EP1707174A1 - Inflatable cell for a mattress preventing bed sores - Google Patents

Abstract

The cell (1) has two outer sheets (2b) that are welded on their peripheries to form an inflatable casing (2) and fixed to an inner sheet (2c) by heat-welding points (4A, 4B) to limit the expansion of the casing. The casing has a carrier surface (SP) that forms a basin with two raised ends (2f) when the casing is inflated. The ends are aligned along a longitudinal axis of a mattress and form two raised longitudinal edges. A plastic valve (6) fixed on the casing is extended by a flexible pipe (7) that is connected to a compressor for the inflation and deflation of the cell.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of inflatable anti-decubitus mattresses which are used in hospital or similar for bed resting people for long periods. The invention relates to a new inflatable cell for anti-decubitus mattress, and an anti-decubitus mattress comprising a plurality of inflatable cells.

Prior art

When a person is bedridden for a long time on a traditional mattress, the parts of his body in prolonged contact with the mattress undergo compressions, which eventually result in the formation of bedsores.

In order to overcome this problem of pressure ulcer formation, a known solution to date consists in providing inflatable anti-decubitus mattresses, which comprise a plurality of juxtaposed inflatable cells. This type of mattress is described for example in the US patent US 5,704,084 . The cells of the anti-decubitus mattress are individually inflatable by means of a compressor or equivalent and in a predefined sequence and inflation cycle so as to reduce the compression times of the parts in contact with the cells of the mattress.

Another major problem encountered in the confinement of a person in a hospital setting or equivalent is related to accidental falls of bedridden persons. This problem is magnified and deviates critically when bedridden people have reduced motor skills, such as, for example, people who have just undergone surgery, people who are totally or partially paralyzed, or the elderly. The above-mentioned anti-decubitus mattresses of the prior art do not make it possible to reduce these risks of accidental falls.

Objective of the invention

The present invention aims to propose a new technical solution that reduces for people bedridden at the same time the risk of pressure ulcer formation and the risk of accidental falls.

Summary of the invention

This goal is achieved by means of a new inflatable cell for anti-decubitus mattresses.

The inflatable cell of the invention comprises two outer sheets which are welded on their periphery so as to form an inflatable envelope, and which are fixed by attachment points to an inner sheet to limit the expansion of the envelope. It is designed so that when inflated, it has a bearing surface having a cup-shaped profile with raised ends. In the present text, the term "carrier surface" designates the part of the cell that is intended to varnish in contact with the body of the bedridden person.

The invention also relates to an anti-decubitus and anti-fall mattress comprising a plurality of inflatable cells which have the aforementioned technical characteristics, which are positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the mattress, and which are juxtaposed along this longitudinal axis.

When the inflatable cells are juxtaposed to form the anti-decubitus mattress, the ends of the cell carrying surfaces are substantially aligned along the longitudinal axis of the mattress, and form two longitudinal edges raised anti-fall.

• chaque feuille externe comporte un bord longitudinal présentant un profil courbe en forme de cuvette ;
• chaque feuille externe est fixée à la feuille interne par des points de fixation qui sont positionnés les uns par rapport aux autres en sorte d'obtenir le profil en forme de cuvette pour la surface porteuse, une fois l'enveloppe gonflée ;
• la cellule comporte pour chaque feuille externe, au moins deux alignements de points de fixation, qui s'étendent sensiblement parallèlement à l'axe longitudinal de l'enveloppe; la cellule comporte à chaque extrémité de l'enveloppe un point de fixation qui est positionné entre les deux alignements de points. ;
• les deux points de fixation aux deux extrémités de l'enveloppe sont sensiblement centrés sur la hauteur des feuilles externes ;
• la cellule est équipée d'une valve permettant son gonflage et dégonflage ;
• les feuilles externes et la feuille interne sont en matériau thermosoudable, et les points de fixation sont des points de thermosoudure ;
• les feuilles externes et la feuille interne sont de préférence en polyuréthane ;
• les points de fixation d'une feuille externe sont décalés en position selon l'axe longitudinal de l'enveloppe par rapport aux points de fixation de l'autre feuille externe.

More particularly, a cell of the invention comprises the following additional and optional features, taken separately or, if appropriate, in combination:

• each outer sheet has a longitudinal edge having a curved profile in the form of a bowl;
• each outer sheet is attached to the inner sheet by attachment points which are positioned relative to each other so as to obtain the dish-shaped profile for the carrier surface, once the envelope is inflated;
• the cell comprises for each outer sheet, at least two alignment points of attachment, which extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the envelope; the cell comprises at each end of the envelope an attachment point which is positioned between the two point alignments. ;
• the two attachment points at both ends of the envelope are substantially centered on the height of the outer sheets;
• the cell is equipped with a valve allowing it to be inflated and deflated;
• the outer sheets and the inner sheet are of heat-sealable material, and the attachment points are heat-sealing points;
• the outer sheets and the inner sheet are preferably polyurethane;
• the attachment points of an outer sheet are offset in position along the longitudinal axis of the envelope relative to the attachment points of the other outer sheet.

