EP1915978B1 - Device and method for regulating the humidity on the surface of a mattress-type support element - Google Patents

Device and method for regulating the humidity on the surface of a mattress-type support element Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1915978B1
EP1915978B1 EP07117169A EP07117169A EP1915978B1 EP 1915978 B1 EP1915978 B1 EP 1915978B1 EP 07117169 A EP07117169 A EP 07117169A EP 07117169 A EP07117169 A EP 07117169A EP 1915978 B1 EP1915978 B1 EP 1915978B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
air
chamber
envelope
water vapor
injection port
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Application number
EP07117169A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1915978A1 (en
Inventor
Thierry Flocard
Gilles Camus
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Hill Rom Industries SAS
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Hill Rom Industries SAS
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Publication of EP1915978A1 publication Critical patent/EP1915978A1/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
    • A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
    • A61G7/057—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor
    • A61G7/05769—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor with inflatable chambers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C21/00—Attachments for beds, e.g. sheet holders, bed-cover holders; Ventilating, cooling or heating means in connection with bedsteads or mattresses
    • A47C21/04—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating
    • A47C21/042—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating for ventilating or cooling
    • A47C21/044—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating for ventilating or cooling with active means, e.g. by using air blowers or liquid pumps
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C21/00—Attachments for beds, e.g. sheet holders, bed-cover holders; Ventilating, cooling or heating means in connection with bedsteads or mattresses
    • A47C21/04—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating
    • A47C21/048—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating for heating
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
    • A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
    • A61G7/057—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor
    • A61G7/05784—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor with ventilating means, e.g. mattress or cushion with ventilating holes or ventilators

