Beds – Having safety device
Reexamination Certificate
2002-02-01
2003-12-30
Trettel, Michael F. (Department: 3628)
Beds
Having safety device
C005S425000, C005S663000, C005S732000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06668399
ABSTRACT:
INTRODUCTION
This invention relates generally to beds, and more particularly, to hospital beds. More particularly, this invention relates to a mattress bolster system that fits between the side rails, headboard, and/or other frame portions of a bed frame and a mattress to provide lateral retaining support to a person on the mattress.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hospital beds, and therapeutic beds in particular, frequently have side rails to prevent patients from rolling out of bed. However, such rails typically are not sufficient, by themselves, to keep the patient centered on the bed. This is particularly true where the mattress is a therapeutic mattress with inflatable bags that alternately tilt the patient from one direction to the other.
Side bolster systems designed for beds to keep a person centered on the bed are well known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,644,173 to James teaches an inflatable bolster system comprising first and second inflatable side bolsters coupled together via an impervious central sheet portion overlying the mattress. The central sheet element of the James system makes it unsuitable for a therapeutic mattress because it provides an intermediate sheet layer between the patient and the therapeutic surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,228 to Bishop teaches a mattress assembly comprising first and second side bolsters positioned along first and second sides, respectively, of a mattress, where the mattress is longer than either of the first and second side bolsters, wherein the bolsters are coupled together via a conventional bed sheet that retains the bolsters in place. Bishop's bolsters, however, are filled with cushioning material such as polyester fiberfill, and so is likely to impede access to a patient lying in the bed or impede a patient's ingress onto or egress out of the bed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,974 to Rains et al. teaches a side bolster system adaptable to varying-sized mattresses comprising two cushioned cylinders configured to be positioned along the longitudinal sides of a mattress, wherein the first and second side cushioned cylinders are coupled together by a sheet of fabric. The distance between the first and second side cushioned cylinders can be adjusted to accommodate varying-sized mattresses by rolling one or more portions of the coupling sheet around one or more of the cylinders. Rains' bolsters, however, are comprised with foam, and therefore cannot be deflated to facilitate ingress onto or egress from the bed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,646 to Stolpmann et al. teaches a mattress structure with integral first and second side bolsters positioned along first and second sides, respectively, of the foam core of the mattress, which couples the bolsters together. Each of the first and second side bolsters includes a primary support section having a top surface and bottom surface, and a secondary support section extending upwardly from the primary support section. Stolpmann's bolsters, however, are not suitable for keeping a patient centered on a therapeutic patient support surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,787 to James et al. teaches a mattress combination comprising a pair of selectively inflatable bolsters replaceably attached to and extending along the opposing longitudinal sides of a patient support apparatus. The bolsters are attached to the patient support by means of vinyl straps that are buttoned to the patient support apparatus. The James combination, however, is not suitable for preexisting patient support apparatuses that lack such button supports.
Accordingly, there is a need for an inflatable side bolster system adaptable for use with a pre-existing therapeutic mattress, in which the bolsters can be deflated to provide better access to the patient and facilitate the patient's ingress onto or egress out of the bed. There is also a need for a bolster system that is deflatable but at the same time adapted to be securely anchored to the sides of the mattress.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a patient position maintenance device comprising a first bolster configured to be positioned along at least a substantial portion of the left side of the patient support surface; a second bolster configured to be positioned along at least a substantial portion of the right side of the patient support surface; a bolster sheath adapted to cover the first and second bolsters, the bolster sheath having first and second sides corresponding to the first and second bolsters; and a sheet coupled to the first and second sides of the bolster sheath, the sheet configured to extend underneath the patient support surface and anchor the accessory in place relative to the patient support surface. Preferably, the first bolster is configured to be positioned also along a first portion of the head end of the patient support surface, and the second bolster is likewise configured to be positioned also along a second portion of the head end of the patient support surface. Also preferably, the first bolster comprises a first inflatable bladder and the second bolster comprises a second inflatable bladder. In one embodiment, the first and second inflatable bladders each have a short tubular section and a long tubular section joined in the shape of an “L,” where the short tubular section of the first inflatable bladder is joined to the short tubular section of the second inflatable bladder. Another feature of the invention has a first stabilizing member comprising foam extending downwardly from the first inflatable bladder and a second stabilizing member comprising foam extending downwardly from the second inflatable bladder.
In another embodiment, a bolster system is provided to keep a person on a patient support surface having a first bolster section including a first section of a first inflatable bladder; the first bolster section configured to be positioned along the left side of the patient support surface; a second bolster section having a first section of a second inflatable bladder, wherein the first and second inflatable bladders are separately inflatable; where the second bolster section is configured to be positioned along the right side of the patient support surface; a third bolster section joining the first and second bolster sections; the third bolster section configured to be positioned along the head end of the patient support surface, where the third bolster section comprises a second section of the first inflatable bladder and a second section of the second inflatable bladder. Another feature of this embodiment has a first stabilizing member extending downwardly from the first inflatable bladder, a second stabilizing member extending downwardly from the second inflatable bladder, and a third stabilizing member extending downwardly from said portion of the first inflatable bladder and said portion of the second inflatable bladder. Preferably, a bolster sheath is also provided which is adapted to cover the first and second bolsters, the bolster sheath having first and second sides corresponding to the first and second bolsters. Further, a sheet is coupled to the first and second sides of the bolster sheath, and is configured to extend underneath the patient support surface and anchor the bolster system in place relative to the patient support surface.
In yet another embodiment, a bolster system is provided comprising a first bolster configured to be positioned along at least a substantial portion of the left side of the patient support surface, the first bolster having a first inflatable bladder, a second bolster configured to be positioned along at least a substantial portion of the right side of the patient support surface, the second bolster having a second inflatable bladder; and a sheet coupled to the first and second bolsters, the sheet configured to extend underneath the patient support surface and anchor the accessory in place relative to the patient support surface. The first bolster also comprises a first stabilizing member extending downwardly from the first inflatable bolster and the second bol
Garibay Olga R.
Malstaff Christopher
Tejeda Maria Teresa
Trott Laurence P.
Cernyar Eric W.
KCI Licensing Inc.
Trettel Michael F.
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