GB2508080A

GB2508080A - Modular patient support system

Info

Publication number: GB2508080A
Application number: GB201316734A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerald Harlow; Siimon Berrell
Original assignee: POSTURE CARE Ltd
Current assignee: POSTURE CARE Ltd
Priority date: 2012-09-26
Filing date: 2013-09-20
Publication date: 2014-05-21
Also published as: GB201316734D0; GB201217156D0

Abstract

A modular support system 300 for a patient 302 comprises a sheet 250 for attachment to a mattress and including a first part 252 of a releasable fastening mechanism (for example the loop of a hook-and-loop system) and a plurality of support members 100, 130, 160, 190, 200 each including a second part 138 of the releasable fastening mechanism (for example the hook of a hook and loop system); by which each of the support members can be releasably fastened to the sheet at different positions. A first and a second of the plurality of support members have different shapes which are adapted to support different body parts. Each of the support members may be made from a resiliently deformable material such as foam and have a washable/wipe-able cover. The system can also include a mat (400, Fig 12A) to which the sheet can be attached rather than being attached to a mattress on a bed.

Description

I

Support System The present invention relates to a support system and in particular to a support system for patients having a variety of conditions in which they cannot move or alter their body position whilst lying down, particularly when lying in bed.

Individuals with a variety of conditions, such as those who have suffered a serious neurological injury, are often unable to move or alter their body position whilst lying down and particularly when lying in bed. This places them at a very high risk of physical deterioration owing to the effects of gravity on sustained poor postures over prolonged periods of time.

For example, some individuals can spend the vast majority, more than two thirds, of their time in bed. This equates to 16 out of every 24 hours in bed. Over a 20 year lifespan post injury this corresponds to 14 years in bed.

The inventors have found current systems to help address this issue are lacking in a number of areas, including effectiveness, comfort, simplicity and affordability. For example, currently available support systems are over-complicated and difficult to set up and use. Two of the most common systems each has over sixty separate components and require specialists to set them up.

Hence, there is a need for a support system which is simple and can be used by non-specialists, such as, for example, family members and care staff.

The present invention therefore provides a support system which provides good support, is comfortable, flexible, easy to use and uses a reduced number of parts compared to existing ones.

A first aspect of the invention provides a support system for a patient, comprising a sheet for attachment to a mattress and a plurality of support members. The sheet can include a first part of a releasable fastening mechanism. Each of the plurality of support members can include a second part of the releasable fastening mechanism and by which each of the support members can be releasably fastened to the sheet at different positions. A first and a second of the plurality of support members can have different shapes which are adapted to support different body parts.

The mattress may be provided on a bed.

The releasable fastening mechanism allows the plurality of support members of different shapes to be easily located and re-positioned on the sheet by a non-skilled so as to provide appropriate postural support to a patent by supporting different body parts.

Each support member is generally in the form of a three dimensional block and some of the blocks can have the same shape and others of the blocks can have different shapes.

Each support member can have one or more support surfaces. The or each support surface can be adapted to provide support to a specific body part. The support surface can be flat or a curved or can include a number of flat planes.

The plurality of support members can each be resiliently deformable. This provides a degree of comfort to the patient and also helps prevent injury, for example by rubbing or sharp edges.

Each support member can have a core. The core can be made from a resiliently deformable material. The core can be made from foam. The core can have a compound construction and can be made from a first type of foam and a second type of foam which are different types of foam. The first type of foam can be a memory foam. A suitable memory foam is an open cell visco elastic polyurethane foam and can have a 55/80 density. The first type of foam can provide one or a plurality of parts or the whole of the support surface of the support member. Preferably the first type of foam provides the part or parts of the support surface that will support a patient's body part in use. The remainder of the support member can be made from the second type of foam. The second type of foam can be an open cell polyurethane foam and can have a 39/200 density.

Each support member can have a cover. The cover can be made from a washable and/or wipeable material. The material of the cover can also have one or more of the following properties: it can be biocompatible, flame retardant and/or be stretchy. The material can have a polyurethane transfer coating on a four way stretch, weft knit fabric.

The releasable fastening system can be a hook and ioop system. For example, the hook and loop system can be that provided under the registered trade mark VELCRO.

