US20110203053A1 - Inflatable cell for anti-eschar mattresses - Google Patents

Inflatable cell for anti-eschar mattresses Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20110203053A1
US20110203053A1 US13/126,295 US200913126295A US2011203053A1 US 20110203053 A1 US20110203053 A1 US 20110203053A1 US 200913126295 A US200913126295 A US 200913126295A US 2011203053 A1 US2011203053 A1 US 2011203053A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
housing
weld
cell according
welds
cell
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/126,295
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Thaddée Mulliez
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from FR0806193A external-priority patent/FR2937861B1/fr
Priority claimed from FR0957775A external-priority patent/FR2951933B1/fr
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of US20110203053A1 publication Critical patent/US20110203053A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
    • A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
    • A61G7/057—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor
    • A61G7/05769—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor with inflatable chambers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of inflatable anti-eschar mattresses used in hospitals or similar settings or in individual homes, for people confined to bed rest for long periods of time.
  • the object of the invention is a new inflatable cell for anti-eschar mattresses, as well as an anti-eschar mattress including a plurality of inflatable cells.
  • one solution known to date consists of proposing anti-eschar inflatable mattresses, which include a plurality of juxtaposed inflatable cells.
  • This type of mattress is for example described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,084.
  • the cells of an anti-eschar mattress can be inflated individually using a compressor or equivalent means and according to a so-called “dynamic” mode characterized by an inflation sequence and cycle that are predefined, so as to reduce the compression time of the body parts in contact with the cells of the mattress. For example, the inflation of every other cell is done cyclically.
  • the characteristics of this dynamic mode are generally configurable so as to best adapt them to the bedridden person.
  • Another problem encountered during confinement to bed of a person in a hospital or similar setting is related to accidental falls by the bedridden person. This problem is magnified and becomes critical when the bedridden people have reduced motor abilities, such as for example people having undergone surgery, people who are completely or partially paralyzed, or the elderly.
  • a fall prevention inflatable cell for anti-eschar mattresses has already been proposed.
  • This cell comprises two outer sheets welded on the periphery thereof so as to form an inflatable housing, and which are fastened by circular welding spots to an inner sheet making it possible to limit the expansion of the housing.
  • the housing Once inflated, the housing includes a support surface having a basin-shaped fall prevention profile with raised ends.
  • the positioning flaw is even more pronounced in the case where inflatable cells with horizontal oblong welds are used as described and illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,560. With this type of cells, to prevent this positioning flaw, one is thus forced to fasten each individual cell on a support, which complicates the structure and production of the anti-eschar mattress.
  • One aim of the invention is to propose a new inflatable cell for anti-eschar mattresses making it possible to obtain proper operation, in dynamic mode, while preventing the aforementioned risks of sliding and poor positioning of the cell, relative to an adjacent cell, during repeated inflation/deflation cycles, and without it being necessary to fasten the cell on a support.
  • the first object of the invention is therefore an inflatable cell for anti-eschar mattresses defined in claim 1 .
  • This cell comprises an inflatable housing having an elongate shape and two main opposed side surfaces, as well as several oblong welds that have a main longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis of the housing, which are spaced apart along the length of the housing, and which connect two main opposed side surfaces of the housing together.
  • Another aim of the invention is to propose a new inflatable cell for anti-eschar mattresses that makes it possible to reduce, for bedridden people, both the risk of eschar formation and accidental fall risks.
  • the second aim of the invention is therefore an inflatable cell for anti-eschar mattresses, said cell comprising an inflatable housing having an elongate shape and two main opposed side surfaces, as well as an upper surface which, in the inflated state of the housing, forms an upper support surface; the two main opposed side surfaces of the cell are welded to each other on at least three sides of their periphery using at least one lower longitudinal weld and two side welds, and said lower longitudinal weld has a curve profile that is made so that when the housing is inflated, the support surface is deformed so as to have a basin-shaped fall prevention curve profile with raised ends.
  • the third object of the invention is an inflatable cell for anti-eschar mattresses, said cell including an inflatable housing having an elongate shape and two main opposed side surfaces, as well as an upper surface which, in the inflated state of the housing, forms an upper support surface; said housing is either (i) formed by a sheet folded in two lengthwise, and welded on three sides of its periphery using a lower longitudinal weld and two side welds, and the support surface being free from welds, or (ii) formed by two separate sheets welded to each other over the entire periphery thereof using at least four welds: a lower longitudinal weld, two side welds, and an upper longitudinal weld, said cell including one or more additional welds that are spaced apart along the length of the housing, and that make it possible to connect the two main opposed side surfaces of the housing to each other, the distance (e 1 ) between each additional end weld and the adjacent side weld of the housing, measured along the longitudinal axis of the housing, being
  • the fourth object of the invention is an inflatable cell for anti-eschar mattresses, said cell includes an inflatable housing having an elongate shape and two main opposed side surfaces, an upper surface that forms an upper support surface when the housing is inflated, and one or several oblong welds, the main longitudinal axis of which is substantially parallel to the main longitudinal axis of the housing, and which make it possible to connect the two main opposed side surfaces of the housing to each other, so as to define, in the housing, at least two superimposed inflation chambers that communicate with each other; the upper support surface of the deflated housing has a substantially rectilinear profile over the entire length of the housing, and the oblong weld(s) are made so that when the housing is inflated, the support surface is deformed so as to have a basin-shaped fall prevention curve profile with raised ends.
