EP2341883B1 - Inflatable cell for anti-eschar mattresses - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

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

Prior art

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

In order to overcome this problem of pressure ulcer formation, a known solution to date consists in providing inflatable anti-decubitus mattresses, which comprise a plurality of juxtaposed inflatable cells. This type of mattress is described for example in the US patent US 5,704,084 , and also in the patent US 5,109,560 .

The cells of an anti-decubitus mattress are individually inflatable by means of a compressor or equivalent and in a so-called "dynamic" mode characterized by a predefined sequence and a inflation cycle, so as to reduce the compression times of the body parts in contact with the cells of the mattress. For example, it is cyclical to inflate one cell in two. The characteristics of this dynamic mode are generally configurable in order to best adapt them to the bedridden person.

In this type of inflatable cell of anti-decubitus mattress, for the comfort of the bedridden person and for the effectiveness of the draining bedsores, it is important to optimize the bearing surface of the cell intended to be in contact with the bedridden person . In particular, if the width of the surface carrier of each cell of a mattress is too important, there is in dynamic mode a risk of tourniquet effect on the bedridden person. Conversely, if the width of the carrier surface of each cell is too small, the dynamic relief effect is no longer felt by the bedridden person.

Another problem encountered when people are confined to a hospital or equivalent is related to the accidental falls of bedridden persons. This problem is magnified and deviates critically when bedridden people have reduced motor skills, such as, for example, people who have just undergone surgery, people who are totally or partially paralyzed, or the elderly.

In order to reduce these risks of accidental falls, it has already been proposed in the French patent application FR 2,883,728 an inflatable fall arrest cell for anti-decubitus mattresses. This cell comprises two outer sheets which are welded on their periphery so as to form an inflatable envelope, and which are fixed by circular welding points to an inner sheet to limit the expansion of the envelope. When inflated, the envelope has a bearing surface having a cup-shaped fall arrest profile with raised ends.

With this type of cell having circular weld points, there is however a risk, under the repeated effects of the inflation / deflation cycles, that two adjacent individual cells slide vertically, one with respect to the other, resulting in misalignment and positioning of the cells, detrimental to the proper functioning of the anti-decubitus mattress.

This positioning defect is even more accentuated, in the case of use of inflatable cells with horizontal oblong welds, such as those described and shown on the drawings. Figures 2 and 3 of the US patent US-A-5,109,560 . With this type of cells, to avoid this positioning defect, it is thus forced to fix each individual cell on a support, which complicates the structure and manufacture of the anti-decubitus mattress.

Summary of the invention

An object of the invention is to provide a new inflatable cell anti-decubitus mattress which provides a good operation in dynamic mode, avoiding the aforementioned risks of sliding and poor positioning of the cell, compared to a neighboring cell, during repetitive cycles of inflation / deflation, and without the need to fix the cell on a support.

The invention thus relates to an inflatable cell of anti-decubitus mattress defined in claim 1. This cell comprises an inflatable envelope, elongated, having two opposite main lateral faces, and several oblong welds, the main longitudinal axis is oriented substantially perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis of the casing, which are spaced along the length of the casing, and which make it possible to bind together the two opposite main lateral faces of the casing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new inflatable cell anti-decubitus mattress that reduces for people bedridden at the same time the risk of bedsores and the risk of accidental falls.

Another object, which does not belong to the invention, is an inflatable cell of anti-decubitus mattress, said cell comprising an inflatable envelope, of elongated shape, which has two opposite main lateral faces and an upper surface which to the swollen state of the envelope forms an upper bearing surface; the two opposite main lateral faces of the cell are welded together on at least three sides of their periphery by means of at least one lower longitudinal weld line and two lateral weld lines, and said lower longitudinal weld line has a curved profile which is made such that in the inflated state of the casing, the carrier surface is deformed so as to have a cup-shaped curved fall arrester with raised ends.

Another object, which does not belong to the invention, is an inflatable cell of anti-decubitus mattress, said cell comprising an inflatable envelope, of elongated shape, which has two opposite main lateral faces and an upper surface which to the swollen state of the envelope forms an upper bearing surface; said envelope is either (i) made of a sheet folded in two in the direction of its length, and welded on three sides of its periphery by means of a lower longitudinal weld line and two lateral weld lines, and the carrying surface being free of welding, or (ii) consisting of two separate sheets welded together over their entire periphery by means of at least four lines of welds: a lower longitudinal weld line, two lines two side welds, and a line upper longitudinal weld, said cell having one or more additional welds which are spaced along the length of the envelope, and which allow to link between them the two opposite major side faces of the envelope, the distance (e ₁ ) between each additional end welding and the lateral weld line adjacent to the envelope, measured along the longitudinal axis of the envelope, being superior ure or equal to the distance (e ₂ ) between said additional end weld and (i) the upper fold line of the sheet constituting the envelope, or (ii) the upper longitudinal weld line, so that in the inflated state of the envelope, the carrier surface (SP) is deformed so as to have a curved profile fall arrester with raised ends.

