Beds – Support for users body or part thereof – Removable support specially adapted for seating
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-22
2001-07-10
Trettel, Michael F. (Department: 3628)
Beds
Support for users body or part thereof
Removable support specially adapted for seating
C005S653000, C297S452260, C297S452270
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256819
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to improved support apparatus and methodology in general, and in particular to improved multi-section foam positioning technology.
A significant problem for immobile patients, such as wheelchair patients or others confined by limited walking ability, is the occurrence of pressure sores and related tissue damage. Hence, there is a general need for pressure relief in such immobile patients.
A particular problem for typical patients in a prolonged seating environment is that the patients may suffer from a loss of motor skills or other abilities to manipulate their legs. This, and other general aspects of their condition, can also lead to positioning problems. For example, the legs of a patient may be excessively abducted (drawn apart or separated) or excessively adducted (drawn together or closed). The more ideal position is for the legs to be separated and generally parallel to one another as they project forwardly from the lower torso of the patient.
As generally well known, the projecting ischial aspect at the base of the spine provides another comfort concern point for long term seated patients.
Another aspect of pressure relief deals not just with the vertical components of pressure, but the lateral or horizontal components, often referred to as shear pressures. Oftentimes, a support arrangement designed to address vertical pressures will address shear or lateral pressure forces less well, or vice versa. Still further, introducing lateral forces for the purpose of controlling leg position, or positioning of other bodily features, raises the possibility of interjecting undesired shear forces.
Yet another aspect of modern health care demands is an issue of providing combinations of advantageous features with an embodiment and technology which is also cost effective.
To an extent, improved pressure dispersion can be achieved with a multi-section approach having respective areas specialized for support of different physical characteristics. See, for example, commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,538, entitled “MULTI-SECTION MATTRESS OVERLAY FOR SYSTEMATIZED PRESSURE DISPERSION,” the complete disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference. One challenge of the technical aspects of wheelchair cushions and similar environments is finding practical ways to achieve advantageous results in smaller spaces as have been achieved with larger scale technologies designed for full mattress overlays, such as in the above-referenced '538patent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention recognizes and addresses various of the foregoing problems, and others, concerning support of long term confined patients, or others for whom improved seating comfort is desired. Thus, broadly speaking, a principal object of this invention is improved cushion technology. More particularly, a main concern is improved apparatus and methodology for multi-section foam positioning cushions.
It is therefore another particular object of the present invention to provide a foam apparatus adapted for simultaneously providing general pressure relief and positioning control for the user.
It is another general object of the present invention to provide an apparatus achieved with methodology which is cost effective, while still achieving advances in practical performance.
Still a further more particular object is to provide an improved foam-based apparatus for comfortably seating long term care patients with their legs guided to an ideal position (i.e., generally separated and parallel to one another).
Additional objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in, or will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from, the detailed description herein. Also, it should be further appreciated that modifications and variations to the specifically illustrated and discussed features, steps, materials, or devices hereof may be practiced in various embodiments and uses of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, by virtue of present reference thereto. Such variations may include, but are not limited to, substitution of equivalent means, features, materials, or steps for those shown or discussed, and the functional or positional reversal of various parts, features, steps, or the like.
Still further, it is to be understood that different embodiments, as well as different presently preferred embodiments, of this invention may include various combinations or configurations of presently disclosed features, steps, or elements, or their equivalents (including combinations of features or steps or configurations thereof not expressly shown in the figures or stated in the detailed description). One exemplary such embodiment of the present invention relates to an improved apparatus comprised of plural elements, including two respective forward and rear base pieces, having predetermined contoured upper surfaces in support of an upper support element having respective elements for general pressure relief, in contact of a patient seated thereon.
Other aspects of the present exemplary embodiments concern use of plural sections joined to form a base, having respective upper contoured surfaces which are used to transmit the respective contours thereof onto larger, respective support elements integrally formed in an upper support element otherwise adhered to the base elements. With such apparatus and methodology, respective base elements may be efficiently manufactured and joined together to form a composite base having respective sections with different support contours.
Such apparatus and methodology is particularly advantageous for producing a support contour which varies in front to back profile as well as lateral or side to side profile. At the same time, such varying profiles may be advantageously achieved with cutting technology which operates in a single plane (i.e., either front to back or side to side). It is by combining such respective base multiple sections and upper support element that such additional advantage is achieved.
It is to be understood that the present invention applies equally to present methodology in association with manufacturing such improved apparatus as otherwise described herein.
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Maier Edmund K.
Raburn Richard W.
Dority & Manning
Span-America Medical Systems, Inc.
Trettel Michael F.
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