U.S. patent application number 11/891451 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-21 for turn-assist with access areas.
This patent application is currently assigned to Gaymar Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Steven Doehler, James H. Price.
Application Number | 20080040860 11/891451 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39099963 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080040860 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Price; James H. ; et
al. |
February 21, 2008 |
Turn-assist with access areas
Abstract
The present invention is directed to controlling the inflation
and deflation either collectively or individually of individual
rotational (turn-assist) bladders to allow a patient caregiver to
obtain easy access to the patient's body that is positioned toward
the rotational (turn-assist) bladders.
Inventors: |
Price; James H.; (Mount
Pleasant, SC) ; Doehler; Steven; (Cincinnati,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KEVIN D. MCCARTHY;ROACH BROWN MCCARTHY & GRUBER, P.C.
420 MAIN STREET, 1620 LIBERTY BUILDING
BUFFALO
NY
14202
US
|
Assignee: |
Gaymar Industries, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
39099963 |
Appl. No.: |
11/891451 |
Filed: |
August 10, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60838453 |
Aug 17, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/710 ; 128/845;
5/655.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 7/05776
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/710 ; 128/845;
5/655.3 |
International
Class: |
A47C 27/10 20060101
A47C027/10 |
Claims
1. A therapeutic support comprising a rotational (turn-assist)
bladder system and a control unit; the rotational (turn-assist)
bladder system has a right side bladder component and a left side
bladder component; the right side bladder component has a first
right section and a second right section and the left side bladder
component has a first left section and a second left section; the
first right section interconnects to the control unit through a
first right conduit and the second right section interconnects to
the control unit through a second right conduit; the first left
section interconnects to the control unit through a first left
conduit and the second left section interconnects to the control
unit through a second left conduit; the control unit pushes, pulls
and/or allows a fluid into, through or pass into (a) the first left
conduit to the first left section, (b) the second left conduit to
the second left section, (c) the first right conduit to the first
right section and/or (d) the second right conduit to the second
right section; the control unit has (a) a first left valve that
controls (i) when the fluid enters the first left conduit, (ii) the
amount of fluid that enters the first left conduit and (iii) the
rate the fluid enter the first left conduit, (b) a second left
valve that controls (i) when the fluid enters the second left
conduit, (ii) the amount of fluid that enters the second left
conduit and (iii) the rate the fluid enter the second left conduit,
(c) a first right valve that controls (i) when the fluid enters the
first right conduit, (ii) the amount of fluid that enters the first
right conduit and (iii) the rate the fluid enter the first right
conduit; and (d) a second right valve that controls (i) when the
fluid enters the second right conduit, (ii) the amount of fluid
that enters the second right conduit and (iii) the rate the fluid
enter the second right conduit; wherein the first right section and
the second right section can be (a) inflated at (i) the same
pressure level or different pressure levels, (ii) the same
inflation rate or different inflation rates and/or (iii) the same
time or different times; and/or (b) deflated at (i) the same time
or different times, (ii) the same inflation rate or different
inflation rates and/or (iii) the same pressure level or different
pressure levels to allow a patient assistant to have access to and
to provide care and/or treatment to a particular patient's body
part that is positioned over the first right section or the second
right section when the first right section or the second right
section are inflated to rotate (turn) the patient and the other
right section is (a) being inflated, (b) deflated or (c) being
deflated; wherein the first left section and the second left
section can be (a) inflated at (i) the same pressure level or
different pressure levels, (ii) the same inflation rate or
different inflation rates and/or (iii) the same time or different
times; and/or (b) deflated at (i) the same time or different times,
(ii) the same inflation rate or different inflation rates and/or
(iii) the same pressure level or different pressure levels to allow
a patient assistant to have access to and to provide care and/or
treatment to a particular patient's body part that is positioned
over the first left section or the second left section when the
first left section or the second left section are inflated to
rotate (turn) the patient and the other left section is (a) being
inflated, (b) deflated or (c) being deflated.
