JP2004513678A - Disposable mattress section - Google Patents

Abstract

The mattress (12) includes a cover (50) including a side wall (54) forming an interior region (60) of the cover (50), a first cushion (48) integral with the side wall (54) of the cover (50), and Includes a second cushion (20) positioned within the inner area (60) of the cover (50).

Description

[0001]
[Background and Summary of the Invention]
The present invention relates to a patient support. More particularly, the present invention relates to a patient support mattress configured to support a patient on the mattress.
[0002]
Patient supports are often used in care facilities during treatment or recovery of a patient. The patient support typically includes a bed frame having a deck to support the patient and a mattress positioned on the deck.
[0003]
According to the invention, the mattress is provided for use on a bed deck. The mattress includes a cover, a first cushion, and a second cushion. The cover includes sidewalls that form an interior region of the cover. The first cushion is integral with the side wall of the cover, and the second cushion is positioned within the interior region of the cover.
[0004]
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mattress further includes an inner wall, and the cover includes an outer wall connected to the inner wall to form a first inflatable cushion. The outer wall of the cover includes an opening that can receive the second cushion and allows a caregiver to insert the second cushion from the opening into the interior region of the opening. The mattress further includes a fastener in the opening to connect the second cushion to a bed deck. The second cushion includes a layer of three-dimensional structural material.
[0005]
Other features of the present disclosure will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the detailed description that follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0006]
[Detailed description of the invention]
The detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings.
[0007]
A portable bed or stretcher 10 is shown in FIG. The stretcher 10 includes a mattress support section 11 and a disposable mattress section 12 positioned on the mattress support section 11 such that the mattress section 12 can be connected to the mattress support section 11 of the stretcher 10 by a care provider. After use, the disposable part of the mattress section 12 is discarded and the other part of the mattress section 12 is reused with the new disposable part.
[0008]
The stretcher 10 can be connected to a prone bed (not shown). The prone bed rotates the stretcher 10 and the patient thereon to move the patient to a position facing either up and down facing positions or between up and down directions. Mattress support section 11 includes a peripheral frame 14 and a series of panels 16 pivotally connected to peripheral frame 14 by a series of hinges 18 and latches 19 to form deck 21. When the patient is in the downward facing position, one or more panels 16 are opened by moving respective latches 19 and moving panel 16 about respective hinges. The opening of the panel 16 allows access to the patient's back from a location on the patient's head without removing the stretcher 10. A description of the prone bed as appropriate is found in PCT Application No. PCT / US99 / 14525, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Mattress section 12 can also be used in other bed configurations.
[0009]
The stretcher 10 may include an additional mattress section (not shown) similar to the mattress section 12 so that the stretcher 10 provides a resilient support surface for those on the stretcher 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the mattress section 12 includes a reusable mattress lower or cushion 20 and a disposable mattress upper 22 positioned on the lower cushion 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper mattress 22 may cover around the lower cushion 20 so that the upper mattress member 22 covers the lower cushion 20. According to the presently preferred form of the present disclosure, the mattress top 22 is inflatable. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the mattress top includes foam or other elastic material.
[0010]
The mattress top 22 is wrapped around the lower cushion 20 before the mattress section 12 is connected to the panel 16. As such, the mattress section 12 is connected to the panel 16 to provide support to the patient therein. After removing the patient from the stretcher 10, the mattress section 12 is removed from the panel 16 and the lower cushion 20 is removed from the upper mattress 22. There, the upper mattress 22 is discarded. However, the lower cushion 20 is retained and cleaned, and a substantially identical mattress upper 22 is positioned on the lower cushion 20 so that the mattress section 12 can be used for the next patient.
[0011]
To position the mattress section 12 on the panel 16, the care provider first positions the lower cushion 20 within the upper mattress 22. After the lower cushion 20 is securely positioned in the upper mattress 22, a pair of fasteners 36 connected to both the lower cushion 20 and the panel 16 are snapped together. The upper mattress 22 is secured to the mattress section support 11 because the lower cushion 20 is thus secured to the panel 16 and the upper mattress 22 is wrapped around the lower cushion 20.
[0012]
As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the lower cushion 20 includes a foam lower layer 24, a foam intermediate layer 26, and a foam upper layer 28 positioned over the foam intermediate layer 26. The hardness or ILD of each layer 24, 26, 28 increases from top to bottom, with the top layer 28 being the softest foam layer and the foam bottom layer 24 being the hardest foam layer. In this way, the hardness gradient of the lower cushion 20 increases with depth.