Another object, which does not belong to the invention, is an inflatable cell of anti-decubitus mattress, said cell comprises an inflatable envelope, of elongated shape, which has two opposite main lateral faces, an upper surface which an inflated state of the envelope forms an upper bearing surface, and one or more oblong welds, whose main longitudinal axis is oriented substantially parallel to the main longitudinal axis of the envelope, and which allow the two faces to be bonded to one another opposite main sides of the envelope, so as to defining in the envelope at least two superimposed inflation chambers communicating with each other; the upper bearing surface of the envelope in the deflated state has a substantially rectilinear profile over the entire length of the envelope, and the oblong weld or welds are made so that in the inflated state of the envelope the carrier surface is deformed so as to have a curved profile fall arrester cup with raised ends.

The invention also relates to an anti-decubitus mattress comprising a plurality of inflatable cells referred to above, which are positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the mattress, and which are juxtaposed along said longitudinal axis.

Brief description of the figures

• la figure 1 est une représentation en perspective d'une cellule gonflable pour matelas anti-escarres, réalisée conformément à une première variante de réalisation,
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale de la cellule de la figure 1 dans le plan de coupe II-II,
• la figure 3 est une représentation schématique et partielle en vue de dessus de la cellule de la figure 1,
• la figure 4 est une représentation schématique à plat et en vue latérale de la cellule de la figure 1 (état dégonflé),
• la figure 5 est une représentation schématique à plat et en vue de face d'une cellule gonflable pour matelas anti-escarres,
• la figure 6 est une représentation schématique à plat et en vue de face d'une cellule gonflable pour matelas anti-escarres,
• la figure 7 est une représentation en perspective d'une cellule de matelas anti-escarres, à l'état gonflé,
• la figure 8 est une représentation schématique à plat de la cellule de la figure 7 à l'état dégonflé,
• la figure 9 est une coupe transversale schématique de la cellule de la figure 7 dans le plan IX-IX,
• la figure 10 est une vue de dessus de la cellule de la figure 7,
• la figure 11 est une vue en coupe transversale dans le plan XI-XI de la cellule de la figure 8,
• la figure 12 est une vue en coupe longitudinale dans le plan XII-XII de la cellule de la figure 6,
• la figure 13 représente de manière schématique en vue latérale un ensemble de cellules de l'invention qui sont juxtaposées, en sorte de former un matelas anti-escarres,
• la figure 14 représente de manière schématique en vue latérale un ensemble de cellules cylindriques de l'art antérieur qui sont juxtaposées, en sorte de former un matelas anti-escarres,
• la figure 15 est une représentation schématique à plat et en vue latérale d'une cellule à l'état dégonflé,
• la figure 16 est une représentation schématique à plat et en vue de face d'une cellule gonflable pour matelas anti-escarres,
• la figure 17 est une représentation schématique à plat et en vue de face d'une cellule gonflable pour matelas anti-escarres,
• la figure 18 représente une cellule, à l'état gonflé,
• La figure 19 est une vue schématique de côté de la cellule de la figure 18.

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

• the figure 1 is a perspective representation of an inflatable cell for anti-decubitus mattress, produced according to a first embodiment variant,
• the figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cell of the figure 1 in the section plane II-II,
• the figure 3 is a schematic and partial view in top view of the cell of the figure 1 ,
• the figure 4 is a schematic representation in flat and in side view of the cell of the figure 1 (deflated state),
• the figure 5 is a schematic representation in flat and in front view of an inflatable cell for anti-decubitus mattresses,
• the figure 6 is a schematic representation in flat and in front view of an inflatable cell for anti-decubitus mattresses,
• the figure 7 is a perspective representation of a cell of anti-decubitus mattress, in the inflated state,
• the figure 8 is a schematic representation flat of the cell of the figure 7 in the deflated state,
• the figure 9 is a schematic cross-section of the cell of the figure 7 in plan IX-IX,
• the figure 10 is a top view of the cell of the figure 7 ,
• the figure 11 is a cross-sectional view in the XI-XI plane of the cell of the figure 8 ,
• the figure 12 is a longitudinal sectional view in the XII-XII plane of the cell of the figure 6 ,
• the figure 13 schematically shows in side view a set of cells of the invention which are juxtaposed, so as to form an anti-decubitus mattress,
• the figure 14 schematically shows in side view a set of cylindrical cells of the prior art which are juxtaposed, so as to form an anti-decubitus mattress,
• the figure 15 is a schematic representation in flat and in lateral view of a cell in the deflated state,
• the figure 16 is a schematic representation in flat and in front view of an inflatable cell for anti-decubitus mattresses,
• the figure 17 is a schematic representation in flat and in front view of an inflatable cell for anti-decubitus mattresses,
• the figure 18 represents a cell, in the inflated state,
• The figure 19 is a schematic side view of the cell of the figure 18 .

detailed description

We have shown on figures 1 and 4 an inflatable individual cell 1 of anti-decubitus mattress, according to a first embodiment of the invention. On the figure 1 cell 1 is inflated. On the figure 4 cell 1 is shown flat in the deflated state.