2. The therapeutic support of claim 1 wherein the control unit has
an input system that allows a patient and/or patient assistant to
control the first left valve, the second left valve, the first
right valve, and the second right valve.
3. The therapeutic support of claim 2 wherein the control unit has
a microprocessor, and the microprocessor is interconnected between
(i) the input system and (ii) the first left valve, the second left
valve, the first right valve, and the second right valve.
4. The therapeutic support of claim 1 wherein the rotational
(turn-assist) bladder system uses low air loss bladders.
5. The therapeutic support of claim 1 further comprising a third
left section wherein the third left section is interconnected to
the control unit through an extension of the first left conduit or
an extension of the second left conduit.
6. The therapeutic support of claim 1 further comprising a third
left section wherein the third left section is interconnected to
the control unit through a third left conduit.
7. The therapeutic support of claim 1 further comprising a third
right section wherein the third right section is interconnected to
the control unit through an extension of the first right conduit or
an extension of the second right conduit.
8. The therapeutic support of claim 1 further comprising a third
right section wherein the third right section is interconnected to
the control unit through a third right conduit.
9. The therapeutic support of claim 1 wherein the first right
section and the second right section are horizontal in relation to
the therapeutic support.
10. The therapeutic support of claim 1 wherein the first right
section and the second right section are vertical in relation to
the therapeutic support.
11. The therapeutic support of claim 1 wherein the first right
section and the second right section extend the entire length of
the therapeutic support.
12. The therapeutic support of claim 1 wherein the first right
section and the second right section extend the partially along
length of the therapeutic support.
13. The therapeutic support of claim 1 further comprising cushion
material positioned over individual right and/or left sections; or
opposing (a) first left and right sections or (b) second left and
right sections.
14. The therapeutic support of claim 13 wherein the cushion
material is selected from a static bladder, wave therapy bladders,
gelastic material, foam, and combinations thereof.
16. The therapeutic support of claim 1 wherein the therapeutic
support is a mattress.
17. The therapeutic support of claim 1 wherein the therapeutic
support is a seat cushion, a back cushion, or combination
thereof.
18. The therapeutic support of claim 1 wherein the control unit is
within the therapeutic support.
19. The therapeutic support of claim 1 wherein the control unit is
exterior to the therapeutic support.
20. A method of treating a patient comprising: positioning a
patient on a therapeutic support having a rotational (turn-assist)
bladder system and a control unit; the rotational (turn-assist)
bladder system has a right side bladder component and a left side
bladder component; the right side bladder component has a first
right section and a second right section and the left side bladder
component has a first left section and a second left section; the
first right section interconnects to the control unit through a
first right conduit and the second right section interconnects to
the control unit through a second right conduit; the first left
section interconnects to the control unit through a first left
conduit and the second left section interconnects to the control
unit through a second left conduit; the control unit pushes, pulls
and/or allows a fluid into, through or pass into (a) the first left
conduit to the first left section, (b) the second left conduit to
the second left section, (c) the first right conduit to the first
right section and/or (d) the second right conduit to the second
right section; the control unit has (a) a first left valve that
controls (i) when the fluid enters the first left conduit, (ii) the
amount of fluid that enters the first left conduit and (iii) the
rate the fluid enter the first left conduit, (b) a second left
valve that controls (i) when the fluid enters the second left
conduit, (ii) the amount of fluid that enters the second left
conduit and (iii) the rate the fluid enter the second left conduit,
(c) a first right valve that controls (i) when the fluid enters the
first right conduit, (ii) the amount of fluid that enters the first
right conduit and (iii) the rate the fluid enter the first right
conduit; and (d) a second right valve that controls (i) when the
fluid enters the second right conduit, (ii) the amount of fluid
that enters the second right conduit and (iii) the rate the fluid
enter the second right conduit; wherein the first right section and
the second right section can be (a) inflated at (i) the same
pressure level or different pressure levels, (ii) the same
inflation rate or different inflation rates and/or (iii) the same
time or different times; and/or (b) deflated at (i) the same time
