ES2585734B1 - OPERATING METHOD OF AN INFLATABLE CUSHION, INFLATABLE CUSHION AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - Google Patents

Abstract

Cyclic operation method for an inflatable cushion, the cushion comprising a plurality of independent regions (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H), a programmable control unit (3) being associated with valves (6) and pressure sensors to control the pressure in each independent region (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H). Said method comprises a first stage of reaching a maximum pressure value in each independent region (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H), the previously determined maximum value being detected by the pressure sensors after activation of the valves (6), so that air circulates to the alveoli of one or more regions, the maximum pressure in each independent region (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) being the same or different between yes; and a second stage where a minimum preset pressure value is reached within each independent region (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H), the minimum pressure in each independent region being the same or different. The period of time between the two stages in each of the regions may be the same or different.

Description

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Operating method of an inflatable cushion, inflatable cushion and program

of computer

DESCRIPTION

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present application is to register a method of operation of an inflatable cushion linked to a remote control unit.

More specifically, the invention proposes the development of a method of operation intended to be used in an inflatable cushion linked to a programmable control unit, especially designed for a cushion having a plurality of independent regions, in such a way as to obtain an effect. Continuous massage capable of successfully reducing the formation of ulcers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known in the medical field that pressure ulcers, also referred to as UPPs, are a serious complication secondary to a spinal cord injury that notoriously affects the user in regards to physical, psychological and social well-being, thus affecting! to the quality of life, currently being the main cause of suffering a modular injury in traffic accidents. After a modular injury, changes occur, highlighting the lack of voluntary mobility, muscular atrophy in the paralyzed extremities, changes in muscle fibers, through reduced resistance to fatigue, which contribute to the development of complications, such as ulcers of pressure, as mentioned above. The formation of these ulcers can be caused due to the pressure, that is, the tensions generated on the tissues due to the effect of compression, shearing, chafing, etc., the time in which the user adopts the same position and environmental factors, such as the temperature and humidity of the environment.

Therefore, the prevention of such ulcers is an important objective in the prevention of people with spinal cord injuries as well! as in the fact of improving the quality of life of patients or people suffering from spinal cord injury.

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In the state of the art, inflatable cushions are provided provided with multiple alveoli that have pressure regulation means that allow modifying the pressure inside the alveoli, however, they have a static operation, that is, the pressure value is set in such a way that it cannot be modified in a continuous and automatic way, so they do not allow to satisfactorily solve the formation of ulcers in the sacral area.

Time is an important factor since the longer the period of time with the same set pressure value, the greater the risk of ulcer formation.

Another important factor in ulcer formation is temperature. If this increases it can also increase the humidity and consequently causes the body to sweat, resulting in the skin softening and the tissue losing physical resistance, thus starting! The ulceration process

International patent No. WO 2005009175 is known which describes a cushion provided with a plurality of inflatable alveoli, whose common characteristics form part of the preamble of revindication 1 of the present invention. This document describes a cushion having a base from which a plurality of alveoli protrudes that can be swollen or deflated by the user. However, the disposition of an electronic control unit that allows automated and synchronized regulation or not of different regions composed of multiple alveoli to achieve a massage effect is not described.

It is also known the European patent of the same applicant No. EP 2 870 954 A1 which describes an inflatable cushion provided with a plurality of alveoli that are distributed in independent zones.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in order to provide a novel operating method that is configured as a novelty within the field of application and resolves the aforementioned drawbacks, also providing other additional advantages that will be apparent from the description that It is accompanied next.

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It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of operation of a pad linked to a control unit, the pad comprising a plurality of independent regions, in which each region has a plurality of inflatable cells that project vertically from a base, the control unit being associated with a plurality of valves and pressure sensors to control the pressure value present inside each region, more specifically a set of two valves for each region, each pair of valves acting on a corresponding region, characterized by the fact that it comprises continuous cyclic operation, in which each cycle has the following stages:

- a first stage of reaching a maximum pressure value inside each of the previously determined regions, so that an air flow circulates from an air supply source to the alveoli of one or more regions, the value being maximum pressure in each of the regions equal or different from each other;

- a second stage of reaching a pre-established minimum pressure value inside each of the regions, the minimum pressure value in each of the regions being the same or different from each other;

Each cycle is carried out continuously and repetitively during the operation of the control unit, the period of time being between the first and second stage or vice versa in each of the regions the same or different from each other, such that at least two of the independent regions reach the maximum and / or minimum pressure value at different times, thus having a gap between the cycles of each of at least two independent regions.