The first part of the releasable fastening system can comprise ioops. The second part of the releasable fastening system can comprise hooks. Using loops for the first part facilitates manufacture of the sheet which can include an area or areas of a suitably woven material presenting suitable ioops.

The support system can further comprise one or more restraints. The or each restraint can be releasably attached to one or more of the support members to constrain movement of a body part or a limb of the patient when supported by the support member.

The or each restraint can include one or more resiliently expandable portions. The or each restraint can include a first end and a second end and a central portion between the first end and the second end. The first end can include a first releasable fastener and/or the second end can include a second releasable fastener. The first end and/or the second end can be a resiliently expandable portion. The first end and/or the second end can be made of an elastic material.

The plurality of support members can include a first sub-set comprising a first plurality of members and a second sub-set comprising a second plurality of members. The first plurality of members can be adapted or configured to support a patient in a first position, for example while laid on their back. The second plurality of members can be adapted or configured to support a patient in a second position different to the first position, for example while laid on their side.

One or a plurality of the plurality of members can be common to the first sub-set and the second sub-set. The or each of the common support members can be adapted or configured to support different body parts. This helps reduce the number of support members of the support system while still allowing a full range of postural management for the patient.

The member common to the first sub-set and second sub-set can be configured to support a patient's head when a patient is laid on their back or to support a patient's limb when a patient is laid on their side.

The member common to the first sub-set and second sub-set can be configured to support a patient's foot when a patient is laid on their back or to support a patient's back when a patient is laid on their side.

The plurality of support members can comprise not more then eleven support members, not more than nine support members, not more than seven support members or not more than six support members.

The plurality of support members can be selected from the group comprising: a head support; a back or side support; a hip support; a leg or knee support; and a foot support.

The plurality of support members can comprise: a head support, two back or side supports; two knee supports; and two foot supports. The plurality of support members can be adapted to support a patient's body in a supine position.

The support system can further comprise a first restraint attachable to a first of the knee supports and a second restraint attachable to a second of the knee supports.

The plurality of support members can comprise: a head support, two back or chest supports; and two leg supports. The plurality of support members can be adapted to support a patient's body in a lateral position.

The support system can further comprise a first restraint attachable to a first of the leg supports and a second restraint attachable to a second of the leg supports.

The support system can further comprise one or two hip supports. The hip supports can have generally the same shape as the back or side supports but a lesser length, for example approximately half the length.

The plurality of support members can comprise one or more support members selected from: a U-shaped support member; an L-shaped support member; a triangular shaped support member; a concave shaped support member; and a convex shaped support member.

The plurality of support members can include support surfaces of the following types: a concave support surface; a convex support surface; a sloped support surface; and a curved support surface.

The plurality of support members can fbrther comprises a third and/or a fourth concave shaped support member.

The plurality of support members can consist of the specified support members and no other support members. The plurality of support members can consist of, or entirely of, a head support, two back supports; two knee supports; and two foot supports. The plurality of support members can consist of; or entirely of, a head support, two back or chest supports; and two leg supports. The plurality of support members can consist of, or entirely of, a first head or leg support, two back supports, two knee supports, two foot supports, a second head support and a second leg support. The support system can consist of, or entirely or, a sheet, two restraints, which are preferably attachable to at least two of the support members, and the plurality of support members.

A further aspect of the inventions provides a plurality of support members for supporting a patient consisting of, or entirely of: a first head or leg support, two back supports, two knee supports, two foot supports, a second head support and a second leg support. A support system can consist of, or entirely or, a sheet, two restraints, which are preferably attachable to at least two of the support members, and the plurality of support members.

The support system may further comprise a mat to which the sheet can be attached. The mat may comprise first and second outer panels and a central panel connected via hinge portions, the mat being foldable at the hinge portions to form a compact, folded structure.

The mat may include a releasable fastener to maintain the mat in the folded structure and includes a handle. The mat is therefore easily configured for storage and transportation.

The mat can be used as an alternativc to a bed mattress, for example by placing on the floor.

The mat may be provided with portions of loop material on the surface to act as a first part of the releasable fastening mechanism.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a mat for use with a support system, which may comprise first and second outer panels and a central panel connected via hinge portions, the mat being foldable at the hinge portions to form a compact, folded structure.