  • the invention also relates to an anti-eschar mattress comprising a plurality of the previously cited inflatable cells, which are positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the mattress, and which are juxtaposed along said longitudinal axis.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of an inflatable cell for anti-eschar mattresses, made according to a first alternative embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view in transverse cross-section of the cell of FIG. 1 in cutting plane II-II,
  • FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic and partial top view of the cell of FIG. 1 ,
  • FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic flattened lateral view of the cell of FIG. 1 (deflated state),
  • FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic flattened front view of an inflatable cell for anti-eschar mattresses, done according to a second alternative embodiment
  • FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic flattened front view of an inflatable cell for anti-eschar mattresses, done according to a third alternative embodiment
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of a cell of an anti-eschar mattress, inflated and done according to a fourth alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a flattened diagrammatic illustration of the cell of FIG. 7 in the deflated state
  • FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic transverse cross-section of the cell of FIG. 7 in plane IX-IX,
  • FIG. 10 is a top view of the cell of FIG. 7 .
  • FIG. 11 is a transverse cross-section in plane XI-XI of the cell of FIG. 8 .
  • FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-section in plane XII-XII of the cell of FIG. 6 .
  • FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic side view of a set of cells according to the invention that are juxtaposed, so as to form an anti-eschar mattress,
  • FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic side view of a set of cylindrical cells of the prior art that are juxtaposed, so as to form an anti-eschar mattress,
  • FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic flattened side view of a cell in the deflated state, done according to a fifth alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic flattened front view of an inflatable cell for anti-eschar mattresses, done according to a sixth alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic flattened front view of an inflatable cell for an anti-eschar mattress, done according to a seventh alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 18 shows a cell, in the inflated state, made according to an eighth alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic side view of the cell of FIG. 18 .
  • FIGS. 1 and 4 show an inflatable individual cell 1 for an anti-eschar mattress, according to a first alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • the cell 1 is inflated.
  • the cell 1 is shown flat, deflated.
  • This cell 1 includes an inflatable housing 2 having an elongate shape and a longitudinal main axis 2 a .
  • this housing 2 is made up of a substantially rectangular sheet 20 made from a heat-weldable material, and for example polyurethane.
  • this sheet 20 is folded over in two lengthwise along a substantially rectilinear longitudinal upper bend line 20 a (diagrammed by a broken line in FIG. 3 ).
  • the two longitudinal edges of the sheet 20 that are folded one on top of the other are referenced 20 b
  • the two side edges of the sheet 20 that are folded one on top of the other are referenced 20 c.
  • the folded sheet 20 is heat-welded on three sides of its periphery using a lower longitudinal weld 4 (opposite the upper weld 20 a ) with length L 2 , smaller than length L 1 of the sheet 20 , and two side welds 5 that extend said longitudinal weld 4 at both of its two, and that extend to the upper longitudinal bend line 20 a of the sheet 20 .
  • the two surfaces 20 d , 20 e of the sheet 20 ( FIGS. 1 and 4 ) that are folded one on top of the other form the two main side surfaces of the inflatable housing 2 .
  • the lower longitudinal weld 4 has a particular curved bowed profile whereof the apex 4 a is oriented towards the upper bend line 20 a .
  • the distance H 2 between this apex 4 a of the weld 4 and the upper bend line 20 a that corresponds to the upper longitudinal edge of the deflated housing 2 is smaller than the height H 1 of the side welds 5 .
  • Dimension H 2 corresponds to the height at the center of the deflated housing 2
  • dimension H 1 corresponds to the height at the ends of the deflated housing 2 .
  • the housing 2 also contains an inner sheet 6 made from a heat-weldable material, and for example polyurethane, that has been positioned between the two surfaces 20 d , 20 e of the sheet 20 folded one on top of the other, before heat-welding of the two surfaces 20 d , 20 e.