This cell 1 comprises an inflatable envelope 2 of elongate shape and longitudinal main axis 2a. In the example illustrated, this envelope 2 is constituted by a sheet 20 of substantially rectangular shape of heat-sealable material, for example polyurethane. In the deflated state of the cell, this sheet 20 is folded in two on itself in the direction of its length along a substantially straight longitudinal upper folding line 20a (schematized by a dotted line on the figure 3 ). On the figure 3 , the two longitudinal edges of the sheet 20 which are folded one above the other are referenced 20b, and the two side edges of the sheet 20 which are folded one above the other are referenced 20c.

The folded sheet 20 is heat-sealed on three sides of its periphery by means of a lower longitudinal weld line 4 (opposite to the upper fold line 20a) of length L ₂ , less than the length L ₁ of the sheet 20, and two lateral weld lines 5 which extend said longitudinal weld line 4 at both ends thereof and extend to the upper longitudinal fold line 20a of the sheet 20.

The two faces 20d, 20e of the sheet 20 ( figures 1 and 4 ) which are folded one above the other form the two main lateral faces of the inflatable envelope 2.

The lower longitudinal weld 4 has a particular arcuate curved profile whose vertex 4a is oriented towards the upper fold line 20a. With reference to the figure 4 the distance H ₂ between this vertex 4a of the weld 4 and the upper fold line 20a which corresponds to the upper longitudinal edge of the envelope 2 in the deflated state, is smaller than the height H ₁ of the lateral welds 5. The dimension H ₂ corresponds to the height at the center of the envelope 2 in the deflated state, and the dimension H ₁ corresponds to the height at the ends of the envelope 2 to the deflated state.

The envelope 2 also contains an inner sheet 6 of heat-sealable material, for example polyurethane, which has been positioned between the two folded-up faces 20d, 20e of sheet 20 one above the other, before heat-sealing of the two faces 20d, 20th.

Each main face 20d, 20e of the envelope 2 is fixed to the inner sheet 6, by means of vertical oblong heat-sealing 7A and 7B, of principal longitudinal axis 7a, of length L ₃ and of width l ₃ (L ₃ > l ₃ ). The main longitudinal axis 7a of the welds 7A, 7B is oriented substantially perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis 2a of the envelope 2, and the welds 7A, 7B are spaced along the length of the envelope 2. Each weld 7A, 7B has a peripheral edge 7b forming a closed oblong contour.

Preferably, for a better strength, at a weld 7A or 7B, the face 20d or 20e of the sheet 20 is welded over the entire surface located inside the peripheral edge 7b. In another variant, the face 20d or 20e of the sheet 20 may be welded only along a weld line of small width corresponding to said oblong peripheral contour 7b.

With reference to figures 1 , 3 and 4 , the oblong heat-sealing 7A correspond to the welds of the face 20d of the envelope 2 with the inner sheet 6, and the oblong heat-sealing 7B (dotted on the figures 1 and 4 ) correspond to the welds of the other face 20e of the envelope 2 with the inner sheet 6. These welds 7A and 7B are alternated along the length (Y direction) of the envelope 2.

The weld lines 4 and 5 and the oblong welds 7A, 7B are for example made by high frequency welding.

In the variant of the figure 4 , welds 7A and 7B are all identical. This characteristic is however not essential.

In the variant of the figure 4 the welds 7A (respectively 7B) of a face 20d (respectively 20e) are substantially equidistant along the longitudinal axis 2a of the cell. This characteristic is however not essential.

The invention is not limited to the particular number of welds 7A, 7B of the figure 4 , the cell of the invention may comprise more welds 7A, 7B or less welds 7A, 7B than the variant of the figure 4 The number of welds 7A, 7B and their spacing depends in particular on the length of the inflatable envelope.

In one 20d of the main faces of the casing 2 is provided an opening 3 for an air passage. The cell 1 comprises an inflation tip 8, for example made of plastic, which can incorporate a valve, and which allows rapid inflation and deflation of the casing 2. This tip 8 is fixed, for example by gluing, on the envelope 2 at the opening 3. This nozzle 8 is intended to be connected to a compressor (not shown) for example by means of a flexible tubing to allow inflation and deflation of the casing 2 of the cell 1.

When the cell is inflated, the upper face of the inflated cell which extends on either side of the fold line 20a forms an upper bearing surface SP ( figures 1 and 2 ) in contact with which comes the body of the bedridden person.

In the particular variant of Figures 1 to 4 this carrier surface SP is free of welding, and is thus advantageously smooth.

To produce an anti-decubitus and anti-fall mattress M according to the invention, a plurality of cells 1 are juxtaposed against each other along the longitudinal axis X, each cell 1 being positioned perpendicularly (Y axis) to this longitudinal axis X , and the main face 20d of a cell being in contact with the main face 20e of a neighboring cell.

