Hand check tunnelled mattress cover

Details Hand check tunnelled mattress cover Hand check tunnelled mattress cover

2000-07-13

2001-03-13

Trettel, Michael F. (Department: 3628)

Beds

Mattress

Having atypical outer covering or ticking

C005S738000, C005S694000, C005S706000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06199235

ABSTRACT:

The present invention relates to mattress covers generally, and more particularly to mattress covers for air inflated mattresses for therapeutic uses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Patients that are bedridden for appreciable periods of time often develop persistent and painful bedsores. The relatively inactive bedridden patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and home care have a high incidence of decubitus ulcers or bedsores. It is generally recognized that this phenomenon is caused by the relatively high pressures experienced at crucial points on the patient's body where body weight is concentrated but the thickness of the flesh between the skeletal structure and the supporting surface is minimum.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed toward a new mattress cover for air inflated mattresses for therapeutic uses, having an integral hand check tunnel to allow a caregiver to verify proper patient support of an air inflated mattress within the mattress cover. The hand check tunnel allows such verifications with minimal disruption to the patient and without the caregiver coming into contact with patient contaminates and excrements.
The invention will be used when a single air inflated mattress is placed within a mattress cover, in a dual configuration where one air inflated mattress is placed on top of another and then both placed within a mattress cover, or where an air inflated mattress is placed on top of a foam base and then both are placed within a mattress cover. In a mattress system using a single air inflated mattress, the air mattress is placed on top of the hand check tunnel of the present invention. In a mattress system using dual air inflated mattresses, the hand check tunnel of the present invention is placed between the two mattresses. In a mattress system using a single air inflated mattress with a foam base, the hand check tunnel of the present invention is placed between the mattress and the foam base.
One preferred embodiment of the present invention is a hand check tunnelled mattress cover comprising, a mattress cover for air inflated mattresses for therapeutic use, having a top, a bottom, and sides therebetween defining the cover, including its width and length dimensions; corresponding openings in the opposing sides of the cover midway along its length dimension; an enclosed tunnel within and independent of the top and bottom of the cover connecting the openings in the opposing sides of the cover; and flaps attached to the cover above the openings with devices for selectively opening and closing the openings.
A principal object of the present invention is to allow a caregiver to verify proper inflation of an air inflated patient mattress (support) with minimal disruption to patient.
It is a further object of the present invention to minimize contamination within an air inflatable mattress cover by providing an isolated passage to verify proper support between materials.
It is a further object of the present invention to minimize contamination within container, yet still allow a hand check to be performed without opening of the mattress cover.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an area to install a heating or cooling device (fluid as medium) to adjust body temperature.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2162021 (1939-06-01), Kidwell
patent: 3110042 (1963-11-01), Slemmons
patent: 3534417 (1970-10-01), Boyles
patent: 4317244 (1982-03-01), Balfour-Ritchie

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