  • a heat-weldable material and for example polyurethane
  • Each main surface 20 d , 20 e of the housing 2 is fastened to the inner sheet 6 , using vertical oblong heat welds 7 A and 7 B, with main longitudinal axis 7 a , length L 3 and width l 3 (L 3 >l 3 ).
  • the main longitudinal axis 7 a of the welds 7 A, 7 B is substantially perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis 2 a of the housing 2 , and the welds 7 A, 7 B are spaced apart along the length of the housing 2 .
  • Each weld 7 A, 7 B includes a peripheral edge 7 b forming a closed oblong contour.
  • the surface 20 d or 20 e of the sheet 20 is welded on the entire surface situated inside the peripheral edge 7 b .
  • the surface 20 d or 20 e of the sheet 20 can be welded only along a thin weld corresponding to said oblong peripheral contour 7 b.
  • the oblong heat welds 7 A correspond to the welds of the surface 20 d of the housing 2 with the inner sheet 6
  • the oblong heat welds 7 B (in broken lines in FIGS. 1 and 4 ) correspond to the welds of the other surface 20 e of the housing 2 with the inner sheet 6 .
  • These welds 7 A and 7 B alternate along the length (direction Y) of the housing 2 .
  • the welds 4 and 5 and the oblong welds 7 A, 7 B are for example made by high frequency welding.
  • welds 7 A and 7 B are all identical. This feature is not, however, essential.
  • the welds 7 A ( 7 B, respectively) of a surface 20 d ( 20 e , respectively) are substantially equidistant along the longitudinal axis 2 a of the cell. This feature is not, however, essential.
  • the invention is not limited to the particular number of welds 7 A, 7 B of FIG. 4 , the cell according to the invention being able to include more welds 7 A, 7 B or fewer welds 7 A, 7 B than the alternative of FIG. 4 .
  • the number of welds 7 A, 7 B and their spacing depends in particular on the length of the inflatable housing.
  • an opening 3 is formed to allow air to pass.
  • the cell 1 includes an inflation stem 8 , for example made from plastic, that can integrate a valve, and that allows fast inflation and deflation of the housing 2 .
  • This stem 8 is fastened, for example by gluing, on the housing 2 at the opening 3 .
  • This stem 8 is intended to be connected to a compressor (not shown), for example using a flexible tubing to allow the inflation and deflation of the housing 2 of the cell 1 .
  • the upper surface of the inflated cell that extends on either side of the bend line 20 a forms an upper support surface SP ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) with which the body of the bedridden person comes into contact.
  • this support surface SP is for example free from welds, and is advantageously smooth.
  • a plurality of cells 1 are juxtaposed against each other along longitudinal axis X, each cell 1 being positioned perpendicular (axis Y) to this longitudinal axis X, and the main surface 20 d of a cell being in contact with the main surface 20 e of an adjacent cell.
  • a means 9 for example snap fasteners, making it possible, if necessary, to quickly assemble two adjacent cells 1 together, when the mattress is formed.
  • the cells 1 are placed on a support plane such as a box spring, without being fastened to said planar support.
  • each portion 20 f of the main surface 20 d ( 20 e , respectively) of the housing 2 situated between two adjacent welds 7 A ( 7 B, respectively) advantageously forms, owing to the implementation of vertical oblong welds 7 A ( 7 B, respectively), a mat whereof the outer surface is only convex over the entire height of the housing 2 , and does not include a concave portion, unlike what can be obtained with a cell according to FIG. 1 of application FR 2 883 728, for example, or from the cells according to FIGS. 2 and 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,560.
  • the risks of vertical sliding and poor height positioning of a cell 1 relative to an adjacent cell are thus avoided during repeated inflation/deflation cycles of the cells of the mattress.
  • the oblong welds 7 A, 7 B are substantially centered between the lower longitudinal weld 4 and the upper longitudinal edge of the deflated housing 2 , i.e. in the alternative of FIG. 4 , the upper weld 20 a.
  • each weld 7 A, 7 B is chosen so as in particular to obtain the formation of the aforementioned mats 20 f with the solely convex surface.
  • the length L 3 of each weld 7 A, 7 B is at least equal to 30% of the maximum height H 1 of the deflated housing 2 ( FIG. 4 ) and/or preferably at least equal to 50% of the height H 4 of the inner sheet 6 serving to limit displacement.
  • the inner sheet 6 serves to limit the expansion of the housing 2 in direction X, which is perpendicular to the two main surfaces 20 d , 20 e of the housing 2 , and thereby makes it possible to limit the width of the inflated housing 2 . It also makes it possible, combined with the oblong welds 7 A, 7 B, to obtain a cell 1 that is mechanically robust, and whereof the welds 7 A, 7 B are not altered after intensive use.
