U.S. patent application number 10/637391 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-10 for mattress.
Invention is credited to Hakamiun, Reza.
Application Number | 20050028289 10/637391 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31715792 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050028289 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hakamiun, Reza |
February 10, 2005 |
Mattress
Abstract
A mattress including side cushions configured to retain a
patient thereon.
Inventors: |
Hakamiun, Reza; (Charleston,
SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BOSE MCKINNEY & EVANS LLP
135 N PENNSYLVANIA ST
SUITE 2700
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46204
US
|
Family ID: |
31715792 |
Appl. No.: |
10/637391 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60402123 |
Aug 8, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/709 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 27/18 20130101;
A61G 7/0525 20130101; A61G 7/053 20130101; A61G 7/065 20130101;
A61G 7/0507 20130101; A61G 7/1021 20130101; A47C 27/144 20130101;
A61G 7/05769 20130101; A47C 27/148 20130101; A61G 7/052
20161101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/709 |
International
Class: |
A47C 027/14 |
Claims
1. A mattress including: a base cushion; a first side cushion
positioned horizontally adjacent to the base cushion and having a
height greater than the base cushion; and an accessory cushion
positioned vertically above the base cushion and horizontally
adjacent to the first side cushion, the accessory cushion being
selectively inflatable.
2. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the first side cushion is
configured to urge retention of a patient positioned on the patient
support.
3. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the accessory cushion, when
inflated, assists a patient in egress from the mattress over the
first side cushion.
4. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the first side cushion includes
at least one bending relief member.
5. The mattress of claim 4, wherein the bending relief member
includes a slit formed in the first side cushion and located such
that when the mattress is positioned on an articulating frame the
slit is above a pivot point of the articulating frame.
6. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the mattress is configured to
be positioned on an articulating frame, and the first side cushion
includes a plurality of slits at each position that is configured
to be located above a pivot point of the articulating frame.
7. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the inflatable cushion, when
inflated, provides a substantially flat patient support surface
having a height substantially level with the first side
cushion.
8. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the first inflatable cushion,
when inflated, provides an arced patient support surface having a
crest substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the
mattress.
9. The mattress of claim 1, further including a second side cushion
positioned horizontally adjacent the base cushion and laterally
spaced from the first side cushion.
10. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the first side cushion has a
stiffness greater than the base cushion.
11. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the first side cushion is
formed from substantially non-compressible foam.
12. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the accessory cushion is
coupled to the base cushion.
13. A method of assisting egress and retention from a patient
support, the method including the steps of: providing a base
cushion; providing a plurality of side cushions having an upper
surface positioned vertically above and horizontally adjacent to
the base cushion; providing an accessory cushion above the base
cushion and intermediate the side cushions; inflating the accessory
cushion to assist patient egress from the patient support; and
deflating the accessory cushion to assist in patient retention on
the patient support.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the upper surfaces of the side
cushions increase in height as the distance from the base cushion
increases.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the side cushions include at
least one bending relief member.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the bending relief member
includes a plurality of sets of slits formed in each of the side
cushions, the slits positioned and sized to allow the side cushions
to flex.
17. A mattress including: a base cushion having opposing first and
second sides; a first side cushion positioned laterally adjacent
the first side of the base cushion and extending vertically higher
than the base cushion; and a second side cushion positioned
laterally adjacent the second side of the base cushion and
extending vertically higher than the base cushion, the first and
second side cushions including bending relief members.
18. The mattress of claim 17, wherein the first and second side
cushions are formed of substantially stiff foam and the bending
relief members each comprise at least one slit.
19. The mattress of claim 18, wherein the slits are positioned and
sized to allow the mattress to flex when placed on an articulating
deck.
20. The mattress of claim 17, wherein the side cushions include an
angled upper surface that increases in height as the distance from
the base cushion increases.
21. The mattress of claim 17, wherein the mattress is configured to
be located on an articulating deck, and the bending relief members
comprise a plurality of slits formed in sets within the first and
second side cushions and positioned such that each set is located
above a pivot point on the articulating deck.
22. The mattress of claim 17, wherein the first and second side
cushions have a stiffness greater than the base cushion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/402,123, filed Aug. 8, 2002, the
disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to patient supports, such as
hospital beds. More particularly, the present invention relates to
a mattress for retaining patients in hospital beds.