The mat may include a releasable fastener to maintain the mat in the folded structure and a handle, and may include portions of loop material on the surface to act as a first part of the releasable fastening mechanism.

A further aspect of the invention provides a method for supporting a patient lying on a mattress, comprising: releasably attaching a first plurality of support members to a bed and adjacent a first plurality of different body parts of the patient while the patient is lying in a first position; and releasably attaching a second plurality of support members to a bed and adjacent a second plurality of different body parts of the patient while the patient is lying in a second position. The first plurality of different body parts can be different to the second plurality of different body parts. The first position can be different to the second position.

At least one support member of the first plurality of support members can be common to the second plurality of support members.

At least one support member can support different body parts of the patient when the patient is lying in the first and second positions.

The first position is can be a supine position and/or the second position can be a lateral position.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a support member for supporting a patient comprising a rectangular base portion which increases in thickness from a first end to a central portion of constant thickness and then reducing in thickness to a second end to define a convex upper support surface.

The support member may further comprise a first side wall and second side wall each of the first and second side wall having a respective patch of hook material providing a releasable attachment means for releasably attaching a restraint to the support member.

The angle of declination of the convex upper support surface from the horizontal plane defined by the central portion is between 100 and 50°, more preferably between 15° and 45° and even more preferably between 20° and 40°.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first type of support member of the support system of the invention which can be used to support a head or a limb depending on the patient's orientation; Figures 2A and 2B show schematic perspective views from a first end and a second end respectively of a second type of support member of the support system of the invention which can be used to support a part of a back or a chest depending on the patient's orientation; Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of the underside of a base of the second type of support member as shown in Figures 2A and 2B; Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a fourth type of support member of the support system of the invention which can be used to support a leg of a patient; FigureS shows a schematic perspective view of a fifth type of support member of the support system of the invention which can be used to support a foot of a patient; Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a sixth type of support member of the support system of the invention which can be used to support a head of a patient; Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a restraint of the support system of the invention which can be used with some of the support members; FigureS shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a sheet of the support system of the invention; Figure 9 shows a schematic plan view of a second embodiment of a sheet of the support system of the invention; Figure 10 shows a schematic plan view of the support system being used to support a patient in a supine orientation; Figure 11 shows a schematic plan view of the support system being used to support a patient in a lateral orientation; and Figures 12A and 12B illustrate first and second faces of a mat for a support system Similar items in different Figures share common reference signs unless indicated otherwise.

With reference to Figure 1 there is shown a perspective view of a first type of support member 100 of the support system of the invention. The first type of support member has a generally u-shaped form having a base 102 with a first leg 104 extending from a first end and a second leg 106 extending from a second end. The base and legs define a concavity 108. A free end 110 of the first leg and a free end 112 of the second leg each bears a respective patch 114, 116 of a hook material. The hook material forms a second part of a releasable fastening system, in the form of a hook and loop system, by which the support member 100 can be releasably attached to a sheet, as described in greater detail below. A first end wall 118 and a second end wall 120 also each bear a respective patch (e.g. 122) of hook material again forming part of a hook and loop releasable attachment mechanism by which a restraint can be releasably attached to the support member as also described in greater detail below.

The support member 100 is adapted to receive either a head or a leg of a patient with concavity 108 in use. For an adult patient, suitable dimensions for the support member are a width 124 of approximately 0.45metres, a depth 126 of approximately 0.2metres and a height 128 of approximately O.25metres. Each end wall 104, 106 can have a thickness of approximately 0.lmetres.

The support member 100 has a construction comprising a core of a resiliently deforrnable material and an outer cover. The outer cover can be of a washable and! or wipeable material in order to assist infection control. The cover material is waterproof and vapour permeable, and can also be biocompatible, flame retardant and have some stretch.

Suitable materials include DARTEX (which is a trade mark and which may be registered in some countries) fabrics as provided by Dartex Coatings Limited. Such fabrics combine a polyurethane transfer coating with four way stretch weft knit fabric. A particularly suitable Dartex fabric is that provided under the product code PO9IC which is a perfonnance class of fabric products within the Dartex Classic range.