Thanks to these characteristics, a massage effect is obtained in the cushion in a continuous way since the various independent regions are continuously “moving”, that is, while some regions are, for example, swelling other areas are deflating, so it favors the bloody irrigation in the zone of support or contact of the user with the cushion.

Temperature is a determining factor. If this increases it will also increase the humidity and therefore the body sweats, causing the skin to soften and the tissue loses physical resistance, facilitating the possible initiation of ulcers. This method also prevents the problem of temperature and humidity since it allows the air that feeds the cushion to be continuously renewed so that, once it leaves the alveoli, it is expelled to the

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outside the circuit and at the same time it cools the system formed by the battery, the micro-compressor, the valves and electronic circuits.

The fact that the control unit is programmable allows the cushion to adapt to the needs of each user, which allows modifying and adapting the maximum and minimum pressure parameters as well! as elapsing times for the variability of the pressure changes of the different independent regions.

According to another aspect of the invention, in the case that the control unit, through the multiple pressure sensors, detects that at least one of the independent regions does not reach the maximum or minimum predetermined value, the pressure sensor sends a signal to the control unit activating an alarm signal, so that the user will have knowledge in the event of a failure in the cushion to proceed to check the affected area or failing that, to detect leaks caused by system wear.

Mention that each of the valves has an air inlet and an air outlet, the air inlet and outlet being connected to the air supply source, such as, for example, a micro-compressor.

In the event that the programmable control unit detects a malfunction in at least one of the socket regions, the air flow passage in the valve is closed, allowing the cushion to be maintained in a swollen condition in the In case of stopping the operation of the means that provide the air inside the cushion sockets, this ensures that the user is not affected by the system failure.

According to another characteristic of the cushion of the present invention, the programmable control unit may include a wireless communication module, such that it allows the exchange of data between an external intelligent mobile mobile terminal (which is the receiver of the data set) and the programmable control unit (which is the sender of the data set).

Preferably, the alarm signal is sent from the programmable control unit to the external intelligent mobile terminal, whereby the user can see almost immediately from, for example, his mobile telephone, a possible failure in the operation of the cushion.

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Preferably, the aforementioned wireless communication module can be a computer terminal with wireless communications via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, via satellite, radio or GSM, UMTS or HSDPA mobile telephony.

Other features and advantages of the object of the present invention will be apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive realization, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1.- It is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of a system for an inflatable pad that acts in accordance with the operation of the present invention;

Figure 2.- It is a perspective view of the housing in which the various components that intervene on the alveoli of the cushion are housed;

Figure 3.- It is a block diagram of the components involved in the operation of the cushion;

Figure 4.- It is a scheme of the disposition of the eight independent regions present in the cushion; Y

Figure 5.- It is a block diagram related to the regulation of independent regions.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In view of the aforementioned figures and, according to the numbering adopted, an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention can be observed therein, which comprises the parts and elements that are indicated and described in detail below.

In a particular embodiment of an inflatable adaptive cushion, indicated generally with reference (1), it comprises a cushion body (2) formed by a flexible lower base (20) of a polymeric material and a plurality of inflatable alveoli (21) protruding from the upper face of the lower base (20), as well as pressure regulating means managed by a programmable control unit (3) linked with means of

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Valve acting on inflatable alveoli (21), in which inflatable alveoli (21) are grouped into eight independent regions (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) (see Figure 4).

To carry out the swelling and deflation operations of each of the regions, a plurality of valves (6) and pressure sensors (5) are provided that control the pressure supplied inside each independent region (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H), each set acting by a pair of valves (6) acting on a corresponding independent region.

Each of the valves (6) has an air inlet and an air outlet, the inlets and air outlets being connected to a microcompressor (7) of a known and commercially available type in the market so it will not go into more detail in its description. The valves (6) in a non-functioning position are kept in a closed position.

It should be noted that additionally there are sound reducing means that allow a reduction in the sound level of the micro-compressor (7) during its operation, for example, less than 50dB at one meter distance, so that it is not annoying for the cushion user (1) when it is being used.

