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
• • 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
  • A61G7/065—Rests specially adapted therefor
• • 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
  • A61G2203/00—General characteristics of devices

Definitions

• the current invention relates to an inflatable cushion with at least one volume indica tor, where the cushion comprises one exterior side and at least one chamber, where the at least chamber, is constructed from one or more foils, which are joined together, and thus create one or more airtight chambers, where the cushion additionally comprises a valve opening to connect an air supply conductor, where the valve opening is accessi ble from the cushion’s upper surface.
• the invention further relates to a method for in flation of such an inflatable cushion with volume indicator.
• the cushion contains the right amount of air, so that it provides an optimum searing while providing a cushion with a suitable soft and resilient surface. It is therefore im portant that the cushion is not pumped up so that it is too hard, as in such cases it will have a negative effect in relation to the seating of persons, with a high risk of pressure on the skin with subsequent pressure ulcers in the tissue. At the same time, it is also important that there is just so much air in the cushion that the skin on the body's hard projections (heels, elbows, bones, etc.) do not rest directly on the hard surface under the cushion.
• the correct amount of air in the cushion at optimum seating is equivalent to the cush ion containing air at a pressure corresponding to atmospheric pressure. This basically means that there may be more air in the cushion, but that under normal inflation there is no measurable pressure difference between the air inside the cushion and the ambi ent air outside the cushion. It also means that normally used indicators for indicating pressure in the inflated item - here a cushion, cannot be used for this purpose. Like wise, it will not be possible to use specific time intervals for inflating volume in the individual cushion, using different pumps with different output for inflating the same type of cushion.
• the current type of cushion is typically one- patient articles used for a relatively short period of time and primarily by the same us- er.
• the invention also relates to an inflatable cushion having at least one volume indicator, wherein the cushion comprises an outer surface and at least one chamber, wherein the at least one chamber is constructed of one or more foils joined together, thereby forming one or more airtight chambers, wherein the cushion further comprises a valve opening for connecting an air supply line, the valve opening being accessible from the upper surface of the cushion.
• the cushion volume indicator comprises at least one clamp with at least two fingers, the at least one first finger being arranged relative to the upper surface of the cushion, where the at least one second finger is arranged relative to the lower surface of the cushion, where the two fingers, the first and the second fingers, partially enclose the cushion and where the physical design and placement of the clamp restricts complete inflation of the cushion, thus constituting a volume indicator for the correct amount of air in the cushion.
• Inflatable cushions are often re-used items used by many different users and cleaned between uses by individual patients.
• a cushion according to the invention is typically a disposable article or one-patient article used for the same patient and can be used by the same patient several times before being discarded, which will be discussed in ex- amples below.
• a cushion is often formed of one or more pieces of plastic foil which are joined along the periphery to obtain a desired and appropriate shape.
• these may be two rectangular foils joined together along the four edges, but as suggested, there can be innumerable shapes and structures with many foil pieces and also with multiple layers of foil.
• the structure of the cushion itself, and the material of which it is made, are not so important with respect to the present invention as such.
• the cushion volume in- dicator may comprise at least one clamp with two equal long fingers.
• the at least one first finger is arranged relative to the top of the cushion and the at least second finger is arranged parallel and opposite to the first finger the back of the cushion, and where the at least the two fingers are arranged to physically hold the upper and lower cush ions of the inflatable chamber together during inflation, thus constituting a restriction of the full volume of the cushion when inflating.
• a cushion according to the invention will typically be folded into a suitable shape and when inflated prior to use, it will unfold during inflation.
• a volume indi cator - here in the form of a clamp - in relation to the top surface and the bottom sur- face of the cushion, the clamp will maintain a limited unfolding of the cushion during inflation and thus act as volume limiter and indicator.
• the clamp’s fingers may be a first and a second finger. One end of the first finger and one end of the second finger may be provided with a coupling mechanism for cou- pling between one end of the first finger to the one end of the second finger.
• the clamp’s first and second fingers may be arranged parallel to each other. They extend in a direction away from the coupling mechanism.
• the clamp’s first and second fin gers may be molded in one piece.
• Said clamp comprises a predefined spaced area be tween the first and the second fingers.
• the spaced area for example a ruptured area, is a recessed area between the clamp’s first and second fingers.
• the size of the prede fined rupture area is relative to the size of the clamp and/or the size of the cushion.
• volume indicator When a volume indicator is arranged relative to the upper and lower sides of the cush- ion, this means that the amount of air in the cushion after inflation with the clamp mounted is limited in relation to the total volume of the cushion's air chamber, so that when the clamp is removed, the cushion will be soft and compliant.
