TWI389678B - Patient support with welded materials - Google Patents

Description

Patient support with welding material

The present disclosure is generally directed to a system and method for supporting a patient or other person, and more particularly, but not limited to, systems and methods for supporting a patient or other person using materials that have been joined or bonded by welding.

The surface of the patient support, including the treatment surface, is common in medical settings such as hospitals, clinics, and patient shelters. Some surfaces (generally referred to as "low wind pressure loss" surfaces) include such plenums that are close to the patient and allow air to flow through the gas permeable material to prevent or treat acne.

Treating and/or preventing such acne is a serious and expensive issue for the healthcare industry. The formation of acne is related to the heat and sweat accumulated on the skin. Heat and moisture tend to increase the skin's stress and damage, and the skin is reduced by external forces. The constant application of compressive force to the skin tissue is known to cause ischemia and then to form acne. Therefore, controlling the skin microclimate and providing an excellent patient support system is clearly necessary to prevent acne.

Low wind pressure loss (LAL) large system refers to a system that includes a mattress cover, a vapor permeable bed cover with or without bulk or cushioning material, and an air delivery system for propelling air under the bed cover And, in some instances, to leak through the bed cover. Some low wind pressure loss mattress systems are an integral part of the patient support system, but other low wind pressure loss mattresses are not actively combined.

At present, the low wind pressure loss mattress system is the most common tool for the treatment and prevention of acne, and it is believed that the development and use of low wind pressure loss mattress can help control the skin microclimate. These systems have been found to be extremely effective in treating and/or preventing acne.

Some support surfaces include more than one material, each of which has different properties such as breathable, vapor permeable, and liquid permeable. For example, it may be desirable to have a vapor permeable material that is in close proximity to the patient's skin to allow the wet vapor to transfer from the patient's skin and then into the surface of the support. It may also be desirable to have a breathable material that is close to the patient's skin to allow air to flow to the nearest patient and help to remove moisture vapor from the patient and the surface of the support. In addition, it may be desirable for portions of the surface of the support to be non-breathable to allow the support system to limit air flow and minimize power requirements and noise levels. For hygienic reasons, it may be desirable for the support surface to include a liquid impervious material.

The low wind pressure loss mattress typically includes a series of interconnected air chambers that allow air to flow into and out of the mattress. Other common components include an adjustable pump that allows the chambers to remain inflated. In addition to the mattresses, the low wind pressure loss mattress system also includes a bed cover (waterproof and/or vapor permeable), and a bed cover bulk material attached to the mattress (e.g., a polyester fabric batt). The bed cover is typically comprised of one or more materials that are moisture permeable, impermeable, and waterproof. The bedspreads also prevent excessive heat loss, which has a high moisture vapor permeability to prevent sweat from accumulating on the skin or to minimize the accumulation of sweat on the skin, and has a high air pore ratio to pass through the low wind. The continuous loss of airflow provided by the pressure loss mattress removes excess body heat. The low wind pressure loss mattress and the bed cover together form the low wind pressure loss mattress system.

The low wind pressure loss mattress may further include a fabric sleeve on the base (ie, the air chambers). In some examples, the fabric sleeve consists of a GORE-TEX consisting of the chambers. Made of fabric. The GORE-TEX The fabric is impervious to liquids and is significantly more breathable and vapor permeable than the high urethane-resistant materials used in other mattresses. The GORE-TEX The wet vapor transfer characteristics of woven fabrics can help prevent or accelerate the healing of patients with acne by reducing the amount of moisture on the skin and making body heat easier to dissipate.

It is therefore desirable to fabricate a support surface from different types of materials. Thus, it is often necessary to combine the different types of materials to make the support surface.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a device, system, and method for supporting a patient or other person. The exemplary embodiments include a first gas impermeable material welded to a gas permeable and liquid impermeable second material. In these exemplary embodiments, the first material is impermeable to liquid and vapor, and the second material is vapor permeable. In these exemplary embodiments, an plenum is formed by a plate of the first material having an opening, and the second material covers a portion of the opening. In other exemplary embodiments, a plenum may be welded to a flat plate of the second material by some individual plates of the first material.

