US3678520A - Alternating pressure pads for bed patients - Google Patents

Alternating pressure pads for bed patients Download PDF

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Publication number
US3678520A
US3678520A US97868A US3678520DA US3678520A US 3678520 A US3678520 A US 3678520A US 97868 A US97868 A US 97868A US 3678520D A US3678520D A US 3678520DA US 3678520 A US3678520 A US 3678520A
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United States
Prior art keywords
tube
air
series
cells
alternating pressure
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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.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US97868A
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English (en)
Inventor
Ronald James Peter Evans
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.)
TALLEY SURGICAL INSTR Ltd
TALLEY SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS Ltd
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TALLEY SURGICAL INSTR Ltd
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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
    • A61G7/05776—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor with inflatable chambers with at least two groups of alternately inflated chambers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S297/00—Chairs and seats
    • Y10S297/03—Pneumatic
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S5/00—Beds
    • Y10S5/932—Seals and sealing methods, for plastics

Definitions

  • An air cell for use in an alternating pressure pad has a tube with its wall of flexible sheet material and at least the outermost half of the length of that tube, considered in the direction outwardly longitudinally from the longitudinal center of the tube, having its width increasing towards the remote end of the tube, a preferred form having the tube composed of two similar frustoconical portions joined at their smaller ends.
  • This invention relates to alternating pressure pads for bed patients, as used for example for the prevention of bed sores and other conditions arising from restricted circulation of the blood.
  • Such pads comprise essentially a number of sets of collapsible air cells which together provide a surface for supporting the patient, the arrangement being that from time to time some of the cells are inflated and others are deflated, with the result that the patient is supported by pressure exerted at different areas of the body at different times, and no one area of the body remains permanently under pressure.
  • a convenient construction already commercially available in the United Kingdom has the cells in the form of substantially cylindrical tubes made of flexible plastics material and each fed with air, and exhausted, through header pipes connected at one end, the tubes being each positioned loosely within an open-ended cylindrical pocket of flexible plastics material serving to retain the assembly of tubes in position.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide an improvement in the nature of the air tubes which results in the pad automatically assuming, under loading, a shape tending to prevent the patient rolling to either side of the pad, and which permits a single type of pad to be equally suitable for both small and light patients, and large and heavy patients.
  • an air cell for use in an alternating pressure pad comprises a tube having its wall of flexible sheet material, at least the outermost half of the length of said tube, considered in the direction outwardly longitudinally from the longitudinal center of the tube, having its width increasing towards the remote end of the tube.
  • the portion of increasing width may most conveniently be frusto-conical, and in a preferred construction of the tube it is composed of two similar frusto-conical portions joined at their smaller ends.
  • the tube in other form, is composed of an inter mediate portion, which may conveniently be cylindrical, and two similar frusto-conical portions each joined at its smaller end to a respective end of the intermediate portion.
  • each tube is wider, i.e. higher, at its ends as compared with centrally, there is provided a natural rim or barrier tending to keep the patient on the central area and preventing rolling off the pad laterally.
  • the tubes bend under the load until their lower longitudinal face is presented flat against the underlying support, whereby the upper longitudinal edge is presented at a doubly-steep angle and the rim or barrier effect becomes more pronounced.
  • the assemblyof tubes forming the pad are all of the narrow center and wide ends shape, so that when viewed in plan, the central area of the pad has relatively narrow tubes widely spaced, whereas the lateral areas of the pad have relatively wider tubes more narrowly spaced. Accordingly, when a small (narrow bodied) patient is placed on the pad, the body is supported by smaller tube portions at wider spacing, which is the desirable arrangement for a light body. When a heavier (wide bodied) patient is placed on the pad, the body is then supported largely at the sides by the wider tube portions of smaller spacing, which is the desirable arrangement for a heavy body.
  • the width and spacing of the end portions of the tubes varies progressively towards the lateral edges, so that there is obtained automatically a selfproportionating supporting effect, according to the width and weight of the patient, without requiring any change in the shaping or degree of inflation of the tubes.
