EP2140784A1

EP2140784A1 - Pillow, packaging of the pillow and method for supporting parts of the body

Info

Publication number: EP2140784A1
Application number: EP08159643A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Theo Kinsbergen; Wilbertus Hubertus Maria Weekers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-07-03
Filing date: 2008-07-03
Publication date: 2010-01-06

Abstract

The invention concerns inter alia a pillow (9) for supporting a part of the body (21) of a bedridden patient in order to prevent or heal a bedsore or decubitus. The pillow (9) consists of a filling (8) between two sheets of material (6,7) which are fastened on all sides to one another with a first seam (3), and the sheets of material are fastened locally to one another with a second seam (2) at a first distance from the first seam (3) to form at least two supporting elements.
According to the invention at least the sheet of material supporting the part of the body (21) is permeable to air and moisture, and the space between the sheets of material is filled with an air-permeable filling (8) of solid, resilient fibres for forming each supporting element, so that the supporting elements, in the unloaded condition, have a more or less constant oval cross-section with a constant height of approximately 80 - 120 mm.

Description

The invention relates to a pillow according to the preamble of Claim 1. Such pillows are of prior art. The disadvantage of the pillows of prior art is that they do not support the part of the body sufficiently stably on two sides. Another disadvantage is that the discharge of moisture from and cooling of the skin are obstructed by the materials used, thereby delaying healing.
To avoid this disadvantage the pillow is according to Claim 1, as a result of which the part of the body is supported symmetrically and stably by at least two supporting elements that are oval in cross-section by means of a material that is permeable to air and moisture, wherein the part of the body also rests against an oval, spherical surface so that the surface pressure on the skin is low and wherein the supporting element, under load, is able to compress over a long distance at more or less uniform surface pressure. The solid, elastic fibres provide good discharge of moisture and breathing of the skin.
According to an embodiment the pillow is according to Claim 2 so that each supporting element has sufficient width to support the part of the body resting on the supporting element stably, also in horizontal direction.
According to an embodiment the pillow is according to Claim 3. Such woven materials are of sufficient strength to provide the part of the body with good support, suitable for washing and/or sterilising, and are relatively cheap, thus enabling the pillow to be replaced frequently at low cost. By making both sheets from this material the pillow can be used bilaterally.
According to an embodiment the pillow is according to Claim 4. The absorption of moisture in the pillow is limited by the use of plastic fibres, thereby reducing oppressive heating.
According to an embodiment the pillow is according to Claim 5. The siliconised hollow polyester fibres are light, with preservation of good firmness and resilience.
According to an embodiment the pillow is according to Claim 6, thereby providing a strong connection between the sheets of material.
According to an embodiment the pillow is according to Claim 7, thereby providing a cheap connection between the sheets of material.
According to an embodiment the pillow is according to Claim 8. Such a pillow is ideal for locally relieving the load from a part of the body on which a wound has or could have occurred, for example, by positioning the part of the body so that the wound lies above the hollow within the second circular seam.
According to an embodiment the pillow is according to Claim 9. Such a pillow is ideal for use for supporting parts of the body which are of a different length in different people, such as an arm. An elbow with a bedsore wound or with damaged skin is positioned above the hollow within the circular second seam and the length with which the pillow supports the lower arm is adjusted by rotating the square pillow until the lower arm is supported over the desired length.
According to an embodiment the pillow is according to Claim 10. Such a pillow is ideal for general use and can easily be positioned longitudinally under one of the limbs, such as a leg.
According to an embodiment the pillow is according to Claim 11. Such a pillow is ideal for placing underneath a lower leg, wherein the fourth seam forms with the seam along the short lateral edge of the pillow a third supporting element which can support an underside of a knee.
According to an embodiment the pillow is according to Claim 12. Such a pillow is ideal for placing underneath a leg, wherein the fifth seam forms a hollow which is ideal for the heel of a foot and also forms fourth supporting elements having an oval cross-section, which elements are ideal for supporting the underside of the foot and the ankle.
The invention also relates to a packaging according to Claim 13, whereby the volume of the packed pillows is mnimal and the pillows can be transported at low cost.
The invention also relates to a packaging designed according to Claim 14, ensuring that the pillows are immediately ready for use.
The invention also relates to a method according to Claim 15. By using the method weakened or damaged parts of the skin of a part of the body free when the part of the body is supported and the risk of (further) damage to the skin is reduced.
According to an embodiment the method is according to Claim 16. The part of the body is supported easily and effective by the use of the pillows in the method.
The invention is explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments with the aid of a drawing. In the drawing