The exemplary embodiments include a support member including a plenum having a first material and a second material, wherein the first material is substantially gas impermeable and the second material is breathable and substantially The liquid is impermeable to the liquid and the second material is welded to the first material. In these exemplary embodiments, the first material includes an opening and the second material covers a portion of the opening. In other exemplary embodiments, the second material is welded to the first material at a high frequency (HF). In still other exemplary embodiments, the second material is vapor permeable. Some exemplary embodiments include an inner baffle. In still other exemplary embodiments, the first material is a carbamate. Some exemplary embodiments include a bore that is configured to be coupled to a source of pressurized liquid.

Other exemplary embodiments include a device for supporting a person, comprising: a plate comprising a first material, wherein the first material is substantially non-breathable; an opening in the plate; a second material of the opening, wherein the second material is breathable and substantially liquid impermeable, and the second material is welded to the first material. In some exemplary embodiments, the board includes a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side; the first side is coupled to the second side, the first end The second end is also sealed so that the plate is mounted to form an elongated plenum. In these exemplary embodiments, the plate is inflated for installation to form a cylindrical chamber. Some exemplary embodiments include an inner baffle wherein the elongate plenum has a cross-section having a height and a width, and the height is greater than the width. In an exemplary embodiment, the second material is welded to the first material at a high frequency (HF). In certain exemplary embodiments, the second material is vapor permeable and/or the first material is a urethane. In certain exemplary embodiments, the plate includes a bore that is mounted for attachment to a source of pressurized liquid.

Other exemplary embodiments include a support system including: a plurality of first members and a second member, wherein the first members are of a first height and comprising a first material that is substantially non-breathable, The second members are of a second height and comprise a second material that is breathable and substantially impermeable to liquid. In an exemplary embodiment, the first height is greater than the second height and a second support member is disposed between the two first members. In these exemplary embodiments, the second material is vapor permeable. In certain exemplary embodiments, the first support members comprise a vapor permeable, liquid impermeable third material. In other exemplary embodiments, a first source of pressurized fluid is coupled to the first member and the second member. In still other exemplary embodiments, a first source of pressurized fluid is coupled to the first member and a second source of pressurized fluid is coupled to the second member.

Other exemplary embodiments include a method of making a support member, comprising: providing a plate of a first material, wherein the first material is non-breathable; making an opening in the plate; covering with a second material a portion of the opening, wherein the second material is breathable and impermeable to liquid; welding the second material to the first material; and mounting the plate to form a plenum. In these exemplary embodiments, the second material is welded to the first material at a high frequency.

Illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a device that acts as a patient support surface or a treatment surface that is comprised of a variety of materials that exhibit different characteristics and are characterized by a welding technique. The different locations are joined together to create a biologically sealed and controllable low wind pressure surface. In certain exemplary embodiments, a high frequency (HF) welding technique is used to join or bond the materials to the welding technique. Such materials may include a variety of properties including liquid permeable, vapor permeable, breathable, and coefficient of friction.

For example, in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, high frequency welding is also referred to as dielectric welding or radio frequency (RF) welding, which can be used to attach a urethane material to a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon) materials such as GORE-TEX In order to form a support pad which has the characteristics of low wind pressure loss, antibacterial characteristics, structural rigidity and low wind pressure characteristics.

High frequency soldering is a process that uses high frequency radio to create molecular perturbations in different types of materials, thus generating heat to fuse the materials together. Thus, in various embodiments, those materials that can be high frequency welded and used to form the support surface and the treatment surface of the present disclosure are contemplated, but are not limited to such urethane materials and such Teflon Class materials such as GORE-TEX .

These exemplary embodiments of the process involve subjecting the materials to fusion or bonding to a high frequency (between ~13 and ~100 MHz) electromagnetic fields, which are typically applied between two metal surfaces (eg, steel bars). . These surfaces can also act as pressure vessels when heated and cooled. The electromagnetic field causes the molecules in the polar thermoplastic to oscillate, and then depending on the geometric configuration of the molecules and the dipole moment, it is possible to convert a part of this oscillatory motion into heat and cause the material to heat up, and finally the material is combined or melted. Together.