  • the cell could be provided without an inner sheet 6 and the main surfaces 20 d , 20 e could be welded to each other directly using vertical oblong welds 7 A, 7 B in a manner comparable to the cell of FIG. 7 described below whereof the two main surfaces 20 d , 20 e are welded together using horizontal oblong welds 7 .
  • the upper support surface SP is advantageously automatically deformed so as to have a curved fall prevention profile forming a basin oriented along the longitudinal axis 2 a of the cell with raised ends 20 g ( FIG. 1 ).
  • This basin-shaped profile with raised ends 20 g advantageously makes it possible to hinder the sliding in direction Y of a person lying on a mattress M including cells juxtaposed in direction X, and thus to laterally stabilize said person in a central position on the mattress M. The risk of accidental fall is thereby greatly reduced.
  • the height difference ⁇ H between the heights H 1 and H 2 is preferably, but not necessarily at least equal to 3 cm, and still more preferably at least equal to 5 cm.
  • the longitudinal weld 4 may have another curve profile making it possible to obtain the basin-shaped fall prevention profile for the support surface SP, when the housing 2 is inflated.
  • the longitudinal weld 4 could have another curve profile making it possible to obtain a height H 2 at the center of the housing smaller than the height H 1 at the ends of the housing 2 .
  • the apex 4 a of the lower longitudinal weld 4 is substantially centered relative to the housing 2 along the longitudinal axis 2 a of the housing. This feature, although preferable, is not, however, essential.
  • the smallest distance e 1 between each end weld 7 A and the adjacent side weld 5 of the housing, measured along the longitudinal axis 2 a of the housing, is greater than or equal to, and preferably greater than, the smallest distance e 2 between said weld 7 A and the upper bend line 20 a of the housing 2 .
  • the distance e 1 is substantially equal to the distance e 2 . If one wishes to more substantially increase the raising of the ends 20 g of the support surface SP, one will preferably use a distance e 1 greater than the distance e 2 , as is done for example for the alternative of FIG. 16 described below.
  • FIG. 5 shows another alternative embodiment in which the distance e 1 is smaller than the distance e 2 , and which nevertheless makes it possible to obtain a basin-shaped fall prevention profile for the support surface SP of the cell, owing to the use of the curved longitudinal lower weld 4 .
  • the table below provides, as an example of an embodiment, specific values (in mm) for the main dimensions of the cells shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 . These specific values are not limiting for the invention.
  • the inner sheet 6 used is for example a rectangular sheet with a length L 4 of 950 mm, a width H 4 of 180 mm, and a thickness of 0.2 mm.
  • FIG. 6 shows another alternative embodiment, which makes it possible to obtain a support surface having a basin-shaped fall prevention profile.
  • this alternative of FIG. 6 uses a lower longitudinal weld 4 having a curve profile that makes it possible to obtain a support surface SP with a basin-shaped fall prevention profile, when the housing 2 is inflated.
  • the alternative of FIG. 6 differs from the alternative of FIG. 4 mainly by the use of pairs of circular welds 7 ′A ( 7 ′B, respectively) replacing the oblong welds 7 A ( 7 B, respectively). Unlike the alternative of FIG. 4 , this alternative does not, however, make it possible to obtain the aforementioned mats 20 f with a solely convex surface.
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 show an individual inflatable cell 1 ′ for an anti-eschar mattress, according to another alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • the cell 1 is inflated.
  • the cell 1 ′ is shown flat and deflated.
  • this cell 1 ′ includes an inflatable housing 2 having an elongate shape and a longitudinal main axis 2 a .
  • This housing 2 is made up of a substantially rectangular sheet 20 made from a heat-weldable material, and for example polyurethane. This sheet 20 is folded over in two lengthwise following a longitudinal upper bend line 20 a .
  • the shared elements between this cell 1 ′ of FIG. 6 and the cell 1 of FIG. 1 use the same references.
  • the folded sheet 20 is heat-weldable on three sides of the periphery thereof using a lower longitudinal weld 4 ′ with length L 2 , smaller than length L 1 of the sheet 20 , and two side welds 5 that extend said longitudinal weld 4 ′ at both ends thereof, and which extend to the upper longitudinal bend line 20 a of the sheet 20 .
  • the lower weld 4 ′ is not curved, but rather is substantially rectilinear.
  • the cell 1 ′ does not have an inner sheet 6 serving to limit displacement, and the two main side surfaces 20 d , 20 e of the inflatable housing 2 are heat-welded directly to each other using an oblong weld 7 , with longitudinal axis 7 a , length L 3 and width l 3 (L 3 >l 3 ).
  • Each weld 7 includes a peripheral edge 7 b forming a closed oblong contour.
  • the two surfaces 20 d , 20 e of the sheet 20 are welded over the entire surface situated inside the peripheral edge 7 b .