or different times, (ii) the same inflation rate or different
inflation rates and/or (iii) the same pressure level or different
pressure levels to allow a patient assistant to have access to and
to provide care and/or treatment to a particular patient's body
part that is positioned over the first right section or the second
right section when the first right section or the second right
section are inflated to rotate (turn) the patient and the other
right section is (a) being inflated, (b) deflated or (c) being
deflated; wherein the first left section and the second left
section can be (a) inflated at (i) the same pressure level or
different pressure levels, (ii) the same inflation rate or
different inflation rates and/or (iii) the same time or different
times; and/or (b) deflated at (i) the same time or different times,
(ii) the same inflation rate or different inflation rates and/or
(iii) the same pressure level or different pressure levels to allow
a patient assistant to have access to and to provide care and/or
treatment to a particular patient's body part that is positioned
over the first left section or the second left section when the
first left section or the second left section are inflated to
rotate (turn) the patient and the other left section is (a) being
inflated, (b) deflated or (c) being deflated; controlling the
inflation/deflation of one set of first and second sections so
either the first or the second section is inflated or deflated so
at least a portion of the patient that contacts the one set of
first and second sections is exposed so that portion of the patient
can be treated and cared for, while the other set of first and
second sections is in the set position.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/838,453, filed on Aug. 17, 2006.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to a mattress
configuration that allows a patient to be turned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Inflatable therapeutic supports for patients have been well
known for many years. Such therapeutic supports include inflatable
mattresses and cushions.
[0004] Most therapeutic supports are designed to reduce "interface
pressures." Interface pressures are the pressures encountered
between the therapeutic support and the skin of a patient
positioned on the therapeutic support. It is well known that
interface pressures can significantly affect the well-being of
immobile patients in that higher interface pressures can (a) reduce
local blood circulation, (b) cause bed sores and (c) cause other
medical complications. With inflatable mattresses, such interface
pressures depend (in part) on the air pressure within the
inflatable bladders.
Bladders
[0005] Every inflatable therapeutic support has at least one
bladder. That bladder has a top surface capable of receiving an
object, a bottom surface that is opposite the top surface, and at
least one side surface positioned between the top and bottom
surfaces. These various surfaces define a bladder cavity that
receives a fluid. The bladder material can be a fluid impermeable
material, fluid permeable material or combinations thereof
depending on the desired application. For example, the bladder
material can be a polymeric material, for example, vinyl,
polyethylene, polyurethane or combinations thereof. The bladder can
be made from a single piece of material or a plurality of materials
to obtain the desired results.
[0006] In addition, the bladder cavity receives the fluid, normally
air or an aqueous solution, through an inlet from a fluid source.
The fluid travels from the fluid source through a conduit(s) and a
control unit.
[0007] The control unit, for example, has a plurality of input keys
interconnected to at least a microprocessor. The patient or
patient's caregiver controls the therapeutic support through the
input keys. The term input keys means a keyboard system, switches,
software chips, levers, dials or any other conventional device that
is used as an input device by the patient or patient's caregiver to
control the operation of the therapeutic support.
[0008] In the microprocessor embodiment, the microprocessor
receives the desired instructions from the input keys. From those
instructions, the microprocessor processes those instructions to
transmit the desired signals to operate a pump, an air compressor,
a fan, valves and/or switches that push, pull and/or allows (by
potential energy contained in the bladder(s)) a fluid into, through
or to pass into a first conduit(s) to the respective bladder(s).
Prior to entering the conduits, the fluid is contained within a
reservoir and/or ambient environment; a.k.a., fluid source.
[0009] From this fundamental understanding of inflatable bladders,
the variations of bladders are evident. For example, some bladders
(1) have the inlet removed after the fluid is inserted into the
bladder cavity so the bladder is a self-contained, static bladder
and (2) retain the inlet so the bladder is a dynamic bladder that
can receive and/or release fluid from the bladder cavity. The
present invention is directed to controlling a dynamic bladder.
Accordingly we will discuss these bladders in greater detail.
