chambers 121c2 air cells 121c previous and following . Finally, the lower chamber 121c2 of each air cell 121c is provided and designed, of reduced length relative to that of the upper chamber 121c1, so that it is housed in the reservation 132 of the lower mattress 13, in which it is stabilized in vertical position relative to the upper chamber 121c1, then replacing the insert 4 used in the embodiment of the Figures 1 and 2 .

It will be understood that the longitudinal ends of the upper chambers 121c1 rest on the longitudinal portions of the lower mattress 13, delimiting with the adjacent zones 131 of the mattress 13 the central reservation or recess 132, in which is also housed on the underside of the lower chambers 121c2. sensor 3.

This embodiment of the support device 1 of the invention consists in structuring the air cells 121c of the central support zone 12C of the therapeutic mattress 12 so that they themselves have a safety zone constituted by the lower rooms 121c2. This last embodiment has the advantage of simplifying the entire structure of the support device 1 and of have the full height of the cells 121c to ensure the optimal positioning of the risk region represented by the patient's sacrum in the therapeutic mattress 12 and thereby an optimized distribution of the support points of said sacrum area whatever the operating mode of the device and the modes of regulation of the pressures of the cells 121, 131 of the therapeutic mattress 12 and the lower mattress 13 respectively, that is to say modes of regulation with alternating or continuous pressures, and whatever the position the bust of the bed of the patient.

Regardless of the embodiment of the support device 1 of the present invention, the comfort perceived by the patients is considerably increased compared to traditional foam mattresses or existing inflatable cell mattresses. Furthermore, the support device 1 of the invention allows an increased prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers and wounds in patients, especially in the critical area of the sacrum, by densifying the central support zone 12C of the therapeutic mattress by relative to the other zones 12A and 12B, densification which advantageously and preferably can be extended to all of the support zones 12A, 12B and 12C of the therapeutic mattress 12 of the device 1.

The superposition of therapeutic and lower mattresses 12, 13 and possibly an intermediate mattress 14, all formed individually inflatable elements each connected by means of supply and discharge of air such as solenoid valves and pipes to a device pneumatic inflation and regulation 2 provides support adaptable to each patient according to its morphology and its mass, moreover in a dynamic manner by changing the inflating modes of the cells of the mattresses 12, 13, 14 of the device 1, and their inflation pressures according to the parameters measured by the sensor 3 directly connected to the control device 2 controlling inflation and regulation.

It thus results from all the structural parameters of the support device of the invention 1 comfort optimized and adequate for each patient.

In addition, the cells 121c of the zone 12C being individual, they allow a mass production larger than a complete and monobloc mattress; they also provide the advantage of being individually replaceable and safer in case of damage to one of them, which avoids replacing the entire support device.

Another novel structural feature of the support device 1 according to the present invention also makes it possible to improve, whatever the embodiment of the cells 121c of the central support area 12C of the therapeutic mattress 12, the comfort and the performance of maintaining and prevention of pressure ulcers on another vulnerable area of the body of patients which is that of the heels, body region with bone prominence and low soft tissue thickness.

In its classical configuration as shown on the Figures 1, 2 and 4 and in detail on the figure 6 the zone T of the therapeutic mattress 12 dedicated to supporting the heels of the patients lying on the device 1 consists of air cells 121b identical to those of the entire support zone 12B for the legs and identical to the cells 121a of the support zone 12A for the trunk. These cells 121b are typically formed by flat welding of two sheets of thermoplastic polyurethane and inflated at very low pressure, typically of the order of 6 mm of mercury or about 800 Pa, so as to best conform to this bone prominence and to counteract as weakly as possible the vascularization at this level.

Following numerous test campaigns carried out to understand the phenomena of pressure ulcer formation and their treatment and prevention in at-risk patients, the applicant has found that these cells 121b have the drawback, for the support of heels, of being of a relatively large dimension, typically 10 cm in diameter, and the support characteristics of the beads, in particular the interface pressure, may be affected by a certain variability as a function of the positioning of said beads relative to the top of the air cells or the spacing between these air cells.