Also, on the envelope 2 of the cell are preferably attached means 9, for example snaps, allowing, where appropriate, to quickly assemble two adjacent cells 1 together during the constitution of the mattress. The cells 1 are placed on a flat support such as a bed base, without being fixed to this flat support.

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

When a cell is inflated, each portion 20f of the main face 20d (respectively 20e) of the envelope 2 located between two adjacent welds 7A (respectively 7B) advantageously forms, thanks to the implementation of vertical oblong welds 7A (respectively 7B), a pad whose external face is convex only over the entire height of the casing 2, and has no concave portion, unlike what can be obtained for example with a cell of the figure 1 the request for FR 2,883,728 or cells of Figures 2 and 3 of the US patent US-A-5,109,560 . This avoids the risk of vertical sliding and poor positioning in height of a cell 1 relative to a neighboring cell during repeated cycles of inflation / deflation of the cells of the mattress.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the oblong welds 7A, 7B are substantially centered between the lower longitudinal weld line 4 and the upper longitudinal edge of the casing 2 in the deflated state, that is to say in the variant of the figure 4 the upper folding line 20a.

The length L ₃ of each weld 7A, 7B is chosen so as to obtain the formation of the aforementioned pads 20f with only convex surface. Preferably, mas not necessarily, the length L ₃ of each weld 7A, 7B is at least equal to 30% of the height maximum H ₁ of the envelope 2 in the deflated state ( figure 4 ) and / or preferably at least equal to 50% of the height H ₄ of the internal sheet 6 to function of travel limiter.

In the variant of Figures 1 to 4 , the inner sheet 6 has the function of limiting the expansion of the casing 2 in the direction X which is perpendicular to the two main faces 20d, 20e of the casing 2, and thus makes it possible to limit the width of the casing 2 in the inflated state. It also allows in combination with the oblong welds 7A, 7B to obtain a cell 1 which is mechanically robust, and whose welds 7A, 7B are not altered after intensive use.

In another alternative embodiment, the cell could be free of internal sheet 6 and the main faces 20d, 20e could be welded directly to each other by means of vertical oblong welds 7A, 7B in a manner comparable to the cell of the figure 7 described below, the two main faces 20d, 20e are welded together by means of horizontal oblong welds 7.

In the variant of Figures 1 to 4 by virtue of the use of a lower arcuate longitudinal weld 4 with a height H ₂ less than the height H ₁ , when the envelope 2 is inflated, the upper bearing surface SP is advantageously automatically deformed so that to present a curved anti-fall profile forming a bowl oriented along the longitudinal axis 2a of the cell with raised 20g ends ( figure 1 ). This cup-shaped profile with raised ends 20g advantageously makes it possible to prevent the sliding in the Y direction of a person lying on a mattress M comprising cells juxtaposed in the X direction, and thus to stabilize laterally this person in a central position on the mattress M. Thus significantly reduces the risk of accidental fall.

The greater the difference in height ΔH between the heights H ₁ and H ₂ (ΔH = H ₁ -H ₂ ), the greater the deformation of the bowl-shaped bearing surface SP. For an effective fall arrest effect, the difference in height ΔH between the heights H ₁ and H ₂ is preferably, but not necessarily at least equal to 3 cm, and more particularly still at least equal to 5 cm.

The longitudinal weld 4 could have another curved profile for obtaining the cup-shaped fall arrest profile for the carrier surface SP, when the envelope 2 is inflated. In particular, the longitudinal weld 4 could have another curved profile making it possible to obtain a height H ₂ at the center of the envelope smaller than the height H ₁ at the ends of the envelope 2.

In the particular variant of the figure 4 , the top 4a of the lower longitudinal weld 4 is substantially centered with respect to the casing 2 along the longitudinal axis 2a of the casing. This characteristic, although preferential, is however not essential.

In the variant of the figure 4 the smallest distance e ₁ between each end weld 7A and the adjacent lateral weld 5 of the envelope, measured along the longitudinal axis 2a of the envelope, is greater than or equal to, and preferably greater than, the most a small distance e ₂ between said weld 7A and the upper fold line 20a of the casing 2. This advantageously results in an enhancement of the lifting of the ends 20g of the cup-shaped bearing surface SP, when the casing 2 is inflated. On the figure 4 the distance e1 is substantially equal to the distance e2. If it is desired to accentuate more importantly the lifting of the ends 20g of the carrier surface SP, a distance e1 greater than the distance e2 will preferably be implemented, as implemented for example for the variant of FIG. figure 16 described below.

This dimensional characteristic (e1≥e2) is however optional to obtain the fall arrest profile, when a lower weld line 4 having the curved profile of the figure 4 is implemented. For example, there is shown on the figure 5 , another variant embodiment, in which the distance e1 is smaller than the distance e2, and which nevertheless makes it possible to obtain a cup-shaped fall arrest profile for the carrier surface SP of the cell, thanks to the implementation of the curved longitudinal bottom weld 4.