High-frequency welding is useful for bonding polymers with extremely large dipoles, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, and polyamide. RF may weld other polymers, including nylon, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), vinyl acetate (EVA) and some acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

Other weld types are also contemplated in various exemplary embodiments. For example, hot gas welding, hot plate welding, ultrasonic welding, vibration or friction welding, laser welding, and solvent welding may be used. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that some of these types of welds are more conducive to welding different plastics and other materials than other weld types and are therefore selected for use as a weld on the surface of a patient support and/or treatment surface forming one of the present disclosures. The type of material can be determined according to the type of weld desired and vice versa.

The figures herein follow a general number in which the first digit or the first digit number corresponds to the drawing number and the remaining digits identify one element or component in the figure. Such elements or components that are similar between different figures may be identified by the use of similar numbers. For example, one of the elements in FIG. 1 may have 110 as a reference number, and one of the similar elements in FIG. 2 may have 210 as a reference number. The elements shown in the various exemplary embodiments herein may be added, replaced, and/or eliminated to provide any number of embodiments of the support member and support system of the present disclosure, which is understandable. .

Referring now to Figure 1, a plate 102 includes an opening 106. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the board 102 includes a first end 151, a second end 152, a first side 153, and a second side 154. In these exemplary embodiments, the panel 102 is constructed of a substantially gas impermeable material. In a particular exemplary embodiment, the plate 102 is constructed of a material that is also substantially impermeable to vapor and liquid, such as a urethane-resistant lon. As shown in Figure 1, a material 104 covers the opening 106 (or a portion thereof). In these exemplary embodiments, material 104 is substantially vapor permeable. In certain exemplary embodiments, material 104 may be a substantially vapor permeable and liquid impermeable material including PTFE, such as GORE-TEX. .

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, material 104 is welded to plate 102 about the periphery of opening 106. In these particular exemplary embodiments, material 104 is welded to plate 102 by a high frequency welding process. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the plate 102 includes a bore 110 that may be coupled to a source of pressurized air (not shown) or other liquid.

In these exemplary embodiments, the material 104 may be sized such that it is slightly larger than the opening 106 and overlaps the plate 102 about the opening 106. In such an exemplary embodiment, the material 104 may be overlap welded to the plate 102. In other exemplary embodiments, the material 104 may be sized such that it is substantially the same size as the opening 106. In such an exemplary embodiment, a ring of a backing material (not shown) may be placed at the junction of material 104 and plate 102 to allow a pair of heads to be welded between material 104 and plate 102. In certain exemplary embodiments, the underpad material may be constructed of the same material as plate 102.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the opening 106 is located approximately midway between the first side 153 and the second side 154. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the opening 106 also extends along the length of the plate half of the half.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the plate 102 can be mounted to form a support member 100 that can be inflated with air or other pressurized liquid. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the plate 102 has been configured to bond the first side 153 with the second side 154. Additionally, the first end 151 and the second end 152 are sealed such that the plate 102 forms an elongated chamber. In the exemplary embodiments, the first side 153 and the second side 154 are joined together by welding to form a flat seam weld 114, and the first end 151 and the second end 152 are sealed together by welding to form A pair of flat seam welds 112. In certain exemplary embodiments, the first side 153 is welded to the second side 154 with high frequency, and the first end 151 and the second end 152 are sealed together by high frequency welding. In these exemplary embodiments, the aperture 110 can be coupled to, for example, an air pump (not shown) and move air to the support member 100 to inflate the support member 100 while maintaining a different fraction from the vapor. Pressure, thus helping to remove moisture and heat from the patient and around the patient.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 2 illustrating a section line 3-3. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the support member 100 may incorporate a baffle 116 that extends through the support member 100. In this exemplary embodiment, each end of the baffle 116 is bonded to the plate 102 such that the cross-section of the support member 100 is narrower than its height. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the baffle 116 is sized such that the cross-section of the support member forms an hourglass or numeral 8 shape on each side of the support member 100 using an indentation 117. The combination of the baffles 116 provides a narrower cross-section of the support member 100 and allows a greater number of support members 100 to be incorporated into a patient support system.