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device and method for regulating the humidity on the surface of a support element of the mattress or cushion type and in the vicinity of the body of an individual resting thereon.
  • This moisture can come from the body of the patient by flowing a body fluid such as by sweating, or an external source of spilled liquid. It is desirable to avoid the maceration of liquid in the soft tissues of the skin, whether it is external fluid or perspiration, because this humidification leads to a maceration which promotes the formation of bedsores and maintains infectious foci.
  • a first problem of this known device is that it can not be implemented independently of the support element, in particular the mattress and that the interruption of the injection of air inside the mattress leads to make it inoperative.
  • Another disadvantage of this so-called air loss mattress system is that it can lead to excessive drying of the body and requires compensation of water losses by a program of hydration of the individual.
  • Dehumidification systems have been described in the vicinity of a patient consisting of a cover comprising a casing sandwiched between the patient and the mattress, said casing comprising an upper layer and a lower layer delimiting a chamber in which blood is circulated. air.
  • it is sought to dehumidify the outer surface of said upper layer on which said patient rests, at least in part by transfer of water vapor by molecular migration of water molecules through the upper layer of the permeable envelope with water vapor.
  • the lower layer of the envelope is impervious to air and water vapor, and the air is injected where appropriate into only a portion of the internal volume of said envelope by a plurality of injection orifices and is evacuated by a plurality of perforations which can be arranged on the sides of the upper layer.
  • This dehumidification system is relatively inefficient with announced dehumidification of only 400 ml / 24h.
  • the air evacuation at least partly on the patient's side resting on the device presents risks of contamination of the envelope by penetration of liquid or other contaminant coming from the outer surface of the upper layer on which the patient rests.
  • the dehumidification efficiencies are either relatively low or are accompanied by dehydration of the patient resulting from the excessive airflow sent near the patient.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a new method and device for regulating the humidity on the surface or in the vicinity of the body of an individual resting on a mattress or cushion-type support element which does not have the disadvantages mentioned above. above and more efficient in terms of dehumidification efficiency.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a device and method that can be implemented independently of said support member and in particular on any type of air or foam mattress, or other, which has all the guarantees of safety in view of the risks of contamination of a fluid coming from the outside, and which does not require the implementation of a concomitant hydration of the patient.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that allows automated moisture control and not just a device for only continuously decreasing moisture such as the air loss mattress devices of the prior art.
  • the present invention provides a device for regulating the humidity on the surface of a support element of the mattress or cushion type and in the vicinity of the body of an individual resting thereon, comprising a casing formed by at least two parts connected together at their peripheral edges, preferably sealed by welding, defining an inner chamber, said two parts consisting of a first part intended to be disposed on the side of said body of the individual, and a second part intended to be arranged on the side of said mattress or cushion-like support element, said first part being made of a material forming a barrier impervious to air and liquid water and permeable to water vapor, said second part being constituted a material permeable to water vapor, said second part comprising at least one air injection orifice and means for evacuation of air comprising perforated or porous areas permeable to air, preferably perforations.
  • said first part is non-perforated and that the air is exhausted exclusively through said second part interposed between said first part and said support member of the mattress or cushion type.
  • said first piece constitutes an upper piece on which the body of the individual rests and said second piece constitutes a lower piece applied to the mattress and disposed below said first piece or upper piece.
  • the said evacuation means are arranged with respect to the said injection orifice (s) so as to be able to create a circulation of the air entering into the said orifice (s). chamber through said injection port and discharged from said chamber by said evacuation means, preferably said perforations, into the entire volume of said chamber when said envelope is inflated by air injected continuously under pressure by said injection port so as to create an overpressure in said chamber.
  • the air is injected at a pressure and at a rate such that the air inside the chamber is at an excess pressure relative to the air outside the chamber.
  • This circulation therefore favors a decrease in hygrometry inside the envelope and maintains the transfer of water vapor from the outside of the envelope to the inside of the envelope if necessary, as long as the humidity on the outside of it is greater than the relative humidity of the air inside the envelope and therefore the humidity of the air ambient injected.
  • the vapor transferred inside said chamber can evacuate outwardly despite the air circulation, allowing to maintain and promote the establishment of a high relative humidity gradient between the outside of said first piece and the interior of said chamber.
  • the fact that said second part is permeable to water vapor, and that the air is discharged exclusively through said second part makes it possible to provide a dehumidification process exclusively by transfer of water vapor by molecular migration through the device and this, with a rate of water vapor transfer and therefore dehumidification higher than in the prior art, without the risk of excessive humidification below the device between said second part and the mattress, without risk of contamination by penetration of contamination or liquid from the upper outer surface of said first part since it is non-perforated, and finally, without requiring treatment of concomitant hydration of the patient as is the case when the air is evacuated from the upper layer towards or near the patient.
  • the device according to the invention has higher dehumidification performance than in the patent US 5,882,349 .
  • the inventors have discovered that if the lower layer is impervious to water vapor, as in US'349, a moisture saturation of the interior of the envelope is rapidly established.
  • said second piece or lower layer is permeable to water vapor and the injected air circulates throughout the chamber volume, the efficiency of the water vapor transfer from the outer surface of said first piece on which the patient rests towards the outer surface of said second piece on the mattress side, is much higher.
  • the air is discharged by said second piece or bottom layer, the water vapor transferred to the underside of said second piece or lower layer does not accumulate between it and the mattress on which it is arranged, and is evaporated by the exhaust air which is thus injected therein.
  • the water vapor permeability of said second piece is lower than that of said first piece.
  • This limited water vapor permeability of said second part makes it possible to prevent the accumulation of moisture between said second part and said support member and allows the evaporation of this humidity by the sole flow of air coming from said means. exhaust air in the absence of additional air injection between said second piece and said support member.
  • said second part is substantially airtight between said injection orifice and said perforated or porous air permeable zones, the latter being disposed sufficiently far from said injection orifice so that substantially all the volume of said chamber is traversed by air flowing between said injection port and said perforated or porous areas.
  • the ratio between the accumulated sections of the evacuation perforations and the section of the injection orifices is chosen so as to obtain a compromise between, on the one hand, the search for a flow rate of air circulating through the elevated chamber and on the other hand sufficient overpressure inside the chamber.
  • the pressure must be sufficient to ensure that the injected air circulates throughout the volume of the chamber, that is to say that the air is uniformly distributed throughout the volume of the room. Otherwise there is a risk that the injected air is limited to circulating inside said chamber only between said injection port (s) and those of said corresponding perforated or porous localized zones. at the passage of minimal pressure drop.
  • an overpressure of at least 500 Pa makes it possible to obtain a homogeneous air circulation in all directions and in particular in the zone below or in relation to the body of the patient.
  • the upper limit of the air flow circulating in the chamber is related to the maximum rate of vacuum, that is to say to the cumulative section of the orifices that can tolerate the materials of said second piece of a point from the point of view of its mechanical resistance. This rate should not exceed 10% in general.
  • the positive effect of the increase of the air flow on the dehumidification performance is limited by the transfer capacity of the water vapor of said first and second part layer . Beyond a certain air flow the dehumidification performance is no longer improved.
  • a flow rate of 20 to 50 l / min provides sufficient dehumidification performance given the migration time of the water molecules for the transfer of water vapor through the polymer layers implemented as described below. .
  • the ratio of the sum of the sections of the perforations or pores of said perforated or respectively porous zones of the evacuation of the air. relative to the sum of the sections of the injection ports is at least 2, preferably 2 to 4.
  • the evaporation of the surface water on the patient's side is accompanied by a slight decrease in temperature which favors a decrease in sweating if necessary and offsets the increase in temperature resulting from the compression of the injected air. .
  • the transfer of water vapor from said first piece is at least 750, preferably 750 to 2000 g. of water / m 2 / 24h, more preferably about 1000 g./m 2 / 24h and the water vapor transfer of the second part is less than 500 g. water / m 2 / 24h, preferably from 300 to 500 g of water / m 2 / 24h.
  • the device according to the invention comprises a spacer part inside said chamber between said first and second parts, said intermediate part being permeable to air and water vapor.
  • This intermediate layer promotes the spacing of said first and second parts and thus facilitates the circulation of air inside the chamber and therefore its better diffusion and better evacuation of water vapor.
  • This insert included inside the chamber has the effect of avoiding climatic bridges between said first and second parts and to allow a better passage of air.
  • said intermediate part consists of a layer of a nonwoven fibrous material, preferably polyester wadding, preferably further held in shape by a holding device, in particular a net and / or a grid of seams. quilting type.
  • the intermediate layer thus has an absorbing effect favoring a better distribution and spreading of the moisture and therefore a better diffusion of the moisture in the interior of said chamber, the moisture being thus more quickly evacuated by the air injected inside said chamber and inducing more efficient dehumidification.
  • said first part consists of a porous or perforated substrate which is not impermeable to water and to air, said substrate being coated on at least one face with a continuous layer of watertight polymer. liquid and air water exhibiting molecular transfer properties of water vapor.
  • said second piece consists of a fabric coated on at least one of its faces with a polyurethane-type polymer layer, preferably on the outer face of the side of said physical body.
  • a perforated substrate such as a fabric resulting from the weaving of fibers or yarns has porosities or perforations that do not impede the passage of the water vapor transferred through the polyurethane-type polymer layer.
  • This property of molecular transfer of the water vapor of said polymers results from the molecular affinity inducing an attraction of the molecules of water on the molecular chains of the polymer, in particular polyurethane, comprising hydrophilic groups, said molecules of water thus being able to walk along the polymer chain and cross the layer of said polymer.
  • said second part consists of a fabric coated on at least one of its faces with a layer of polymer permeable to water vapor, that is to say having properties of molecular transfer of the vapor of water. water, preferably on the side facing the inside of said chamber.
  • said first and second parts are connected together at their peripheral edges by welding, directly with each other or via a bonding strip coated with a polymer layer, the different polymer layers of said first and second parts and said strip, if any, being weldable to each other by heat-sealing or radiation-welding, preferably high-frequency irradiation.
  • the different polymer layers are of the same chemical nature or chemical nature capable of making them weldable together, which is the case of polyurethane type polymers.
  • Both said pieces can be coated with polymer on both sides, and be sealed to each other directly.
  • the two parts are preferably for economic reasons, coated with polymer on one side only. And, if at least one of the internal faces of the two parts is not coated with polymer, especially if the first part is coated with polymer on its outer face and the second part on its inner face, the edge of one of the two parts can be folded on itself so as to have its polymer-coated side towards the inside of said chamber.
  • a peripheral bonding strip possibly folded on itself, providing the connection by welding between the two said first and second parts, said strip being itself coated on one side with less than one layer of polymer weldable with the polymer layers of both said first and second parts, the polymer layer of said strip being of the same nature impervious to liquid water, air and water vapor than that of said second piece.
  • said constituent tissues of said first and second parts are extensible fabrics in both longitudinal and transverse directions. More particularly, this property makes it possible to promote a better distribution of the weight of the body, that is to say on its larger surface area, and that the tissue conforms to the shape of the body and does not generate localized points of excessive compression of the body. can generate blockages of vascularization and pathologies that result.
  • said air evacuation perforations are disposed on the periphery of said second piece. These peripheral zones do not coincide with the central zone of the envelope on which the body is normally supported, but surround it, thus facilitating the evacuation of air by said perforations.
  • said second piece is of substantially rectangular shape and the device comprises a single injection orifice near the middle of a longitudinal edge of said second piece, said air evacuation perforations being disposed at proximity of the lateral edges and the longitudinal edge opposite that of the injection port.
  • the injection orifice is disposed relative to said evacuation perforations so as to circulate the air throughout the inner chamber of the casing and to evacuate to the outside as quickly as possible the moisture transferred. from the vicinity or the surface of the body towards the interior of said chamber.
  • an overpressure of the air inside said chamber is established relative to the outside of the chamber, sufficient for the air to circulate throughout the volume of the chamber.
  • the device according to the invention further comprises a device for injecting compressed air supplying said casing with air via an injection port.
  • air is also injected between said second piece and said support member, preferably from the same compressed air injection device feeding said envelope by said injection port.
  • said support member consists of at least one inflatable compartment filled with air, preferably connected to the same air injection device that supplies said envelope.
  • the air filling said chamber can thus be derived from the same source of air as that for inflating the mattress via a device that selectively directs the air, for example a solenoid valve acting as a device. referral of a single source of air.
  • Said solenoid valve may be an integral part of a module cooperating with the device according to the invention.
  • Air injection installations in an inflatable mattress have been described in particular in the applicant's patents EP 676,158 , FR 2,751,743 , FR 2 757 377 , FR 2 757 378 , FR 2 758 259 , FR 2,760,967 .
  • the device according to the invention may further comprise a remote control system, in particular by remote control, of said device for injecting compressed air.
  • the device of the invention is integrated in a protective cover of a said support element of the mattress or cushion type, at least at the level of of the part of the cover intended to cover the part of the face of the support element on which at least a part of the body of an individual is intended to rest.
  • the device according to the invention may further comprise a heating device, and / or cooling of the injected, and / or air inside said chamber.
  • a heating device and / or cooling of the injected, and / or air inside said chamber.
  • the figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an inflated air mattress covered with a protective cover incorporating the control device according to the present invention and on which a patient is based.
  • the figure 2 is a schematic view of the upper 3 parts, intermediate and lower respectively component a control device according to the invention.
  • the figure 3 schematically shows in cross-section a mode of welding of the lower part on the upper part by means of a strip 6 forming a lateral rim 6 1 of a cover ending with a closing device / sliding opening 6 2 and also forming a flap 6 3 for protecting a closing / opening device 6 2 .
  • a regulating device comprising a casing 1 formed from 2 pieces: a top piece or so-called first part 1 1 and a bottom part or said second part 1 2 , whose peripheral edges 1a and 1b are welded 1c to each other by means of a connecting strip 6 folded on itself, the weld lines 1c substantially following a rectangular contour.
  • the casing 1 of the regulating device according to the present invention is integrated in a protective cover 7 covering an air mattress 3. More particularly, the casing 1 forms the upper face of the protective cover, and part of the band link 6 forms lateral edges 6 1 of the cover of protection covering part of the sidewalls of the mattress 3, said second lower part or said second part 1 2 being applied directly to the mattress 3.
  • the cover comprises a closing device / opening with a toothed slide 6 2 peripheral along the sides or side edges of the cover covering the edge of the mattress, said closure / opening device 6 2 allowing the separation of a lower portion 7 1 cover and side edges 6 1 and removal of the mattress cover.
  • the upper part or first part 1 1 consists of a polyester yarn fabric coated on its outer upper surface with a polyurethane type polymer having water vapor transfer properties.
  • these polyurethane-type polymers consist of polyurethane molecular chains containing hydrophilic ester groups allowing a transfer of water vapor by molecular migration of the water molecules through physico-chemical interaction with said hydrophilic ester groups. said molecular chains.
  • Such fabrics coated on a polyurethane face with water vapor transfer properties are sold under the trademark Dartex ® , especially under the reference P510, having water vapor transfer properties of about 1000 g. of water / m 2 / 24h (amount of water transferable through the coated fabric), and comprising a composition of 66% polyester and 34% polyurethane, and a basis weight of 130 g / m 2 .
  • the lower piece or second piece 1 2 consists of a polyamide-based nylon fabric coated on one side with a layer of polyurethane permeable to water vapor, marketed by the company Dartex ® , especially under the reference P280 with a water vapor transfer rate of about 350 g of water / m 2 / 24h, a composition of 47% polyamide and 53% polyurethane, and a basis weight of 179 g / m 2 .
  • the envelope constituted by the two lower and upper parts delimits an internal chamber 1 3 .
  • a spacer 2 occupying substantially the entire volume of the substantially rectangular chamber, consisting of a layer of a non-woven material 21 of 5 to 10 mm thick, based on polyester wadding of 160 g / m 2 constituting a absorbent material permeable to air and water.
  • This interlayer has the dual property of homogeneously distributing and diffusing the water vapor transferred inside the chamber from the outer surface of the upper part, and constituting a spacer between the lower and upper parts to avoid contact. between the two rooms.
  • the interlayer of nonwoven material is covered with a synthetic net 2 1 of tulle type polyester fibers.
  • a peripheral seam secures the layer of the insert with said net, preferably seams longitudinal and lateral grid to stabilize the shape of the insert.
  • air is injected so as to create an overpressure of about 750 Pa in the shell 1 relative to the outside air by establishing a flow rate of incoming air and flow of air. outgoing air balanced from 25 to 35 l / minute.
  • the lower part 1 2 comprises an air injection orifice 4 in the center of about 9.5 mm and near a longitudinal edge of the lower part 1 2 , said air injection orifice consisting of a welded plastic connector.
  • Diameter of air discharge perforations of about 3 mm are spaced 10 to 20 cm regularly along the other three edges of the bottom part 1 2, that is to say the two transverse edges and the edge longitudinally opposite that of the injection port .. For a bed about 2m long by 90 cm wide, there were thus 48 perforations.
  • the accumulated sections of the evacuation perforations 5 thus represent approximately twice the section of the injection orifice 4.
  • the pressure losses associated with the restrictions on the passage of air are compensated and a balance is maintained between the inflows entering. and outgoing air flow with this flow rate of 25 to 35 l / min. and this overpressure of 750 Pa approximately the air inside the chamber relative to the outside.
  • the air injection orifice 4 is supplied by a compressor 8 which also supplies the air mattress 3 via a solenoid valve 9 which serves as a switch controlled by a control device 10, either for the air supply 12 of the mattress, or by the air supply 11 of the air injection port inside said chamber, depending on the measurements of a particular inflation pressure sensor mattress .
  • the regulating device according to the invention makes it possible to dry 500ml water spread uniformly on a cotton sheet to the dimensions of the mattress, or about 2m 2 in 3:30 when said mattress is covered with a dummy simulating the body of a patient in the presence of said intermediate part 2 and 6h in the absence of said insert, the tests having been performed in an ambient atmosphere of about 40% relative humidity and at room temperature of about 25 ° C.
  • the welding connection of the lower 1 2 and upper 1 1 parts is performed by means of binding strips 6. More specifically, a bonding strip 6 consisting of a fabric coated on one of its faces with a layer of polyurethane polymer and having the same properties of impermeability to air, water and water vapor and folded on itself to be welded to both the peripheral edge 1a folded on itself of the upper part 1 1 and the peripheral edge 1b of the lower part 1 2 .
  • the connecting strip 6 therefore comprises 2 folded parts on one another comprising from the weld 1c with the lower part 1 2 a lateral flange portion 6 1 of the mat 3 and ending with a zipper device with teeth 6 by opening 2 allowing the mattress out of the cover 7.
  • the flange 6 side 1 comes cover the sidewalls of the mattress 3.
  • the other portion of the strip extending from the welding 1c with the upper part 1 1 forms a flap 6 3 covering said lateral flange 6 1 and the slide fastener 6 2 thus protected.
  • said envelope comprises another opening / closing device, not shown, airtight and water-proof of the type of devices used to reversibly seal sachets containing food thereby opening the door. envelope and remove the insert 2 to clean it regularly.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Nursing (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
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  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Invalid Beds And Related Equipment (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne des dispositif et procédé de régulation de l'humidité à la surface d'un élément de support du type matelas ou coussin et au voisinage du corps d'un individu y reposant.The present invention relates to a device and method for regulating the humidity on the surface of a support element of the mattress or cushion type and in the vicinity of the body of an individual resting thereon.