[0010] In the dynamic bladder embodiment, the fluid exits the
bladder through at least one outlet. In one version, the fluid
exits the outlet (a.k.a., the inlet) through the first conduit to
return to the fluid source. In other versions the fluid exits the
outlet (not the inlet) through a second conduit to a receiving
unit, distinct from the fluid source, or the fluid source. Another
version has the surface of the bladder having a plurality of
apertures designed to release a portion of the fluid toward the
object positioned above the inflatable bladder (a.k.a., low-loss
bladder). Other outlet versions have combinations of the
above-identified outlet versions.
[0011] There may be alternative embodiments to these generic
descriptions of dynamic bladders and control units. The bladders
may have alterations to (1) generate desired fluid flow patterns
within the bladder, (2) obtain desired bladder firmness and (3)
allow the bladder adaptability for the therapeutic support system.
To obtain such results and others like it, the bladders could have
predetermined button welds, welds, and slits along welds. Welds are
locations where the bladder's top surface is connected to the
bladder's bottom surface.
Standard Bladder Therapeutic Support
[0012] One such embodiment of a therapeutic support having multiple
bladders is disclosed by Hand et al. in expired U.S. Pat. No.
5,606,754. Hand et al. disclose "a . . . patient support system
[having] a rigid support frame [and] a plurality of inflatable
[bladders] supported upon the support frame with each [bladder]
having an upper surface so that the plurality of [bladders form] a
patient support surface. The inflatable [bladders] are pressurized
and maintained at a predetermined pressure. This predetermined
pressure may be a patient height and weight specific pressure
profile." It is known that the bladders can be positioned
horizontally (a.k.a., perpendicular to a patient properly
positioned on the therapeutic support) and/or vertically (a.k.a.,
parallel to a patient properly positioned on the therapeutic
support) in relation to the support frame. This therapeutic support
embodiment is known as a standard bladder therapeutic support.
[0013] Wave Therapy
[0014] When the bladders on a standard bladder therapeutic support
are positioned horizontally, the bladders can be divided into two
sets and each set alternates with the other set (1-2-1-2) to
provide wave therapy. Wave therapy is accomplished when (a) the
first set of bladders receives fluid and, at the same time, the
second set of bladders releases fluid; and then (b) the second set
of bladders receives fluid and, at the same time, the first set of
bladders releases fluid. That process causes a wave sensation under
the patient. The wave therapy can occur with additional sets of
bladders, for example "1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4", "1-3-2-1-3-2" and
variations thereof.
[0015] The wave therapy, in one embodiment, is accomplished by
having (a) the first set of bladders interconnect to the control
unit through a primary first conduit system; and (b) the second set
of bladders interconnect to the control unit through a secondary
first conduit system. To obtain the desired wave therapy, the
control unit positions a valve that transmits fluid to either the
primary first conduit system or the secondary first conduit system
in predetermined time frames to obtain the wave motion. The control
unit can also alter the valve so the primary first conduit system
and the secondary first conduit system receive fluid simultaneously
if no wave therapy is desired.
Turn-Assist Bladder Therapeutic Support
[0016] Another therapeutic support embodiment is a turn-assist
bladder therapeutic support or, in other words, an obvious
variation of a rotating bladder therapeutic support. The rotating
embodiment is a known therapeutic support used to decrease sores on
immobile patients. An example of a rotating (turn-assist)
therapeutic support is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,289 which
is commonly assigned and is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0017] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,289, Gaymar describes a rotating
therapeutic support 10 having upper and lower right side rotating
bladder(s) 12a,b and upper and lower left side rotating bladder(s)
14a,b positioned below a bladder 180. The rotating bladders rotate
a patient by controlling the air pressure in the right set of
rotating bladders and the left set of rotating bladders. The each
set of rotating bladders are inflated and deflated simultaneously.
This is accomplished by having the bladders 12a,b interconnected to
the control unit 20 through a first conduit 16 and the bladders
14a.b interconnected to the control unit 20 through a second
conduit 18 as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.