The table below gives, as an example of realization of the particular values (in mm) for the principal dimensions of the cell reported on the figures 4 and 5 . These particular values are not limiting of the invention. For these particular dimensions, the inner sheet 6 used is for example a rectangular sheet of length L ₄ equal to 950 mm, width H _{4 is} 180 mm and thickness is 0.2 mm. FIG. L1 L2 H ₁ H ₂ L ₃ l ₃ e ₁ e ₂ 4 990 910 300 250 102 20 90 90 5 990 910 300 250 102 20 70 90

We have shown on the figure 6 another embodiment, which provides a carrier surface having a cup-shaped fall arrest profile. In particular, in this variant of the figure 6 , there is the implementation of a lower longitudinal weld 4 having a curved profile that provides a carrier surface SP with a cup-shaped fall arrest profile, when the casing 2 is inflated.

In particular, the variant of the figure 6 differs from the variant of the figure 4 mainly by the implementation of pairs of 7'A welds (respectively 7'B) circular instead of oblong welds 7A (respectively 7B). Unlike the variant of figure 4 However, this variant does not make it possible to obtain the above-mentioned pads 20f with a convex surface only.

We have shown on figures 7 and 8 , an individual inflatable cell 1 'of anti-decubitus mattress, according to another embodiment of the invention. On the figure 7 cell 1 is inflated. On the figure 8 , the cell is represented flat in the deflated state.

Identically to cell 1 of the figure 1 this cell 1 'comprises an inflatable envelope 2, of elongated shape and of main axis longitudinal 2a. This envelope 2 is constituted by a sheet 20 of substantially rectangular shape of heat-sealable material, for example polyurethane. This sheet 20 is folded in two on itself in the direction of its length along a longitudinal upper fold line 20a. For the sake of simplification, the common elements between this cell 1 'of the figure 6 and cell 1 of the figure 1 are identified by the same references.

The folded sheet 20 is heat-sealed on three sides of its periphery by means of a lower longitudinal weld line 4 'of length L ₂ , smaller than the length L ₁ of the sheet 20, and two lateral weld lines 5 which extend said longitudinal weld line 4 'at both ends thereof and extending to the upper longitudinal fold line 20a of the sheet 20.

Unlike cell 1 of figures 1 and 3 , the lower welding line 4 'is not curved but is substantially rectilinear.

Unlike cell 1 of figures 1 and 3 the cell 1 'does not comprise an internal sheet 6 with a displacement limiter function, and the two main lateral faces 20d, 20e of the inflatable envelope 2 are heat-sealed directly with each other by means of a line oblong welds 7, longitudinal axis 7a, length L ₃ and width l ₃ (L ₃ > l ₃ ). Each weld 7 has a peripheral edge 7b forming a closed oblong contour.

Preferably, for a better strength, at a weld 7, the two faces 20d, 20e of the sheet 20 are welded over the entire surface located inside the peripheral edge 7b. In another variant, the two faces 20d, 20e of the sheet 20 may be welded only along a weld line of small width corresponding to said oblong peripheral contour 7b.

The welds 7 are oriented so that their main longitudinal axis 7a is substantially parallel to the longitudinal main axis 2a of the envelope 2. The welds 7 are further positioned by relative to the others, being spaced and aligned along the main longitudinal axis 2a of the envelope 2.

The welds 7 make it possible to define in the envelope 2 two superimposed chambers, namely a lower chamber 2b and an upper chamber 2c ( figure 10 ), which extend over the entire length L ₂ of the envelope 2, and which communicate with each other thanks to the spaces E ( figure 7 and figure 11 ) between the welds 7.

When the casing 2 is inflated, the air which is blown into the lower chamber 2b via the inflation nozzle 8 propagates in said chamber 2b and, thanks to the spaces E ( figures 7 and 11 ) between the welds 7, this air also easily penetrates into the upper chamber 2c of the casing 2 by being advantageously distributed over the entire length of the casing 2. Once the casing 2 is inflated with air, said casing 2 forms two superimposed air cushions C1, C2 ( figure 11 ) respectively corresponding to the two chambers 2b and 2c delimited by the weld line 7.

Conversely, during deflation of the casing 2, the air contained in the upper chamber 2c can be rapidly evacuated via the nozzle 8 through the lower chamber 2b, which allows rapid deflation of the two cushions C1 and C2.

In the variant embodiment of figures 7 and 8 , the welds 7 are identical and the distances d between two adjacent welds 7, measured along the longitudinal axis 2a of the envelope, are identical. In another variant, the welds 7 may have a different oblong shape, and may also not be identical; the spacing of welds 7 is not necessarily constant. In the variant embodiment of figures 7 and 8 it is implemented four welds 7 aligned and spaced. This particular number of welds 7 is not limiting of the invention.