Cette humidité peut provenir du corps du patient par écoulement d'un liquide corporel tel que par sudation, ou d'une source externe de liquide répandu. Il est souhaitable en effet d'éviter la macération de liquide au niveau des tissus mous de la peau, qu'il s'agisse de liquide externe ou de transpiration, car cette humidification entraîne une macération laquelle favorise la formation d'escarres et entretient des foyers infectieux.This moisture can come from the body of the patient by flowing a body fluid such as by sweating, or an external source of spilled liquid. It is desirable to avoid the maceration of liquid in the soft tissues of the skin, whether it is external fluid or perspiration, because this humidification leads to a maceration which promotes the formation of bedsores and maintains infectious foci.

On connaît des procédé et dispositif de ce type consistant à injecter de l'air à la surface ou vers le corps de l'individu, en mettant en oeuvre des matelas ou coussins dits à perte d'air (« low-air-loss bed ») constitués de compartiments gonflés d'air sous pression. Ainsi, le corps de l'individu ou la zone entre le corps et l'élément de support, c'est-à-dire le matelas au niveau duquel peut créer une humidité, se trouve asséché par le flux d'air orienté dans cette direction.There is known method and device of this type consisting of injecting air on the surface or to the body of the individual, using so-called air-loss mattresses or cushions ("low-air-loss bed"). ") Consisting of compartments inflated with air under pressure. Thus, the body of the individual or the zone between the body and the support element, that is to say the mattress at which moisture can be created, is dried up by the flow of air oriented in this area. direction.

Un premier problème de ce dispositif connu est qu'il ne peut pas être mis en oeuvre indépendamment de l'élément support, notamment du matelas et que l'interruption de l'injection d'air à l'intérieur du matelas conduit à le rendre inopérationnel. Un autre inconvénient de ce système de matelas dit à perte d'air est qu'il peut conduire à un assèchement excessif du corps et nécessite une compensation des pertes hydriques par un programme d'hydratation de l'individu.A first problem of this known device is that it can not be implemented independently of the support element, in particular the mattress and that the interruption of the injection of air inside the mattress leads to make it inoperative. Another disadvantage of this so-called air loss mattress system is that it can lead to excessive drying of the body and requires compensation of water losses by a program of hydration of the individual.

On a décrit des systèmes de déshumidification au voisinage d'un patient constitués d'une housse comprenant une enveloppe intercalée entre le patient et le matelas, ladite enveloppe comprenant une couche supérieure et une couche inférieure délimitant une chambre dans laquelle on fait circuler de l'air. Dans ces systèmes, on cherche à déshumidifier la surface externe de ladite couche supérieure sur laquelle repose ledit patient, au moins en partie par transfert de vapeur d'eau par migration moléculaire des molécules d'eau à travers la couche supérieure de l'enveloppe perméable à la vapeur d'eau.Dehumidification systems have been described in the vicinity of a patient consisting of a cover comprising a casing sandwiched between the patient and the mattress, said casing comprising an upper layer and a lower layer delimiting a chamber in which blood is circulated. air. In these systems, it is sought to dehumidify the outer surface of said upper layer on which said patient rests, at least in part by transfer of water vapor by molecular migration of water molecules through the upper layer of the permeable envelope with water vapor.

Dans US 5.882.349 , la couche inférieure de l'enveloppe est imperméable à l'air et à la vapeur d'eau, et l'air est injecté le cas échéant dans une partie seulement du volume interne de ladite enveloppe par une pluralité d'orifices d'injection, et est évacué par une pluralité de perforations pouvant être disposées sur les côtés de la couche supérieure. Ce système de déshumidification est relativement peu performant avec une déshumidification annoncée de seulement 400 ml/24h.In US 5,882,349 , the lower layer of the envelope is impervious to air and water vapor, and the air is injected where appropriate into only a portion of the internal volume of said envelope by a plurality of injection orifices and is evacuated by a plurality of perforations which can be arranged on the sides of the upper layer. This dehumidification system is relatively inefficient with announced dehumidification of only 400 ml / 24h.

Dans US 5.926.884 , on a décrit une housse de matelas de ce type dans lequel l'air est évacué exclusivement par des perforations dans la couche supérieure sur toute la surface et notamment au niveau de la zone recouverte par le patient, et la couche inférieure est perméable à la vapeur d'eau. L'enveloppe ainsi formée entre la couche inférieure et la couche supérieure toutes deux perméables à la vapeur d'eau est complétée par une couche sous-jacente additionnelle absorbant et dispersant la vapeur d'eau risquant de s'accumuler entre le dispositif de déshumidification ainsi formé et le matelas.In US 5,926,884 a mattress cover of this type has been described in which the air is evacuated exclusively by perforations in the upper layer over the entire surface and in particular at the area covered by the patient, and the lower layer is permeable to the water vapour. The envelope thus formed between the lower layer and the upper layer both permeable to water vapor is completed by an additional underlying layer absorbing and dispersing the water vapor that may accumulate between the dehumidification device and formed and the mattress.

Dans ces dispositifs de déshumidification par transfert de vapeur d'eau, l'évacuation d'air en partie au moins du côté du patient reposant sur le dispositif présente des risques de contamination de l'enveloppe par pénétration de liquide ou autre contaminant venant de la surface externe de la couche supérieure sur laquelle repose le patient. D'autre part, et surtout, les rendements en terme de déshumidification sont soit relativement faibles, soit s'accompagnent d'une déshydratation du patient résultant du flux d'air excessif envoyé à proximité du patient.In these water vapor dehumidification devices, the air evacuation at least partly on the patient's side resting on the device presents risks of contamination of the envelope by penetration of liquid or other contaminant coming from the outer surface of the upper layer on which the patient rests. On the other hand, and most importantly, the dehumidification efficiencies are either relatively low or are accompanied by dehydration of the patient resulting from the excessive airflow sent near the patient.

Le but de la présente invention est de fournir un nouveau procédé et dispositif de régulation de l'humidité à la surface ou au voisinage du corps d'un individu reposant sur un élément support de type matelas ou coussin qui ne présentent pas les inconvénients ci-dessus et plus performant en termes de rendement de déshumidification.The object of the present invention is to provide a new method and device for regulating the humidity on the surface or in the vicinity of the body of an individual resting on a mattress or cushion-type support element which does not have the disadvantages mentioned above. above and more efficient in terms of dehumidification efficiency.

Plus particulièrement, un but de la présente invention est de fournir un dispositif et procédé qui puissent être mis en oeuvre indépendamment dudit élément de support et notamment sur tout type de matelas à air ou en mousse, ou autre, qui présente toutes les garanties de salubrité au regard des risques de contamination d'un fluide venant de l'extérieur, et qui ne nécessite pas la mise en oeuvre d'une hydratation concomitante du patient.More particularly, an object of the present invention is to provide a device and method that can be implemented independently of said support member and in particular on any type of air or foam mattress, or other, which has all the guarantees of safety in view of the risks of contamination of a fluid coming from the outside, and which does not require the implementation of a concomitant hydration of the patient.

Un autre but de la présente invention est de fournir un dispositif qui permet une régulation de l'humidité automatisée et non pas simplement un dispositif permettant seulement de diminuer continûment l'humidité comme les dispositifs de matelas à perte d'air de la technique antérieure.Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that allows automated moisture control and not just a device for only continuously decreasing moisture such as the air loss mattress devices of the prior art.

Pour ce faire, la présente invention fournit un dispositif de régulation de l'humidité à la surface d'un élément de support du type matelas ou coussin et au voisinage du corps d'un individu y reposant, comprenant une enveloppe formée par au moins deux pièces reliées entre elles au niveau de leurs bords périphériques, de préférence scellés par soudage, définissant une chambre intérieure, lesdites deux pièces consistant dans une première pièce destinée à être disposée du côté dudit corps de l'individu, et une deuxième pièce destinée à être disposée du côté dudit élément de support de type matelas ou coussin, ladite première pièce étant constituée d'un matériau formant une barrière imperméable à l'air et à l'eau liquide et perméable à la vapeur d'eau, ladite deuxième pièce étant constituée d'un matériau perméable à la vapeur d'eau, ladite deuxième pièce comprenant au moins un orifice d'injection d'air et des moyens d'évacuation d'air comprenant des zones perforées ou poreuses perméables à l'air, de préférence des perforations.To do this, the present invention provides a device for regulating the humidity on the surface of a support element of the mattress or cushion type and in the vicinity of the body of an individual resting thereon, comprising a casing formed by at least two parts connected together at their peripheral edges, preferably sealed by welding, defining an inner chamber, said two parts consisting of a first part intended to be disposed on the side of said body of the individual, and a second part intended to be arranged on the side of said mattress or cushion-like support element, said first part being made of a material forming a barrier impervious to air and liquid water and permeable to water vapor, said second part being constituted a material permeable to water vapor, said second part comprising at least one air injection orifice and means for evacuation of air comprising perforated or porous areas permeable to air, preferably perforations.

On comprend que ladite première pièce est non perforée et que l'air s'évacue exclusivement à travers ladite deuxième pièce intercalée entre ladite première pièce et ledit élément de support du type matelas ou coussin.It is understood that said first part is non-perforated and that the air is exhausted exclusively through said second part interposed between said first part and said support member of the mattress or cushion type.

Dans le cas d'un matelas disposé horizontalement sur un lit, ladite première pièce constitue une pièce supérieure sur laquelle repose le corps de l'individu et ladite deuxième pièce constitue une pièce inférieure appliquée sur le matelas et disposée dessous ladite première pièce ou pièce supérieure.In the case of a mattress disposed horizontally on a bed, said first piece constitutes an upper piece on which the body of the individual rests and said second piece constitutes a lower piece applied to the mattress and disposed below said first piece or upper piece. .