The core of the support member 100 can be made of a material which has the appropriate mix of cushioning and support properties. That is, the material is sufficiently stiff to provide support to the body parts of the patient and also sufficiently deformable to provide a non-rigid surface and conform to the shape of the patient's body part being supported. Suitable materials include foam materials, such as polyurethane foams. In particular, the core can have a compound construction and be made from two different foams. A first type of foam, such as a memory foam, is used to provide one or more parts or the whole of the support surface of the support member, and a second type of foam can be used to provide the remainder of the support member. The memory foam can be provided with a thickness of about 3cm. The memory foam part of the support can extend over all or a part of the support surface and is particularly used to provide the part or parts of the support surface which will abut against and support the patient's body part in use.

The memory foam can be an open cell foam made from a visco-elastic polyurethane with a 55/80 density. The second foam, providing the remainder of the support member can be an open cell polyurethane foam with a 39/200 density.

Each of the support members of the support system has the same general construction as described above. However, it will be appreciated that the shape of the support members is different and also the portions made from the memory foam and the portions made from the second type of foam.

Figures 2A and 2B shows schematic perspective views of a second type of support member 130 from a first end and a second end respectively. The second type of support member 130 has a generally rectangular shape and one of the side walls 132 has a generally curved concave shape that defines a concave support surface. As illustrated in Figure 2, the support member 130 has a base portion 134, with an underside surface 135, and generally tapers to a lesser width toward an upper top surface 136. A patch of hook material 143 is provided on the underside surface. A corner portion 137 is chamfered.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the underside surface 135 of the base which bears one or more patches of hook material 138. Suitable dimensions for the second support member are a base width 138 of approximately 0.l4m, an overall height of approximately O.2m and a base depth or length 139 of approximately 0.22m. Narrower end 140 can be about 0.06m and the chamfer portion 141 can be about 0.1 lm long. The width 142 of the upper or top surface 136 can be about 0.09m and the width of edge 143 of the top surfacc can be about 0.015m.

A third type of support member is also provided and is generally similar to the second type of support member 130 other than having a depth or length of approximately half that of the second support member 130. The third type of support member can optionally be provided and used as a hip support as will be described in greater detail below.

Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a fourth type of support member 160.

The fourth support member 160 has a generally convex form in that it presents a generally convex upper support surface 162. As illustrated in Figure 4, the fourth support member has a generally rectangular base portion 164 which increases in thickness from a first end 166 to a central portion of constant thickness 168 and then reducing in thickness to a second end 170. A first 172 and second 174 side wall each bears a respective patch 176 of hook material providing a releasable attachment means for releasably attaching a restraint to the support member 160. Suitable dimensions for the fourth support member are a width 178 of 0.2metres, a depth or length 180 of approximately 0.35metres, a height 182 of approximately 0.O5metres at the ends and a height of approximately 0.lmetre at the central portion 168. The length or depth of the central portion 168 can be approximately 0. Imetres. In the embodiment described herein, the angle of declination of the convex upper support surface 162 from the horizontal plane definedby the central portion 168 is approximately 22° but could be any angle between 100 and 500 depending upon the limb to be supported and the support requirements.

Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a fifth type of support member 190. The fifth support member 190 has a generally right triangular form having a first, 192, second, 194 and third 196 side walls. The shortest side wall 192 and an intermediate sized wall 194 each bears a catch of hook material (not shown in Figure 5) providing a second part of a releasable fastening mechanism. The longest side wall 196 provides a support surface on which a foot of a patient can be placed in use. Suitable dimensions for the fifth support member 190 are a length of 0.2metres for shortest wall 192, a length of 0.3metres for intermediate wall 194 and a width 198 of approximately 0.3metres.

Figure 6 shows a sixth type of support member 200. The sixth support member 200 has a generally L-shaped form. Sixth support member 200 has a base part 202 and a wall part 204 extending from a first end of the base 202. An upper surface 210 of the base provides a first sipport surface and an inner wall surface 208 of end wall 204 provides a second support surface. A lower wall 206 of the base bears a patch of hook material providing a second part of a releasable fastening mechanism. Suitable dimensions for the sixth support member 200 are a width 212 of 0.45m, a depth or length 214 of 0.2m, a height 216 of the end wall of 0.25m and a height 218 of the base of 0.lm. The end wall 204 can have a thickness of 0.lm.

Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a restraint 220 part of the support system.