[0003] In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a
mattress includes a base cushion, a first side cushion positioned
horizontally adjacent to the base cushion and having a height
greater than the base cushion, and an accessory cushion positioned
vertically above the base cushion and horizontally adjacent to the
first side cushion. The accessory cushion is selectively
inflatable.
[0004] In a further illustrative embodiment of the present
invention, a method of assisting egress and retention from a
patient support includes the steps of providing a base cushion,
providing a plurality of side cushions having an upper surface
positioned vertically above and horizontally adjacent to the base
cushion, and providing an accessory cushion above the base cushion
and intermediate the side cushions. The illustrated method further
includes the steps of inflating the accessory cushion to assist
patient egress from the patient support, and deflating the
accessory cushion to assist in patient retention on the patient
support.
[0005] In another illustrative embodiment of the present invention,
a mattress includes a base cushion having opposing first and second
sides, a first side cushion positioned laterally adjacent the first
side of the base cushion and extending vertically higher than the
base cushion, and a second side cushion positioned laterally
adjacent the second side of the base cushion and extending
vertically higher than the base cushion. The first and second side
cushions include bending relief members.
[0006] Illustratively, the first and second side cushions are
formed of substantially stiff foam and the bending relief members
each comprise at least one slit.
[0007] Further illustratively, the mattress is configured to be
located on an articulating deck, and the bending relief members
comprise a plurality of slits formed in sets within the first and
second side cushions and positioned such that each set is located
above a pivot point on the articulating deck.
[0008] Further illustratively, the first and second side cushions
have a stiffness greater than the base cushion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers
to the accompanying figures in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is perspective view of a patient support including an
illustrative embodiment mattress of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the mattress of FIG. 1
taken along line 2-2;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing
an inflated accessory cushion or bladder;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatical view of the connections of the
bladder of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing a
further illustrative embodiment mattress of the present invention
with an inflated accessory cushion or bladder;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another illustrative
embodiment mattress of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of
FIG. 6;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 showing
an inflated accessory cushion or bladder;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a further illustrative
embodiment mattress of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a patient support
including the mattress of FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] A patient support 10 according to an illustrative embodiment
of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1, and is typically used
for supporting a patient before, after, or during medical treatment
or for resting. Patient support 10 includes a frame 12, a deck 14
supported on frame 12, a mattress 16 supported by deck 14, a
headboard 18 coupled to frame 12, and a footboard 20 coupled to
frame 12. Optionally, conventional siderails 21 may be attached to
frame 12 or deck 14. Deck 14 is illustratively of conventional
design and includes a head section 14a configured for pivoting
movement relative to a seat section 14b, a thigh section 14c
configured for pivoting movement relative to seat section 14b, and
a foot section 14d configured for pivoting movement relative to
thigh section 14c. Illustratively, pivot points 15a, 15b, and 15c
couple the respective deck sections 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d for
relative pivoting movement.
[0021] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, an illustrative embodiment
mattress 16 includes a base cushion 22, an accessory cushion 24
positioned above base cushion 22, and edge cushions 26 located
along edges of base cushion 22. More particularly, edge cushions 26
include opposing side cushions which are designated as 26a, 26b and
are positioned adjacent opposing first and second sides of base
cushion 22. Edge cushions 26 may also include a head end cushion
and a foot end cushion (not shown) which have structures
substantially similar to side cushions 26a, 26b. Base cushion 22
has a height, a length, and a width, and is illustratively made of
a polyurethane foam. It is also envisioned that base cushion 22
could be an air cushion, a water cushion, or any other type of
cushion or support known in the art. Edge cushions 26 are also
illustratively made of a polyurethane foam but may likewise be any
cushion type or support known in the art. More specifically, edge
cushions 26 may be air bladders that adjust the width of the
mattress 16 similar to mattresses disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,295,675, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein
by reference.
[0022] In the illustrative embodiment, the indention force
deflection (IFD), or stiffness, of the base cushion 22 is less than
the IFD of the edge cushions 26. The lower IFD of the base cushion
22 allows compression thereof upon the weight of the patient, while
the higher IFD of the edge cushions 26 tends to resist displacement
thereof. Each edge cushion 26 has a bottom 28, an inner side 30
coupled to bottom 28, an outer side 32 longer than inner side 30
and also coupled to bottom 28, and a top or upper surface 34
extending between inner side 30 and outer side 32. Inner sides 30
of edge cushions 26 abut base cushion 22 and have a height slightly
greater than a height of base cushion 22. Upper surface 34 angles
upwardly as it extends in a direction from inner side 30 toward
higher outer side 32. In an illustrative embodiment, base cushion
22 has a height, or thickness, of approximately seven inches while
outer sides 32 of edge cushions 26 have a height, or thickness, of
approximately eight inches.