Avantageusement, les dits moyens d'évacuation, de préférence les dites perforations, sont disposés par rapport au(x)dit(s) orifice(s) d'injection de façon à être aptes à créer une circulation de l'air entrant dans ladite chambre par ledit orifice d'injection et évacués de ladite chambre par lesdits moyens d'évacuation, de préférence lesdites perforations, dans tout le volume de ladite chambre lorsque ladite enveloppe est gonflée par de l'air injecté continûment sous pression par ledit orifice d'injection de manière à créer une surpression dans la dite chambre.Advantageously, the said evacuation means, preferably the said perforations, are arranged with respect to the said injection orifice (s) so as to be able to create a circulation of the air entering into the said orifice (s). chamber through said injection port and discharged from said chamber by said evacuation means, preferably said perforations, into the entire volume of said chamber when said envelope is inflated by air injected continuously under pressure by said injection port so as to create an overpressure in said chamber.

La présente invention fournit également un procédé de régulation de l'humidité à la surface d'un élément de support de type matelas ou coussin et au voisinage du corps d'un individu y reposant, à l'aide d'un dispositif selon l'invention, caractérisé en ce qu'on réalise les étapes dans lesquelles :

  1. 1) on dispose à plat ladite enveloppe entre ledit élément de support et ledit corps d'un individu, de telle sorte que ladite première pièce soit tournée du côté du corps de l'individu et ladite deuxième pièce soit tournée du côté dudit élément de support, et
  2. 2) on injecte de l'air sous pression dans ladite chambre par ledit orifice d'injection à une pression et à un débit tels que ladite enveloppe reste gonflée en surpression en dépit de l'évacuation de l'air par lesdits moyens d'évacuation et de l'appui du corps sur ladite enveloppe.
The present invention also provides a method of regulating moisture on the surface of a mattress or cushion type support member and in the vicinity of the body of an individual resting thereon, using a device according to the invention. characterized in that the steps are carried out in which:
  1. 1) said envelope is disposed flat between said support member and said body of an individual, such that said first piece is turned towards the body of the individual and said second piece is turned towards the side of said support member , and
  2. 2) pressurized air is injected into said chamber through said injection orifice at a pressure and a flow rate such that said envelope remains inflated at overpressure despite the evacuation of the air by said evacuation means; and the support of the body on said envelope.

On comprend que l'on injecte l'air à une pression et à un débit tels que l'air à l'intérieur de la chambre soit en surpression par rapport à l'air à l'extérieur de la chambre.It is understood that the air is injected at a pressure and at a rate such that the air inside the chamber is at an excess pressure relative to the air outside the chamber.

De par les propriétés de perméabilité à la vapeur d'eau de ladite première pièce, un transfert de vapeur d'eau s'opère à travers ladite première pièce lorsqu'un gradient d'humidité relative existe entre la surface externe de ladite première pièce de l'enveloppe et l'intérieur de ladite chambre, notamment en cas de macération d'un liquide ou de sudation du corps ou à proximité du corps entre le corps et ladite enveloppe, ce qui s'accompagne d'une déshumidification de la surface de ladite première pièce. Lorsque le taux d'hygrométrie est identique des deux côtés de ladite première pièce, c'est-à-dire entre l'extérieur et l'intérieur de ladite enveloppe, il n'y a plus de gradient d'humidité relative et le transfert de vapeur d'eau s'interrompt automatiquement. Mais, la circulation d'air à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe permet d'entraîner la vapeur d'eau, de l'évacuer à l'extérieur par ladite deuxième pièce. Cette circulation favorise donc une diminution de l'hygrométrie à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe et entretient le transfert de vapeur d'eau depuis l'extérieur de l'enveloppe vers l'intérieur de l'enveloppe le cas échéant, tant que l'humidité à l'extérieur de celle-ci est supérieure à l'humidité relative de l'air à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe et donc à l'humidité de l'air ambiant injecté. Le fait que l'humidité à l'extérieur de l'enveloppe au niveau de la surface de l'enveloppe soit diminuée jusqu'à atteindre la valeur d'humidité relative de l'air ambiant injecté, et que le transfert de vapeur d'eau s'interrompe automatiquement à ce moment, permet d'éviter une déshydratation excessive des tissus de la peau dudit corps.By virtue of the water vapor permeability properties of said first part, a transfer of water vapor takes place through said first part when a relative humidity gradient exists between the external surface of said first piece of water. the envelope and the interior of said chamber, in particular in case of maceration of a liquid or perspiration of the body or near the body between the body and said envelope, which is accompanied by a dehumidification of the surface of said first piece. When the hygrometry rate is identical on both sides of said first part, that is to say between the outside and the inside of said envelope, there is no longer a relative humidity gradient and the transfer water vapor stops automatically. But, the circulation of air inside the casing allows the water vapor to be evacuated, to evacuate it externally by said second piece. This circulation therefore favors a decrease in hygrometry inside the envelope and maintains the transfer of water vapor from the outside of the envelope to the inside of the envelope if necessary, as long as the humidity on the outside of it is greater than the relative humidity of the air inside the envelope and therefore the humidity of the air ambient injected. The fact that the moisture outside the envelope at the surface of the envelope is decreased until it reaches the relative humidity value of the injected ambient air, and that the vapor transfer of water is automatically interrupted at this time, avoids excessive dehydration of the skin tissues of said body.

En outre, du fait des propriétés de perméabilité à la vapeur d'eau de ladite deuxième pièce, la vapeur transférée à l'intérieur de ladite chambre peut s'évacuer vers l'extérieur en dépit de la circulation d'air, ce qui permet de maintenir et favoriser l'établissement d'un gradient d'humidité relative élevé entre l'extérieur de ladite première pièce et l'intérieur de ladite chambre.In addition, because of the water vapor permeability properties of said second part, the vapor transferred inside said chamber can evacuate outwardly despite the air circulation, allowing to maintain and promote the establishment of a high relative humidity gradient between the outside of said first piece and the interior of said chamber.

Selon la présente invention, le fait que ladite deuxième pièce est perméable à la vapeur d'eau, et que l'air est évacué exclusivement à travers ladite deuxième pièce, permet de fournir un procédé de déshumidification exclusivement par transfert de vapeur d'eau par migration moléculaire à travers le dispositif et ce, avec un taux de transfert de vapeur d'eau et donc de déshumidification plus élevé que dans la technique antérieure, sans risque d'humidification excessive au-dessous du dispositif entre ladite deuxième pièce et le matelas, sans risque de contamination par pénétration de contamination ou de liquide provenant de la surface externe supérieure de ladite première pièce puisque celle-ci est non perforée, et enfin, sans requérir de traitement d'hydratation concomitant du patient comme c'est le cas lorsque de l'air est évacué de la couche supérieure en direction ou à proximité du patient.According to the present invention, the fact that said second part is permeable to water vapor, and that the air is discharged exclusively through said second part, makes it possible to provide a dehumidification process exclusively by transfer of water vapor by molecular migration through the device and this, with a rate of water vapor transfer and therefore dehumidification higher than in the prior art, without the risk of excessive humidification below the device between said second part and the mattress, without risk of contamination by penetration of contamination or liquid from the upper outer surface of said first part since it is non-perforated, and finally, without requiring treatment of concomitant hydration of the patient as is the case when the air is evacuated from the upper layer towards or near the patient.

Le dispositif selon l'invention présente des performances de déshumidification plus élevées que dans le brevet US 5.882.349 . En particulier, les inventeurs ont découvert que si la couche inférieure est imperméable à la vapeur d'eau, comme dans US'349, il s'établit rapidement une saturation en humidité de l'intérieur de l'enveloppe. Selon la présente invention, du fait que ladite deuxième pièce ou couche inférieure est perméable à la vapeur d'eau et que l'air injecté circule dans tout le volume de la chambre, le rendement du transfert de vapeur d'eau depuis la surface externe de ladite première pièce sur laquelle repose le patient vers la surface externe de ladite deuxième pièce du côté du matelas, est beaucoup plus élevé.The device according to the invention has higher dehumidification performance than in the patent US 5,882,349 . In particular, the inventors have discovered that if the lower layer is impervious to water vapor, as in US'349, a moisture saturation of the interior of the envelope is rapidly established. According to the present invention, since said second piece or lower layer is permeable to water vapor and the injected air circulates throughout the chamber volume, the efficiency of the water vapor transfer from the outer surface of said first piece on which the patient rests towards the outer surface of said second piece on the mattress side, is much higher.

Par ailleurs, du fait que selon la présente invention, l'air est évacué par ladite deuxième pièce ou couche inférieure, la vapeur d'eau transférée en sous-face de ladite deuxième pièce ou couche inférieure ne s'accumule pas entre celle-ci et le matelas sur lequel elle est disposée, et est évaporé par l'air évacué qui y est ainsi injecté.Furthermore, because according to the present invention, the air is discharged by said second piece or bottom layer, the water vapor transferred to the underside of said second piece or lower layer does not accumulate between it and the mattress on which it is arranged, and is evaporated by the exhaust air which is thus injected therein.

Dans un mode préféré de réalisation de la présente invention, la perméabilité à la vapeur d'eau de ladite deuxième pièce est inférieure à celle de ladite première pièce.In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the water vapor permeability of said second piece is lower than that of said first piece.

Cette perméabilité à la vapeur d'eau limitée de ladite deuxième pièce permet d'éviter l'accumulation d'humidité entre ladite deuxième pièce et ledit élément de support et permet l'évaporation de cette humidité par la seule circulation d'air provenant desdits moyens d'évacuation d'air en l'absence d'injection d'air additionnel entre ladite deuxième pièce et ledit élément de support.This limited water vapor permeability of said second part makes it possible to prevent the accumulation of moisture between said second part and said support member and allows the evaporation of this humidity by the sole flow of air coming from said means. exhaust air in the absence of additional air injection between said second piece and said support member.

La faible performance du système décrit dans US'349 s'explique aussi par le fait que l'air n'est pas injecté de manière à mettre le volume total de la chambre en surpression, ce qui limite la surface active de transfert de la vapeur d'eau. En effet, en l'absence de surpression, on n'obtient pas une répartition uniforme dans la portion de volume de la chambre concernée et/ou le cas échéant une circulation uniforme ou homogène dans le volume entier de la chambre. Au contraire selon la présente invention, l'établissement d'une surpression permet d'obtenir un transfert de vapeur d'eau maximal à travers les couches supérieure et inférieure.The low performance of the system described in US'349 can also be explained by the fact that the air is not injected so as to put the total volume of the chamber under an overpressure, which limits the active vapor transfer surface. of water. Indeed, in the absence of overpressure, it does not obtain a uniform distribution in the volume portion of the chamber concerned and / or where appropriate a uniform or homogeneous circulation in the entire volume of the chamber. On the contrary according to the present invention, the establishment of an overpressure makes it possible to obtain a maximum transfer of water vapor through the upper and lower layers.