In the variant embodiment of figures 7 and 8 , the weld line 7 is made substantially at half height H of the envelope 2, so that the cushions C1 C2 advantageously have substantially the same volume. In another variant of the invention, the height position of the weld line 7 could nevertheless be different, and therefore the volumes of the two cushions C1 and C2 could be different.

It will be understood that the distance d between two adjacent welds 7 affects the capacity of the air to pass more or less easily from one chamber 2b to the other 2c, and thus influences the ease and speed of inflation of the cushions C1 and C2. The greater this distance d between two welds 7 is important and the inflation and deflation of the two cushions C1, C2 is facilitated. Conversely, the length of the welds 7 must be large enough to obtain a mechanical strength of the welds 7 which is sufficient and reliable over time. It is therefore necessary to select the length L ₃ of the welds 7 and the distance d between welds 7, taking into account these two contradictory constraints. In the variant embodiment of figures 1 and 2 this distance d between two adjacent welds 7 is slightly greater than the length L ₃ of a weld 7. In another variant, this distance d between two adjacent welds 7 could be equal to or less than the length L ₃ of a weld 7. Preferably, but not necessarily, the total length of the welds 7 (sum of the lengths L ₃ ) is at least equal to 40% of the total length L ₂ of the inflation chambers 2b, 2c.

For reasons of vertical stability of the cell during inflation / deflation operations, it is preferable that the envelope 2 of the cell 1 comprises only two superposed chambers 2b, 2c corresponding to the superposed cushions C1 and C2. However, in the context of the invention, it is also conceivable to produce a cell comprising at least two oblong weld lines 7, which are spaced along the height H of the cell, so as to define at least three superimposed inflation chambers. (Three air cushions stacked), each room communicating with the neighboring chamber through the spaces between welds.

With reference to the figure 13 , it has been shown schematic an anti-decubitus mattress M of the invention made by means of a plurality of cells 1 'which are juxtaposed against each other along the longitudinal axis X of the mattress, each cell 1' being positioned perpendicularly to this longitudinal axis X (longitudinal axis 2a of each cell 1 'perpendicular to the X axis).

In a manner known per se, when the mattress M is used, all the cells 1 'are not inflated simultaneously, but are inflated and deflated individually according to a programmed cycle, so as to modify cyclically and dynamically the compression points on the body of the person lying on the mattress, which reduces the risk of pressure ulcer formation, and makes it possible to feel the bedridden person a dynamic effect of relief. In this particular example of the figure 13 , but in a nonlimiting manner of the invention, at each cycle a cell 1 out of two is inflated and a cell 1 out of two is deflated. This particular dynamic mode corresponds to a use of the mattress in preventive anti-decubitus care with 50% lift. It is also possible in another dynamic mode to divide the mattress into several groups of n cells (n≥3), and during successive cycles to deflate in each group of cells successively one cell on the n cells, the other cells of the group being swollen. This dynamic mode corresponds to a use of the mattress in curative care. In this particular dynamic mode, the use of cells according to the invention allows a better vascularization of the cutaneous tissues of the bedridden person.

The weld line 7 of each cell 1 'advantageously makes it possible to limit the lateral expansion of the cell 1, that is to say in the longitudinal direction X of the mattress, and advantageously to obtain a cell 1, which once inflated, has a carrier upper surface SP of maximum width L _max ( Figures 10, 11 ) and has a height H 'in the inflated state which is greater than said maximum width L _max . Advantageously, the upper carrier surface SP is free of welding line.

By using cells 1 'whose maximum width L _max of the carrier surface SP of the cell in the inflated state is low, it is advantageous, for the same length of mattress M, to use a larger number of juxtaposed cells, compared for example with inflatable cells C ( figure 14 ) requiring the same volume of inflation air and forming in the inflated state cylindrical rolls. At each cycle, thus advantageously reduces the width e spaces between two adjacent inflated cells 1, and increases the total contact area between the bedridden person and the SP carrier surfaces of the inflated cells. This provides a better distribution of the weight of the bedridden person along the entire length of the mattress M of cells 1 ', and excessive localized compression is avoided on the bedridden person. Thus, unlike the solution of the prior art of the figure 14 , the risks of "tourniquet effect" at the level of the bearing areas of the body on the cells 1 are advantageously eliminated. Furthermore, thanks to the use of at least two superposed air cushions C1, C2 on each cell, we increase the height H 'of the cell 1 in the inflated state, and significantly improves the comfort of the bedridden person and the treatment of bedsores.

It should be noted that the maximum width L _maX of a cell 1 'in the inflated state should preferably not be too low either. Indeed, if this width L _max is too small, the total contact area at each cycle between the bedridden person and the SP bearing surfaces of the inflated cells may become too great, and suppress the dynamic relief effect of the bedridden person. In practice it is preferable that this total contact area is between 50% and 75%.