The restraint 220 has a central body 222 which is constructed similarly to the support members in that it comprises a foam core and an outer covering. However, the foam core of the restraint is made only from a single type of foam and is made from the memory foam as described above and in the form of a 2cm thick strip. The restraint 220 has the general form of a strap and includes a first 224 and a second 226 expandable cushion extending from respective free ends of the central body 222. The expandable cushions 224, 226 are each made from a strip of elastic material and each bears a patch of loop material forming a part of a releasable fastener by which the strap 220 can be releasably fastened to various of the support members described above. The patch of loop material (not shown in Figure 7) is provided on an underside of each of elastic strips 224 and 226.

Suitable dimensions for the restraint 220 are a length of 0.1 5metres for each expandable portion and a length of O.3metres for the central body 222. The restraint 220 can have a width of 0.lm and a thickness of the central portion of approximately 0.02m.

Figure 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a sheet part 230 of the support system.

The sheet 230 includes a generally rectangular main body 232 and a side wall 234 extending around the perimeter of the main body 232. The main body 232 or at least a significant portion thereof, is made from a loop material providing a first part of a releasable fastening mechanism by which support members can be releasably fastened to the sheet 230. Side wall 234 includes a drawstring running around a lower edge 236 thereof First and second ends 238, 240 of the string of the drawstring are shown in Figure 8. A clamp or some other fastener is provided to allow the drawstring to be pulled tight so as to secure the sheet 230 to a mattress, for example on a bed, in use. The sheet 230 needs to be sufficiently deep to fit on to a deep pressure relieving mattress. Any excess in the sheet can be tightened with the drawstring mechanism.

Figure 9 shows a second embodiment of a sheet 250 part of the support system. The second embodiment of the sheet 250 again has a main body 252 of a rectangular piece of a loop material providing a first part of a releasable fastening mechanism. At each corner of the main body 252, a loop of elastic material 254, 256, 258, 260, is provided attached to the edges of the sheet which are forming each corner. The loops of elastic material, 254, 256, 258, 260, in use can be hooked over the corners of a mattress so as secure the sheet 250 to the mattress. The second embodiment of the sheet is particularly suitable for use with mattresses of variable height, such as alternating pressure mattresses which have cells that can be inflated and deflated to allow blood flow to reach an area of the body to help heal bed sores.

Further alternative fastening mechanisms to securely fit the sheet 230 to the mattress can be used. For example, as an alternative, a strap and buckle arrangement could be used instead of the toggle arrangement.

Figures l2A and 12B show first and second faces 409, 410, rcspectively, of a mat 400 of the support system. The mat 400 comprises three panels 401, 402, 403-two outer panels 401, 403 and a central panel 402. Each panel 401, 402, 403 is of substantially the same shape and size. In the embodiment described herein, each panel 401,402,403 is 62cm wide and 90cm in length. The central panel 402 is connected to an outer panels 401, 403 along its length by means of flexible hinge portions 404, 405 so that the mat 400 can be folded at the hinge portions 404, 405 to reduce the size of the mat 400 for storage and carrying. The hinge portions have a width of 2cm. Thus, the size of the mat 400 is 190cm by 90cm.

A carry handle 406 is provided along one side of the mat 400: in this embodiment at the central panel 402, for carrying.

A second releasable fastener comprising a portion of hook material 407 and a portion of loop material 408 is also provided on the mat so that the mat can be maintained in the folded position during transportation and storage. In the embodiment described herein, the hook material 407 is provided in the fom1 of a ribbon on one lengthways edge of the mat on outer panel 401, while the loop material 408 is provided on the mat 400 at the opposing lengthways edge of the mat 400 at the other outer panel 403.

In the embodiment described herein, the mat is about 5cm in thickness.

The mat 400 can be made of any suitable foam material with a vinyl covering for ease of cleaning.

In an alternative embodiment, the mat 400 can be provided with portions of loop material on the surface to act as a first part of the releasable fastening mechanism. In this way, the mat 400 could be used without the sheet 230.

Use of the support system will now be described in greater detail, with reference to Figures 10 and 11.

The sheet can be made from any suitable material, such as a polyester yam suitably woven to provide the loops of a hook and loop fastener releasable attachment mechanism.