[0018] To rotate a patient 11 to its right side requires decreasing
the air pressure in the right set of rotating bladder(s) 12a,b
while increasing the air pressure in the left side rotating bladder
14a,b so the left side is higher than the right side as illustrated
in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.
[0019] To rotate the patient to the patient's left side requires
decreasing the air pressure in the left side rotating bladder(s)
14a,b and increasing the air pressure in the right side rotating
bladder 12a,b, so it is opposite of what is illustrated in FIGS. 1,
2 and 3.
[0020] The air pressure required to rotate the patient depends on
the patient's weight, body type and various other parameters. The
quantity of air pressure that rotates one patient, e.g., 30
degrees, may rotate another patient, e.g., 5 degrees. For example,
two female patients weigh 130 pounds, one patient is pear-shaped
and the other is apple-shaped. The pear-shaped patient rotates 15
degrees with 10 mm Hg while an apple-shaped patient rotates 7
degrees with 10 mm Hg. Obviously each patient is unique and
different and the control unit has to be controlled to provide the
desired rotation for each patient.
[0021] As clearly set forth in Hill-Rom's U.S. patent application
publication number 2006/0168736, turn-assist bladders and
rotational bladders are essentially synonymous--"a turn-assist
cushion or turning bladder or rotational bladder 74 . . . " If
there is a difference between a turn-assist bladder and a rotation
bladder, the difference is in the software used in the control
unit. In the rotation bladder embodiment, the control unit (1) has
the bladders in a set position--planar which can be completely
deflated or just partially inflated, (2) rotates the patient,
through the bladders, in a first direction by inflating one set of
rotating bladders (for example the right set), (3) reverts the
bladders to the set position, (4) rotates the patient, through the
bladders, in a second direction by inflating the other set of
rotating bladders (for example the left set) and (5) reverts to the
set position. The turn-assist bladder embodiment, in contrast,
eliminates the third step. Accordingly, it seems relatively obvious
that the technology for the turn-assist embodiment is an obvious
variation of the rotation bladder embodiment by merely altering,
the software used in the control unit so the bladders are rotated
from a first direction to a second direction without the
intermediate step of reverting to a set position.
[0022] In the prior art, the upper section and the lower section
for each set of rotational (or turn-assist) bladders are inflated
at the same time to obtain the desired rotation. Moreover, the
rotational (or turn-assist) bladders are positioned below other
bladders or other cushion materials. See FIG. 11 (rotational
bladders 184, 188 are under cushion 180) in U.S. Pat. No.
5,794,289; FIGS. 17 to 19 (rotational bladders 145, 146, 147, 148
are under cushion 182) in U.S. Pat. No. 6,584,628; FIG. 3
(rotational bladders 80 are below cushion 60) in U.S. patent
application publication number 2006/0168736; and FIG. 4 (rotational
bladders 110 are positioned below cushions 33) in U.S. Pat. No.
6,499,167. In other words, the rotating (turn-assist) bladders are
positioned below another cushion which the patient is designed to
be positioned upon.
[0023] Like the standard therapeutic support embodiment, the
rotating therapeutic support embodiment can also provide wave
therapy. In most embodiments, the wave therapy on a rotating
therapeutic support embodiment occurs when (1) the rotating
bladders are in the set position--generally planar--and (2) the
wave therapy bladders are positioned above the rotating bladders.
The wave therapy bladders are not the same as the rotating
(turn-assist) bladders. Rotating (turn-assist) bladders do not
perform wave therapy. One reason wave therapy is not performed by
the rotating bladders is because the rotating bladders are
positioned below another bladder, which may be undesirable.
[0024] A problem with the prior art therapeutic supports is that it
is difficult to access the portion of the patient's body that
contacts the inflated bladder(s). The present invention solves that
problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The present invention is directed to controlling the
inflation and deflation of individual rotational (turn-assist)
bladders to allow a patient caregiver to obtain easy access to the
patient's body that is positioned toward the rotational
(turn-assist) bladders.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a patient positioned over rotating
bladders of a therapeutic support from a head end of the rotating
bladders--Prior Art.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates FIG. 1 from arrow 2--Prior Art.