  • the two surfaces 20 d , 20 e of the sheet 20 can be welded only along a thin weld corresponding to said oblong peripheral contour 7 b.
  • the welds 7 are oriented so that the main longitudinal axis 7 a thereof is substantially parallel to the main longitudinal axis 2 a of the housing 2 .
  • the welds 7 are also positioned relative to each other spaced apart and aligned along the main longitudinal axis 2 a of the housing 2 .
  • the welds 7 make it possible to define, in the housing 2 , two superimposed chambers, i.e. a lower chamber 2 b and an upper chamber 2 c ( FIG. 10 ), which extend over the entire length L 2 of the housing 2 , and which communicate with each other owing to spaces E ( FIG. 7 and FIG. 11 ) between the welds 7 .
  • said housing 2 forms two superimposed air cushions C 1 , C 2 ( FIG. 11 ) corresponding respectively to the two chambers 2 b and 2 c defined by the weld 7 .
  • the air contained in the upper chamber 2 c can be evacuated quickly through the stem 8 by passing through the lower chamber 2 b , which allows fast deflation of the two cushions C 1 and C 2 .
  • the welds 7 are identical and the distances d between two adjacent welds 7 , measured along the longitudinal axis 2 a of the housing, are identical.
  • the welds 7 can have a different oblong shape, and can also not be identical; the spacing d between welds 7 is not necessarily constant.
  • four aligned and spaced welds 7 are used. This particular number of welds 7 is not limiting.
  • the weld 7 is made substantially at mid-height H of the housing 2 , such that the cushions C 1 , C 2 advantageously have substantially the same volume.
  • the height position of the weld 7 may nevertheless be different, and the volumes of the two cushions C 1 and C 2 may thus be different.
  • the distance d between two adjacent welds 7 influences the ability of the air to pass more or less easily from one chamber 2 b to the other 2 c , and thereby influences the ease and speed of inflation of the cushions C 1 and C 2 .
  • the larger this distance d between two welds 7 the easier the inflation and deflation of the two cushions C 1 , C 2 .
  • the length of the welds 7 must be long enough to obtain a mechanical strength of the welds 7 that is both sufficient and reliable over time. It is therefore appropriate to select the length L 3 of the welds 7 and the distance d between welds 7 taking these two contradictory constraints into account.
  • this distance d between two adjacent welds 7 is slightly larger than the length L 3 of a weld 7 .
  • this distance d between two adjacent welds 7 could be equal to or smaller than the length L 3 of a weld 7 .
  • the total length of the welds 7 (sum of the lengths L 3 ) is at least equal to 40% of the total length L 2 of the inflation chambers 2 b , 2 c.
  • the housing 2 of the cell 1 it is preferable for the housing 2 of the cell 1 to include only two superimposed chambers 2 b , 2 c corresponding to the superimposed cushions C 1 and C 2 .
  • the housing 2 of the cell 1 it is also possible to consider making a cell including at least two oblong welds 7 , which are spaced apart along the height H of the cell, so as to define at least three superimposed inflation chambers (or three superimposed air cushions), each chamber communicating with the adjacent chamber via spaces between welds.
  • FIG. 13 diagrammatically shows an anti-eschar mattress M according to the invention made using a plurality of cells 1 ′ that are juxtaposed against each other along the longitudinal axis X of the mattress, each cell 1 ′ being positioned perpendicular to said longitudinal axis X (longitudinal axis 2 a of each cell 1 perpendicular to axis X).
  • n cells n ⁇ 3
  • deflate in each group of cells successively, one cell out of the n cells, the other cells in the group being inflated.
  • This dynamic mode corresponds to a use of the mattress for curative care.
  • the use of cells according to the invention allows better vascularization of the cutaneous tissue of the bedridden person.
  • each cell 1 ′ advantageously makes it possible to limit the lateral expansion of the cell 1 , i.e. in the longitudinal direction X of the mattress, and advantageously to obtain a cell 1 that, once inflated, has an upper support surface SP with a small maximum width L max ( FIGS. 10 , 11 ) and a height H′ when inflated that is larger than said maximum width L max .
  • the upper support surface SP is free from welds.
  • the risks of “tourniquet effect” are advantageously eliminated at the bearing zones of the body on the cells 1 .
  • the height H′ of the inflated cell 1 is increased, and one significantly improves the comfort of the bedridden person and the eschar treatment.
  • the maximum width L max of an inflated cell 1 ′ must preferably also not be too small. Indeed, if this width L max is too small, the total contact surface in each cycle between the bedridden person and the support surfaces SP of the inflated cells can become too large, and eliminate the dynamic relief effect for the bedridden person. In practice, it is preferable for this total contact surface to be between 50% and 75%.