As an indication, and not limiting of the invention, the cell 1 'of the invention is preferably designed to have a maximum width L _max in the inflated state of between 6 cm and 9 cm. More particularly, in a preferred embodiment, the cell 1 'has been designed to have an optimum maximum width L _max of the order of 7 cm to 8 cm.

With reference to the figure 7 , according to another characteristic Advantageous of the invention, the two main lateral faces 20d, 20e of the casing 2 are welded to one another so that when inflated, the casing 2 comprises a carrier upper surface SP having a profile. bowl-shaped fall arrester with raised 20g ends. These raised ends 20g advantageously make it possible to prevent lateral sliding ( figure 7 / Y axis) of a person lying on the mattress M, and laterally stabilize this person in the central position on the mattress M. Thus significantly reduces the risk of accidental fall.

In the particular variant embodiment of figures 7 and 8 , in the deflated state, the upper bearing surface SP of the casing 2 is substantially rectilinear ( figure 7 ). The two main lateral faces 20d, 20e of the casing 2 are welded with each other so that the inflation of the casing 2 causes a deformation of the bearing surface SP of the casing 2 in the form of 'a bowl with raised 20g ends ( figure 7 ). To obtain this deformation of the envelope 2, it is appropriate to judiciously position the two end welds 7 closest to the side welds 5, so that during the inflation of the envelope 2, these end welds 7 exert relative to the lateral weld lines 5 a traction for raising the upper ends 20g, as shown in FIG. figure 7 . In this variant, this is obtained in particular by providing between each end weld 7 and the adjacent lateral weld line 5, a distance e ₁ measured along the longitudinal axis 2 a of the envelope which is equal to or slightly greater than the distance e ₂ (measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2a) between said weld 7 and the upper fold line 20a of the sheet 20 constituting the envelope 2.

Specific example of dimensioning of the cell 1 '

As a nonlimiting example of the invention, in a specific embodiment, the cell 1 'had the following main dimensions: L ₁ = 100cm; L ₂ = 90cm; L ₃ = 10cm; l ₃ = 1.8cm; d = 11cm; H = 26cm; H = 18cm; H = 23 cm, L _max = 8 cm, L _min = 7 cm, e ₁ = 11.5 cm, e ₂ = 11 cm.

We have shown on the figure 15 another variant embodiment of a cell 1 'comprising a single oblong weld 7.

We have shown on the figure 16 another variant embodiment of a cell 1 ", which in a manner comparable to the variant of FIG. figure 7 has an oblong weld line 7, of oval shape, whose longitudinal axis 7a is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 2a of the cell, and which differs from the variant of figures 7 and 8 mainly by the implementation of a lower longitudinal weld line 4 which has a curved profile similar to that of the variant of the figure 1 , so as to obtain the cup-shaped fall arrest profile for the carrier surface SP. In this variant, the distance e1 is also much greater than the distance e2 so as to accentuate the lifting effect of the ends 20g of the casing 2 during its inflation, and improve the fall arrest effect.

We have shown on the figure 17 , another variant embodiment of a cell 1 "'which differs from the cell of the figure 16 only by the implementation of two separate sheets 20d, 20e, instead of a single sheet 20 folded in two. These two separate sheets 20d, 20e are welded to each other over their entire periphery by means of four lines of welds: the three weld lines 4,5 described above, and an additional upper longitudinal weld line 11, which replaces the fold line. 20a. When the envelope 2 of this cell of the figure 17 is inflated, the carrier surface SP extends on either side of this upper weld line 11.

Similar to this variant of the figure 17 cells of figures 1 , 5 , 6 , 7 , and 15 previously described could also be modified so as to replace the sheet 20 folded in two (with upper fold line 20a) by two separate sheets 20d, 20e welded in a closed contour by a longitudinal weld line 4 (or 4 ') extended at both ends by two lateral welds 5, themselves interconnected by an upper longitudinal weld line 11.

We represent on the figure 18 another variant embodiment of a cell comprising an inflatable envelope 2 having in the inflated state two main lateral faces 20d, 20e, an upper bearing surface SP, a lower bottom face F and two end faces F '. This cell further comprises an inner sheet 6 'of substantially rectangular shape, which limits the expansion of the cell thickness (direction X). The main face 20d of the cell is welded to one of the longitudinal edges of the inner sheet 6 'by means of an oblong longitudinal weld 7. The other main face 20e of the cell is welded to the other longitudinal edge of the the inner sheet 6 'by means of an oblong longitudinal weld 7.

In this variant, the envelope of the cell also comprises external reinforcement welds S (in thicker lines) which, at the two end faces F 'of the cell, have a profile in the form of and which allow formatting the cell. When the envelope of the cell is inflated, the inner sheet 6 'is substantially horizontal, that is to say oriented substantially perpendicular to the two main lateral faces 20d, 20e, and the envelope forms two superimposed cushions C1, C2.