• the volume indi cator is mounted relative to a predefined inflated volume of the cushion in question and, when the right amount of air is supplied, will limit further inflation.
• a cushion according to the invention may comprise several volume indicators, each arranged to limit a given volume in cushion.
• a cushion may be arranged to be used for various purposes with different degrees of inflation.
• volume in dicators can be placed in different positions just as the cushion can be folded in vari- ous ways before inflating, thereby adjusting the volume to the specific configuration.
• said at least one finger on the clamp located on the upper side of the cushion, and where the at least another finger on the clamp, located on the underside of the cushion, opens or separates when the correct amount of air is pumped into cushion.
• the clamp can in principle be a continuous material or joined by two parts, the fingers mentioned above being joined at one end.
• the clamp may have at least two fingers, such that said ends of the fingers comprise joining means for joining said ends.
• Such jointing may be affected by various means including adhesive applied either directly or indirectly via a jointing sticker, or mechanical joining with heat, pop rivet, button function, magnet or the like.
• the fingers of the clamp for indication of properly inflated volume in the cushion, can have any length / size and can be fixed anywhere on the top and bottom of the cushion.
• An advantage of this is that the clamp does not have to enclose all or a large part of the cushion, but that it may be arranged in a local area which is easy to observe during inflation or where the cushion is folded together to obtain the correct volume after inflating.
• the pillow can also be a mattress or other rather large cushion placed in a bed or similar prior to a user going to bed.
• the distance, the predefined rupture area, between the at least two fingers of the clamp may typically vary from 0 to a few millimeters, so that the defined position of the clamp on the cushion is maintained in the un-inflated state as well as during infla tion.
• a volume indicator in the form of the clamp with at least two fingers may be made of a flexible polymer-opal material. Said flexible polymer-opal material changes color when stretched and again when unloaded.
• the clamp may fully or partly comprise a resilient polymer opaque material, which changes color as a result of its bending.
• the clamp is therefore capable of providing a scale of clamp colors which is related to the scale of pressure inside the chamber.
• the fingers on the clamp are designed so that on the upper side of the individual fingers can be placed illustrations or user in structions in the form of prints or labels.
• the invention as set forth above also relates to a method of inflating an inflatable cushion with volume indicator, the method comprising at least the following steps:
• volume indicator - visual location of the volume indicator's location, - inflating the cushion until it is filled with the volume indicator in position, or there is an indication from the volume indicator.
• a cushion according to the invention may comprise a plurality of volume indicators, where, for example, the respective volume indicators are removed one by one as the volume in the cushion increases.
• a specific type of cushion can be used with dif ferent degrees of filling and thus with different resilient carrying effect.
• a process according to the invention may further comprise at least one of the follow ing steps: - regulating the amount of air in the cushion, by supplying additional air, or
• the cushion volume indicator comprises at least one clamp with at least a first finger and a second finger, wherein the at least one first finger being arranged relative to the upper surface of the cushion, where the at least one second finger is arranged relative to the lower surface of the cushion, wherein the first and the second fingers enclose the cushion and wherein the placement of the clamp indicates inflation of the cushion, wherein the clamp is capable of constituting a volume indication for a correct amount of air in the cushion.
• the clamp can be made of different materials and in varying dimensions depending on the volume by which it is arranged to limit the inflection of the cushion or that the two fingers are broken to thereby indicate proper inflation.
• the correct volume and thus the correct filling degree are indicated by the clamp narrowing the portion of the cushion that does not need to be inflated to provide optimum seating.
• the cushion will contain the right amount of air as soon as the clamp is removed / broken, and if the pumping is stopped at the same time it is an indication that the cushion contains the right amount of air in relation to the intended effect / function.
• Fig. 1 shows an un-inflated cushion with a mounted clamp.
• Fig. 2 shows a folded un-inflated cushion with a mounted clamp.
• Fig. 3 shows an inflated cushion with a mounted clamp.
• Fig. 4 shows an unfolded cushion after inflation.
• Fig. 5 shows a clamp in a continuous material.
• Fig. 6 shows a clamp from above with "guide” (’’vejledning”) printed on the finger.
• Fig. 7 shows a side view of a clamp with fixing grooves on the inside of fingers.
• Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a clamp.
• Fig. 9 shows a two-part clamp, with one end joining.
• Fig. 10 shows a partially inflated cushion, with a clamp that is not broken.