Brief description of the figures

• la figure 1 est une représentation en perspective d'une cellule gonflable pour matelas anti-escarres, réalisée conformément à une première variante de réalisation,
• la figure 2 représente de manière schématique un matelas anti-escarres et anti-chute de l'invention réalisé au moyen de cellules conformes à celle de la figure 1,
• les figures 3 et 4 sont des représentations schématiques à plat et en vue de face d'une cellule gonflable réalisée conformément respectivement à une deuxième et à une troisième variante de réalisation de l'invention.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of several preferred embodiments of the invention, which description is given by way of non-limiting and non-exhaustive example of the invention. invention, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of an inflatable cell for an anti-decubitus mattress, produced according to a first variant embodiment,
• FIG. 2 schematically represents an anti-decubitus and anti-fall mattress of the invention produced by means of cells conforming to that of FIG. 1,
• FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrammatic representations in flat view and in front view of an inflatable cell produced in accordance with FIGS. respectively to a second and a third embodiment of the invention.

detailed description

There is shown in Figure 1 a first embodiment of a cell 1 of the invention for anti-decubitus mattress, the cell 1 being inflated.

This cell 1 comprises an inflatable envelope 2 of elongate shape and longitudinal axis 2a. In the illustrated example, this envelope 2 consists of two outer sheets 2b of heat-sealable material, and for example polyurethane, which are heat-sealed over their entire periphery along a peripheral weld line 3. The two sheets 2b form the two main faces of the envelope 2.

The envelope 2 contains an inner sheet 2c made of heat-sealable material, and for example polyurethane, which has been positioned between the two sheets 2b before their heat-sealing, and to which the two sheets 2b are fixed by any appropriate means and for example by heat sealing points 4A and 4B. In FIG. 1, the heat-sealing points 4A correspond to the welding points of the visible face of the envelope 2 (welding of a sheet 2b with the inner sheet 2c) and the welding points 4B correspond to the soldering points of the other face of the envelope 2 (welding of the other sheet 2b with the inner sheet 2c). This inner sheet 2c serves to limit the expansion of the envelope 2 in the X direction perpendicular to the two main faces of the envelope 2 formed by the two sheets 2b.

In the variant illustrated in FIG. 1, the welding points 4A or 4B are aligned along the longitudinal axis 2a of the envelope 2 (direction Y) in the form of two substantially parallel alignments 4 ', and are aligned in pairs according to the direction Z perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2a in the form of columns 4 "of two points As shown in Figure 1, the columns 4 'of the heat-sealing points 4A of one face are shifted in position according to the longitudinal axis 2a of the envelope (Y direction) relative to the columns 4 'of the heat-sealing points 4B of the other face of the casing 2. In another variant, the columns 4 "of solder points 4A could be aligned along the axis X with the columns 4" of 4B solder points.

When the cell 1 is inflated, between two columns 4 "of two points of heat-sealing 4A (or 4B), the cell forms on the corresponding face a pad 4 C. The invention is not limited to the number and the particular arrangement heat-sealing points 4A or 4B of Figure 1 which are given by way of non-limiting example only.

In the particular example illustrated, the heat-sealing points 4A and 4B form double rings and are for example made by high frequency welding. These heat-sealing points 4A and 4B could be replaced by any equivalent assembly means making it possible to fix the external sheets 2b of the envelope 2 to the inner sheet 2c one by one.

In one of the sheets 2b of the casing 2 is provided an opening 5 for an air passage. The cell 1 comprises a valve of 6, for example plastic, which allows a rapid inflation and deflation of the casing 2. This valve 6 is extended by a flexible pipe 7 and is fixed, for example by gluing, on the envelope 2 at the opening 5. The flexible pipe 7 is intended to be connected to a compressor (not shown) to allow inflation and deflation of the casing 2 of the cell 1.

Also, on the casing 2 of the cell are preferably attached means 8, for example press studs, to quickly assemble two adjacent cells 1, when forming the mattress.

In the variant embodiment of FIG. 1, each sheet 2b of the envelope forms substantially a rectangle, one of whose longitudinal sides comprises a substantially rectilinear central portion 2d and two outwardly curved end portions 2b of such so that longitudinal side has a cup-shaped profile.

In FIG. 1, reference SP is made to the upper surface of the casing 2, which extends on either side of the upper longitudinal welding line 3, and which forms the bearing surface of the cell 1 in contact with which comes the body of the bedridden person. When the envelope 2 of the cell 1 is inflated, this carrier surface SP advantageously forms according to the invention a bowl which is oriented along the longitudinal axis 2a of the cell and whose two ends 2f are raised.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown an anti-decubitus mattress and anti-fall of the invention made by means of a plurality of cells 1 which are juxtaposed against each other along the longitudinal axis X of the mattress , each cell 1 being positioned perpendicularly (Y axis) to this longitudinal axis X.