In addition, the support of the leg is not differentiated from that of the heels with the possible consequence of the depression of the entire leg for elongated subjects and the decrease of the interface pressure at the heels.

This is the reason why, in accordance with the present invention and as shown in FIG. figure 7 , the support device 1 proposes to use, in the specific portion T of the support zone 12B for the heel support, a plurality of inflatable elements 121t of height and width proportionally smaller than the other cells 121a, 121b 121c of the different support areas 12A, 12B, 12C of the therapeutic mattress 12, and typically half as high and narrower than the cells 121a and 121b for an identical length, arranged in two layers T1 and T2.

These inflatable elements 121t are distributed in layers, in this case in two superposed layers T1, T2, the total height of which is equal to that of the other inflatable elements 121a, 121b, 121c of the therapeutic mattress 12 of the support device 1. The inflatable elements 121t each comprise or cooperate with at least one pneumatic supply means, respectively exhaust air, and are therefore pneumatically independent and therefore able to be inflated independently of each other. In addition, the lower layer is suitable for locked in a sealed manner independently of the upper layer, which makes it possible to provide additional support in the event of damage to the upper layer. To do this, they are connected and able to be actuated by the inflation and pneumatic pressure regulation device 2.

Thanks to the use of such specific format cells 121t arranged in two layers T1, T2 in the portion T of the therapeutic mattress 12, it is possible, when a patient is for example lying on the device 1, to inflate and regulate the pressure of the elements 121t of the upper layer T1 at very low pressure at 6 mm of mercury while those of the lower layer T2 are inflated and regulated at the pressure of the central zone 12C of the therapeutic mattress 12 and the lower mattress 13, which is typically 20 mm of mercury, or about 2700 Pa, depending on the morphology and position of the patient. The lower layer T2 regulated at higher pressure then functionally better support the leg and thus ensure a better depression of the heels while keeping them in the axis of the leg.

In an alternative embodiment, the superposition of layers T1, T2 in said zone T is obtained by means of inflatable elements 121t comprising at least two inflation chambers superimposed and integral with each other in a manner similar to the embodiment cells 121c of the central zone 12C in the embodiment described in FIG. figure 3 However, the two chambers of the elements 121t preferably of identical volume and shape but being regulated at different pressures, for example 6 mm of mercury for the upper part and 20 mm of mercury for the lower part. The zone T can then also be alternately controlled by pressure, for example by deflating alternately every second cell or by slightly inflating one cell in two typically 10 mm of mercury.

As in the embodiment of the figure 7 , the two chambers of the elements 121t each comprise or cooperate with at least one pneumatic means of supply, respectively discharge, of air connected and able to be actuated by the pneumatic pressure inflating and regulating device 2 integrated in the device which allows inflation and regulation of the air pressure inside each chamber independently.

In another variant embodiment, said inflatable elements 121t in said zone T may also consist of individually inflatable elements 121 in the form of flanges integral with each other so as to form a cushion 5, for example obtained by welding two sheets polyurethane, said cushion 5 being folded on itself so as to form at least two layers T1, T2 inflatable packs stacked one on the other. Here again in this embodiment, each inflatable element 121t of the cushion 5 comprises or co-operates with at least one pneumatic means for supplying or discharging air, such as a solenoid valve, connected and able to be actuated by the inflation and pressure regulating device pneumatic 2 integrated in the device 1.

Whatever the embodiment chosen, it is advantageous and preferable for the comfort of the patient that said inflatable elements 121t in said zone T intended to support the heels of an individual lying on the device are made of the same material as the other inflatable elements 121a, 121b, 121c of the therapeutic mattress 12, and preferably made of thermoplastic polyurethane capable of capturing the heat of the human body to better marry the bony protuberances and other curves of the body of patients.