Avantageusement, ladite deuxième pièce est sensiblement étanche à l'air entre ledit orifice d'injection et lesdites zones perforées ou poreuses perméables à l'air, ces dernières étant disposées suffisamment loin dudit orifice d'injection pour que sensiblement tout le volume de ladite chambre soit parcouru par de l'air circulant entre ledit orifice d'injection et lesdites zones perforées ou poreuses.Advantageously, said second part is substantially airtight between said injection orifice and said perforated or porous air permeable zones, the latter being disposed sufficiently far from said injection orifice so that substantially all the volume of said chamber is traversed by air flowing between said injection port and said perforated or porous areas.

Avantageusement, selon l'invention, le rapport entre les sections cumulées des perforations d'évacuation et de la section des orifices d'injection est choisi de manière à obtenir un compromis entre d'une part la recherche d'un débit de flux d'air circulant à travers la chambre élevé et d'autre part une surpression suffisante à l'intérieur de la chambre. En effet, la surpression doit être suffisante pour garantir que l'air injecté circule dans tout le volume de la chambre , c'est-à-dire que l'air soit uniformément réparti dans tout le volume de la chambre. Autrement il y a un risque que l'air injecté ne se borne à circuler à l'intérieur de ladite chambre seulement entre le(s)dit(s) orifice(s) d'injection et celles des dites zones localisées perforées ou poreuses correspondant au passage de perte de charge minimale.Advantageously, according to the invention, the ratio between the accumulated sections of the evacuation perforations and the section of the injection orifices is chosen so as to obtain a compromise between, on the one hand, the search for a flow rate of air circulating through the elevated chamber and on the other hand sufficient overpressure inside the chamber. Indeed, the pressure must be sufficient to ensure that the injected air circulates throughout the volume of the chamber, that is to say that the air is uniformly distributed throughout the volume of the room. Otherwise there is a risk that the injected air is limited to circulating inside said chamber only between said injection port (s) and those of said corresponding perforated or porous localized zones. at the passage of minimal pressure drop.

Toutefois, on comprend que la surpression doit être limitée de façon à ne pas déstabiliser le corps de l'individu en appui sur ladite enveloppe.However, it is understood that the pressure must be limited so as not to destabilize the body of the individual in support of said envelope.

En pratique une surpression d'au moins 500Pa permet d'obtenir une circulation d'air homogène dans toutes les directions et notamment dans la zone au dessous ou en vis-à-vis du corps du patient.In practice, an overpressure of at least 500 Pa makes it possible to obtain a homogeneous air circulation in all directions and in particular in the zone below or in relation to the body of the patient.

Par ailleurs , la limite supérieure de débit d'air circulant dans la chambre est lié au taux maximum de vide , c'est-à-dire à la section cumulée des orifices que peut tolérer le matériaux de la dite deuxième pièce d'un point de vue de sa résistance mécanique. Ce taux ne devrait pas dépasser 10% en général. En outre ,il y a lieu de prendre en compte que l'effet positif de l'augmentation du débit d'air sur la performance de déshumidification est limité par la capacité de transfert de la vapeur d'eau des dites première et deuxième pièce couche. Au-delà d'un certain débit d'air les performances de déshumidification ne sont plus améliorées.Moreover, the upper limit of the air flow circulating in the chamber is related to the maximum rate of vacuum, that is to say to the cumulative section of the orifices that can tolerate the materials of said second piece of a point from the point of view of its mechanical resistance. This rate should not exceed 10% in general. In addition, it should be taken into account that the positive effect of the increase of the air flow on the dehumidification performance is limited by the transfer capacity of the water vapor of said first and second part layer . Beyond a certain air flow the dehumidification performance is no longer improved.

En pratique un débit de 20 à 50l/min apporte des performances de déshumidification suffisante compte tenu du temps de migration des molécules d'eau pour le transfert de la vapeur d'eau à travers les couches de polymères mises en oeuvre comme décrit ci-après.In practice a flow rate of 20 to 50 l / min provides sufficient dehumidification performance given the migration time of the water molecules for the transfer of water vapor through the polymer layers implemented as described below. .

Plus particulièrement, pour obtenir une surpression de 500 à 1000Pa avec un débit de circulation d'air de 20 à 50 l/min., le rapport de la somme des sections des perforations ou pores desdites zones perforées ou respectivement poreuses d'évacuation de l'air par rapport à la somme des sections des orifices d'injection est d'au moins 2, de préférence de 2 à 4.More particularly, to obtain an overpressure of 500 to 1000 Pa with an air circulation rate of 20 to 50 l / min., The ratio of the sum of the sections of the perforations or pores of said perforated or respectively porous zones of the evacuation of the air. relative to the sum of the sections of the injection ports is at least 2, preferably 2 to 4.

L'évaporation de l'eau en surface du côté du patient s'accompagne d'une diminution légère de la température qui favorise une diminution de la sudation le cas échéant et compense l'augmentation de température résultant de la compression de l'air injecté.The evaporation of the surface water on the patient's side is accompanied by a slight decrease in temperature which favors a decrease in sweating if necessary and offsets the increase in temperature resulting from the compression of the injected air. .

Plus particulièrement, le transfert de vapeur d'eau de ladite première pièce est d'au moins 750, de préférence 750 à 2000 g. d'eau/m2/24h, de préférence encore environ 1000 g./m2/24h et le transfert de vapeur d'eau de la deuxième pièce est inférieur à 500 g.d'eau/m2/24h, de préférence de 300 à 500 g.d'eau/m2/24h.More particularly, the transfer of water vapor from said first piece is at least 750, preferably 750 to 2000 g. of water / m 2 / 24h, more preferably about 1000 g./m 2 / 24h and the water vapor transfer of the second part is less than 500 g. water / m 2 / 24h, preferably from 300 to 500 g of water / m 2 / 24h.

Dans un mode préféré de réalisation, le dispositif selon l'invention comprend une pièce intercalaire à l'intérieur de ladite chambre entre lesdites première et deuxième pièces, ladite pièce intercalaire étant perméable à l'air et à la vapeur d'eau.In a preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a spacer part inside said chamber between said first and second parts, said intermediate part being permeable to air and water vapor.

Cette couche intercalaire favorise l'écartement desdites première et deuxième pièces et facilite ainsi la circulation d'air à l'intérieur de la chambre et donc sa meilleure diffusion puis une meilleure évacuation de la vapeur d'eau. Cette pièce intercalaire incluse à l'intérieur de la chambre a donc pour effet d'éviter les ponts climatiques entre lesdites première et deuxième pièces et de permettre un meilleur passage de l'air.This intermediate layer promotes the spacing of said first and second parts and thus facilitates the circulation of air inside the chamber and therefore its better diffusion and better evacuation of water vapor. This insert included inside the chamber has the effect of avoiding climatic bridges between said first and second parts and to allow a better passage of air.

Plus particulièrement, ladite pièce intercalaire est constituée d'une couche d'un matériau fibreux non tissé, de préférence de la ouate de polyester, de préférence encore maintenue en forme par un dispositif de maintien, notamment un filet et/ou un quadrillage de coutures de type matelassage.More particularly, said intermediate part consists of a layer of a nonwoven fibrous material, preferably polyester wadding, preferably further held in shape by a holding device, in particular a net and / or a grid of seams. quilting type.

La couche intercalaire a ainsi un effet absorbant favorisant une meilleure répartition et l'étalement de l'humidité et donc une meilleure diffusion des l'humidité dans l'intérieur de ladite chambre, l'humidité se trouvant ainsi plus rapidement évacuée par l'air injecté à l'intérieur de ladite chambre et induisant une déshumidification plus performante.The intermediate layer thus has an absorbing effect favoring a better distribution and spreading of the moisture and therefore a better diffusion of the moisture in the interior of said chamber, the moisture being thus more quickly evacuated by the air injected inside said chamber and inducing more efficient dehumidification.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, ladite première pièce est constituée d'un substrat poreux ou perforé non étanche à l'eau et à l'air, ledit substrat étant enduit sur au moins une face d'une couche continue de polymère étanche à l'eau liquide et à l'air présentant des propriétés de transfert moléculaire de la vapeur d'eau.In a preferred embodiment, said first part consists of a porous or perforated substrate which is not impermeable to water and to air, said substrate being coated on at least one face with a continuous layer of watertight polymer. liquid and air water exhibiting molecular transfer properties of water vapor.

Plus particulièrement encore, ladite deuxième pièce est constituée d'un tissu enduit sur au moins une de ses faces d'une couche de polymère de type polyuréthane, de préférence sur la face externe du côté dudit corps physique.More particularly, said second piece consists of a fabric coated on at least one of its faces with a polyurethane-type polymer layer, preferably on the outer face of the side of said physical body.

Un substrat perforé tel qu'un tissu résultant du tissage de fibres ou de fils présente des porosités ou perforations ne faisant pas barrière au passage de la vapeur d'eau transférée à travers la couche de polymère de type polyuréthane.A perforated substrate such as a fabric resulting from the weaving of fibers or yarns has porosities or perforations that do not impede the passage of the water vapor transferred through the polyurethane-type polymer layer.

Des polymères et matériaux textiles de ce type à transfert de vapeur d'eau sont connus de l'homme de l'art et disponibles dans le commerce et utilisés notamment dans l'industrie du vêtement pour leur qualité de respiration du corps et élimination/régulation de la transpiration.Polymers and textile materials of this type with water vapor transfer are known to those skilled in the art and commercially available and used especially in the garment industry for their quality of breathing the body and elimination / regulation perspiration.

Cette propriété de transfert moléculaire de la vapeur d'eau desdits polymères résulte de l'affinité moléculaire induisant une attraction des molécules d'eau sur les chaînes moléculaires du polymère, notamment du polyuréthane, comprenant des groupes hydrophiles, lesdites molécules d'eau pouvant ainsi cheminer le long de la chaîne polymère et traverser la couche de dit polymère.This property of molecular transfer of the water vapor of said polymers results from the molecular affinity inducing an attraction of the molecules of water on the molecular chains of the polymer, in particular polyurethane, comprising hydrophilic groups, said molecules of water thus being able to walk along the polymer chain and cross the layer of said polymer.