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates FIG. 1 from arrow 3--Prior Art.
[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of rotational (turn-assist)
bladders (a) on a support surface and (b) interconnected to a
control unit.
[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of rotational (turn-assist)
bladders on a support surface.
[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of FIG. 5.
[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of FIG. 4 with
additional cushions positioned over opposing left-right rotational
(turn-assist) bladders.
[0033] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic of the control unit.
[0034] FIG. 9a illustrates a side view of FIG. 4 taken from arrow 4
when the right rotational (turn-assist) bladders are being inflated
simultaneously.
[0035] FIG. 9b illustrates an embodiment of FIG. 9a when the second
right rotational (turn-assist) bladder remains inflated and the
first right rotational (turn-assist) bladder deflates to expose a
first portion of the patient that normally contacts the right
rotational (turn-assist) bladder so a patient's assistant can care
and treat the patient at the first portion without excessively
disturbing the patient.
[0036] FIG. 9c illustrates an embodiment of FIG. 9a when the first
right rotational (turn-assist) bladder is inflated and the second
right rotational (turn-assist) bladder deflates to expose a second
portion of the patient that normally contacts the right rotational
(turn-assist) bladder so a patient's assistant can care and treat
the patient at the second portion without excessively disturbing
the patient.
[0037] FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment to accomplish
FIGS. 9a and 9b.
[0038] FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of FIG. 4.
[0039] FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of FIG. 4.
[0040] FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative embodiment of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0041] The present invention is directed to a variation of present
rotational (turn-assist) support. The rotational (turn-assist)
support 100 is similar to the prior art rotational (turn-assist)
support surface 100. One of the similarities is that the rotational
(turn-assist) bladder system 110 is positioned on a support surface
102. The support surface 102 can be a part of a mattress, a
gelastic surface, a foam surface, a bladder surface, a solid
surface or any other location that provides support to a patient.
The variations are in the rotational (turn-assist) bladder system
110 and the control unit 210. The rotational (turn-assist) bladder
system 110 can extend the entire length of the support surface 100
as illustrated in FIG. 5 or just partially as illustrated in FIG.
6.
[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rotational (turn-assist)
bladder system 110 has a right side bladder unit 120 and a left
side bladder unit 130. The right side bladder unit 120 is
subdivided into at least a first right section 122 and a second
right section 124. Likewise, the left side bladder unit 130 is
subdivided into at least a first left section 132 and a second left
section 134.
[0043] Unlike the prior art, the rotational (turn-assist) bladder
system 110 can be positioned immediately below a patient 200, as
illustrated at FIGS. 5 and 6, without any intervening cushion that
interferes with the operation of the bladder system 110. There is
no single cushion material that overlies the entire rotational
(turn-assist) bladder system 110 or an entire bladder unit 120, 130
because that would violate the fundamental basis of the present
invention. Instead there can be (a) individual cushions 160a, b, c,
d positioned over bladders sections 122, 124, 132, 134 as
illustrated in FIG. 13 or (b) cushions 162a, b that extend across
pairs of opposing left-right bladders sections, like sections 122
and 132 or sections 124 and 134 as illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0044] There can be covers, blankets (conventional, conductive
and/or convective) and/or pads (incontinence, heating, cooling,
and/or positioning), not shown, positioned between the patient 200
and the rotational (turn-assist) bladder system 110.
[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first right side bladder unit
122 interconnects to the control unit 210 through a first right
conduit 123 and the second right side bladder unit 124
interconnects to the control unit 210 through a second right
conduit 125. The control unit 210 distributes the desired amount of
fluid to each right bladder unit 122, 124. Likewise, the first left
side bladder unit 132 interconnects to the control unit 210 through
a first left conduit 133 and the second left side bladder unit 134
interconnects to the control unit 210 through a second right
conduit 135. The control unit 210 distributes the desired amount of
fluid to each left bladder unit 132, 134 through the respective
conduit. This embodiment is also not described, suggested or taught
in the prior art because the prior art discloses that the bladder
units 122, 124 or 132, 134 are to inflate simultaneously through
the same conduits, not different conduits.