In a manner known per se, when the mattress M is used, all the cells 1 are not inflated simultaneously, but are inflated and deflated individually according to a programmed cycle, so as to modify cyclically the compression points on the body of the person lying down on the mattress, which reduces the risk of pressure ulcer formation.

As shown in FIG. 2, the raised ends 2f of the carrier surfaces SP of the cells 1 are substantially aligned along the longitudinal axis X and form two longitudinal edges B1, B2. These two edges B1 and B2 raised advantageously according to the invention to prevent lateral sliding (Figure 2 / Y axis) of a person lying on the mattress M, and laterally stabilize this person in the center position on the mattress M. This greatly reduces the risk of accidental falls.

The invention is not limited to the particular structure of the cells 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2, but extends more generally to any embodiment of an inflatable cell for an anti-decubitus mattress whose carrier surface SP ( once the cell inflated) has a profile in the form of bowl.

By way of example, FIGS. 3 and 4 show two other variants that make it possible to obtain this characteristic dish profile of the invention. In these two figures, the casing 2 of the cell is deflated, so that the bowl profile of the bearing surface SP is not visible. In each of these two embodiments and unlike the embodiment of FIG. 1, the two sheets 2b have substantially straight longitudinal sides, and the bowl profile is obtained thanks to a judicious positioning of the fixing points which connect the outer sheets. 2b of the envelope and the inner sheet 2c.

In these two variants, the casing 2 comprises at each end two attachment points 9A, 9B (one fixing point per face). The fixing point 9A makes it possible to connect one of the sheets 2b of the envelope punctually to the inner sheet 2c; the opposite attachment point 9B makes it possible to connect the other sheet 2b of the envelope to the inner sheet 2c. The attachment points are, for example, heat sealing points. These extreme attachment points 9A and 9B are positioned so that once the envelope 2 inflated, it forms at the ends of the envelope two pads larger and larger, which allows to confer to the bearing surface SP of the casing 2 the required cup profile to prevent the sliding of a person along the longitudinal axis 2a (Y axis).

More particularly, in the two variant embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4, the two attachment points 9A and 9B are positioned between two alignments 4 'of heat-sealing points 4A, 4B and are preferably substantially centered on the height H (Z direction ) of outer sheets 2b of the inflatable envelope 2.

The following table gives, as non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the invention, particular values (in mm) for the dimensions shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. For these particular dimensions, the internal sheet 2c used is for example a leaf rectangular length 930mm, width 180mm and thickness of 0.2 mm. FIG. L1 L2 H h Y1 Y2 Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 Z1 Z2 Z3 Z4 Z5 Z6 3 1080 510 290 260 50 130 120 110 100 / 80 120 80 60 / / 4 1080 510 290 260 50 110 100 90 80 80 / 120 80 60 180 120

Claims (10)

Cell (1) inflatable anti-decubitus mattress characterized in that it comprises two outer sheets (2b) which are welded on their periphery so as to form an envelope (2) inflatable, and which are fixed by fixing points ( 4A, 4B) to an inner sheet (2c) for limiting envelope expansion, and that when inflated it has a carrier surface (SP) having a dish-shaped profile with ends ( 2f) noted. Cell according to claim 1 characterized in that each outer sheet (2b) has a longitudinal edge (2d, 2e) having a curved profile shaped dish. Cell according to claim 1 characterized in that each outer sheet (2b) is fixed to the inner sheet (2c) by attachment points (4A, 4B, 9A, 9B) which are positioned relative to each other so as to to obtain the cup-shaped profile for the carrier surface (SP), once the envelope (2) inflated. Cell according to claim 3 characterized in that it comprises for each outer sheet (2b), at least two alignments (4 ') of fixing points (4A or 4B), which extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis ( 2a) of the envelope (2), and in that it comprises at each end of the envelope (2) an attachment point (9A or 9B) which is positioned between the two points 4 'alignments (4A or 4 B). Cell according to claim 3 or 4 characterized in that the attachment points (9A, 9B) at both ends of the envelope (2) are substantially centered on the height (H) of the outer sheets (2b). Cell according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that it is equipped with a valve (6) for inflation and deflation. Cell according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the outer sheets (2b) and the inner sheet (2c) are of heat-sealable material, and in that the fixing points are points heat sealing. Cell according to claim 7 characterized in that the outer sheets (2b) and the inner sheet (2c) are polyurethane. Cell according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the fixing points (4A) of an outer sheet (2b) are offset in position along the longitudinal axis (2a) of the casing (2) relative to at the attachment points (4B) of the other outer sheet (2b). Anti-decubitus and anti-fall mattress characterized in that it comprises a plurality of inflatable cells (1) which are referred to in any one of claims 1 to 9, which are positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis (X) of the mattresses, and which are juxtaposed along this longitudinal axis (X).

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