[0013]
The lower cushion 20 further includes a layer 30 of three-dimensional structural material positioned on the foam upper layer 28. The three-dimensional structural material layer 30 is formed by a fiber net formed to include a base 31 and a plurality of elastic hollow protrusions having a truncated cone shape as illustrated in FIG. For a description of three-dimensional structural materials as appropriate, see US Pat. No. 5,731,062 issued to Kim et al. On Mar. 24, 1998 and US Patent Application No. 09/2009, filed May 6, 1999 by Romano et al. No. 306601, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. The lower cushion 20 further includes a foam lower layer 24, an intermediate layer 26, an upper layer 28, and a flame retardant layer 32 extending around the three-dimensional structural material layer 30, as illustrated in FIG.
[0014]
The lower cushion 20 may also include a wipeable functional covering (wickable ticking) covering the foam lower layer 24, the intermediate layer 26, the upper layer 28, the three-dimensional structural material layer 30, and the flame retardant layer 32, as illustrated in FIGS. material) 34. After each use, the wipeable functional material 34 is washed by a caregiver so that it can be disinfected for subsequent use.
[0015]
Each fastener 36 is preferably a snap and includes an upper portion 38 connected to the wipeable feature 34 of the lower cushion 20 and a lower portion 40 connected to the panel 16. To connect the lower cushion 20 to the panel 16, a user couples the upper portion 38 of the fastener 36 to the lower portion 40 of the fastener 36, as illustrated in FIG.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 3, the upper mattress 22 includes an outer wall 42, an inner wall 44, a plurality of baffles 46 extending between the inner and outer walls 44, 42, and a nozzle 47 connected to the outer wall 42. The perimeter of the inner wall 44 is welded to the outer wall 42 to form a bladder or upper cushion 48. When inflated, bladder 48 provides support to a person on mattress section 12. Bladder 48 is inflated using a source of pressurized air (not shown) connected to nozzle 47. Bladder 48 may be inflated before or after insertion of lower cushion 20 into upper mattress 22. The upper wall 52 allows a certain amount of air leakage of the bladder 48 to make the bladder 48 a low air loss bladder. Preferably, the top wall 52 has a diameter of 0.030 inches when the mattress top 22 expands to a water pressure in the range of 0-18 inches. Microvent 59.
[0017]
According to a preferred embodiment, six baffles 46 form seven pockets 49 in bladder 48. According to another aspect, fewer or more baffles are provided to divide the bladder into fewer or more pockets. According to a presently preferred form of the present disclosure, the baffle 46 and the inner wall 44 are formed from 5 millimeter (mm) urethane material.
[0018]
The outer wall 42 also has a cover 50 that partially surrounds the lower cushion 20, as shown in FIG. The outer wall 42 includes an upper wall 52 welded to each baffle 46, a peripheral side wall 54 integrated with the upper wall 52, and a lower wall 56 integrated with the side wall 54, as illustrated in FIG. The upper wall 52, the peripheral side wall 54, and the lower wall 56 form an inner region 60 of the cover 50, into which the lower cushion 28 is positioned when using the mattress section 12. Bladder 48 also includes an upper wall 52 and a lower wall 58 welded to upper wall 52. In this way, the bladder 48 and the cover 50 share the upper wall 52.
[0019]
Side wall 54 includes first, second, third, and fourth panels 62, 64, 66, 68. The first and third panels 62 and 66 are integrated with the upper wall 52 and the lower wall 56 as illustrated in FIG. The second and fourth panels 64, 68 are welded to the upper wall 52 and integrated with the lower wall 56. The second and fourth panels 64, 68 are also welded to the first and third panels 62, 66 to form corners 69 of the side wall 54.
[0020]
Lower wall 56 of cover 50 includes first, second, third, and fourth flaps 70,72,74,76. The first and third flaps 70, 74 are integrated with the first and third panels 62, 66, respectively, as shown in FIG. The second and fourth flaps 72,76 are integrated with the second and fourth panels 64,68, respectively. The second and fourth flaps 72,76 are welded to the first and second flaps 70,74 to form a corner seam 77 of the lower wall 56. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the first flap 70, the first panel 62, the upper wall 52, the third panel 66, and the third flap 74 are formed from a uniform piece of material. According to a presently preferred form, the material is a cotton-textured non-woven plastic material sold under the Securon brand name.