Avantageusement, ladite deuxième pièce est constituée d'un tissu enduit sur au moins une de ses faces d'une couche de polymère perméable à la vapeur d'eau, c'est-à-dire présentant des propriétés de transfert moléculaire de la vapeur d'eau, de préférence sur la face tournée du côté de l'intérieur de ladite chambre.Advantageously, said second part consists of a fabric coated on at least one of its faces with a layer of polymer permeable to water vapor, that is to say having properties of molecular transfer of the vapor of water. water, preferably on the side facing the inside of said chamber.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, lesdites première et deuxième pièces sont reliées entre elles sur leurs bords périphériques par soudage, directement l'une avec l'autre ou par l'intermédiaire d'une bande de liaison revêtue d'une couche de polymère, les différentes couches de polymère desdites première et deuxième pièces et de ladite bande, le cas échéant, étant soudables entre elles par thermo soudage ou soudage par irradiation, de préférence irradiation haute fréquence.In a preferred embodiment, said first and second parts are connected together at their peripheral edges by welding, directly with each other or via a bonding strip coated with a polymer layer, the different polymer layers of said first and second parts and said strip, if any, being weldable to each other by heat-sealing or radiation-welding, preferably high-frequency irradiation.

Plus particulièrement, les différentes couches de polymère sont de même nature chimique ou de nature chimique aptes à les rendre soudables entre elles, ce qui est le cas des polymères de type polyuréthane.More particularly, the different polymer layers are of the same chemical nature or chemical nature capable of making them weldable together, which is the case of polyurethane type polymers.

Les deux dites pièces peuvent être revêtues de polymère sur leurs deux faces, et être scellées l'une à l'autre directement. Les deux pièces sont, de préférence, pour des raisons économiques, revêtues de polymère sur une face seulement. Et, si l'une au moins des faces internes des deux pièces n'est pas revêtue de polymère, notamment si la première pièce est revêtue de polymère sur sa face externe et la deuxième pièce sur sa face interne, le bord de l'une des deux pièces peut être replié sur lui-même de manière à présenter sa face revêtue de polymère vers l'intérieur de ladite chambre.Both said pieces can be coated with polymer on both sides, and be sealed to each other directly. The two parts are preferably for economic reasons, coated with polymer on one side only. And, if at least one of the internal faces of the two parts is not coated with polymer, especially if the first part is coated with polymer on its outer face and the second part on its inner face, the edge of one of the two parts can be folded on itself so as to have its polymer-coated side towards the inside of said chamber.

Dans un mode de réalisation, on peut également avantageusement mettre en oeuvre une bande de liaison périphérique éventuellement repliée sur elle-même, assurant la liaison par soudage entre les deux dites première et deuxième pièces, ladite bande étant elle-même revêtue sur une face au moins d'une couche de polymère soudable avec les couches de polymère des deux dites première et deuxième pièces, la couche de polymère de ladite bande étant de même nature imperméable à l'eau liquide, à l'air et à la vapeur d'eau que celle de ladite deuxième pièce.In one embodiment, it is also possible advantageously to implement a peripheral bonding strip possibly folded on itself, providing the connection by welding between the two said first and second parts, said strip being itself coated on one side with less than one layer of polymer weldable with the polymer layers of both said first and second parts, the polymer layer of said strip being of the same nature impervious to liquid water, air and water vapor than that of said second piece.

De façon avantageuse, lesdits tissus constitutifs desdites première et deuxième pièces sont des tissus extensibles dans les deux directions longitudinale et transversale. Plus particulièrement, cette propriété permet de favoriser une meilleure répartition du poids du corps, c'est-à-dire sur sa plus grande surface, et que le tissu épouse la forme du corps et ne génère pas des points localisés de compression excessive du corps pouvant générer des blocages de vascularisation et des pathologies qui en résultent.Advantageously, said constituent tissues of said first and second parts are extensible fabrics in both longitudinal and transverse directions. More particularly, this property makes it possible to promote a better distribution of the weight of the body, that is to say on its larger surface area, and that the tissue conforms to the shape of the body and does not generate localized points of excessive compression of the body. can generate blockages of vascularization and pathologies that result.

Avantageusement, lesdites perforations d'évacuation d'air sont disposées sur la périphérie de ladite deuxième pièce. Ces zones périphériques ne coïncident pas avec la zone centrale de l'enveloppe sur laquelle le corps est normalement en appui, mais entourent celle-ci, facilitant ainsi l'évacuation de l'air par lesdites perforations.Advantageously, said air evacuation perforations are disposed on the periphery of said second piece. These peripheral zones do not coincide with the central zone of the envelope on which the body is normally supported, but surround it, thus facilitating the evacuation of air by said perforations.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, ladite deuxième pièce est de forme sensiblement rectangulaire et le dispositif comprend un unique orifice d'injection à proximité du milieu d'un bord longitudinal de ladite deuxième pièce, lesdites perforations d'évacuation d'air étant disposées à proximité des bords latéraux et du bord longitudinal opposé à celui de l'orifice d'injection.In a preferred embodiment, said second piece is of substantially rectangular shape and the device comprises a single injection orifice near the middle of a longitudinal edge of said second piece, said air evacuation perforations being disposed at proximity of the lateral edges and the longitudinal edge opposite that of the injection port.

Ainsi, l'orifice d'injection est disposé par rapport aux dites perforations d'évacuation de manière à bien faire circuler l'air partout dans la chambre interne de l'enveloppe et évacuer à l'extérieur le plus rapidement possible l'humidité transférée depuis le voisinage ou la surface du corps vers l'intérieur de ladite chambre.Thus, the injection orifice is disposed relative to said evacuation perforations so as to circulate the air throughout the inner chamber of the casing and to evacuate to the outside as quickly as possible the moisture transferred. from the vicinity or the surface of the body towards the interior of said chamber.

Dans un mode préféré de réalisation du procédé selon l'invention, on établit une surpression de l'air à l'intérieur de ladite chambre par rapport à l'extérieur de la chambre, suffisante pour que l'air circule dans tout le volume de la dite chambre et plus particulièrement on établit une surpression de 500 à 1000 Pa, de préférence environ 750 Pa, avec un débit d'air circulant dans ladite chambre est d'au moins 20 I/minute, de préférence 30 à 50 l/minute.In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, an overpressure of the air inside said chamber is established relative to the outside of the chamber, sufficient for the air to circulate throughout the volume of the chamber. said chamber and more particularly is established an overpressure of 500 to 1000 Pa, preferably about 750 Pa, with a flow rate of air flowing in said chamber is at least 20 I / minute, preferably 30 to 50 l / minute .

Avantageusement, le dispositif selon l'invention comporte en outre un dispositif d'injection d'air comprimé alimentant en air ladite enveloppe par un dit orifice d'injection.Advantageously, the device according to the invention further comprises a device for injecting compressed air supplying said casing with air via an injection port.

Avantageusement encore, dans le procédé selon l'invention, on injecte en outre de l'air entre ladite deuxième pièce et ledit élément de support, de préférence à partir d'un même dispositif d'injection d'air comprimé alimentant ladite enveloppe par ledit orifice d'injection.Advantageously, in the method according to the invention, air is also injected between said second piece and said support member, preferably from the same compressed air injection device feeding said envelope by said injection port.

Dans un mode préféré de réalisation, ledit élément de support est constitué d'au moins un compartiment gonflable, rempli d'air, de préférence relié à un même dispositif d'injection d'air que celui alimentant ladite enveloppe.In a preferred embodiment, said support member consists of at least one inflatable compartment filled with air, preferably connected to the same air injection device that supplies said envelope.

L'air emplissant ladite chambre peut être ainsi dérivé de la même source d'air que celle permettant de gonfler le matelas par l'intermédiaire d'un dispositif orientant l'air de manière sélective, par exemple une électrovanne faisant office de dispositif d'aiguillage d'une source d'air unique. Ladite électrovanne peut être partie intégrante d'un module coopérant avec le dispositif selon l'invention.The air filling said chamber can thus be derived from the same source of air as that for inflating the mattress via a device that selectively directs the air, for example a solenoid valve acting as a device. referral of a single source of air. Said solenoid valve may be an integral part of a module cooperating with the device according to the invention.

Des installations d'injection d'air dans un matelas gonflable ont été décrites notamment dans les brevets de la demanderesse EP 676 158 , FR 2 751 743 , FR 2 757 377 , FR 2 757 378 , FR 2 758 259 , FR 2 760 967 .Air injection installations in an inflatable mattress have been described in particular in the applicant's patents EP 676,158 , FR 2,751,743 , FR 2 757 377 , FR 2 757 378 , FR 2 758 259 , FR 2,760,967 .

Avantageusement encore, le dispositif selon l'invention peut comprendre en outre un système de commande à distance, notamment par télécommande, dudit dispositif d'injection d'air comprimé.Advantageously, the device according to the invention may further comprise a remote control system, in particular by remote control, of said device for injecting compressed air.

De préférence encore, le dispositif de l'invention est intégré à une housse de protection d'un dit élément de support de type matelas ou coussin, au moins au niveau de la partie de la housse destinée à recouvrir la partie de la face de l'élément support sur laquelle une partie au moins du corps d'un individu est destinée à reposer.More preferably, the device of the invention is integrated in a protective cover of a said support element of the mattress or cushion type, at least at the level of of the part of the cover intended to cover the part of the face of the support element on which at least a part of the body of an individual is intended to rest.

Avantageusement encore, le dispositif selon l'invention peut comprendre en outre un dispositif de réchauffement, et/ou de refroidissement de l'ai injecté, et/ou de l'air à l'intérieur de ladite chambre. Ainsi, il est possible de contrôler la température à la surface extérieure de ladite enveloppe et donc au voisinage du corps de l'individu.Advantageously, the device according to the invention may further comprise a heating device, and / or cooling of the injected, and / or air inside said chamber. Thus, it is possible to control the temperature on the outer surface of said envelope and thus in the vicinity of the body of the individual.

D'autres avantages et caractéristiques de la présente invention apparaîtront à la lumière de la description détaillée qui va suivre et aux figures 1 à 3 dans lesquelles .Other advantages and features of the present invention will emerge in the light of the detailed description which follows and Figures 1 to 3 in which .