[0046] The principle of how the control unit 210, as illustrated
schematically at FIG. 8 distributes fluid to different conduits and
not to other conduits, or all of them is similar to the prior art.
Instead, there are just more valves 212a,b,c,d interconnected to a
microprocessor 214 that correspond to the respective conduits 123,
125, 133, 135 to obtain the desired operation of the present
invention.
[0047] Recall that the control unit 210, for example, has a
plurality of input keys 216 interconnected to at least the
microprocessor 214. That microprocessor 214 interconnects to pumps,
fans, valves and/or switches (collectively box 216) that push, pull
and/or allows (by potential energy contained in the bladder(s)) a
fluid into, through or pass into the conduit(s) 123, 125, 133, 135
to the respective bladder(s) 122, 124, 132, 134. Prior to entering
the conduits, the fluid is contained within a reservoir and/or
ambient environment; a.k.a., fluid source. The fluid source can be
within the control unit 210 or exterior to the control unit 210.
Likewise the input keys 216 can be a part of the control unit 210,
tethered to the control unit 210 or remotely interconnected to the
control unit 210.
[0048] The control unit 210 can be positioned within the support
system 100 or exterior to it. It depends on how the product is to
be designed.
Operation of the Product:
[0049] For this example, we will assume the patient will be
initially turned to the left side. Obviously, the patient can be
turned to the right side first, as well. It merely depends on (1)
which side the patient wants to be positioned on first and/or (2)
how the patient's assistant (including and not limited to a nurse,
a nurse practitioner, a nurse's aide, an aide, a friend, and/or a
family member), who can control the support surface, wants the
patient to be positioned first.
[0050] The first right section 122 and the second right section 124
are inflated at the same time (same as the prior art) as
illustrated in FIG. 9a or at different rates or times, as
illustrated in FIG. 10, to obtain the desired angle. The sections
122 and 124 can be inflated at different times and/or rates because
(1) each section 122, 124 is interconnected to the control unit 210
through different conduits and (2) the patient's assistant (or the
manufacturer) can program the control unit through the
microprocessor and/or input keys to open the valves to conduits
213, 215 at different times or with different apertures to control
the inflation rate.
[0051] In a first embodiment, once the patient is properly rotated
(turned) to the desired angle with both sections 122, 124 (as
illustrated in FIG. 9a) inflated for rotation (turning) purposes,
the patient's assistant can begin to deflate one of the inflated
and rotated (turned) sections 122, 124. For purposes of this
example as illustrated in FIG. 9b, the section 122 is initially
deflated. Why begin to deflate just one of the inflated and rotated
sections? That way, the patient's assistant exposes a predetermined
area (examples include and are not limited to the right side of the
sacral region, the thoracic region, the lumbar region, the cervical
region, the abdominal area, and/or the chest area) of the patient
that normally contacts the section 122. Deflating the section 124
greatly enhances the patient's assistant ability to wash, treat,
inspect the initial predetermined area of the patient, without the
using props (pillows typically) or additional patient's assistants
to hold the patient in position. This invention comforts the
patient.
[0052] Once the patient's assistant is completed caring and
treating the initial predetermined area, the section 122 is
inflated to the desired level and the section 124 can be deflated
to expose a second predetermined area of the patient as illustrated
in FIG. 9c. Deflating the section 124 greatly enhances the
patient's assistant ability to wash, treat, inspect the second
predetermined area of the patient, without the using props (pillows
typically) or additional patient's assistants to hold the patient
in position.
[0053] Alternatively, when the section 122 is being inflated the
section 124 can be simultaneously deflated to expedite the
transition process.
[0054] It does not matter which section 122, 124 is deflated first
or second in this first embodiment, so long as the patient's
assistant has the opportunity to expose a predetermined area to
care and treat the patient while the patient remains in the rotated
position.