The longitudinal oblong welds 7 do not extend to the two end faces F 'and each have a length L ₃ sufficiently small that at the inflated state of the envelope, the upper bearing surface SP is deformed into so to present a cup-shaped fall arrest profile with raised 20g ends (volume in the center of the envelope smaller than the volume of the envelope at its ends). More particularly to obtain this fall arrest profile, the distance e1 which separates each end of a longitudinal weld 7 from the adjacent end face F 'and which is measured along the longitudinal axis 2a of the envelope, is greater than or equal to the distance e ₂ separating said end of the weld 7 and the carrier surface SP, and which is measured in the direction (Z) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2a.

The cell of Figures 18 and 19 can also be modified by replacing a longitudinal weld 7 by a line of several longitudinal welds 7 of shorter length and spaced in the longitudinal direction 2a of the cell, in a manner comparable to the previously described variant of the figure 7 .

Claims (17)

1. An inflatable cell for anti-eschar mattresses, said cell comprising an inflatable enclosure (2) with an elongate shape, having two opposite main side surfaces (20d, 20e), and several oblong welds (7A, 7B), the main longitudinal axis (7a) of which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the maim longitudinal axis (2a) of the enclosure, which are spaced along the length of the enclosure, and which make it possible to connect the two opposite main side surfaces (20d, 20e) of the enclosure to one another.
2. The cell according to claim 1, comprising an inner sheet (6) that is positioned between the two main side surfaces (20d, 20e) of the enclosure, which is welded to said main side surfaces (20d, 20e) using said oblong welds (7A, 7B), and which makes it possible to limit the expansion of the cell.
3. The cell according to claim 2, wherein the length (L₃) of each oblong weld (7A, 7B) is at least equal to 50% of the height (H₄) of the inner sheet (6).
4. The cell according to claim 1, wherein the opposite main side surfaces (20d, 20e) are directly welded to one another using said oblong welds.
5. The cell according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising an upper surface (SP) which, when the enclosure is inflated, forms an upper support surface, in which the two main side surfaces (20d, 20e) of the cell are welded to one another over at least three sides of their periphery using at least one lower longitudinal weld line (4) and two side weld lines (5), said lower longitudinal weld line (4) having a curved profile that is made such that when the inclosure (2) is inflated, the support surface (SP) is deformed so as to have a fall prevention curved profile in the shape of a basin with raised ends (20g).
6. The cell according to claim 5, wherein said lower longitudinal weld line (4) has an arc-shaped curved profile whereof the apex (4a) is oriented toward the support surface (SP), such that when the inclosure is inflated, the support surface (SP) is deformed so as to have a fall-prevention curved profile in the form of a basin with raised ends (20g).
7. The cell according to claim 6, wherein when the enclosure (2) is deflated, the height H₁ between the apex (4a) of said lower longitudinal weld line (4) is lower than the height H₂ at the ends of the enclosure (2).
8. The cell according to once of claims 5 or 6, wherein said lower longitudinal weld line (4) has a curved profile such that the height at the center H₁ of the enclosure (2) when it is deflated is lower than the height H₂ at the ends of the enclosure when it is deflated.
9. The cell according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the height différence ΔH (ΔH = H₁ - H₂) between the heights H₁ and H₂ is at least equal to 3 cm, and preferably at least equal to 5 cm.
10. The cell according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said enclosure is made up of a sheet (20) folded in two lengthwise, and welded on three sides of its periphery using at least one lower longitudinal weld line (4; 4') and two side weld lines (5), the support surface (SP) being free of welds.
11. The cell according to claim 10, wherein the distance (e₁) between each oblong end weld (7A) and the adjacent side weld line (5) of the enclosure, measured along the longitudinal axis (2a) of the enclosure, is greater than or equal to the distance (e₂) between said oblong end weld (7A) and the upper fold line (20) of the sheet (20) making up the enclosure (2).
12. The cell according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the enclosure (2) is made up of two separate sheets (20d, 20e) welded to one another over their entire periphery using at least four weld lines: a lower longitudinal weld line (4, 4'), two side weld lines (5), and an upper longitudinal weld line (11).
13. The cell according to claim 12, wherein the distance (e₁) between each oblong end weld (7A) and the adjacent side weld line (5) of the enclosure measured along the longitudinal axis (2a) of the enclosure, is greater than or equal to the distance (e₂) of said oblong end weld (7A) and the upper weld line (11).
14. The cell according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the upper support surface (SP) of the enclosure (2) when it is deflated has a substantial rectilinear profile over the entire length of the enclosure.
15. The cell according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the oblong welds (7A, 7B) are substantival centered on the height (H₁) of the enclosure (2) of the cell.
16. The cell according to anyone of claims 1 to 15, wherein the length (L₃) of each oblong weld (7A, 7B) is at least equal to 30% of the maximum height (H₁) of the enclosure (2) when it is deflated.
17. An anti-eschar mattress (M), characterized in that it comprises a plurality of inflatable cells that are targeted in any one of claims 1 to 16, which are positioned transversely to the longitudinale axis (X) of the mattress, and which are juxtaposed along said longitudinal axis (X).

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