  • the cell 1 ′ according to the invention is preferably designed to have a maximum width L max when inflated between 6 cm and 9 cm. More particularly, in one preferred embodiment, the cell 1 ′ has been designed to have an optimized maximum width L max in the vicinity of 7 cm to 8 cm.
  • the two main side surfaces 20 d , 20 e of the housing 2 are welded to each other so that once inflated, the housing 2 includes an upper support surface SP having a basin-shaped fall prevention profile with raised ends 20 g .
  • These raised ends 20 g advantageously make it possible to hinder lateral sliding (FIG. 7 /axis Y) by a person lying on the mattress M, and to laterally stabilize the person in a central position on the mattress M. Accidental fall risks are thereby very significantly reduced.
  • the upper support surface SP of the housing 2 when deflated, is substantially rectilinear ( FIG. 7 ).
  • the two main side surfaces 20 d , 20 e of the housing 2 are welded together so that the inflation of the housing 2 causes a deformation of the support surface SP of the housing 2 in the form of a basin with raised ends 20 g ( FIG. 7 ).
  • the two end welds 7 should be carefully positioned as close as possible to the side welds 5 , so that when the housing 2 is inflated, these end welds 7 exert, relative to the side welds 5 , a traction making it possible to raise the upper ends 20 g , as illustrated in FIG. 7 .
  • this is obtained in particular by providing, between each end weld 7 and adjacent side weld 5 , a distance e 1 measured along the longitudinal axis 2 a of the housing that is equal to or slightly larger than the distance e 2 (measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2 a ) between said weld 7 and the upper bend line 20 a of the sheet 20 forming the housing 2 .
  • the cell 1 ′ had the following main dimensions:
  • FIG. 15 shows another alternative embodiment of a cell 1 ′ according to the invention including a single oblong weld 7 .
  • FIG. 16 shows another alternative embodiment of a cell 1 ′′ according to the invention, which, comparably to the alternative of FIG. 7 , includes an oval oblong weld 7 whereof the longitudinal axis 7 a is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 2 a of the cell, and which differs from the alternative of FIGS. 7 and 8 mainly by the use of a lower longitudinal weld line 4 that has a curve profile similar to that of the alternative of FIG. 1 , so as to obtain the basin-shaped fall prevention profile for the support surface SP.
  • the distance e 1 is also much larger than the distance e 2 so as to increase the raising effect of the ends 20 g of the housing 2 during inflation thereof, and to improve the fall prevention effect.
  • FIG. 17 shows another alternative embodiment of a cell 1 ′′′ according to the invention, which differs from the cell of FIG. 16 only by the use of two separate sheets 20 d , 20 e , instead of a single sheet 20 folded in two.
  • These two separate sheets 20 d , 20 e are welded together over the entire periphery thereof using four welds: the three welds 4 , 5 previously described, and an additional upper longitudinal weld 11 , which replaces the bend line 20 a .
  • the support surface SP extends on either side of this upper weld 11 .
  • the cells of FIGS. 1 , 5 , 6 , 7 and 15 previously described may also be modified so as to replace the sheet 20 folded in two (with upper bend line 20 a ) with two separate sheets 20 d , 20 e welded along a closed contour by a lower longitudinal weld 4 (or 4 ′) extended at both ends thereof by two side welds 5 , which themselves are connected to each other by an upper longitudinal weld 11 .
  • FIG. 18 shows another alternative embodiment of a cell according to the invention including an inflatable housing 2 having, when inflated, two main side surfaces 20 d , 20 e , an upper support surface SP, a lower bottom surface F, and two end surfaces F′.
  • This cell also has a substantially rectangular inner sheet 6 ′, which makes it possible to limit the expansion of the thickness of the cell (direction X).
  • the main surface 20 d of the cell is welded to one of the longitudinal edges of the inner sheet 6 ′ using an oblong longitudinal weld 7 .
  • the other main surface 20 e of the cell is welded to the other longitudinal edge of the inner sheet 6 ′ using an oblong longitudinal weld 7 .
  • the housing of the cell also includes outer reinforcing welds S (shown in thicker lines) that, at the two end surfaces F′ of the cell, have a -shaped profile and allow the cell to be shaped.
  • the inner sheet 6 ′ is substantially horizontal, i.e. substantially perpendicular to the two main side surfaces 20 d , 20 e , and the housing forms two superimposed cushions C 1 , C 2 .