[0055] A second embodiment occurs when the sections 122, 124 are
being inflated at different times or different rates as illustrated
in FIG. 10. The section that is being inflated at the slower rate
or at a later time (hereinafter "slow section") inherently exposes
a first predetermined area to the patient's assistant as shown in
FIGS. 9b and 9c. That way the patient's assistant can wash, treat,
inspect the predetermined area of the patient, without the using
props (pillows typically) or additional patient's assistants to
hold the patient in position. Once the slow section is fully
inflated to the desired rotation (or turning) the fast section can
be deflated so the patient's assistant can care and treat a
different predetermined area of the patient.
[0056] Alternatively, when the slow section is being inflated the
fast section can be simultaneously deflated to expedite the
transition process.
[0057] A third embodiment occurs when the patient is rotated to the
patient is rotated to the right side so sections 132 and 134 are
inflated for rotation purposes. This third embodiment is the same
as the first and second embodiments except the sections are on the
opposite side of the support surface.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0058] The right bladder unit 120 can have an additional bladder
section 126 and the left bladder unit 130 can have an additional
bladder section 136. The additional bladder section 126 can be
inflated/deflated by an extension 128a,b from conduit 123 or
conduit 125 as illustrated in FIG. 11; or a new conduit 127 as
illustrated in FIG. 12 that is interconnected to the control unit
210 with its own valve 212e. That valve 212e is controlled by the
microprocessor like any other valve 212 in the control unit
210.
[0059] Likewise, the additional bladder section 136 can be
inflated/deflated by an extension 138a,b from conduit 133 or
conduit 135 as illustrated in FIG. 11; or a new conduit 137 as
illustrated in FIG. 12 that is interconnected to the control unit
210 with its own valve 212f. That valve 212f is controlled by the
microprocessor like any other valve 212 in the control unit
210.
[0060] If the additional bladders 126, 136 are interconnected to
the control unit 210 as illustrated in FIG. 12 that means that the
additional bladders 126, 136 are independently controlled in the
same manner in which the other bladders 122, 124, 132, 134 are
controlled and described above. Alternatively, if the additional
bladders 126, 136 are interconnected to the control unit 210 as
illustrated in FIG. 11 that means the additional bladders 126, 136
operate in the same way as the bladder that the additional bladders
126, 136 are interconnected with through the conduit system.
[0061] The additional bladder section 126, 136 can be positioned
adjacent to at least one of the other rotational (turn) bladders as
illustrated in FIG. 11 or a predetermined distance from the other
rotational (turn) bladders as illustrated in FIG. 12.
Horizontal/Vertically
[0062] The bladder sections 122, 124, 126, 132, 134, 136 can be
positioned horizontally and/or vertically as defined above.
OTHER ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS
Self-Monitoring
[0063] Programming an air pressure mattress unit requires a skilled
technician. The skilled technician analyzes each patient and alters
the programming to attain the desired rotation and air pressure.
One means to avoid the expensive technician's analysis and
re-programming is to create a self-monitoring mattress.
[0064] Previous self-monitoring air pressure mattresses have
utilized electrical signal transmission devices and electrical
signal receiving devices that sandwich the top and bottom of each
bladder to monitor the bladder size. The bladder size corresponds
to the desired rotation and air pressure. Such signal devices are
disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,794,289 and
5,926,883; which are hereby incorporated by reference. Those signal
devices generate signals, like rf or light signals, that determine
the proper level of inflation in the rotating (turning)
bladders.
Conduits
[0065] The conduits can be conventional tubing used in the
therapeutic industry. The conduits can have additional valves like
a one-way passage valve.
[0066] It is intended that the above description of the preferred
embodiments of the structure of the present invention and the
description of its operation are but one or two enabling best mode
embodiments for implementing the invention. Other modifications and
variations are likely to be conceived of by those skilled in the
art upon a reading of the preferred embodiments and a consideration
of the appended claims and drawings. These modifications and
variations still fall within the breadth and scope of the
disclosure of the present invention.
* * * * *