[0021]
First, second, third, and fourth nonwoven fibers 70, 72, 74, 76 each include an edge 78 that forms an opening 80 in lower wall 56. Fastener 36 is spaced from edge 78 and extends into opening 80 to connect lower cushion 20 to deck panel 16. The caregiver slides lower cushion 20 through opening 80 to insert lower cushion 20 into upper mattress 22. Similarly, the lower cushion 20 can be removed from the upper mattress 22 by pulling the lower cushion through the opening 80. Thus, the upper mattress 22 provides a support for the overlying patient and provides a disposable inflatable cushion and cover combination that provides protection to the lower cushion 20, and the lower cushion 20 is reusable. Provide a possible patient support.
[0022]
Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, various changes and modifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a stretcher for use in a prone bed having a peripheral frame, a multi-panel deck, and a disposable mattress section.
FIG. 2
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the mattress section of FIG. 1 showing a lower cushion positioned on two panels of the deck and a mattress top positioned on the lower cushion.
FIG. 3
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing the lower cushion positioned within the upper portion of the mattress.

Claims (54)

A cover including a side wall forming an inner area,
A mattress for use on a deck of a bed, comprising a first cushion integral with a side wall of the cover, and a second cushion positioned within an interior region of the cover. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the first cushion includes an outer wall defining an inner area capable of receiving a pressurized fluid. 3. The mattress of claim 2, wherein the outer wall of the first cushion includes an upper wall and a lower wall, and the lower wall cooperates with a side wall of the cover to form an interior area of the cover. 4. The mattress of claim 3, wherein an upper wall of the first cushion is integral with a side wall of the cover. 4. The mattress of claim 3, wherein said first cushion further comprises a baffle extending between said upper and lower walls to form a plurality of pockets in an interior region of said first cushion. 4. The mattress of claim 3, wherein an upper wall of the outer wall of the first cushion forms a patient support surface. 4. The mattress according to claim 3, wherein the outer wall of the first cushion and the side wall of the cover are formed of a single piece of material. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a lower wall connected to the side wall, and the second cushion is positioned between the lower wall of the cover and the first cushion. 9. The mattress of claim 8, wherein the lower wall of the cover is integral with the side wall. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the second cushion is positioned between the first cushion and a deck of the bed. The mattress of claim 1, wherein said second cushion includes a layer of elastic material. A cover having an outer wall forming an inner area,
An inner wall connected to an outer wall of the cover to form a first cushion, and a second cushion positioned within an inner region of the cover;
The outer wall of the cover includes an opening that can receive the second cushion to allow a caregiver to insert the second cushion through the opening into an interior region of the cover, Mattress used on deck. An outer wall of the cover cooperates with an upper wall cooperating with the inner wall to form an inner region of the first cushion capable of receiving pressurized gas, and with the inner wall to form an inner region of the cover. 13. The mattress of claim 12, including a mating sidewall. 14. The mattress of claim 13, wherein said top wall is integral with said side wall. 14. The mattress of claim 13, wherein said inner wall is connected to said side wall. 13. The mattress of claim 12, wherein the outer wall includes a sidewall and a lower wall cooperating with the sidewall to form an interior region of the cover. 17. The mattress of claim 16, wherein an opening in said outer wall is formed in said lower wall. 17. The mattress of claim 16, wherein said lower wall is substantially perpendicular to said side wall. 17. The mattress of claim 16, wherein said lower wall is positioned between said second cushion and said deck. 13. The mattress of claim 12, further comprising a fastener, wherein the fastener is coupled to the bed and the second cushion positioned within an interior region of the cover, and wherein the fastener extends to an opening in the cover. A mattress for use on a deck of a bed, including an inflatable mattress portion including a cover having an outer wall defining an inner region, and a cushion positioned within the inner region of the cover. 22. The mattress of claim 21, wherein the inflatable mattress portion includes a bladder, and wherein the cushion is positioned between the bladder and a deck of the bed. 23. The mattress of claim 22, wherein the outer wall of the cover includes a sidewall and the bladder includes a periphery, and the sidewall is connected to and extends downwardly from a periphery of the bladder. 24. The mattress of claim 23, wherein the cover includes a lower wall, and the cushion is positioned between the bladder and the lower wall. 25. The mattress of claim 24, wherein said lower wall, side walls, and bladder are integral. 22. The mattress of claim 21, wherein the outer wall includes a top wall and side walls, the inflatable mattress portion includes an inner wall, and the top and inner walls cooperate to form an inflatable bladder. 22. The mattress of claim 21, wherein the outer wall of the cover includes an opening sized to allow insertion of the cushion into an interior region of the cover. 22. The mattress of claim 21, further comprising a nozzle connected to said expandable mattress portion to allow for expansion. A cover having an outer wall forming an inner area,