The number of valves (6) is equivalent to the number of independent regions (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H). The number of pressure sensors is equivalent to the number of valves (6) and / or regions, although the micro-compressor (7) additionally includes a pressure sensor (17) for the verification of the correct operation who transmits the information to the programmable control unit (3), more specifically acting as a pressure comparator with the outside environment in a phase called "free swelling", which prevents the existence of operational problems due to altitude.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the programmable control unit (3), the plurality of valves (6), the micro-compressor (7) and the electric feed battery (8) are housed inside a housing (9) in the form of a box that is physically separated from the cushion body (2). To access the inside of the housing (9), a removable cover (11) (fixed to the housing (9) is provided, for example, by screw elements, a pressure adjustment or a combination of both). In this realization it should not be taken as limiting for the

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invention, the battery (8) is coupled to the cover (11) to optimize the interior space defined in the housing (9).

In order for the user to have real-time knowledge of the state of charge of the rechargeable battery or other relevant data, such as, for example, the pressure values in the different regions, the housing (9) includes a connection (12) that allows coupling a connector (of a type known in the state of the art) linked to a visualization screen (10), although it could also have light indicators that are easily visible by the user additionally complemented by additional acoustic signals or signals. Similarly, the housing (9) can also have a data input / output socket (13), such as a USB port or connector that allows data exchange between the programmable control unit (3) and a device external memory (14).

Mention that the programmable control unit (3) includes a wireless communication module (15), which also allows the exchange of data between an external smart mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone (16), and the mobile unit programmable control, so that the data or operating parameters can be displayed from the screen (10) or from the mobile phone (16). The data that can be controlled or displayed are, for example, the following:

- The state of the micro-compressor;

- The state of the pressures in the regions and indirectly of the alveoli;

- Any defect or failure that could occur during the use of the system;

- The battery charge;

- The remaining availability time depending on the battery charge in percentage; Y

- The remaining availability time depending on the charge according to the battery charge.

The various air circulation ducts (18) that allow fluid communication between the valves (6) and the different regions of the cushion body (2) are protected by a tubular protector (19) (see Figure 1) in order to prevent them from being damaged by possible blows and protect themselves from dirt.

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In a preferred but not limiting embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned valves (6) can be mounted on a support plate (not shown) that is housed inside the housing (9), whose support plate has a hole of air inlet in the direction of the valves and a plurality of air outlet orifices through which the air coming from the valves leaves. In addition, fixing means are provided for fixing the valves on the support plate consisting of a plurality of holes present in the upper face that allow the provision of complementary fixing means present in each of the valves (6). Additionally, the upper face of the support plate has a plurality of holes provided for the arrangement of the pressure sensors that transmit the information to the programmable control unit (3), in such a way that they allow to know in real time the value of Pressure.

The operation mode for the inflatable cushion described above is detailed below, as follows:

In a first stage (which corresponds to a free inflation phase), after actuation by the user through an ON / OFF switch, a microcompressor (7) is activated where air is introduced into the alveoli through of the valves (6), having this first stage as an objective in addition to preparing the system for its operation, the verification or self-check of the microcompressor itself (7). In this way, the pressure sensors (5, 17) send a signal to the programmable control unit (3) informing of the pressure value between the outside and the inside of each of the independent regions (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H), and in turn the programmable control unit (3) sends a signal to the valves (6) for its activation or not, being the maximum value in each of the independent regions (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) same or different from each other.

In a second stage (cyclic operation in which its start is carried out only after the user is sitting on the cushion), the pressure sensors (5, 17) send a signal to the programmable control unit (3) for actuating the valves (6) so that a minimum pressure value is reached inside the cells that has been preset inside each of the independent regions (A, B, C, D, E, F , G, H), the minimum pressure value in each of the regions being the same or different from each other. This pressure value is detected through the various pressure sensors (5, 17), sending the signal to the programmable control unit (3) and this, when

reached the minimum pressure, inactivates the signal of the valves (6) to close the air passage.

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While the cushion is operating, each cycle of air inlet and air outlet for each of the regions is repeated continuously during the operation of the control unit, the period of time being between the two previous stages in each of the same or different regions from each other, such that at least two of the independent regions reach the maximum and / or minimum pressure value at different times, there being therefore a gap between the cycles of each of at least two independent regions.