4 is an end view showing an exemplary embodiment of a support member 101 that does not incorporate a baffle. As shown, the cross-section of support member 100 in Figure 4 is generally circular. Other features are generally the same as those disclosed in the discussion of Figure 3.

Referring now to Figures 5-8, an exemplary embodiment of a support member 200 includes a lower end portion 205 having a cap or upper end portion 210. These exemplary embodiments of support member 200 are similar to the exemplary embodiments of support member 100. However, these exemplary embodiments of support member 200 include a substantially gas impermeable material 204 rather than a gas permeable material 104 for use in support member 100. In these exemplary embodiments, material 204 is also vapor permeable and liquid impermeable. Moreover, these exemplary embodiments of support member 200 include an opening 206 that is larger than opening 106 of support member 100. In these exemplary embodiments, the opening 206 extends substantially the entire length of the support member 200 to bring it closest to the first end 251 and the second end 252.

Similar to the constituent techniques used to form the support member 100, such exemplary embodiments of the support member 200 may be by soldering a first side 253 to a second side 254, and the first end 251 and the second end 252 is formed by sealing together. Material 204 may also be welded to plate 202 in these exemplary embodiments to cover opening 206.

In other such exemplary embodiments, support member 200 may be constructed in other ways. For example, support member 200 may include a different material than a single plate 202 having an opening 206.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the plate 202 has been formed with a support member having an hourglass or numeral 8-shaped cross-section. In this exemplary embodiment, support member 200 incorporates a baffle 216. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, plate 202 may also, in certain exemplary embodiments, form a support member 201 that is generally cylindrical having a circular cross-section.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, an exemplary embodiment of a support member 300 includes a first set of support members 100 and a second set of support members 200. As in the top view of FIG. 9, the support members 100 and 200 are configured in an alternate installation to place a support member 100 between the two support members 200. Support members 100 and 200 may be inflated with pressurized air or another liquid material.

As shown in the partial side view of the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 10, the support members 200 are taller than the support members 100. In these exemplary embodiments, the support members 200 are comprised of a material 202 that is substantially impermeable to air and has a cap of a gas impermeable and vapor permeable material 204. In these exemplary embodiments, the support members 100 include a gas impermeable material 102 and a cap of a gas permeable and liquid impermeable material 104. In these exemplary embodiments, the support members 200 provide primary support to a person lying on the support member 300 (not shown). In these exemplary embodiments, air can flow through the support members 100 and exit from the material 104 that covers the openings 106. Air flow may also assist in removing wet vapor from the support members 100.

In these exemplary embodiments, the wet vapor may be transferred from the person to the support member 200 through the material 204. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, material 204 extends almost to edges 305 and 310 of support member 300. Therefore, a significant portion of the material 204 will not come into contact with the person lying on the support member 300. Therefore, the wet vapor can also exit the support member 200 through the material 204. In these exemplary embodiments, increasing the area covered by material 204 will increase the rate at which wet vapor is transferred from the person supported by support member 300.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the support member 300 is mounted to reduce the amount of air flow required to support a person and to provide wet vapor transfer capability. Because the primary support is provided by the support members 200 that include substantially non-breathable material, it requires minimal airflow to maintain the inflated state and provide support. The support members 100 include a gas permeable material 104 such that they require more airflow than the support members 200 to maintain an inflated condition. Since the airflow is limited by the area covered by the material 104, the amount of air (or other pressurized liquid) required to inflate the support members 100 and 200 may be reduced. In addition, the power requirements and noise levels of the equipment required to inflate the support members 100 and 200 are also reduced. In certain exemplary embodiments, the support members 100 may be coupled to one source of pressurized liquid, and the support members 200 may be coupled to a second source of pressurized liquid. In these exemplary embodiments, each source of pressurized liquid can be set to the desired operating parameters. For example, the source of pressurized liquid of the support members 100 may be a source of lower pressure and higher volume than the source of pressurized liquid of the support members 200.