La figure 1 représente une vue schématique en coupe longitudinale d'un matelas gonflé à air recouvert d'une housse de protection incorporant le dispositif de régulation selon la présente invention et sur lequel repose un patient.The figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an inflated air mattress covered with a protective cover incorporating the control device according to the present invention and on which a patient is based.

La figure 2 représente une vue schématique des 3 pièces supérieure, intercalaire et inférieure respectivement composant un dispositif de régulation selon l'invention.The figure 2 is a schematic view of the upper 3 parts, intermediate and lower respectively component a control device according to the invention.

La figure 3 représente en coupe transversale de façon schématique un mode de soudure de la pièce inférieure sur la pièce supérieure par l'intermédiaire d'un bandeau 6 formant rebord latéral 61 d'une housse se terminant par un dispositif de fermeture/ouverture à glissière 62 et formant aussi un rabat 63 de protection d'un dispositif de fermeture/ouverture 62.The figure 3 schematically shows in cross-section a mode of welding of the lower part on the upper part by means of a strip 6 forming a lateral rim 6 1 of a cover ending with a closing device / sliding opening 6 2 and also forming a flap 6 3 for protecting a closing / opening device 6 2 .

Sur les figures 1 à 3, on a représenté un dispositif de régulation selon l'invention comprenant une enveloppe 1 formée à partir de 2 pièces : une pièce supérieure ou dite première pièce 11 et une pièce inférieure ou dite deuxième pièce 12, dont les bords périphériques 1a et 1b sont soudés 1c entre eux par l'intermédiaire d'une bande de liaison 6 repliée sur elle-même, les lignes de soudure 1c suivant sensiblement un contour rectangulaire.On the Figures 1 to 3 a regulating device according to the invention is shown comprising a casing 1 formed from 2 pieces: a top piece or so-called first part 1 1 and a bottom part or said second part 1 2 , whose peripheral edges 1a and 1b are welded 1c to each other by means of a connecting strip 6 folded on itself, the weld lines 1c substantially following a rectangular contour.

L'enveloppe 1 du dispositif de régulation selon la présente invention est intégrée à une housse de protection 7 recouvrant un matelas à air 3. Plus particulièrement, l'enveloppe 1 forme la face supérieure de la housse de protection, et une partie de la bande de liaison 6 forme des rebords latéraux 61 de la housse de protection recouvrant en partie les flancs du matelas 3, ladite deuxième pièce inférieure ou dite deuxième pièce 12 étant appliquée directement sur le matelas 3.The casing 1 of the regulating device according to the present invention is integrated in a protective cover 7 covering an air mattress 3. More particularly, the casing 1 forms the upper face of the protective cover, and part of the band link 6 forms lateral edges 6 1 of the cover of protection covering part of the sidewalls of the mattress 3, said second lower part or said second part 1 2 being applied directly to the mattress 3.

Lesdites pièces supérieure et inférieure sont donc de forme sensiblement rectangulaire correspondant sensiblement aux dimensions du matelas. La housse comporte un dispositif de fermeture/ouverture à glissière à dents 62 périphérique le long des côtés ou rebords latéraux de la housse recouvrant la tranche du matelas, ledit dispositif de fermeture/ouverture 62 permettant la séparation d'une partie inférieure 71 de housse et des rebords latéraux 61 et le retrait du matelas de la housse.Said upper and lower parts are therefore substantially rectangular in shape corresponding substantially to the dimensions of the mattress. The cover comprises a closing device / opening with a toothed slide 6 2 peripheral along the sides or side edges of the cover covering the edge of the mattress, said closure / opening device 6 2 allowing the separation of a lower portion 7 1 cover and side edges 6 1 and removal of the mattress cover.

La pièce supérieure ou première pièce 11 est constituée d'un tissu de fils de polyester revêtus sur sa face supérieure externe d'un polymère de type polyuréthane présentant des propriétés de transfert à la vapeur d'eau.The upper part or first part 1 1 consists of a polyester yarn fabric coated on its outer upper surface with a polyurethane type polymer having water vapor transfer properties.

Plus précisément, ces polymères de type polyuréthane sont constitués de chaînes moléculaires de polyuréthane contenant des groupes hydrophiles ester permettant un transfert de vapeur d'eau par migration moléculaire des molécules d'eau par le biais d'interaction physico-chimiques avec lesdits groupes hydrophiles ester desdites chaînes moléculaires.More specifically, these polyurethane-type polymers consist of polyurethane molecular chains containing hydrophilic ester groups allowing a transfer of water vapor by molecular migration of the water molecules through physico-chemical interaction with said hydrophilic ester groups. said molecular chains.

De tels tissus revêtus sur une face de polyuréthane à propriétés de transfert de vapeur d'eau sont commercialisés sous la marque Dartex®, notamment sous la référence P510, présentant des propriétés de transfert de vapeur d'eau d'environ 1000 g. d'eau/m2/24h (quantité d'eau transférable à travers le tissu enduit), et comprenant une composition de 66% de polyester et 34% de polyuréthane, et un grammage de 130 g/m2.Such fabrics coated on a polyurethane face with water vapor transfer properties are sold under the trademark Dartex ® , especially under the reference P510, having water vapor transfer properties of about 1000 g. of water / m 2 / 24h (amount of water transferable through the coated fabric), and comprising a composition of 66% polyester and 34% polyurethane, and a basis weight of 130 g / m 2 .

La pièce inférieure ou deuxième pièce 12 est constituée d'un tissu de nylon à base de polyamide enduit sur une face d'une couche de polyuréthane perméable à la vapeur d'eau, commercialisé par la société Dartex®, notamment sous la référence P280 avec un taux de transfert de vapeur d'eau d'environ 350 g.d'eau/m2/24h, une composition de 47% de polyamide et 53% de polyuréthane, et un grammage de 179 g/m2.The lower piece or second piece 1 2 consists of a polyamide-based nylon fabric coated on one side with a layer of polyurethane permeable to water vapor, marketed by the company Dartex ® , especially under the reference P280 with a water vapor transfer rate of about 350 g of water / m 2 / 24h, a composition of 47% polyamide and 53% polyurethane, and a basis weight of 179 g / m 2 .

L'enveloppe constituée par les deux pièces inférieure et supérieure délimite une chambre interne 13. A l'intérieur de la chambre, on insère une pièce intercalaire 2 occupant sensiblement tout le volume de la chambre de forme sensiblement rectangulaire, constituée d'une couche d'un matériau non tissé 21 de 5 à 10 mm d'épaisseur, à base d'ouate de polyester de 160 g/m2 constituant un matériau absorbant perméable à l'air et à l'eau. Cette couche intercalaire présente la double propriété de répartir et diffuser de manière homogénéisée la vapeur d'eau transférée à l'intérieur de la chambre depuis la surface externe de la pièce supérieure, et constituer un espaceur entre les pièces inférieure et supérieure pour éviter le contact entre les deux pièces.The envelope constituted by the two lower and upper parts delimits an internal chamber 1 3 . Inside the chamber, insert a spacer 2 occupying substantially the entire volume of the substantially rectangular chamber, consisting of a layer of a non-woven material 21 of 5 to 10 mm thick, based on polyester wadding of 160 g / m 2 constituting a absorbent material permeable to air and water. This interlayer has the dual property of homogeneously distributing and diffusing the water vapor transferred inside the chamber from the outer surface of the upper part, and constituting a spacer between the lower and upper parts to avoid contact. between the two rooms.

La couche intercalaire de matériau non tissé est recouverte d'un filet synthétique 21 du type tulle à fibres de polyester. Une couture périphérique solidarise la couche de la pièce intercalaire avec ledit filet, de préférence des coutures en quadrillage longitudinal et latéral permettent de stabiliser la forme de la pièce intercalaire.The interlayer of nonwoven material is covered with a synthetic net 2 1 of tulle type polyester fibers. A peripheral seam secures the layer of the insert with said net, preferably seams longitudinal and lateral grid to stabilize the shape of the insert.

Dans un mode de réalisation, on injecte de l'air de manière à créer une surpression d'environ 750 Pa dans l'enveloppe 1 par rapport à l'air extérieur en établissant un débit de flux d'air entrant et de flux d'air sortant équilibré de 25 à 35 l/minute. Pour ce faire , La pièce inférieure 12 comprend un orifice d'injection d'air 4 au centre d'environ 9,5mm et à proximité d'un bord longitudinal de la pièce inférieure 12, ledit orifice d'injection d'air étant constitué d'un connecteur plastique soudé. Des perforations d'évacuation d'air de diamètre d'environ 3 mm sont espacées de 10 à 20 cm régulièrement le long des trois autres bords de la pièce inférieure 12, c'est-à-dire les deux bords transversaux et le bord longitudinal opposé à celui de l'orifice d'injection.. Pour un lit d'environ 2m de long sur 90 cm de large, on a ainsi réalisé 48 perforations. Les sections cumulées des perforations d'évacuation 5 représentent ainsi environ le double de la section de l'orifice d'injection 4.Ainsi, on compense les pertes de charge liées aux restrictions au passage d'air et maintient un équilibre entre les débits entrant et sortant de flux d'air avec ce débit de 25 à 35 l/min.et cette surpression de 750 Pa environ de l'air à l'intérieur de la chambre par rapport à l'extérieur.In one embodiment, air is injected so as to create an overpressure of about 750 Pa in the shell 1 relative to the outside air by establishing a flow rate of incoming air and flow of air. outgoing air balanced from 25 to 35 l / minute. To do this, the lower part 1 2 comprises an air injection orifice 4 in the center of about 9.5 mm and near a longitudinal edge of the lower part 1 2 , said air injection orifice consisting of a welded plastic connector. Diameter of air discharge perforations of about 3 mm are spaced 10 to 20 cm regularly along the other three edges of the bottom part 1 2, that is to say the two transverse edges and the edge longitudinally opposite that of the injection port .. For a bed about 2m long by 90 cm wide, there were thus 48 perforations. The accumulated sections of the evacuation perforations 5 thus represent approximately twice the section of the injection orifice 4. Thus, the pressure losses associated with the restrictions on the passage of air are compensated and a balance is maintained between the inflows entering. and outgoing air flow with this flow rate of 25 to 35 l / min. and this overpressure of 750 Pa approximately the air inside the chamber relative to the outside.