Figure 5 shows a block diagram showing the automatic way of carrying out the regulation of the different regions, being in the "z" scheme a region. Thus, when the control unit (3) detects z <8 sends an electrical signal to proceed with the automatic regulation of a region (Z) so that it proceeds to the inflation of the region and then to the deflation of the region to subsequently repeat the cycle again after sending a signal to the micro-compressor. In the event that the condition z <8 is not met, there is a delay in the regulation of the different regions or zones and the operation is stopped, that is, the alveoli do not swell or deflate.

All the data related to the times and the maximum and minimum pressure values have been introduced to the programmable control unit (3) through the data input / output socket (13) by means of an external USB device.

In this way, it is possible that the independent regions reach the maximum and / or minimum pressure value at different times, so that there is a gap between the cycles of the different independent regions, allowing a "massage" effect on the ischiatic zone of the user that favors the blood circulation in said zone.

In the event that the programmable control unit detects a malfunction, that is, it detects an anomaly through the various pressure sensors at the time of reaching the maximum or minimum pressure value, the flow step of air in the valve or affected valves, keeping the alveoli swollen. This fault detection can be sent as a message through the wireless communication module to an external terminal, such as a mobile phone of the user, warning of the existence of a failure in the operation of the cushion.

Claims (12)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 1. Operating method of an inflatable pad linked to a programmable control unit, the pad comprising a plurality of independent regions (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H), in which each region has a plurality of inflatable cells that protrude vertically from a base, the control unit being associated with a plurality of valves (6) and pressure sensors to control the pressure value present inside each independent region (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H), acting sets of two valves (6) on a corresponding region, characterized by the fact that it comprises a continuous continuous operation, in which each cycle has the following stages: - a first stage of reaching a maximum pressure value inside each of the independent regions (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) by means of an air supply source, the previously determined maximum value, which is detected by the pressure sensors after the activation of the valves (6) after receiving a signal from the programmable control unit (3), so that the valves act for a flow of air to circulate from the air supply source to the alveoli of one or more regions, the maximum pressure value being in each of the independent regions (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) equal or different between yes; - a second stage in which the pressure sensors send a signal to the programmable control unit (3) to act on the valves (6), so that a minimum preset pressure value is reached inside each one of the independent regions (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) that is detected by the pressure sensors, the minimum pressure value being in each of the independent regions (A, B, C , D, E, F, G, H) same or different from each other; the period of time existing between the two stages in each of the regions being the same or different from each other, such that at least two of the independent regions (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) reach the maximum value and / or minimum pressure at different times, with a gap between the cycles of each of at least two independent regions (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H). 2. Method of operation according to claim 1, characterized in that in the case that the control unit, through the multiple pressure sensors, detects that at least one of the independent regions (A, B, C , D, E, F, G, H) does not reach the maximum or minimum predetermined value, the corresponding valve sends a signal to the unit Programmable control (3) activating an alarm signal. eleven 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 3. Method of operation according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the pressure sensors detects the pressure value in the outdoor environment that surrounds the inflatable pad. 4. Method of operation according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the valves (6) has an air intake and an air outlet, the air inlet and outlet being connected with The source of air supply. 5. Method of operation according to claim 1, characterized in that the air supply source comprises a micro-compressor (7). 6. Method of operation according to claim 4, characterized in that in the event that the programmable control unit (3) detects a malfunction in at least one of the valves or pressure sensor, the passage is closed of air flow in the valve (6). 7. Method of operation according to claim 1, characterized in that the programmable control unit (3) includes a wireless communication module, such that it allows data exchange between an external intelligent mobile mobile terminal and the programmable control unit (3). 8. Method of operation according to claims 2 and 7, characterized in that the alarm signal is sent from the programmable control unit (3) to the external intelligent mobile terminal or a display screen. 9. Method of operation according to claim 7, characterized in that the wireless communication module is a computer terminal with wireless communications via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, via satellite, radio or mobile phone GSM, UMTS or HSDPA. 10. Method of operation according to claim 1, characterized in that before the first stage a verification or self-check of the air supply means is carried out. 11. A computer program adapted to perform the method according to claim 1. 5 12. Inflatable pad linked to a programmable control unit, comprising the also a plurality of independent regions, in which each independent region (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) has a plurality of inflatable cells, characterized by the fact that the control unit (3) incorporates a computer program according to claim 11. 10 13. A downloadable computer program product in a memory of a computer or intelligent mobile terminal comprising a computer program that executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.