With reference to Figure 10, there is shown a plan view of the support system of the invention 300 positioned to support a patient 302 lying on their back on in a supine position. The support position 300 includes a plurality of the support members which have been positioned on, and releasably fastened to the sheet 304 by the hook parts of the releasable fastening system provided on the underside of the support members.

As illustrated in Figure 10, the first type of support member 100 is used as a head support in which the patient's head is located with concavity 108. The support system 300 also includes a first 306 and a second 308 of the second type of support member 130 positioned on either side of the patient and so as to generally support the thoracic region of the patient's back within the concavity formed by concave support surface 132. A lower leading edge of each curved support surface 132 is positioned beneath the patient's back in the thoracic region and hence as illustrated in Figure 10 the second type of support member is acting to support the back and side of the patient. The support system 300 also includes a first 310 and a second 312 of the third type of support member. The support members 310, 312 are positioned with a lower leading edge of the curved support surface below the patient and hence support the hips of the patient and in this arrangement are therefore acting as hip support members.

The support system 300 also includes a first 314 and second 316 of the fourth type of support member 160 positioned under the patient's legs and such that the central flat portion provides a support surface for the rear of the knee of the patient. A first 318 and a second 320 restraint part 220 is releasably attached to respective ones of the leg support members 314, 316 using the hook and loop fastener mechanism provided by the patches 176 on each side of the support 160 and interacting patches on the underside of the elastic expandable portions 224, 226 of restraint 220. Restraints 318 and 320 are provided so as to help ensure that the patient's legs are correctly supported and to prevent the legs being removed from the supports, for example, owing to involuntary twitches during sleep or otherwise. The expandable portions 224, 226 allow different sized legs to be accommodated and the elastication thereof provides some degree of give and resilience to provide sufficient force to keep the legs in position while accommodating any involuntary spasms or twitches.

Finally, the support system 300 includes first 322 and second 324 of the fifth type of support member 190 which act as foot supports. As illustrated in Figure 10, the soles of the patient's feet can be supported against the sloped surface 196 of the foot support. The degree of slope can be varied by using either end wall 194 or 192 as the base thereby providing two different angles of inclination of the support surface 196 relative to the plane of the bed sheet 304.

Hence, as illustrated in Figure 10, the support system 300 can be used to support a patient in a supine position while using a reasonably small number of different components, in the illustrated example 11, being nine support members and two restraints. In other embodiments, hip supports 310 and 312 may be omitted. Also, in other embodiments, depending on the requirements of the patient, other of the support members may be omitted. Therefore, the support system illustrated in Figure 10 may be considered the maximum number of supports that might be present or that might be needed to be provided to allow support of patients ranging from the worst case to the better case. As will be understood, in better cases, in which the patient's condition is less severe, fewer of the support members may need to be provided.

As will also be appreciated, support members 306 and 308 have identical construction, similarly hip supports 310 and 312 have identical construction and similarly knee supports 314 and 316 and foot supports 322 and 324. Hence, a small number of different shapes of supports need to be manufactured in order to provide a comprehensive support system.

Figure 11 shows the support system 300 being used to support the patient 302 while lying on their side or in a lateral position. When the support system 300 is used to support the patient in this different position, then a different combination of support members is used.

Some of the support members are used to support the patient in both the supine and lateral positions and to support the same body part. Some of the support members are used only in the supine or lateral position, and three of the support members are used in both the supine and lateral positions, but to support different body parts in the supine and lateral positions.

With the patient in the lateral position, a one of the sixth type of support member 200 is used as a head support 326 as illustrated in Figure 11. In Figure 11, the patient is facing to the right and therefore the end wall 204 of the head support 326 is positioned to the left side of the patient's head, in the Figure. Only a first 308 of the second type 130 of support member is used with the patient in the lateral position and is used to support the chest of the patient. Its position may be adjusted slightly so as to provide support to the chest region of the patient rathcr than the thoracic region as illustrated in Figure 10. The first 322 and second 324 fifth type of support member are used side-by-side to provide back support by abutting their sloped surfaces against the patient's back and hence in this arrangement are acting as back supports. In other embodiments only one of the fifth type of support member 190 may be used to support the patient's back.

