Beds – Bedclothing – And means to facilitate changing thereof
Patent
1990-08-28
1992-06-02
Luebke, Renee S.
Beds
Bedclothing
And means to facilitate changing thereof
5455, 5914, A47C 2708
Patent
active
051175185
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a pressure controller, and in particular to a pressure controller for controlling fluid pressure in an alternating pressure pad. Generally, the fluid in such a pad is air.
Alternating pressure pads are well known for the prevention and management of decubitus ulcers in bedridden patients. The formation of decubitus ulcers, commonly known as bedsores, results from, amongst other things, the pressure applied to certain portions of the skin of a bedridden patient. In addition, it is well known that should the lower reflex arc be broken by, for instance, lesion of the spinal cord or of nerve roots then decubitus ulcers of unusual severity and rapidity of onset are likely to develop.
Alternating pressure pads generally comprise two sets of alternately inflatable cells: the duration of the inflation and deflation cycles may last from under two minutes for a gentle massaging effect to over twenty minutes. Huntleigh Technology plc manufacture and supply such an alternating pressure pad system.
A high air pressure in the pads may be needed to support the bony protuberances of a patient and to ensure that the patient is lifted sufficiently away from deflated cells of the pad so that adequate pressure relief is provided. A low air pressure, however, is desirable since it provides a pad which is softer and more comfortable. Optimal pressure support therefore not only varies from patient to patient but also during a given inflation cycle of the pad since the pressure supporting points will change during a cycle. The required optimal support pressure will vary even more as a patient changes from a supine to a sitting position.
It is known to provide a manually adjustable pressure controller to set an optimal pad support pressure. This may be a regulator for the compressor supplying air to the alternating pressure pad. It is also known to provide an automatic pressure controller comprising a convoluted compressible tube placed under the pad. In such a system a small amount of air is diverted through the tube, the passage of air being detected by a pilot valve. When the support pressure in the pad is so inadequate that the pressure exerted by a patient causes the tube to be compressed shut, the pilot valve actuates a throttle which diverts a fixed proportion of air, such as one third, from the compressor to the pad thereby to increase the support pressure. When the tube is not closed, the fixed proportion of air is vented to the air via a relief valve. Such a system, however, is complex, costly and inefficient.
In accordance with the present invention, a pressure controller comprises means sensitive to the fluid pressure and adapted to open a valve when said pressure exceeds a predetermined value, fluid supply means connected at one end to said valve and at the other end being adapted for connection to a pump for inflating the pad, the fluid supply means being arranged, in use, to receive pressure exerted by a patient on said pad and to be compressible in dependence upon the pressure exerted by the patient to reduce the escape of fluid from the valve when the valve is open and thereby to cause a proportion of fluid to continue to inflate the pad. The means sensitive to fluid pressure comprises a fluid tight member inflatable in dependence upon the pressure of the fluid in the pad, and the valve is openable in dependence upon the inflation of the inflatable member above a predetermined pressure.
Such a pressure controller is considerably simpler and cheaper than known devices.
Preferably, the means sensitive to fluid pressure and the valve comprise parts of a pressure relief valve.
Conveniently, the fluid supply means is a compressible tube which allows a proportion of fluid to continue to inflate the pad even when the valve is open, the proportion varying between 0% and 100%, of the fluid from the compressor.
According to another aspect of the invention, an alternating pressure pad system comprises an alternating pressure pad of alternately inflatable sets of cells, a pump connected by a fluid su
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Huntleigh Technology PLC
Luebke Renee S.
Milano Michael J.
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