In these exemplary embodiments, the support members 100 and 200 can be welded together to form a connected patient support surface 300. In other embodiments, the support members 100 and 200 can be enclosed by a set (not shown) to form a connected patient support surface 300.

The exemplified embodiments have been described in detail above, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and changes may be made without departing from the invention. For the sake of its own, the above-mentioned drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. The true content of the present invention is intended to be defined by the following claims, and the claims are to be accorded

In addition, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that upon reading and understanding the present disclosure, other variations of the invention described herein are included in the present disclosure. For example, the surface of the patient support can be coated with an antibacterial agent, which is or will be known.

In the above-described embodiments, different features of several embodiments are grouped together in order to simplify the disclosure. The method of the present disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting the purpose that the exemplary embodiments of the present invention require more features than those explicitly recited in the claims. Rather, as the following claims reflect, the subject matter of the invention is less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Accordingly, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this embodiment, each of which is incorporated in its entirety as a separate embodiment.

100. . . Support component

101. . . Support component

102. . . board

104. . . material

106. . . Opening

10. . . hole

112. . . a pair of flat seam welding

114. . . Flat seam welding

116. . . Baffle

117. . . Indentation

151. . . First end

152. . . Second end

153. . . First side

154. . . Second side

200. . . Support component

201. . . Support component

202. . . board

204. . . material

205. . . Lower part

206. . . Opening

210. . . Upper part

212. . . a pair of flat seam welding

214. . . Flat seam welding

216. . . Baffle

217. . . Indentation

251. . . First end

252. . . Second end

253. . . First side

254. . . Second side

300. . . Support component

305. . . edge

310. . . edge

While the invention has been shown and described with reference The foregoing is referred to in the following description, and the drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and not as a limitation. The true content of the present invention is intended to be defined by the following claims and includes the maximum scope of the claims.

In addition, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that upon reading and understanding the present disclosure, other variations of the invention described herein are included in the present disclosure. For example, the exemplary embodiments disclose a single board that is mounted to form a plenum. In other exemplary embodiments, the plenum may include a plurality of panels coupled to form a plenum. For example, such exemplary embodiments may include a plenum having separate top, bottom, side and end panels.

In the following embodiments, different features of several embodiments are grouped together in order to simplify the disclosure. The method of the present disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting the purpose that the exemplary embodiments of the present invention require more features than those explicitly recited in the claims. Rather, as the following claims reflect, the subject matter of the invention is less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Accordingly, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this embodiment, and each claim is in its entirety as a separate embodiment.

The following figures are used herein for reference. The drawings illustrating the exemplary embodiments are not to be considered in a

1 is a top plan view of one exemplary embodiment of a support system component in accordance with the present disclosure.

2 is a side elevational view of one exemplary embodiment of a support member in accordance with the present disclosure.

3 is a cross-sectional view of one exemplary embodiment of a support member in accordance with the present disclosure.

4 is an end elevational view of one exemplary embodiment of a support member in accordance with the present disclosure.

5 is a top plan view of one exemplary embodiment of a support system component in accordance with the present disclosure.

6 is a side elevational view of one exemplary embodiment of a support system component in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of one exemplary embodiment of a support member in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure 8 is an end elevational view of one exemplary embodiment of a support member in accordance with the present disclosure.

9 is a top plan view of one exemplary embodiment of a support system in accordance with the present disclosure.

10 is a side elevational view of one exemplary embodiment of a support system in accordance with the present disclosure.