Figure 1 shows a top view of a first embodiment of a pillow according to the invention,
Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-section II-II of the pillow in Figure 1,
Figure 3 shows a top view of a second embodiment of a pillow according to the invention,
Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-section IV-IV of the pillow in Figure 3,
Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-section V-V of the pillow in Figure 3,
Figure 6 shows a schematic top view of a third embodiment of a pillow according to the invention,
Figure 7 shows a schematic cross-section of the pillow in Figure 6, with a leg supported by the pillow,
Figure 8 shows a schematic longitudinal section of the pillow in Figure 6, with a leg supported by the pillow, and
Figure 9 shows a schematic cross-section of a packaging with pillows according to the invention.

Figure 1 and Figure 2 show a rectangular pillow 4. Rectangular pillow 4 is made from an upper cloth 6 and a lower cloth 7, which are fastened to each other on the outer circumference with a peripheral outer seam 3, for example by means of a stitched seam. Upper cloth 6 and possibly also lower cloth 7 are made of air-permeable and skin-friendly material such as woven cotton or a woven cotton polyester mixture. Lower cloth 7 and upper cloth 6 can be made from the same material so that pillow 4 can be used on both sides.
The materials used are easily washable, and according to an embodiment they can be heated for sterilisation. Lower cloth 7 and upper cloth 6 may possibly be of other materials such as polyester, Goretex and other breathing materials and fabrics. In an embodiment lower cloth 7 and upper cloth 6 are of different materials. In that case lower cloth 7 is made from a liquid tight material, for example, to prevent leakage of liquid through pillow 4 in the support, such as a bed or chair.
In the centre upper cloth 6 and lower cloth 7 are connected by a peripheral inner seam 2, which encloses a central piece 1. In the region between peripheral inner seam 2 and peripheral outer seam 3, a filling 8 is fitted between upper cloth 6 and lower cloth 7, thereby providing a supporting element of more or less oval cross-section, with a thickness c, around inner seam 2. The quantity of filling 8 is chosen so that thickness c is 80 - 120 mm in the unloaded condition. In the unfilled condition the distance between peripheral inner seam 2 and peripheral outer seam 3 is 2 to 3 times thickness c, so that when filled the supporting element has a horizontal elliptical cross-section.
Filling 8 consists of elastic fibres, for example plastic fibres such as, among other things, hollow polyester fibres, which are possibly siliconised. The fibres are elastic and solid and preferably have a length that is greater than 2 to 5 times thickness c and in an embodiment 3 to 5 times the thickness c. Because of this length the fibres are bent after they are inserted between lower cloth 6 and upper cloth 7 so that upper cloth 6 is supported elastically by bending of the fibres. In the supporting element the fibres form an open and air-permeable space which can contract more than 50%, wherein the fibres ensure that filling 8 retains the open, air-permeable structure.
In the location of central piece 1 a hollow 14 is formed in pillow 4. For filling annular pillow 4 peripheral outer seam 3 has a filling seam 5 which is closed after filling. Peripheral inner seam 2 has a distance a between opposite sides. This distance a is a minimum of 20 mm and a maximum of 50 mm. Peripheral inner seam 2 may be circular, but peripheral seam 2 may possibly be elliptical, square or rectangular, possibly with rounded corners.
Central plane 1 may consist of upper cloth 6 and lower cloth 7 opposing one another, and upper cloth 6 and lower cloth 7 may possibly be removed in central piece 1, thereby forming a hole in that location and annular pillow 4 more or less forming an open ring.
Peripheral outer seam 3 is rectangular in the exemplary embodiment shown, but may also be elliptical or circular or have rounded corners. In the embodiment shown distance b between peripheral inner seam 2 and peripheral outer seam 3 may be variable between 200 and 300 mm, so that the supporting element has a variable width. Peripheral outer seam 3 possibly does not form the outer circumference of rectangular pillow 4 but outer cloth 6 and/or lower cloth 7 is/are larger, for example in order to be able to fasten pillow 4 somewhere. Peripheral inner seam 2 and peripheral outer seam 3 may be stitched by a known method. It is also possible to fit these seams by gluing, welding or sealing, for example.