[0023] Higher outer sides 32 assist in retaining a patient above
mattress 16. A patient purposefully or inadvertently rolling near a
side of mattress 16 encounters edge cushions 26. Movement by the
patient so as to encounter edge cushions 26 causes the patient to
either increase his height, thereby increasing the potential energy
of the patient and absorbing the kinetic energy of the patient
movement, or compress the edge cushion 26 which also absorbs energy
of the patient. The absorption of the patient's kinetic energy
makes it less likely that the patient will continue to move in the
undesired direction. The increase in patient height or compression
of edge cushion 26 also stores a portion of the absorbed energy and
can then be used to urge the patient in a lateral direction back
towards the center of mattress 16, either by allowing the patient
to lower or by allowing the edge cushion 26 to assume its
equilibrium position, both of which are allowed by the patient
moving toward the center of mattress 16. Higher outer sides 32 also
serve to narrow any gaps that may be present between mattress 16
and siderails 21 attached to frame 12 or deck 14. Mattress 16 of
the present invention may be used with any number of types of
siderails to reduce or eliminate gaps therebetween as discussed in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/225,780, the disclosure of
which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
[0024] Accessory cushion 24 illustratively comprises a fluid
fillable bladder coupled to base cushion 22. A controller 25
controls operation of a blower 27 that is fluidly coupled to the
accessory cushion 24 as shown in FIG. 4. The blower 27 may be of
conventional design and supplies a fluid, illustratively air, to
the accessory cushion 24. Accessory cushion 24 may either be one
large cushion or bladder, or may be segmented into a plurality of
smaller cushions or bladders. Accessory cushion 24 has a first
egress inhibiting position, or first mode of operation, as shown in
FIG. 2 and a second egress assisting position, or second mode of
operation, as shown in FIG. 3. First position of accessory cushion
24 is a deflated position such that a patient attempting egress
from mattress 16 will encounter upper surfaces 34 of edge cushions
26 as previously described. Second position of accessory cushion 24
is an inflated position. The inflated position raises a top surface
36 of accessory cushion 24 to a height substantially even with
outer side 32 of edge cushions 26 as shown in FIG. 3, thus creating
a substantially planar top surface extending between the opposing
outer sides 32. Furthermore, in the second inflated position, sides
37 of accessory cushion 24 abut upper surfaces 34 of edge cushions
26. A patient attempting egress with accessory cushion 24 in second
inflated position generally does not encounter edge cushions 26 and
is not urged back toward the center of mattress 16, except to the
extent that accessory cushion 24 is somewhat pliable and bottoms
out near outer side 32 where accessory cushion 24 is not as thick
as near the center of mattress 16. Accessory cushion 24 is
selectively inflated and deflated, commonly at the urging of the
patient or caregiver through use of the controller 25 and blower
27.
[0025] Base cushion 22, accessory cushion 24 and edge cushions 26
may all be received within a conventional outer cover or ticking
(not shown). The ticking illustratively comprises a stretchable,
breathable thermoplastic which is impervious to bacteria.
[0026] A further illustrative embodiment mattress 16' including an
accessory cushion 38 having a top surface 40 is shown in FIG. 5,
with the cushion 38 in a second inflated position. Second
embodiment accessory cushion 38 has a first deflated position
similar to the first position of accessory cushion 24 as
illustrated in FIG. 2. In the second inflated position, top surface
40 of accessory cushion 38 does not raise to the height of outer
side 32 of edge cushions 26. Rather, accessory cushion 38 inflates
such that the top surface 40 has a height less than outer side 32,
thereby decreasing the retaining properties of edge cushions 26 but
not totally eliminating the effect of edge cushions 26.
Furthermore, when the accessory cushion 38 is in its second
position, top surface 40 is substantially arcuate in shape and
configured to define a crest 42 near the longitudinal center axis
of mattress 16. Substantially arcuate top surface 40 extends
upwardly from edge cushions 26 to the crest 42 proximate the center
of the mattress 16. Crest 42 slightly urges the patient towards
edge cushions 26 thereby assisting in egress from bed 10. Accessory
cushion 38 is selectively inflated and deflated, commonly at the
urging of the patient or caregiver through use of the controller 25
and blower 27.