102. . . board

104. . . material

106. . . Opening

110. . . hole

151. . . First end

152. . . Second end

153. . . First side

154. . . Second side

Claims (33)

A device for supporting a person, the device comprising: a plate comprising a first material, wherein the first material is non-breathable; an opening in the plate; a second material covering the opening, wherein the The second material is breathable and liquid impermeable, and the second material is welded to the first material. The device of claim 1, wherein: the plate comprises a first end, a second end, a first side and a second side; the first side is coupled to the second side; the first end is sealed And the second end is sealed so that the structure of the plate can form an elongated plenum. The device of claim 2, wherein the structure of the plate forms a generally cylindrical chamber when inflated. The device of claim 2, further comprising an inner baffle, wherein the elongate plenum has a cross section having a height and a width, wherein the height is greater than the width. The device of claim 1, wherein the second material is welded to the first material at a high frequency (HF). The device of claim 1 wherein the second material is vapor permeable. The device of claim 1, wherein the first material comprises a carbamate, The second material includes polytetrafluoroethylene. The device of claim 1, wherein the plate includes a hole configured to be coupled to a source of pressurized liquid. A support system comprising: a plurality of first support members, wherein: the first support members comprise a first material that is non-breathable; and the first support members are a first height; and a plurality of second a support member, wherein: the second support member comprises a second material that is gas permeable and impermeable to liquid; the second support members are a second height; the first height is greater than the second height; Two support members are placed between the two first support members. The support system of claim 9, wherein the second material is vapor permeable. The support system of claim 9, wherein the first support members comprise a third material, and the third material is vapor permeable and liquid impermeable. A support system according to claim 9 further comprising a first source of pressurized liquid bonded to the first support member and bonded to the second support member. A support system according to claim 9 further comprising a first source of pressurized liquid coupled to the first support member and a second source of pressurized liquid bonded to the second support member. A method of making a support member, the method comprising: providing a plate of a first material, wherein the first material is non-breathable; creating an opening in the plate; covering a portion of the opening with a second material, wherein The second material is breathable and liquid impermeable; the second material is welded to the first material; and the structure of the plate is formed into a plenum. The method of claim 14, wherein the second material is welded to the first material at a high frequency. A support member comprising: a plenum comprising a first material and a second material, wherein: the first material is non-breathable; the second material is breathable and liquid impermeable; and The second material is welded to the first material. The support member of claim 16, wherein the first material includes an opening and the second material covers a portion of the opening. A support member of claim 16 or 17, wherein the second material is welded to the first material at a high frequency (HF). A support member of claim 16 or 17, wherein the second material is vapor permeable. A support member of claim 16 or 17, further comprising an inner baffle. The support member of claim 16 or 17, wherein the first material comprises a carbamate and the second material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene. The support member of claim 16 or 17, further comprising a hole configured to be coupled to a source of pressurized liquid. The support member of claim 16 or 17, wherein: the first material forms a plate; the plate includes an opening; and the second material covers the opening. The support member of claim 23, wherein: the plate includes a first end, a second end, a first side and a second side; the first side is coupled to the second side; the first end is Sealed; and the second end is sealed such that the structure of the plate forms an elongated plenum. The support member of claim 23, wherein the structure of the plate forms a generally cylindrical chamber when inflated. The support member of claim 23, wherein the elongated plenum has a cross section having a height and a width, wherein the height is greater than the width. The support member of claim 23, wherein the plate includes a hole configured to be coupled to a source of pressurized liquid. A support system comprising: a plurality of first support members and a plurality of second support members defined according to claim 16-27, wherein: the first support members are at a first height; and the second support The member includes a gas permeable and liquid impermeable material The second support members are a second height; the first height is greater than the second height; and at least one second support member is disposed between the two first support members. The support system of claim 28, wherein the second support member is gas permeable and liquid impermeable. A support system as claimed in claim 28, further comprising a first source of pressurized liquid bonded to the first support member and bonded to the second support member. A support system according to claim 28, further comprising a first source of pressurized liquid coupled to the first support member and comprising a second source of pressurized liquid bonded to the second support member . A method of manufacturing a support member according to claim 16-27, the method comprising: providing a plate of a first material; creating an opening in the plate; covering a portion of the opening with a second material; welding the second Material to the first material; and forming the structure of the plate into a plenum. The method of claim 32, wherein the second material is welded to the first material at a high frequency.