Again, a first 310 and a second 312 of the third type of support member can optionally be provided to support the hips of the patient. A first 305 and a second 328 of the first type 100 of support member are also provided. Whereas the first support member 305 was previously used as a head support in Figure 10, in Figure 11, the first 305 support is used as a leg support to support the thighs of the patient and a second 328 is used as a leg support to support the lower legs of shins of the patient. The first leg support 305 is inverted compared to its orientation shown in Figure 10 such that the lower thigh of the patient is received with concavity 108 and the upper thigh of the patient passes over the leg support 305. The first restraint 318 is redeployed and used to restrain the upper leg of the patient by rcleasably fastening to the patches of hook material on the end faces of the leg support 305. A second 328 one of the first type of support member 100 is provided with the shin of the patient's lower leg being received within the cavity 108 and the shin of the patient's upper leg passing over the patient support and being restrained in place by the second restraint 320.

Hence, as shown in Figure 11, for a patient in a lateral position, the support system 300 may comprise no more than eight patient supports and two restraints thereby providing extensive support for patients in any of the worst conditions. In many instances, the hip supports 310 and 312 may not be required and are less preferable than the other support members. Therefore, in other embodiments, no more than six patient supports and two restraints are required. Again, depending on the nature of the patient's condition, others of the support members may or may not be required and may be considered optional.

Further, as support member 305 is used as a head support for the patient in the supine position and a kg support for the patient in the lateral position, and supports 322 and 324 can be used as foot supports or back supports, there is a reduction in the number of support members used in order to provide comprehensive support to a patient in both supine and lateral positions. Similarly, the restraints 318, 320 are also used for different purposes with the patient in the supine and lateral positions. This further decreases the number of parts of the support system which need to be provided.

If using the mat 400 of the support system 300, this can be placed on the floor or other suitable surface and the sheet 230 attached as described above. This means the support system 300 can used in environments away from the bed or where a bed is not available.

It is particularly suited for children and infants, for example in nurseries.

Hence, in some embodiments, a comprehensive support system, capable of providing patient support in both supine and lateral positions, requires not more than eleven patient supports and two restraints. In other embodiments, in which hip supports are not provided, then not more than nine patient supports and two restraints need be provided.

This therefore provides a far lesser number of components in the support system, thereby reducing the complexity of the support system and manufacturing. Also, the support system of the invention is easy to arrange and use and is therefore suitable for use by a non-specialist user, such as a relative or carer.

As explained above, the support system can comprise a plurality of support members, a first subset of which are used to support the patient in a first position, e.g. supine, and a second subset of which are used to support the patient in a second position, e.g. lateral, which is different to the first position. One or more support members of the first subset can be common to the second subset. For example, the first type of support member 100 and the fifth type of support member, is common to the first and second subsets, but can be used to support different body parts and depending on whether the patient is supine or lateral.

