Pressure reducing cushion with selective pressure point relief

Details Pressure reducing cushion with selective pressure point relief Pressure reducing cushion with selective pressure point relief

1997-01-10

2001-04-03

Grosz, Alexander (Department: 3628)

Beds

Support for users body or part thereof

Removable support specially adapted for seating

C005S709000, C005S723000, C297S452410, C297S452250

Reexamination Certificate

active

06209159

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns cushioning pads used in the field of health care to provide pressure reduction for the patient. The invention more particularly concerns cushion pads for patient care in wheelchairs, recliners, and other chairs used by patients in a health care environment.
2. Discussion of the Background
Previously existing cushioning pads have a number of shortcomings which can result in patient discomfort, and in a prolonged recovery period for the patient. Ideally, cushioning pads provide the lowest possible pressure on the supported surface of the patient and are able to substantially eliminate the pressure on the supported surface at selected locations on the patient.
One prior art device (Jacobson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,283) is constructed of a plurality of airtight air bladders each filled with foam material. Each air bladder is in contact with adjacent air bladders. The characteristic of the foam material is such that if it is compressed it will expand on its own, thus filling the bladder with air. Each air bladder has a valve connected to it, to individually regulate the amount of air that can flow into the air bladder. However, it produces an abrupt transition zone between an air bladder that is fully pressurized and an adjacent one that is completely evacuated, which creates patient discomfort.
Another prior art construction (Williams, U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,727) is similar to the prior art construction discussed above, but instead being filled with air, the air bladder is filled with a liquid. The bladders filled with a liquid tend to conduct body heat away from the patient which reduces blood flow and hence reduces the ability of the body to heal itself. Furthermore, this prior art construction contains all the disadvantages of the device described above, namely that the patient experiences discomfort due to the abrupt transition zone between pressurized and unpressurized fluid bladders.
Another prior art construction (Navach et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,737) consists of a seat cushion and a backrest cushion. The seat cushion portion consists of a plurality of airtight, air bladders filled with a foam material. Adjacent air bladders are not in contact with each other. The air bladders are covered with a flexible polymer upholstery layer. Additionally this prior art construction contains an air valve for each air bladder to restrict the flow of air into and out of its respective air bladder. However, this prior art construction requires the use of an external pump or compressor to fill air bladders with air.
Thus, there is a need for a simple to use cushioning device that applies a substantially uniform pressure to the patient and which can selectively reduce the pressure at a point on the patient's body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a cushioning device that applies a substantially uniform pressure to the supported surface of a patient's body and which can also selectively reduce the pressure at a point on the patient's body.
In one form of the invention the pressure reducing cushion with selective pressure point relief takes the form of a cushion consisting of at least two air bladders which are covered with a foam outer layer. The air bladders are filled with an open celled compressible foam material. Each air bladder is connected to an air flow control element, which independently regulates the flow of air into and out of each air bladder.
In yet another form of the invention the pressure reducing cushion with selective pressure point relief takes the form of a cushion consisting of at least two air bladders attached to a cushion base layer, which are covered with a foam outer layer. The outer surface of the foam outer layer is surrounded by a cushion cover. The air bladders are filled with an open celled compressible foam material; and adjacent air bladders are in contact with each other. Each air bladder is connected to an air flow control element, which independently regulates the flow of air into and out of each air bladder.
In still another form of the invention the pressure reducing cushion with selective pressure point relief takes the form of a cushion consisting of at least two air bladders which are covered with a means for providing a reduction of any abrupt pressure transition between inflated and uninflated air bladders. The air bladders are filled with an open celled compressible foam material. Each air bladder is provided with a means for independently regulating the flow of air into and out of each air bladder.
Thus, Applicant's invention is superior to the prior art. Applicant's invention provides a cushioning device that produces a substantially uniform pressure on the supported surface of a patient and which can also selectively reduce the pressure at a point on the patient's surface, by using a foam outer layer in conjunction with the air bladders to achieve the desired objectives. The prior art fails to disclose the use of a foam outer layer covering air bladders, which provides the desired result. Furthermore, the prior art fails to disclose the use of a foam outer layer covering air bladders that are in contact with adjacent air bladders, which provides superior results. Such structural features distinguish Applicant's invention, structurally and functionally, over the prior art of Jacobson et al, Williams, and Navach et al.


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