  • a single production model of pad can be used for patients of all sizes and weights.
  • a further advantage is gained that, as the central portion of the pad consists of portions of tube which are of smaller diameter and which are relatively widely spaced, there is considerably less pressure exerted at the central area, and the spinal cord area of the patient is accordingly subjected to less upward pressure than the more lateral portions of the body.
  • each tube being at some point along each end portion of a greater diameter than the pocket in which it is positioned, automatically settles itself symmetrically into the pocket and remains tightly gripped to prevent any rolling or longitudinal movement with respect to the pocket.
  • the tubes are substantially cylindrical at their center at the narrowest point, they become gradually more oval in the direction towards their two ends.
  • the center portion is approximately three inches in circumference
  • the ends are approximately four inches high but about seven and one-half inches wide, i.e. somewhat'pillow shaped.
  • This shape is a distinct advantage in the use of the pad, because it is found that, with patients who are nursed in a sitting position on such pads, i.e. having separate air tubes contained in retainer pockets, the tubes may tend to roll under the patient's body,
  • Each cell may be fed with air by connecting it at one end to a header tube, and in a convenient arrangement a series of the cells are disposed in spaced parallel position and each connected at one end to a common header tube.
  • two such series of air cells may be disposed with the cells of the two series interdigitated, and means may be provided for supplying air to and exhausting air from the series of cells, such that the two series of cells are inflated and deflected alternately.
  • Apparatus for use in making the air cell may comprise two mould electrodes defining between them a cavity having the shape of the tube to be formed, means for introducing air between two sheets of heat-scalable plastics material disposed between said mould electrodes so as to cause the sheets each to conform to the shape of a respective mould electrode, means for moving the electrodes together so as to clamp the two sheets peripherally, and means for applying R.F. energy to the two mould electrodes so as to seal the sheets together where they are clamped peripherally.
  • a symmetrical half portion of the cavity may be included in each of the mould electrodes, or the entire mould cavity may be included in one mould electrode whereas the other mould electrode is plane.
  • a method of making the air cell comprises the steps of disposing two sheets of heat-scalable plastics material between two mould electrodes defining between them a cavity having the shape of the tube to be formed, introducing air between the two sheets so as to cause them each to conform to the shape of a respective mould electrode, moving the mould electrodes together so as to clamp the two sheets peripherally, and applying R.F. energy to the two mould electrodes so as to seal the sheets together where they are clamped peripherally.
  • FIG. I is a plan view of an embodiment of alternating pressure pad
  • FIGS. 2a and 2b show a first form of tube respectively in unloaded and loaded condition
  • FIG. 3 shows a second form of tube
  • FIG. 4 shows in central vertical longitudinal section a fonn of mould for making the tube of FIGS. 2a and 2b, the mould being shown at a first stage of the production;
  • FIG. 4a is a central vertical transverse section of the mould of FIG. 4, in a second stage of the production;
  • FIG. 5 shows, in central vertical longitudinal section, a modification of the mould of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 is a plan view of another embodiment of alternating pressure pad
  • FIG. 7 is a partial section taken on the line VII-VII of FIG. 6.
  • the alternating pressure pad shown in FIG. I has two interdigitated series of tubes la, la, la and lb, lb, lb arranged in parallel position transversely of the pad, the tubes of each series being connected together and the two series being alternately inflated and deflated.
  • the tubes of each series are connected together, all at the same end, by respective flexible header pipes 2 coupled to a rotary valve 3 having a connection to a pump 4, and an exhaust 5.
  • the tubes are arranged each in an individual cylindrical tubular pocket 6 formed by securing a sheet 7 at intervals to a base sheet 8 of the pad, whereby each tube is held in proper position in relation to the others. Individual tubes can be disconnected and changed on site.
  • the entire assembly of tubes, in their pockets, is covered by a loose top cover 9 which is held in place, at the head and foot of the pad, by conventional fasteners 10 such as press studs.
  • each air tube Ia and Ibis composed of two similar symmetrical frusto-conical portions 11 connected at their smaller ends at the longitudinal center point of the tube.
  • the smallest diameter would be about three inches at the center point and about five inches at the extreme ends.
  • the tube portions are frusto-conicaL' the longitudinal seams on them are linear and accordingly there is no wrinkling of the material when inflated, and fatiguing of the material is avoided.
  • FIG. 2b shows how, when the weight of a patient is applied in the direction of the arrows, the tube adopts a linear base line and the upper surface becomes more steeply inclined so as to tend to keep the patient in a central position.
  • FIG. 3 shows a tube having two frusto-conical portions 12, and an intermediate cylindrical portion 13.
  • the tubes may be made of any convenient flexible sheet material but preferred materials for the purpose are rubbercoated canvas, seamed by hand or machine, or plastics material such as polyvinylchloride, which may be high-frequency welded.
  • the entire tube may be formed in a single welding operation to form a tear-weld about the necessary double-conical contour, whereafter the finished tube is stripped from the surrounding waste.
  • a preferred method of forming the tube from plastics material
  • FIGS. 4 and 40 there is used a welding machine which has a pair of mould-like electrodes 14, 15 which between them define a cavity 16 having the shape of the eventual tube.
  • Two flat sheets 17, I8 of material are placed between the mould electrodes 14, I5, and the electrodes are closed together into the position of FIG. 4, but not sufficiently to grip the sheets immovably. Air is then blown into the space between the sheets, in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4, to cause them to be inflated to the internal shape of the mould cavity 16.
  • the electrodes 14, 15 are then brought firmly together, as in FIG. 4a, to grip the two sheets tightly about the desired contour,
  • R.F. energ is a lied to the electrod heat-seal at 19 about the COBIEOUI.
  • the material is n ch bi hfgly sealed when in its inflated condition, and remains relatively stress-free.
  • the mould electrodes 20, 21 are shaped such that the bottom electrode 2] has a plane face, and the whole of the cavity 22 is contained within the electrode 20, the bottom sheet 23 of plastics material is retained flat, andthe upper sheet 24 is blown to the shape of the mould by air introduced in the direction of the arrow, a seal is formed along the base of the eventual tube as described in relation to FIG. 4a.
  • a multiple cavity mould-electrode may be used, e.g. having say four cavities each provided with means for injecting air between the upper and lower sheets placed between the upper and lower electrodes.
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 show another embodiment of alternating pressure pad, seen in deflated condition.
  • a base sheet 25 has on it two interdigitated series of tubes 26 each of which is formed by two similar frusto-conical portions joined at their smaller ends. Each tube is attached to the base sheet by a fastener 27, to permit easy replacement.
  • the two series of tubes 26 are connected by T-junctions 31 to respective header tubes 32 and 33 which are coupled to a rotary valve 34 having an inlet 35 from a pump 36, and an exhaust 37.
  • An air cell for use in plural assembly in an alternating pressure pad, comprising a discrete elongated tube of flexible sheet material, the wall of said tube being varied, in its peripheral dimension measured in a plane normal to the median longitudinal axis of the tube, at points along the length of the tube such that at least the outermost half of the length of the tube, considered in the direction outwardly longitudinally from the longitudinal center of the tube, increases in both width and height towards the remote end of the tube.
  • an air cell as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tube is composed of an intermediate cylindrical portion, and two similar frusto-conical portions each joined at its smaller end to a respective end of the cylindrical portion.
  • An air cell as claimed in claim 1, connected at one of its ends to a header tube.
  • a series of air cells as claimed in claim I disposed in spaced parallel position and each connected at one end to a common header tube.
  • An alternating pressure pad comprising two series of air cells as claimed in claim 6 disposed with the cells of the two series interdigitated.
  • an alternating pressure pad as claimed in claim 7, and means for supplying air to and exhausting air from the series of cells, such that the two series of cells are inflated and deflated alternately.

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  • 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)
US97868A 1970-03-13 1970-12-14 Alternating pressure pads for bed patients Expired - Lifetime US3678520A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1208270 1970-03-13

Publications (1)

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US3678520A true US3678520A (en) 1972-07-25

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US97868A Expired - Lifetime US3678520A (en) 1970-03-13 1970-12-14 Alternating pressure pads for bed patients

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US (1) US3678520A (de)
BE (1) BE761360A (de)
DE (1) DE2103499C3 (de)
DK (1) DK126560B (de)
FR (1) FR2083865A5 (de)
GB (1) GB1286197A (de)
NL (1) NL7103049A (de)
SE (1) SE362785B (de)
ZA (1) ZA708420B (de)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1286197A (en) 1972-08-23
DE2103499A1 (de) 1971-09-23
FR2083865A5 (de) 1971-12-17
DE2103499B2 (de) 1974-05-02
NL7103049A (de) 1971-09-15
SE362785B (de) 1973-12-27
BE761360A (fr) 1971-06-16
DE2103499C3 (de) 1975-01-02
ZA708420B (en) 1971-10-27
DK126560B (da) 1973-07-30

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