It will be appreciated that the dimensions and specific details of the shapes of the support members described above are a specific embodiment only and that various variations may be made to the exact shape and dimensions while still providing the intended funetionalities which will be apparent from the discussion herein. Further, the dimensions provided above provide a support system suitable for use by a typical human adult. A support system suitable for children can also be provided and the support members may be scaled down in size appropriately for children of different ages and sizes. How to do so will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art from the teaching herein.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A support system for a patient, comprising: a sheet for attachment to a mattress and including a first part of a releasable fastening mechanism; a plurality of support members, each including a second part of the releasable fastening mechanism and by which each of the support members can be releasably fastened to the sheet at different positions and wherein a first and a second of the plurality of support members have different shapes which are adapted to support different body parts.
2. The support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of support members are each resiliently deformable.
3. The support system as claimed in claim 2, wherein each support member has a core made from a resiliently deformable material.
4. The support system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the resiliently deformable material is foam.
5. The support system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the core comprises a first type of foam and a second type of foam which is different to the first type of foam and wherein the first type of foam is a memory foam and forms a part or parts or the whole of a support surface or surfaces of each support member.
6. The support system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each support member includes a cover made from a washable and/or wipeable material.
7. The support system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the rcleasable fastening system is a hook and loop system.
8. The support system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first part of the releasable fastening system comprises loops and the second part of the releasable fastening system comprises hooks.
9. The support system as claimed in any preceding claim, and further comprising: one or more restraints which each can be releasably attached to one of the support members to constrain movement of a limb of the patient when supported by the support member.
10. The support system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the or each restraint includes one or more resiliently expandable portions.
11. The support system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the or each restraint includes a first end and a second end and a central portion between the first end and the second end and wherein the first end includes a first releasable fastener and the second end includes a second releasable fastener and the first end and second end are each resiliently expandable portions.
12 The support system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of support members includes a first sub-set comprising a first plurality of members and a second sub-set comprising a second plurality of members, and wherein the first plurality of members are configured to support a patient while laid on their back and the second plurality of members are configured to support a patient while laid on their side.
13. The support system as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one of the plurality of members is common to the first sub-set and the second sub-set.
14. The support system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the member common to the first sub-set and second sub-set is configured to support a patient's head when a patient is laid on their back or to support a patient's limb when a patient is laid on their side.
15. The support system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of support members comprises not more then eleven support members, or nine support members or seven support members or six support members.
16. The support system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of support members are selected from the group comprising: a head support; a back support; a hip support; a leg support; and a foot support.
17. The support system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of support members comprises: a head support, two back supports; two knee supports; and two foot supports, and wherein the plurality of support members are adapted to support a patient's body in a supine position.
18. The support system as claimed in claim 17 and further comprising a first restraint attachable to a first of the knee supports and a second restraint attachable to a second of the knee supports.
19. The support system as claimed in any of claims ito 16 claim, wherein the plurality of support members comprises: a head support, two back or side supports; and two leg supports, and wherein the plurality of support members are adapted to support a patient's body in a lateral position.
20. The support system as claimed in claim 19 and further comprising a first restraint attachable to a first of the leg supports and a second restraint attachable to a second of the leg supports.
21. The support system as claimed in any of claims 17 to 20 and further comprising two hip supports.
22. The support system as claimed in any of claims Ito 16, wherein the plurality of support members comprises: a first and a second U-shaped support member; an L-shaped support member; a first and a second triangular shaped support member; a first and a second concave support member; and a first and a second convex shaped support member.
23. The support system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the plurality of support members further comprises: a third and a fourth concave support member.
24. The support system as claimed in claim 22 or 23, wherein the plurality of support members consists of the support members specified in the respective claims.
25. The support system as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a mat to which the sheet can be attached.
26, The support system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the mat comprises first and second outer panels and a central panel connected via hinge portions, the mat being foldable at the hinge portions to fonn a compact, folded structure.
27. The support system of claim 26, wherein the mat includes a releasable fastener to maintain the mat in the folded structure.
28. A method for supporting a patient lying on a bed, comprising: releasably attaching a first plurality of support members to a mattress and adjacent a first plurality of different body parts of the patient while the patient is lying in a first position; and releasably attaching a second plurality of support members to a mattress and adjacent a second plurality of different body parts of the patient while the patient is lying in a second position, wherein the first plurality of different body parts is different to the second plurality of different body parts and wherein the first position is different to the second position.
29. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein at least one support member of the first plurality of support members is common to the second plurality of support members.
30. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the or each of the at least one support member supports different body parts of the patient when the patient is lying in the first and second positions.
31. The method as claimed in any of claims 28 to 30, wherein the first position is a supine position and the second position is a lateral position.
32. A plurality of support members for supporting a patient comprising: a first head or leg support, two back supports, two knee supports, two foot supports, a second head support and a second leg support.
33. A support system comprising a sheet and the plurality of support members of claim 32.
34. A support system as claimed in claim 33 and further comprising two restraints which are attachable to at least two of the support members.
35. A support member for supporting a patient comprising a rectangular base portion which increases in thickness from a first end to a central portion of constant thickness and then reducing in thickness to a second end to define a convex upper support surface.
36. A support member as claimed in claim 35 further comprising a first side wall and second side wall each of the first and second side wall having a respective patch of hook material providing a releasable attachment means for releasably attaching a restraint to the support member.
37. A mat for use with a support system and to which a sheet of the support system can be attached, the mat comprising first and second outer panels and a central panel connected via hinge portions, the mat being foldable at the hinge portions to form a compact, folded structure.
38. A support system for a patient lying on a mattress substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
39. A method for supporting a patient lying on a mattress substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
40. A mat for use with a support system substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.