Rectangular pillow 4 is used for supporting limbs of a patient lying in bed for the prevention or healing of bedsores. Bedsores occur due to reduced blood circulation of the skin at points where the skin is loaded relatively heavily, for example because some of the body weight rests upon a small part of the skin for a long time. This happens to patients who move little. The use of rectangular pillow 4 ensures that the highly loaded region of the skin is relieved from load and that the load is distributed over a larger area of the skin. The shape of rectangular pillow 4 is particularly suitable for local load relief of the skin, for example at the location of a wound or at irritated locations of the skin.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 show a rectangular pillow 9 whose peripheral inner seam 2 and peripheral outer seam 3 are connected by a straight longitudinal seam 10. Straight longitudinal seam 10 intersects peripheral inner seam 2 and peripheral outer seam 3 more or less perpendicularly. Longitudinal seam 10 has a length d of 200-400 mm.
Rectangular pillow 9 is suitable for relieving the load of a heel, wherein the lower leg is placed in hollow 14 in the longitudinal seam 10 and the heel lies above central plane 1. For use of rectangular pillow 4 or rectangular pillow 9, it is important for upper cloth 6, lower cloth 7 and filling 8 to be clean and/or sterile in order to reduce the risk of infection of the skin and/or possible bedsores. The pillows are therefore produced in materials which can be thoroughly washed and/or sterilised.
Figures 6, 7 and 8 show a rectangular pillow 16 according to the invention that is suitable for supporting a foot and the lower leg. It is known that bedsores frequently occur close to the foot because there the blood circulation is frequently weaker and/or is inadequate and because the skin on the heel is often thin. Pillow 16 consists of a lower cloth and an upper cloth which are fastened to each other with a seam 17, and between which the elastic filling 8 is fitted, comparable to and/or corresponding to pillows 4 and 9 described earlier.
The dimensions of rectangular pillow 16 are approximately 450 x 700 mm. A seam 18, with a length e, is applied to a short side of pillow 16 parallel to the short side at a distance d from seam 17. Distance d is approximately 150 mm and distance e is 100 mm or more. Because seam 18 runs parallel to seam 17 along the short end of pillow 16 over distance e, which is longer than half distance d, a partially rather oblong supporting element S3 is formed when filling is inserted in pillow 16 along this end.
A seam 19 runs midway between the long sides of pillow 16, seam 19 has a length f of approximately 300 mm, and when pillow 16 is formed the filling between the longitudinal seams of the pillow and seam 19 form oblong supporting elements S4 on both sides of seam 19. The supporting elements may support a lower leg 21 and, in particular, the calf of the lower leg, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. Lower leg 21 lies supported on two sides between supporting elements S4, wherein the supporting elements S4 support the calf of the lower leg over a large surface, so that the pressure on the skin is low and bedsores are prevented. Supporting element S3 supports the underside of the knee and seam 18 ensures that supporting element S3 has a certain length so that the thin skin on the underside of the knee is supported over a sufficient width and the skin is not damaged by overloading at that point. Because the upper cloth is permeable to air and moisture, moisture produced by the skin will be discharged naturally and no heating or irritation of the skin will occur.
A seam 20 couples together the lower cloth and the upper cloth on the short side of pillow 16 facing away from seam 18 midway between the end of seam 19 and the seam on the edge of the pillow. Seam 20 is short and has, for example, a length of 20 mm so that a round or more or less oval hollow is formed on this side of pillow 16 with supporting elements S1 and S2, which support the sole of the foot and the ankle, and wherein the heel with the frequently thin and vulnerable skin remains free and/or wherein no or almost no load is applied. Because seam 20 is short pillow 16, with among other things supporting elements S1 and S2, will support the lateral edge of the ankle, thereby supporting the foot stably and well. It will be clear that the materials of the lower and upper cloths and the filling of rectangular pillow 16 are comparable to the materials of the pillows mentioned earlier.
Figure 9 shows a number of rectangular pillows 4 in a packaging 13. Packaging 13 consists of packaging film 12 and a closing seam 11. Rectangular pillows 4 are pressed together before closing seam 11 is closed all round, as a result of which rectangular pillows 4 are given a minimum volume in packaging 13. Due to the closing of closing seam 11, air supply to rectangular pillows 4 is blocked and the volume of packaging 13 remains minimal. The packed rectangular pillows 4, with packaging 13 are then sterilised and shipped to the user. By cutting packaging 13 open air supply is again allowed to rectangular pillows 4 and because of elastic filling 8 they will expand to thickness c and are ready for use.