Claims (23)

1. A support device (1), in particular of the mattress type for supporting the body of an individual, said support device comprising, inside at least one outer casing (11):

   - at least one inflatable top layer (12) made up of a plurality of adjacent elements (121) that are secured together and that are individually inflatable with a fluid, in particular air, via a pneumatic inflation and pressure regulation device (2);

   - at least one bottom layer (13) supporting said top layer (12); and

   - a penetration and/or pressure sensor (3) connected to said pneumatic inflation and pressure regulation device (2), said sensor making it possible to determine the penetration and/or the pressure applied locally by the body of a said individual bearing against the inflatable top layer (12) and to regulate the inflation pressures of said elements (121) of said top layer correspondingly;

   the support device being characterized in that said top layer (12) comprises at least one central support zone (12C), preferably a zone designed to support the sacrum zone of an individual's body, said central support zone (12C) being made up of a plurality of inflatable elements (121c) that are individualized in unitary manner, that are not secured to each other over their entire length, and that are of width smaller than their height, with the width of said individualized inflatable elements (121c) of said central support zone (12C) being smaller than the width of the inflatable elements of a said end zone (12A, 12B) adjacent to said central support zone (12C), said sensor being provided in a recess (132) of said bottom layer and located under said central support zone (12C).
2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the width of said inflatable elements (121c) in said support zone (12C) that are individualized in unitary manner is substantially constant regardless of the level of inflation of said individualized inflatable elements.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that said elements that are individualized in unitary manner in said support zone (12C) are constituted by sausage-shaped cells extending transversely (YY') relative to the longitudinal direction (XX') of the mattress and disposed side-by-side in the longitudinal direction of the mattress, the opposite side faces of each cell being connected together by tie means (S) giving them a width that is substantially constant regardless of their level of inflation.
4. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that said tie means are constituted by a longitudinal weld line (S) extending over a portion of the length of said cells, and not reaching their ends (122), said weld preferably being situated substantially in the middle relative to the height of the cell.
5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the width of said inflatable elements (121c) in said central zone (12C) of said top layer (12) is at least 25% smaller, and preferably at least 50% smaller than their height.
6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said inflatable elements (121) of said top layer (12) are made of a thermoplastic polymer material that is preferably a material based on polyurethane (PU).
7. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each of said inflatable elements (121) of the top layer, regardless of whether it is in said central zone (12C) or in said end zones (12A, 12B), is provided with or co-operates with at least one pneumatic air feed and/or discharge means connected to and suitable for being fed by a said pneumatic inflation and pressure regulation device (2).
8. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said bottom layer (13) is made up of a plurality of elements (131) that are individually inflatable and that are suitable for being connected to a said pneumatic inflation and pressure regulation device (2).
9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said bottom layer (13) is made up of a plurality of individually inflatable elements (131) made of a material of flexibility and of heat-sensitivity that are lower than those of the material of which the inflatable elements (121A, 121B, 121C) of the top layer (12) are formed.
10. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises an intermediate layer (14) disposed between said top layer (12) and said bottom layer (13).
11. A device according to claim 10, characterized in that said intermediate layer (14) is made up of a plurality of individually inflatable elements (141) that are suitable for being connected to a said pneumatic inflation and pressure regulation device (2).
12. A device according to claim 11, characterized in that said individually inflatable elements (121, 131, 141) of said top layer (12), of said bottom layer (13), and of said intermediate layer (14) are substantially in the shape of elongate sausages, and in that said inflatable elements (121, 131) of said top layer (12) and of said bottom layer (13) extend lengthwise in a direction YY' perpendicular to the longitudinal direction XX' of said device, and said inflatable elements (141) of said intermediate layer (14) extending lengthwise parallel to said longitudinal direction XX' of the device.
13. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, between said pressure sensor (3) and said individualized elements (121c) of said central support zone (12C) of said top layer (12), said device comprises an inflatable cushion (4) suitable for being connected to a said pneumatic inflation and pressure regulation device (2).
14. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said cushion (4) is made of the same thermoplastic material as said inflatable elements (121) of said top layer (12), and is preferably made of a thermoplastic polyurethane.
15. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that each of said individualized elements (121c) in said central zone (12C) of the top layer (12) comprises two independent and superposed inflation chambers (121c1, 121c2).
16. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that each of said individualized elements (121c) in said central zone (12C) comprises a top chamber (121c1) and a bottom chamber (121c2), said top chamber (121c1) having a volume larger than the volume of said bottom chamber (121c2) and a width and a length equal to those of said bottom chamber (121c2), the volume of said top chamber (121c1) being at least in the range 150% to 250% of the volume of said bottom chamber (121c2), said top and bottom chambers (121c1, 121c2) of each of said individualized elements (121c) in said central zone (12C) of the top layer being separated by a weld line (S1) extending over their entire length and thus being suitable for being inflated independently from each other, and each of said top and bottom chambers being provided with or co-operating with at least one pneumatic air feed and/or discharge means connected to and suitable for being actuated by a said pneumatic inflation and pressure regulation device (2), each of said top chambers (121c1) having a said longitudinal weld line (S) that does not reach its ends.
17. A device according to claim 16, characterized in that said top chambers (121c1) form the top layer (2) of said central support zone (12C) and said bottom chambers (121c2) are of length shorter than the length of the top chambers (121c1) in the transverse direction of said mattress (YY') and are received and held in said recess (132) in the bottom mattress (13) above said sensor (3).
18. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that at least a portion (T) of a support zone (12B) of said top layer (12) that is distinct from the central zone (12C), in particular the portion (T) designed to support the heels of a said individual recumbent on the device, is made up of a plurality of inflatable elements (121t) of height and of width that are proportionally smaller than those of the inflatable elements in the other zones (12A, 12B, 12C) of said top layer (12), and in that they are distributed into superposed layers (T1, T2) whose total height is equal to the height of the other inflatable elements (121a, 121b, 121c) of said top layer (12).
19. A device according to claim 18, characterized in that the inflatable elements (121t) in said portion (T) of the top layer (12) that is designed to support the heels of an individual are suitable for being inflated independently from one another, and each of them is provided with or co-operates with at least one pneumatic air feed and/or discharge means connected to and suitable for being actuated by a said pneumatic inflation and pressure regulation device (2).
20. A device according to claim 18 or claim 19, characterized in that each of said inflatable elements (121t) in said zone (T) that is designed to support the heels of an individual recumbent on the device comprises at least two superposed and secured-together inflation chambers that are preferably of identical volume and of identical shape, and that are suitable for being inflated independently from each other and each provided with or co-operating with at least one pneumatic air feed and/or discharge means connected to and suitable for being actuated by a said pneumatic inflation and pressure regulation device (2).
21. A device according to claim 18 or claim 19, characterized in that said inflatable elements (121t) in said zone (T) that is designed to support the heels of an individual recumbent on the device are constituted by sausage-shaped tubes that are individually inflatable and that are secured together in such a manner as to form a cushion (5), said cushion (5) being folded over on itself in such a manner as to form at least two layers (T1, T2) of inflatable sausage-shaped tubes that are stacked one above the other.
22. A device according to any one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that said inflatable elements (121t) in said zone (T) that is designed to support the heels of an individual recumbent on the device are made of the same material as the other inflatable elements (121a, 121b, 121c) of the top layer, and are preferably made of a thermoplastic polyurethane.
23. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that, preferably in alignment with said bottom layer and under said top layer, it comprises a said pneumatic inflation and pressure regulation device (2) connected by suitable means to said pressure sensor (3) and by pipes to said pneumatic air feed and/or discharge means with which each of said inflatable elements (121a, 121b, 121c, 121t) of said top layer is provided or co-operates, and with which said bottom layer (13) or the individually inflatable elements (131) making up said bottom layer is/are provided and co-operate(s), and, optionally, with which said inflatable cushion situated between said pressure sensor and said top layer is provided or co-operates.

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