L'orifice d'injection d'air 4 est alimenté par un compresseur 8 qui permet également d'alimenter le matelas à air 3 par l'intermédiaire d'une électrovanne 9 qui sert d'aiguillage commandé par un dispositif d'asservissement 10, soit pour l'alimentation en air 12 du matelas, soit par l'alimentation en air 11 de l'orifice d'injection d'air à l'intérieur de ladite chambre, en fonction des mesures d'un capteur de pression du gonflage de matelas notamment.The air injection orifice 4 is supplied by a compressor 8 which also supplies the air mattress 3 via a solenoid valve 9 which serves as a switch controlled by a control device 10, either for the air supply 12 of the mattress, or by the air supply 11 of the air injection port inside said chamber, depending on the measurements of a particular inflation pressure sensor mattress .

Le dispositif de régulation selon l'invention permet d'assécher ainsi 500ml d'eau répandus uniformément sur un drap de coton aux dimensions du matelas, soit environ 2m2 en 3h30 lorsque ledit matelas est recouvert d'un mannequin simulant le corps d'un patient en présence de ladite pièce intercalaire 2 et en 6h en l'absence de ladite pièce intercalaire, les essais ayant été réalisés dans une atmosphère ambiante de 40% d'humidité relative environ et à température ambiante d'environ 25°C.The regulating device according to the invention makes it possible to dry 500ml water spread uniformly on a cotton sheet to the dimensions of the mattress, or about 2m 2 in 3:30 when said mattress is covered with a dummy simulating the body of a patient in the presence of said intermediate part 2 and 6h in the absence of said insert, the tests having been performed in an ambient atmosphere of about 40% relative humidity and at room temperature of about 25 ° C.

Sur la figure 1, la liaison par soudage des pièces inférieure 12 et supérieure 11 est réalisée par l'intermédiaire de bandes de liaison 6. Plus précisément, une bande de liaison 6 constituée d'un tissu revêtu sur une de ses faces d'une couche de polymère polyuréthane et présentant les mêmes propriétés d'imperméabilité à l'air, à l'eau et à la vapeur d'eau et repliée sur elle-même pour être soudée à la fois sur le bord périphériques 1a replié sur lui-même de la pièce supérieure 11 et sur le bord périphérique 1b de la pièce inférieure 12.On the figure 1 , the welding connection of the lower 1 2 and upper 1 1 parts is performed by means of binding strips 6. More specifically, a bonding strip 6 consisting of a fabric coated on one of its faces with a layer of polyurethane polymer and having the same properties of impermeability to air, water and water vapor and folded on itself to be welded to both the peripheral edge 1a folded on itself of the upper part 1 1 and the peripheral edge 1b of the lower part 1 2 .

La bande de liaison 6 comprend donc 2 parties repliées l'une sur l'autre comprenant depuis la soudure 1c avec la pièce inférieure 12 une partie formant rebord latéral 61 du matelas 3 et se terminant par un dispositif de fermeture à glissière à dents 62 permettant par ouverture de sortir le matelas de la housse 7. Le rebord latéral 61 vient recouvrir les flancs du matelas 3. L'autre partie de la bande s'étendant depuis la soudure 1c avec la pièce supérieure 11 constitue un rabat 63 venant recouvrir ledit rebord latéral 61 et le dispositif de fermeture à glissière 62 ainsi protégé.The connecting strip 6 therefore comprises 2 folded parts on one another comprising from the weld 1c with the lower part 1 2 a lateral flange portion 6 1 of the mat 3 and ending with a zipper device with teeth 6 by opening 2 allowing the mattress out of the cover 7. the flange 6 side 1 comes cover the sidewalls of the mattress 3. the other portion of the strip extending from the welding 1c with the upper part 1 1 forms a flap 6 3 covering said lateral flange 6 1 and the slide fastener 6 2 thus protected.

Avantageusement, ladite enveloppe comprend un autre dispositif d'ouverture/fermeture à glissière, non représenté, étanche à l'air et à l'eau du type des dispositifs utilisés pour sceller de manière réversible des sachets contenant des aliments permettant ainsi d'ouvrir l'enveloppe et de retirer la pièce intercalaire 2 pour la nettoyer régulièrement.Advantageously, said envelope comprises another opening / closing device, not shown, airtight and water-proof of the type of devices used to reversibly seal sachets containing food thereby opening the door. envelope and remove the insert 2 to clean it regularly.

Claims (24)

  1. A device for controlling the humidity at the surface of a supporting item (3) of the mattress or cushion type and in the vicinity of the body (13) of an individual resting thereon, comprising an envelope (1) formed by at last two parts (11, 12) preferably connected with each other at their peripheral edges (1a, 1b), preferably further sealed by welding (1c), defining an inner chamber (13), said two parts consisting in a first part (11) intended to be positioned on the side of said body of the individual, and a second part (12) intended to be positioned on the side of said supporting item (3) of the mattress or cushion type, said first part consisting of a material forming a barrier impervious to air and liquid water and pervious to water vapor, said second part consisting of a material pervious to water vapor, said second part comprising at least one air injection port (4) and air discharging means comprising perforated or porous areas pervious to air, preferably perforations (5).
  2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the water vapor perviousness of said second part is less than that of said first part.
  3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the water vapor transfer of said first part is of at least 750, preferably 750 to 2,000 g of water/m2/24hrs, still preferably about 1,000 g of water/m2/24hrs, and the water vapor transfer of said second part is less than 500, preferably from 300 to 500 g of water/m2/24hrs.
  4. The device according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said discharging means, preferably said perforations (5), are positioned relatively to said injection port(s) so as to be able to generate a flow of incoming air in said chamber (13) through said injection port (4) and discharged from said chamber (13) by said discharging means, preferably said perforations (5), in the whole volume of said chamber, when said envelope is inflated with continuously injected pressurized air through said injection port so as to generate overpressure in said chamber.
  5. The device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said second part is substantially airtight between said injection port and said perforated or porous areas pervious to air, the latter being positioned sufficiently far from said injection port(s) so that substantially the whole volume of said chamber is covered by air flowing between said injection port(s) and said perforated or porous areas.
  6. The device according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ratio of the sum of the sections of the perforations or pores of said perforated or respectively porous areas for discharging air, to the sum of the sections of the said injection ports is at least 2, preferably from 2 to 4.
  7. The device according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said air discharge perforations (5) are positioned on the periphery of said second part.
  8. The device according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said second part is of a substantially rectangular shape and the device comprises a single said injection port (4) in proximity to the middle of a longitudinal edge of said second part, said air discharge perforations (5) being positioned in proximity to the side edges and to the longitudinal edge opposite to that of the said injection port.
  9. The device according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises an intermediate part (2) inside said chamber (13) between said first (11) and second (12) parts, said intermediate part being pervious to air and water vapor.
  10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that said intermediate part consists of a layer of non-woven fiber material (21), preferably polyester wadding.
  11. The device according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said first part consists of a non-watertight and non-airtight porous or perforated substrate (11b), said substrate being coated on a least one face with a continuous layer (11a) of polymer, impervious to liquid water and air, and having water vapor molecular transfer properties.
  12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that said first part consists of a tissue (11b) coated over at least one of its faces with a layer (11a) of a polymer of the polyurethane type, preferably on the outer face on the side of said physical body.
  13. The device according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said second part consists of a tissue (12b) coated on at least one of its faces with a polymer layer (12a) having water vapor molecular transfer properties, preferably on the face turned towards the inside of said chamber (13).
  14. The device according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said first and second parts are connected together on their peripheral edges (1b, 1c) by welding, directly with each other or via a connecting strip (6) coated with a polymer layer, the different polymer layers of said first and second parts and of said strip, if necessary, being weldable with each other by thermowelding or welding by irradiation, preferably by high frequency irradiation.
  15. The device according to any of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that said intermediate part (2) consists of a layer of non-woven fiber substrate (21), held in shape by a holding device (22),
  16. The device according to any of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that it further comprises a device for injecting compressed air (8) feeding said envelope (1) with air through said injection port (4).
  17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that said supporting item (3) consists of at least one inflatable compartment filled with air, preferably connected to a same air injection device (8) as said envelope (1).
  18. The device according to any of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it is integrated to a protective cover (7) of a so-called supporting item of the mattress or cushion type, at least at the portion of the cover intended to cover the portion of the face of the supporting item, on which at least one portion of the body of an individual is intended to rest.
  19. The device according to any of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that it further comprises a device for heating and/or a device for cooling the injected air and/or the air inside said chamber.
  20. A method for controlling humidity at the surface of a supporting item (3) of the mattress or cushion type and in the vicinity of the body of an individual (13) resting thereon, by means of a device according to any of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the following steps are performed wherein :
    1) said envelope (1) is positioned flat between said supporting item (3) and said body of an individual (13) so that said first part (11) is turned towards the side of the body of an individual and said second part (12) is turned towards the side of said supporting item, and
    2) pressurized air is injected in said chamber (13) through said injection port (4) with a pressure and a flow rate, such that said envelope remains inflated and overpressurized in spite of the discharge of air by said discharge means, preferably said perforations (5), and of the pressing of the body on said envelope.
  21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that an overpressure of air is established inside the envelope relatively to the outside, sufficient so as to allow air to flow in the whole volume of said chamber.
  22. The method according to any of claims 20 or 21, characterized in that an overpressure of air is established inside the envelope relatively to the outside, from 500 to 1,000 Pa, preferably about 750 Pa.
  23. The method according to any of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the air flow rate in said chamber is of at least 20 I/min, preferably 30 to 50 I/minute.
  24. The method according to any of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that air is further injected between said second part and said supporting item, preferably from a same compressed air injection device (8) feeding said envelope through said injection port.
EP07117169A 2006-10-26 2007-09-25 Device and method for regulating the humidity on the surface of a mattress-type support element Ceased EP1915978B1 (en)

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FR0654548A FR2907646B1 (en) 2006-10-26 2006-10-26 DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING MOISTURE AT THE SURFACE OF A MATTRESS TYPE SUPPORT ELEMENT.

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EP1915978B1 true EP1915978B1 (en) 2009-09-09

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EP (1) EP1915978B1 (en)
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FR (1) FR2907646B1 (en)

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Publication number Publication date
EP1915978A1 (en) 2008-04-30
FR2907646A1 (en) 2008-05-02
FR2907646B1 (en) 2009-02-06
US7975331B2 (en) 2011-07-12
DE602007002357D1 (en) 2009-10-22
US20080098529A1 (en) 2008-05-01

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