An inflatable bladder having an outer wall defining an interior region capable of receiving pressurized fluid, and a cushion positioned within the interior region of the cover;
A mattress for use on a bed deck, wherein an outer wall of the inflatable bladder is common to an outer wall of the cover. 29. The mattress of claim 28, wherein the outer wall of the inflatable bladder includes an upper wall and a lower wall connected to the outer wall of the cover. 29. The mattress of claim 28, wherein the cushion is positioned between the inflatable bladder and a deck of the bed. 29. The mattress of claim 28, wherein the outer wall of the cover includes a side wall and a lower wall that cooperate to form an inner area of the cover. 32. The mattress of claim 31, wherein said lower wall is positioned between said cushion and said deck. 32. The mattress of claim 31, wherein the outer wall of the cover further comprises an upper wall, and the outer wall of the inflatable bladder includes upper and lower walls cooperating to form an inner region of the inflatable bladder. 34. The mattress of claim 33, wherein the top wall of the cover and the top wall of the inflatable bladder are common. 34. The mattress of claim 33, wherein the top wall of the cover and the side walls of the cover are formed of a single piece of material. A cover comprising an outer wall forming an inner area of the cover,
A cushion positioned within an interior region of the cover, and a fastener capable of connecting the cushion to a deck of the bed;
A mattress for use on a bed deck, wherein the fastener extends to an opening in the outer wall of the cover to connect the cushion to the bed deck. 37. The mattress of claim 36, wherein the outer wall of the cover includes an edge defining the opening in the outer wall, and the fastener is spaced from an edge of the outer wall of the cover. 37. The mattress of claim 36, wherein the outer wall of the cover includes an upper wall, a lower wall, and side walls extending between the upper and lower walls. 40. The mattress of claim 38, wherein said cushion is positioned between an upper wall and a lower wall of said cover. 40. The mattress of claim 38, wherein the lower wall of the cover includes the opening. 37. The mattress of claim 36, wherein the outer wall of the cover includes an edge defining an opening width that is greater than half the width of the cushion. 42. The mattress of claim 41, wherein the fastener is spaced from an edge of the outer wall. A reusable cushion configured to provide a resilient support to a patient positioned on the bed; and a disposable mattress configured to provide a resilient support to the patient positioned on the bed;
The disposable mattress portion includes a cover sized to fit around the reusable cushion so that the reusable cushion can be positioned within the cover when the patient is on the bed;
The reusable cushion is easily removable from within the interior area of the cover to facilitate removal of the disposable mattress portion and replacement with another disposable mattress portion identical to the disposable mattress portion, A mattress for use on a bed deck, which allows patient to patient reuse when said disposable mattress portion is continuously replaced. 44. The mattress of claim 43, wherein said disposable mattress portion is expandable. 44. The mattress of claim 43, wherein said disposable mattress portion includes a bladder integral with said cover. 46. The mattress of claim 45, wherein the bladder is positioned on the reusable cushion when the reusable cushion is positioned within an interior area of the cover. A bladder that includes an outer wall that forms an inner area,
A mattress for use on a deck of a bed, comprising a layer of elastic and a layer of three-dimensional structural material positioned between the layer of elastic and the bladder. 48. The mattress of claim 47, wherein said one layer of three-dimensional structural material comprises a fibrous network formed to include a plurality of resilient hollow protrusions. 50. The mattress of claim 48, wherein said protrusion is conical. Providing a mattress having a disposable cushion and substantially identical first and second disposable mattress portions;
Connecting the first disposable mattress portion to the reusable cushion, while separating the second disposable mattress portion from the reusable cushion, replacing the first disposable mattress portion with the second disposable mattress portion. And a method of positioning and replacing a mattress on a deck of a bed, comprising: removing the first disposable mattress portion. 51. The method of claim 50, wherein the connecting step includes wrapping a portion of the first disposable mattress portion around the reusable cushion. 52. The method of claim 51, further comprising coupling the reusable cushion to a deck of the bed. 52. The method of claim 51, wherein the step of replacing includes removing the reusable cushion from an interior region of the first disposable mattress portion and inserting the reusable cushion into an interior region of the second disposable mattress portion. Method.