Claims

A pillow for supporting a part of the body of a bedridden patient for preventing or healing a bedsore or decubitus, wherein the pillow (4, 9, 16) comprises supporting elements (S1, S2, S3, S4) for supporting the part of the body (21) at at least two points, and wherein the pillow consists of a filling (8) between two sheets of material (6, 7) which are fastened on all sides to one another with a first seam (3), and wherein the sheets of material are fastened to one another with a second seam (2, 10, 18, 19) at a distance (b) from the first seam to form at least two supporting elements, characterised in that at least the sheet of material (6, 7) supporting the part of the body (21) is permeable to air and moisture and the space between the sheets of material in the region between the first seam (3) and the second seam (2, 18, 19) is filled with an air-permeable filling (8) of solid, resilient fibres for the formation of each supporting element so that the supporting elements (S1, S2, S3, S4), in the loaded condition, have a more or less constant oval cross-section with a constant height (c) of approximately 80 - 120 mm.
The pillow according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first distance (b) is approximately 2 to 3 times the height of the supporting elements.
The pillow according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one or both sheets of material (6, 7) are of woven cotton or of a woven cotton/polyester mixture.
The pillow according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient fibres (8) are of plastic.
The pillow according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient fibres (8) are of plastic and comprise, among other things, siliconised hollow polyester fibres.
The pillow according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the seams (2, 3, 10, 18, 19, 20) are stitched.
The pillow according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the seams (2, 3, 10, 18, 19, 20) are glued.
The pillow according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second seam (2) is endless and is circular, for example, with a diameter of 20 - 50 mm.
The pillow according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second seam (2) is endless and is circular, for example, with a diameter of 20 - 50 mm and the pillow is square with a length of approximately 500 mm.
The pillow according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pillow (9, 16) is rectangular and a third straight seam (10, 19), which is parallel to two long lateral edges of the rectangular pillow, forms two parallel supporting elements (S4) with an oval cross-section.
The pillow according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pillow (9, 16) is rectangular and a third straight seam (10, 19), which is parallel to two long lateral edges of the rectangular pillow, forms two parallel supporting elements (S4) with an oval cross-section, and wherein a fourth seam, which intersects the third seam and is straight or circular with a length or diameter of 30 - 100 mm, forms a third supporting element (S3) with an oval cross-section with the one short lateral edge of the rectangular pillow.
The pillow according to Claim 11, wherein a fifth seam (18) with a length of approximately 20 - 30 mm, forms fourth supporting elements (S1, S2) between the other short side of the rectangular pillow and the end of the third straight seam.
A packaging (13) with one or more identical pillows (4, 9) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging comprises a film (12) which encloses the pillows in gas-tight manner or compresses the pillows in the packaging to a minimum thickness.
The packaging according to Claim 13, wherein the content of the packaging (13) is sterilised.
A method for supporting parts of the body, such as limbs, with a locally weakened or damaged skin, wherein the part of the body is placed on a pillow, characterised in that the part of the body is supported on both sides of the weakened or damaged skin by at least two resilient supporting elements which form part of the pillow and which bear against the part of the body with an air- and moisture-permeable upper layer supported by air-permeable and resilient fibres.
The method according to Claim 15, wherein the pillow is produced according to one of Claims 1 - 12.