US20070157394A1

US20070157394A1 - Therapeutic mattress

Info

Publication number: US20070157394A1
Application number: US11/650,404
Authority: US
Inventors: Carl Pete Giggleman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-01-06
Filing date: 2007-01-05
Publication date: 2007-07-12

Abstract

A mattress for cushioning the body of a user that is economical to implement for the prevention, reduction and healing of decubitus ulcers and associated injuries. The mattress of the present invention provides a plurality of support to areas of the body of a user, as critical support areas and utilizes a plurality of voids, as air pouches, in non-critical support areas such as the back the back of the head and shoulders, the tailbone region, arms, elbows, hips, heels and feet, thereby to prevent, reduce and heal decubitus ulcers. In the preferred embodiment, the mattress is comprised wholly of fire-retardant, anti-microbial, variable density foam.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application entitled, “THERAPEUTIC MATTRESS,” having Ser. No. 60/756,988, filed Jan. 6, 2006, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to a mattress, and more particularly is related to a therapeutic mattress used as a bed or a cushion which reduces pressure and compression forces for non-critical support areas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Decubitus ulcers, pressure ulcers, pressure sores, bedsores, or other localized tissue damage are risks for persons who are otherwise immobile or bedridden, or left to sit or lie in one position for a period of time. These injuries are at greatest risk to occur in the bony areas of the body, including the back of the head and shoulders, the tailbone region, arms, elbows, hips, heels and feet. The sores can occur with minimal pressure and compression forces, rubbing or friction that causes the deprivation of oxygen and nutrients to tissue, causing the formation of such sores. In some instances, these sores begin as minor skin irritations that are simply exacerbated by the compression, heat and moisture created by the body's weight and the mattress. These injuries can occur in persons of all ages during times of prolonged illness or immobility. The elderly are especially at risk because of the increased likelihood of debilitating medical condition with immobility. The development of these sores can lead to serious infection, which in some cases become life threatening.
The good news is that these injuries are preventable and such sores do occur, they do not have to get worse. Bedding or other cushioning that reduces or relieves compression effectively addresses the skin's vulnerability to injury. A variety of bedding and cushion arrangements have been proposed to reduce and relieve compression while in use. Generally these bedding and cushioning options include alternate design mattresses, foam, gel, or low pressure inflatable overlays, which lie on top of a regular mattress, or alternating pressure mattresses. However, these bedding and cushioning options are often expensive to implement and have not fully addressed the continuing problem of decubitus ulcers and associated injuries. Therefore, there remains an unaddressed need to address these deficiencies and inadequacies. The present invention is made in consideration of these identified circumstances and it is an object thereof to provide a mattress, as bedding or cushioning, which is economical to implement for the prevention, reduction and healing of decubitus ulcers and associated injuries.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The mattress of the present invention has a structure that provides a plurality of support to areas of the body of a user, as critical support areas and utilizes a plurality of voids, as air pouches, in non-critical support areas such as the back of the head and shoulders, the tailbone region, arms, elbows, hips, heels and feet, thereby to prevent, reduce and heal decubitus ulcers. In the preferred embodiment, the mattress is comprised wholly fire-retardant, anti-microbial, variable density foam. The preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes angular shapes in modular sections for the gradual support maximization in the critical support areas and reduction of pressure and compression force in the non critical support areas. Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the incorporated drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Man aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the invention and, together with the description and claims, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout several views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, having the top layer and the critical support layer;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the critical support layer of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the critical support layer of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, having the top layer, critical support layer and bottom layer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

It is a principle object of the present invention to provide a mattress that is economical to implement for the prevention, reduction and healing of decubitus ulcers and associated injuries. More particularly, it is a principle object of the present invention to provide a therapeutic mattress which provides a plurality of support to areas of the body of a user, as critical support areas and utilizes a plurality of voids, as air pouches, in non-critical support areas such as the back the back of the head and shoulders, the tailbone region, arms, elbows, hips, heels and feet, thereby to prevent, reduce and heal decubitus ulcers.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a therapeutic mattress 10 of the present invention is shown. To achieve the object of providing an economical mattress for the prevention, reduction and healing of decubitus ulcers and associated injuries, the mattress 10 of the present invention has a top layer 12 and a critical support layer 14, providing pressure and compression force reduction in non critical structure support areas. More specifically, and referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a therapeutic mattress 10 includes foam top layer 12, which has is substantially rectangular shape as a one piece construction. This top layer 12 has a substantially continuous perimeter comprised of end walls 16, 18 and sidewalls 20, 22. Additionally, the top layer 12 has a foundation body 24 with a downwardly-facing bottom surface 26. The top layer 12 has dimensions similar to any commercially available single user mattress, including any single user mattress used by the medical community. In the preferred embodiment 10 of FIG. 1, the bottom surface 26 of the foundation body 24 comprising the top layer 12 is approximately 80 inches long as the horizontal length of the side walls 20, 22 and 36 inches wide as the horizontal length of the end walls 16, 18. The thickness of the foundation body 24 comprising the top layer 12 is dependent on actual use and can range from 0 inches to 8 inches, but is preferably approximately 2 inches. The top layer 12 is preferably comprised of durable, fire-retardant, anti-microbial foam, but it is conceived that another material capable of providing support to a user could be utilized in construction. The density of the foam of the top layer 12 is dependent on expected and actual use and can range from 1.0 lb. per cubic foot density foam to 5.8 lb. per cubic foot density foam, but is preferably approximately 1.8 lb. per cubic foot density foam. The top layer 12 has an upwardly-facing top surface, with contour which is preferably smooth, but may be of any of slashed, smooth, egg crate or any other design known in the industry.
The top layer 12 is in combination with the critical support layer 14 to form the mattress 10. Referring now to FIG. 5, it is also envisioned that in an alternate embodiment, a base layer 80 could be fixed firmly with direct contact with the critical support layer 14, as an intermediate layer in direct contact with the top layer 12, to form the mattress 10. In yet additional alternate embodiments, not represented by drawings, the mattress of the present invention could be made with solely a base layer 80 and the critical support layer 14, as disclosed or solely the critical support layer 14. The thickness of the base layer 80 is dependent on actual use and can range from 0 inches to 8 inches, but is preferably approximately 2 inches. The base layer 80 is preferably comprised of durable, fire-retardant, anti-microbial foam, but it is conceived that another material capable of providing support to a user could be utilized in construction. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 and the alternate embodiment of FIG. 5, the mattress 10 is optionally encased in a removable waterproof and anti-microbial cover.
As shown in FIG. 4, the critical support layer 14 is fixed firmly with direct contact to the bottom surface 26 of the foundation body 24 with a means sufficient to prevent or reduce shifting between the critical support layer 14 and the top layer 12, after they have been aligned. The affixing of the critical support layer 14 to the bottom surface 26 of the foundation body 24 can occur by numerous means, including bonding during construction process by an adhesive agent known in the industry. Alignment between the critical support layer 14 and the top layer 12 results when the critical support layer 14 is substantially configured to the dimensions of the top layer 12. Additionally, it is conceived that the top layer 12 and the critical support layer 14 could be a unified piece, wherein the detail of the critical support layer 14 is made by cuts during the construction process.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the critical support layer 14 is further comprised of a plurality of support zones 28, 30, 32, which provide support to the body of a user. The support zones 28, 30, 32 can act independent or in concert. The support zones 28, 30, 32 are preferably comprised of durable, fire-retardant, anti-microbial foam, but it is conceived that another material capable of providing support to a user could be utilized in construction. The density of the foam of the support zones 28, 30, 32 is dependent on expected and actual use and can range from 1.0 lb. per cubic foot density foam to 5.8 lb. per cubic foot density foam, but is preferably approximately 1.8 lb. per cubic foot density foam. The foam density of the top layer 12 and the support zones 14 do not need to be the same. Additionally, the foam density need not be uniform in any or all or support zones 28, 30 and 32. Support zones 28, 30 and 32 are comprised of angular shapes to achieve critical support. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, these shapes are substantially formed to triangles, squares and rectangles, however the present invention conceives that any angular shape can be implemented with the zone configuration for proper support to critical areas and creation of the pressure and compression force reduction zones in non-critical support areas. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper surfaces 28 a, 30 a, 32 a of the support zones 28, 30, 32 have contour, which is preferably smooth, but may be any of slashed, smooth, egg crate or any other design known in the industry.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, support zone 28 allows for gradual support with compression and pressure reduction to the back of the head and shoulders. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, support zone 28 is comprised of a plurality of substantially formed triangles 34, 36, 38 and substantially formed squares 40, 42, 44, 46, 48. There is no requirement in the present invention that any of the substantially formed triangles 34, 36, 38 or the substantially formed squares 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 have identical dimension. The substantially formed triangles 34, 36, 38 and the substantially formed squares 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 may act independent or in concert. The thickness of these substantially formed triangles 34, 36, 38 and substantially formed squares 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, as vertical height of each individual identified angular shapes, is determined by need of actual use and can range from approximately 1 inch to 6 inches, but is preferably approximately 4 inches. The thickness of each substantially formed triangles 34, 36, 38 and substantially formed squares 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, does not need to be the same. Referring now to FIG. 3, the substantially formed triangles 34, 36 are in approximate mirror opposite placement along the substantial center axis 50 of the critical support layer 14. While the dimensions of the sides of each substantially formed triangle 34, 36 vary widely in a range 6 inches to 20 inches, with specified measurement dependent on actual use, in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3 the side wall 34 a, 36 a of each of the substantially formed triangles 34, 36 has a length of approximately 16 inches and a top wall 35 b, 36 b length of approximately 16 inches. The substantially formed triangle 38 is divisibly placed along the substantial center axis 50. The dimensions of the substantially formed triangle 38 vary widely in a range 6 inches to 20 inches per side, with specified measurement dependent on actual use. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, the substantially formed triangle 38 has substantially equal sides 38 a, 38 b each measuring a length of approximately 16 inches, with side 38 c approximately divided in half by the substantial center axis 50. The dimensions of the substantially formed squares 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 of the support zone 28 vary in a range 1 inch to 6 inches per side, with specified measurement dependent on actual use. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, the substantially formed squares 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 of the support zone 28 each measure approximately 4 inches square, with mirror opposite placement along the substantial center axis 50 of the critical support layer 14. The substantially formed square 48 is placed divisibly along the center axis 50. The substantially formed squares 40, 46 are in mirror opposite placement along the substantial center axis 50 of the critical support layer 14 in proximity to side walls the critical support layer 14 and the substantially formed squares 42, 44 are in mirror opposite placement along the substantial center axis 50 of the critical support layer 14 to the side 36 c of the substantially formed triangle 36. The void space between each and all of the substantially formed triangles 34, 36, 38 and substantially formed squares 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 are the no foam zones wherein pressure and compression forces are reduced for the non-critical support areas to the back of the head and shoulders.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, support zone 30 allows for gradual support with compression and pressure reduction to the tailbone region, arms, elbows and hips. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, support zone 30 is comprised of a plurality of substantially formed triangles 52, 54, a substantially formed square 56 and substantially formed rectangles 58, 60. There is no requirement in the present invention that any of the substantially formed triangles 52, 54, substantially formed square 56 or substantially formed rectangles 58, 60 have identical dimension. The substantially formed triangles 52, 54, substantially formed square 56 and substantially formed rectangles 58, 60 may act independent or in concert. The thickness of these substantially formed triangles 52, 54, substantially formed square 56 and substantially formed rectangles 58, 60 as vertical height of each individual identified angular shapes, is determined by need of actual use and can range from approximately 1 inch to 6 inches, but is preferably approximately 4 inches. The thickness of each substantially formed triangles 52, 54, substantially formed square 56 and substantially formed rectangles 58, 60 does not need to be the same. Referring now to FIG. 3, the substantially formed triangles 52, 54 are divisibly placed along the substantial center axis 50 of the critical support layer 14. While the dimensions of the sides of each substantially formed triangles 52, 54 vary widely in a range of 6 to 20 inches, with specified measurement dependent on actual use, in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, the side wall 52 a, 54 a, 52 b, 54 b of each of the substantially formed triangles 52, 54 has a length of approximately 16 inches. The substantially formed rectangles 58, 60 are in approximate mirror opposite placement along the substantial center axis 50 of the critical support layer 14. The dimensions of the substantially formed rectangles 58, 60 vary in a range of 15 inches to 60 inches per side, with specified measurement dependent on actual use. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, the substantially formed rectangles 58, 60 each have sides 58 a, 58 b, 60 a, 60 b with a length of approximately 46 inches. The side lengths 58 c, 58 d, 60 c, 60 d of the substantially formed rectangles 58, 60 are of substantially equal or reflective lengths. The substantially formed square 56 is approximately divided by the substantial center axis 50, having substantially equal sides 56 a, 56 b, 56 c and 56 d. Dimensions of the substantially formed square can vary in a range of 8 inches to 30 inches per side. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, the sides 56 a, 56 b, 56 c and 56 d are approximately 22 inches in length. The void space between each and all of the substantially formed triangles 52, 54, substantially formed square 56 and substantially formed rectangles 58, 60 are the no foam zones wherein pressure and compression forces are reduced for the non-critical support areas to tailbone region, arms, elbows and hips.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, support zone 32 allows for gradual support with compression and pressure reduction to the heels and feet. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, support zone 32 is comprised of a plurality of substantially formed triangles 62, 64, 66 and substantially formed squares 68, 70, 72, 74, 76. There is no requirement in the present invention that any of the substantially formed triangles 62, 64, 66 or substantially formed squares 68, 70, 72, 74, 76 have identical dimension. The of the substantially formed triangles 62, 64, 66 and the substantially formed squares 68, 70, 72, 74, 76 may act independent or in concert. The thickness of these substantially formed triangles 62, 64, 66 and substantially formed squares 68, 70, 72, 74, 76 as vertical height of each individual identified angular shapes, is determined by need of actual use and can range from approximately 1 inch to 6 inches, but is preferably approximately 4 inches. The thickness of each substantially formed triangles 62, 64, 66 and substantially formed squares 68, 70, 72, 74, 76 does not need to be the same. Referring now to FIG. 3, the substantially formed triangles 62, 64 are in approximate mirror opposite placement along the substantial center axis 50 of the critical support layer 14. While the dimensions of the sides of each substantially formed triangle 62, 64 vary widely in a range 6 inches to 20 inches, with specified measurement dependent on actual use, in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3 the side wall 62 a, 64 a of each of the substantially formed triangles 62, 64 has a length of approximately 16 inches and a bottom wall 62 b, 64 b length of approximately 16 inches. The substantially formed triangle 66 is divisibly placed along the substantial center axis 50. The dimensions of the substantially formed triangle 66 vary widely in a range 6 inches to 20 inches per side, with specified measurement dependent on actual use. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, the substantially formed triangle 66 has substantially equal sides 66 a, 66 b each measuring a length of approximately 16 inches, with side 66 c approximately divided in half by the substantial center axis 50. The dimensions of the substantially formed squares 68, 70, 72, 74; 76 of the support zone 28 vary in a range 1 inch to 6 inches per side, with specified measurement dependent on actual use. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, the substantially formed squares 68, 70, 72, 74, 76 of the support zone 28 each measure approximately 4 inches square, with mirror opposite placement along the substantial center axis 50 of the critical support layer 14. The substantially formed square 76 is placed divisibly along the center axis 50. The substantially formed squares 68, 74 are in mirror opposite placement along the substantial center axis 50 of the critical support layer 14 in proximity to the side walls the critical support layer 14 and the substantially formed squares 70, 72 are in mirror opposite placement along the substantial center axis 50 of the critical support layer 14 to the side 66 c of the substantially formed triangle 66. The void space between each and all of the substantially formed triangles 62, 64, 66 and substantially formed squares 68, 70, 72, 74, 76 are the no foam zones wherein pressure and compression forces are reduced for the non-critical support areas to the heels and feet.
An alternate embodiment of the present invention is as a mattress which is intended for use as other than a single size mattress, for example a mattress intended for use as a double size mattress or larger. Additionally, it is intended that the scope of the present invention include a resized mattress as a single use cushion, including an affixed furniture cushion, a portable personal cushion or otherwise. In these additional embodiments, dimensions and layout of the angular shapes of the critical support layer would vary to accommodate the change in overall perimeter dimension, but the zones for reduction of pressure and compression forces would remain the same.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in, or will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from, the detailed description, figures and drawings and claims herein. The accompanying figures and drawings, which are incorporated herein by reference and constitute a part of this specification, additionally illustrate an embodiment of the invention. Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms and devices, such description is for illustrative purposes only. The words used are words of description rather than of limitation. Also, it should be further appreciated that modifications and variations to the specifically illustrated and discussed features and materials hereof may be practiced in various embodiments and uses of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, by virtue of present reference thereto. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the present invention should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiment contained herein. Still further, it is to be understood that different embodiments, as well as different presently preferred embodiments, of this invention, may include various combinations or configurations of presently disclosed features, elements, or their equivalents (including combinations of features or configurations thereof not expressly shown in the figures or stated in the detailed description). Such variations may include, but are not limited to, substitutions of the equivalent means, features, and materials for those shown or discussed, and the functional or positional reversal of various parts, features, or the like. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.