  • the oblong side welds 7 do not extend to the two end surfaces F′ and each have a length L 3 small enough that when the housing is inflated, the upper support surface SP is deformed so as to have a basin-shaped fall prevention profile with raised ends 20 g (smaller volume at the center of the housing than the volume of the housing at its ends). More particularly, to obtain this fall prevention profile, the distance e 1 separating each end of a longitudinal weld 7 from the adjacent end surface F′ and that is measured along the longitudinal axis 2 a of the housing, is greater than or equal to the distance e 2 separating said end of the weld 7 and the support surface SP, and which is measured along direction (Z) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2 a.
  • the cell of FIGS. 18 and 19 can also be modified by replacing a longitudinal weld 7 with several shorter longitudinal welds 7 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction 2 a of the cell, in a manner comparable to the alternative previously described in FIG. 7 .

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Nursing (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Invalid Beds And Related Equipment (AREA)
  • Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
US13/126,295 2008-11-06 2009-11-04 Inflatable cell for anti-eschar mattresses Abandoned US20110203053A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0806193 2008-11-06
FR0806193A FR2937861B1 (fr) 2008-11-06 2008-11-06 Cellule gonflable de matelas anti-escarres avec soudure(s) oblongue(s)
FR0957775 2009-11-03
FR0957775A FR2951933B1 (fr) 2009-11-03 2009-11-03 Cellule gonflable de matelas anti-escarres
PCT/FR2009/001275 WO2010052389A1 (fr) 2008-11-06 2009-11-04 Cellule gonflable de matelas anti-escarres

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20110203053A1 true US20110203053A1 (en) 2011-08-25

Family

ID=41450011

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/126,295 Abandoned US20110203053A1 (en) 2008-11-06 2009-11-04 Inflatable cell for anti-eschar mattresses

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20110203053A1 (fr)
EP (3) EP2341883B9 (fr)
WO (1) WO2010052389A1 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9021638B2 (en) * 2011-07-28 2015-05-05 Sumitomo Riko Company Limited Mattress
US10413464B2 (en) 2015-05-05 2019-09-17 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Multi-mode sacral unloading pressure relief in a patient support surface
WO2019187164A1 (fr) * 2018-03-30 2019-10-03 レインボー＆アイ株式会社 Cellules pneumatiques et matelas pneumatique
WO2019187165A1 (fr) * 2018-03-30 2019-10-03 レインボー＆アイ株式会社 Chambres pneumatiques et matelas pneumatique
CN114948499A (zh) * 2021-02-25 2022-08-30 雃博股份有限公司 气囊装置及其气垫床系统
EP4049641A1 (fr) * 2021-02-25 2022-08-31 Apex Medical Corp. Matelas pneumatique et procédé de commande correspondant

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB201114081D0 (en) * 2011-08-16 2011-09-28 Invacare Uk Operations Ltd Pressure relieving mattress

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1830570A (en) * 1929-09-09 1931-11-03 Smith William Henry Pneumatic upholstery
US3253861A (en) * 1965-10-20 1966-05-31 Howe Plastics And Chemical Co Inflatable cushion
US3503084A (en) * 1968-10-18 1970-03-31 Better Sleep Inc Inflatable cushion
US3653083A (en) * 1970-05-11 1972-04-04 Roy Lapidus Bed pad
US3678520A (en) * 1970-03-13 1972-07-25 Talley Surgical Instr Ltd Alternating pressure pads for bed patients
US4405129A (en) * 1980-04-17 1983-09-20 Stuckey John Therapeutic exercise device
US5109560A (en) * 1991-09-18 1992-05-05 Keisei Medical Industrial Co., Ltd. Ventilated air mattress with alternately inflatable air cells having communicating upper and lower air chambers
US5369829A (en) * 1988-05-16 1994-12-06 Jay Medical, Ltd. Seat cushion for reclining wheelchairs
US6073290A (en) * 1997-11-12 2000-06-13 Foamex L.P. Air mattress and method of making same
US6328385B1 (en) * 2000-02-22 2001-12-11 Pleasure Time Products (Hk) Limited Inflatable chair
US7007330B2 (en) * 2000-12-08 2006-03-07 Autonurse, Inc. Portable patient turning and lifting device
US7565709B2 (en) * 2004-07-28 2009-07-28 Woodlark Circle, Inc. Double chambered air mattress

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA1328314C (fr) * 1988-06-10 1994-04-05 Paul Chamberland Matelas pneumatique