[0027] Another illustrative embodiment mattress 16" including an
accessory cushion 44 is shown in FIGS. 6-8. Accessory cushion 44
illustratively includes a bladder or plurality of bladders coupled
to base cushion 22 and edge cushions 26. Accessory cushion 44 has a
top surface 46 and a bottom surface 48. Bottom surface 48 is
coupled to base cushion 22 and edge cushions 26. Alternatively, top
walls or upper surfaces 50, 34 of base cushion 22 and edge cushions
26 are fluid impermeable and form bottom surface 48 of accessory
cushion 44 as part of base cushion 22 and edge cushions 26.
Accessory cushion 44 has a first deflated position shown in FIG. 7
that discourages egress from mattress 16" similarly to accessory
cushions 24, 38 as detailed above. Accessory cushion 44 also has a
second inflated position that places top surface 46 at a height
substantially equal to outer sides 32 of edge cushions 26 as shown
in FIG. 8 to facilitate patient egress. Accessory cushion 44 may
also be formed to have a second inflated position such that top
surface 40 defines a crest similar to the crest 42 of the second
illustrative embodiment accessory cushion 38 as illustrated in FIG.
5.
[0028] Another illustrative embodiment of the mattress is also
envisioned wherein base cushion 22 and edge cushions 26 are located
within a bladder of an accessory cushion. In a first deflated
position, accessory cushion would conform to the walls of base
cushion 22 and edge cushions 26. In a second inflated position,
accessory cushion would expand away from at least top walls 50 and
34 of base cushion 22 and edge cushions 26. Bladder of accessory
cushion may be separate or integral with the outer sides 32 of edge
cushions 26 and bottoms of base cushions 22 and edge cushions
26.
[0029] FIGS. 9 and 10 show another embodiment of the mattress 60 of
the present invention. Mattress 60 includes a base cushion 62 and
edge cushions 64 that are located along sides of the base cushion
62. More particularly, the edge cushions 64 include side cushions
which are designated as 64a, 64b and are positioned adjacent
opposing first and second sides of the base cushion 62. Base
cushion 62 is illustratively constructed of polyurethane foam and
is similar to base cushion 22 as detailed above in connection with
FIGS. 1-3. Edge cushions 64 are illustratively polyurethane foam
type cushions and are generally similar to the edge cushions 26
detailed above in connection with FIGS. 1-3. While the cushions 62
and 64 are illustratively formed of polyurethane foam, they may
likewise be made of any type cushion or other support known in the
art. As detailed above, the indention force deflection (IFD), or
stiffness, of the base cushion 62 is illustratively less than the
IFD of the edge cushions 64. The lower IFD of the base cushion 62
allows compression thereof upon the weight of the patient, while
the higher IFD of the edge cushions 64 tends to resist displacement
thereof and thereby assist in restraining a patient on the mattress
60. In one illustrative embodiment, the edge cushions 64 are formed
of a substantially hard foam tending to resist compression. Each
edge cushion 64 has a cross section similar to edge cushions 26.
However, edge cushion 64 differs from edge cushions 26 by the
addition of bending relief members, illustratively in the form of
lateral apertures or slits 66 extending in a substantially vertical
direction downwardly from upper surface 34.
[0030] Lateral slits 66 are illustratively provided in three sets
68, 70, 72 of four slits 66 each. Each set 68, 70, 72 is located in
edge cushion 64 so as to vertically align with one of the pivot
points 15a, 15b, 15c of the articulating deck 14. During
articulation, the slits 66 will either widen or contract depending
on the direction of articulation. The slits 66 thereby give
flexibility to the otherwise substantially stiff foam and
facilitate bending or articulation of the mattress 60 without
undesirable bunching or creasing of the edge cushions 64.
[0031] While lateral slits 66 are illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10,
other bending relief members may be substituted therefore. For
example, apertures, slots, corrugations, accordion paths or
serpentine paths may be substituted for the vertical slits 66 of
FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0032] Although the present invention has been described in terms
of the forgoing embodiment, such description has been for exemplary
purposes only and, there will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art, many alternatives, equivalents, and variations of
varying degrees that will fall within the scope of the present
invention. That scope, accordingly, is not to be limited in any
respect by the foregoing description, rather, it is defined only by
the claims which follow.
* * * * *