Claims

1. A mattress for use for the reduction of pressure and compression forces to a user, said mattress comprising:

at least three modular sections for the gradual support of the user, each modular section having a defined thickness between an upper surface and a lower surface.

2. The mattress of claim 1, in which the modular sections are comprised of a fire retardant material capable of supporting the body of the user, such as foam.

3. The mattress of claim 1, in which the modular sections are comprised of or encased in a material with an anti-microbial means.

4. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the modular sections may be of any slashed, smooth, egg crate or any other design known in the industry.

5. The mattress of claim 1, wherein said modular sections further comprise a plurality of angular shapes for support to areas of the user's body and said modular sections further comprise a plurality of voids to reduce pressure and compression forces on areas of the user's body.

6. The mattress of claim 5, wherein said plurality of angular shapes are further comprised of shapes in substantially formed triangles, squares and rectangles.

7. The mattress of claim 5, wherein said plurality of voids reduce pressure and compression forces on the back of the head and shoulders, the tailbone region, arms, elbows, hips, heels and feet of the user.

8. The mattress of claim 6, wherein said plurality of angular shapes is further comprised of a series of independent shapes divisible position with respect to a center axis defining halves of said mattress.

9. The mattress of claim 1, wherein said mattress further comprises a substantially center axis defining halves of the mattress with the plurality of angular shapes divisibly positioned with respect to this axis.

10. A mattress for use for the reduction of pressure and compression forces to a user, said mattress comprising:

a top layer having a defined thickness between an upper surface and a lower surface; and

at least three modular sections, each modular section having a defined thickness between an upper surface and a lower surface, with said upper surface of modular section being fixed firmly to said lower surface of top layer.

11. The mattress of claim 10, wherein said top layer and said modular sections are a single member, capable of manual division.

12. The mattress of claim 10, in which the top layer and the modular sections are individually comprised of a material capable of supporting the body of the user, such as foam.

13. The mattress of claim 10, wherein said modular sections further comprise a plurality of angular shapes for support to areas of the user's body and said modular sections further comprise a plurality of voids to reduce pressure and compression forces on areas of the user's body.

14. The mattress of claim 13, wherein said voids are further comprised of cavities of air.

15. The mattress of claim 13, wherein said plurality of angular shapes are further comprised of shapes in substantially formed triangles, squares and rectangles.

16. The mattress of claim 15, wherein said plurality of angular shapes is further comprised of a series of independent shapes divisible position with respect to a center axis defining halves of said mattress.

17. The mattress of claim 10, in which a bottom layer, having defined thickness between an upper surface and a lower surface is fixed firmly to the lower surface of said modular section, as an intermediate layer between said top layer and said bottom layer.

18. A method of preventing, healing and reducing decubitus ulcers and associated injuries comprising placing a user on a mattress assembly comprising a top layer having a defined thickness between an upper surface and a lower surface; and at least three modular sections, each modular section having a defined thickness between an upper surface and a lower surface, with said upper surface of modular section being fixed firmly to said lower surface of top layer, wherein said modular sections further comprise a plurality of angular shapes for support to areas of the user's body and said modular sections further comprise a plurality of voids to reduce pressure and compression forces on areas of the user's body.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said plurality of angular shapes of the modular section are positioned with respect to a substantially center axis defining halves of the mattress.

20. The mattress of claim 18, wherein said top layer and said modular sections are a single member, capable of manual division.