US4914771A (en) * 1989-01-23 1990-04-10 Afeyan Industries Inc. Air mattress
WO1995015706A1 (fr) 1993-12-06 1995-06-15 Talley Group Limited Matelas gonflables
FR2883728B1 (fr) 2005-04-01 2008-01-25 Sante Service Sarl Cellule gonflable pour matelas anti-escarres
FR2917278A1 (fr) * 2007-06-18 2008-12-19 Hill Rom Ind S A Sa Dispositif de support de type matelas comportant une structure gonflable heterogene

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1830570A (en) * 1929-09-09 1931-11-03 Smith William Henry Pneumatic upholstery
US3253861A (en) * 1965-10-20 1966-05-31 Howe Plastics And Chemical Co Inflatable cushion
US3503084A (en) * 1968-10-18 1970-03-31 Better Sleep Inc Inflatable cushion
US3678520A (en) * 1970-03-13 1972-07-25 Talley Surgical Instr Ltd Alternating pressure pads for bed patients
US3653083A (en) * 1970-05-11 1972-04-04 Roy Lapidus Bed pad
US4405129A (en) * 1980-04-17 1983-09-20 Stuckey John Therapeutic exercise device
US5369829A (en) * 1988-05-16 1994-12-06 Jay Medical, Ltd. Seat cushion for reclining wheelchairs
US5109560A (en) * 1991-09-18 1992-05-05 Keisei Medical Industrial Co., Ltd. Ventilated air mattress with alternately inflatable air cells having communicating upper and lower air chambers
US6073290A (en) * 1997-11-12 2000-06-13 Foamex L.P. Air mattress and method of making same
US6328385B1 (en) * 2000-02-22 2001-12-11 Pleasure Time Products (Hk) Limited Inflatable chair
US7007330B2 (en) * 2000-12-08 2006-03-07 Autonurse, Inc. Portable patient turning and lifting device
US7565709B2 (en) * 2004-07-28 2009-07-28 Woodlark Circle, Inc. Double chambered air mattress

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9021638B2 (en) * 2011-07-28 2015-05-05 Sumitomo Riko Company Limited Mattress
US10413464B2 (en) 2015-05-05 2019-09-17 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Multi-mode sacral unloading pressure relief in a patient support surface
WO2019187164A1 (fr) * 2018-03-30 2019-10-03 レインボー＆アイ株式会社 Cellules pneumatiques et matelas pneumatique
WO2019187165A1 (fr) * 2018-03-30 2019-10-03 レインボー＆アイ株式会社 Chambres pneumatiques et matelas pneumatique
JP2019177102A (ja) * 2018-03-30 2019-10-17 レインボー＆アイ株式会社 エアセル及びエアマットレス
JP2019177101A (ja) * 2018-03-30 2019-10-17 レインボー＆アイ株式会社 エアセル及びエアマットレス
CN114948499A (zh) * 2021-02-25 2022-08-30 雃博股份有限公司 气囊装置及其气垫床系统
EP4049641A1 (fr) * 2021-02-25 2022-08-31 Apex Medical Corp. Matelas pneumatique et procédé de commande correspondant
CN115068233A (zh) * 2021-02-25 2022-09-20 雃博股份有限公司 气垫床及其控制方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2500004A1 (fr) 2012-09-19
EP2341883B1 (fr) 2012-08-29
EP2500005A1 (fr) 2012-09-19
EP2500004B1 (fr) 2013-07-10
EP2341883B9 (fr) 2013-10-30
WO2010052389A8 (fr) 2010-07-08
WO2010052389A1 (fr) 2010-05-14
EP2500005B1 (fr) 2013-04-10
EP2341883A1 (fr) 2011-07-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20110203053A1 (en) Inflatable cell for anti-eschar mattresses
US8615831B2 (en) Self inflating air mattress
US20050028289A1 (en) Mattress
US4662012A (en) Bed utilizing an air mattress
US6604252B1 (en) Air mattress with alternate lifting function and sideguards
US5901393A (en) Alternating pressure support pad
US5809597A (en) Inflatable body support
US5129115A (en) Method of prefilling and supporting person on fluid filled body support system
US20080155755A1 (en) Mattress for bed with step deck and bed therewith
US5070559A (en) Adjustable spinal support
WO1995007679A2 (fr) Matelas de mousse exerçant une pression reduite sur le corps
TW544305B (en) Inflatable support
US6151740A (en) Air mat
WO1998023189A1 (fr) Coussinet a pression alternative
AU2006215401B2 (en) An inflatable component for an alternating pressure mattress
US20040074004A1 (en) Inflatable support system
US20190290013A1 (en) Mattress topper
US20180256383A1 (en) Pressure relieving support
JP4393269B2 (ja) 積層マットレス
US10463554B2 (en) Adjustable width user support
EP0757899B1 (fr) Matela avec du réglage de la fermeté
CA1282876C (fr) Matelas de couchage reglable au gre de l'utilisateur
US11540959B1 (en) Therapy seat cushion with interspersed selectively inflatable load bearing cells and off loading cushioning cells
CN219022017U (zh) 一种充气垫
JP2004222986A (ja) 膝挙上エアマット

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION