Alternating pad

Details Alternating pad Alternating pad

1998-07-28

2000-10-24

Trettel, Michael F.

Beds

Mattress

Having confined gas

5713, 5715, 5711, A61G 7057

Patent

active

061347329

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to alternating pressure ads, and in particular to alternating pressure pads of the kind used in the prevention and management of decubitous ulcers in bedridden patients.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
The formation of decubitous ulcers, commonly known as bed sores, results from, amongst other things, the pressure applied to certain portions of the skin of a bedridden patient. It is known to meet the requirement for the prevention and management of decubitous ulcers with an alternating pressure pad comprising two series of alternatively inflatable cells which are interleaved, one series within the other. The cells are alternately inflatable to support a patient at different locations. Typically, inflation and deflation cycles may last from under two minutes for a gentle massaging effect to over twenty minutes.
Patient comfort dictates that support provided by a given region of a pad is not affected by the pressure applied by a patient to adjacent regions. Therefore, a pad of small cells is more comfortable to the patient than a pad of large cells, and a pad comprising small cells in a zig-zag or T-shape or similar path across the pad provides optimum comfort.
However, these small cell pads are unable to support the heavier patients or the larger bony protuberances of even relatively light patients unless pressurised to an uncomfortably high support pressure.
Consequently, in order to provide sufficient support it has been found necessary to use pads with large cells which inflate to a greater thickness and at a lower, more comfortable pressure. Typically, large cells have been used in the form of an elongate cylinder extending linearly straight across a pad. However, these pads have experienced problems of large areas of the body being left unsupported, or the areas supported feeling uncomfortable leading to patient discomfort and uneasiness. The cells have also been unable to prevent bony protuberances falling between the inflated cells and resting on the mattress beneath, or bottoming of the patient in the semi-recumbant position where the cells are prone to separate out under the patient's sacrum.
Reconciling the advantages of small cells to large cells has hitherto been accomplished by providing double layer small cell pads or smaller diameter cells under the heels of the patient.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an improved large cell alternating pressure pad.
In accordance with the present invention, an alternating pressure pad comprises at least a first and a second series of alternately inflatable cells, which are interleaved, one series within the other, each cell extending transversely across the pad and defining a non-linear, non-repeating path wherein substantially all of the cells define the same path.
The non-linear path of the cells provides a greater length of each cell in contact with the body with improved comfort since more of the patient is supported at any one time. We have found that due to the increased contact area a lower average interface pressure is achieved than that achieved with pads having the conventional linear transverse arrangement of such cells.
According to another aspect of the invention, an alternating pressure pad comprises alternately inflatable transverse cells including at least one longitudinal cell underlying each opposite end of the transverse cells, the longitudinal cells inflated at constant pressure. The longitudinal cells extend along the length of the pad and, in use, a surface which curves around a patient lying thereon is provided such that the area of the patient supported at any one time is increased, the increased contact area resulting in lower interface pressures and improved comfort for the patient.
In the preferred embodiment the cells define a sinusoidal path.
Preferably, each cell path defines substantially a U-shape located centrally of the pad. The location of the U-shape centrally of the pad provides a two-dimensional and hence gre

REFERENCES:
patent: 1772310 (1930-08-01), Hart
patent: 3678520 (1972-07-01), Evans
patent: 4267611 (1981-05-01), Agulnick
patent: 4391009 (1983-07-01), Schild et al.
patent: 4472847 (1984-09-01), Gammons et al.
patent: 5189742 (1993-03-01), Schild

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