• Fig. 11 shows a partially inflated cushion, with a clamp broken.
• Fig. 1 shows an inflatable cushion 1, shown here in the un-inflated state.
• the inflata ble cushion 1 comprises at least one chamber which is capable of being inflated.
• the inflatable cushion 1 has an upper side 6 and lower side 7.
• the at least one chamber is constructed of one or more foils joined together, thereby forming one or more airtight chambers using the clamp 2.
• a volume indicator provided in this example as a clamp 2, is arranged in a squeezing position on the outer surface of the inflatable cushion 1 before inflating the chamber or part of the chamber of the inflatable cushion 1.
• the clamp 2 is arranged relative to the upper side 6 of the cushion 1 having a top surface and lower side 7 of the cushion 1 having a bottom surface.
• the cushion 1 is shown in a simple form, and it is to be imagined that it is made of one or more plastic foil layers which are joined together, thus forming an airtight chamber with a not showed opening.
• the cushion 1 is seen here in the unfolded state, where it is shown with a clamp 2 mounted partially enclosing the entire cushion 1.
• the cushion volume indicator in this example comprises one clamp 2 with two equal long fingers, which is illustrated in fig 5.
• the first finger is arranged relative to the top of the cushion 1 and the second finger is arranged relative to the back of the cushion, parallel to the first finger.
• the at least two fingers are arranged to physically hold the upper side and lower side of the cushions 1 together during inflation, thus constituting a restriction of the full volume of the chamber or a part of the chamber when inflating the cushion 1.
• the cushion further comprises a valve opening for connecting an air supply line, not shown in fig. 1.
• the valve opening is accessible from the upper side or the lower side of the cushion.
• the clamp 2 is mounted in a squeezing position relative to a prede fined inflated volume of the cushion 1.
• FIG. 2 shows an inflatable cushion 1, as in fig. 1, but here in the folded state, where it is shown with a clamp 2 mounted on the folding 5 of the cushion 1, partially enclosing the entire cushion 1.
• the cushion 1 will typically be folded into a suitable shape and when inflated prior to use, it may partly or fully be unfolded during inflation.
• the volume indicator - here in the form of a clamp 2 - in relation to the top surface and the bottom surface of the cushion 1
• the clamp 2 will maintain a limited unfolding of the cushion 1 during inflation and thus act as volume limiter and/or indi cator when the cushion 1 is being inflated.
• the clamp 2 may advantageously be made in a color that is distinctly different from the surfaces of the cushion so that the clamp is easy to locate.
• Fig. 3 shows a cushion 1 while it is filling with air or another medium.
• the cushion 1 is filled via the valve opening not shown, and will, as it can be seen, gradually unfold, whereby the clamp 2, made of a coherent material, at the same time limits the full in flating of the cushion 1.
• the cushion 1 has one inflatable chamber, which is divided into an inflated chamber and a non-inflated chamber 1", when using the clamp 2.
• the cushion has only one inflated chamber, wherein the air is distributed equal ly between the inflated chamber 1 ' and the non-inflated chamber l " .
• the cushion will contain the right amount of air as soon as the clamp 2 either slides off and away from the squeezing position or is removed.
• the pumping is stopped at the same time which is an indication that the cushion contains the right amount of air in relation to the intended effect / function of the cushion.
• the volume indicator is arranged relative to the upper and lower sides of the cushion
• the amount of air in the cushion 1 after inflation, while the clamp is attached to the cushion 1, is limited in relation to the total volume of the cushion's 1 air chamber, so that when the clamp 2 is removed, the cushion will be soft and compliant.
• the volume indicator is mounted in a squeezing position relative to a predefined inflated volume of the cushion 1.
• a method of inflating an inflatable cushion 1 with volume indicator such as a clamp
• volume indicator's location for example has the volume indica tor's location moved away from the squeezing position.
• the method of inflating an inflatable cushion 1 with volume indicator may further comprise at least one of the following steps:
• Fig. 4 shows a properly inflated cushion 1 with the clamp 2 removed and the cushion 1 ready for use.
• the amount of air in the cushion 1 after inflation, while the clamp 2 is attached to the cushion 1, as showed in fig. 1-3, is limited in relation to the total vol ume of the cushion's 1 air chamber, so that when the clamp 2 is removed, the cushion 1 will be soft and compliant.
• the indication that the cushion 1 contains the right amount of air in relation to the intended effect / function has been performed.
• Fig. 5 shows a cushion volume indicator, provided in this example as a clamp2 with smooth fingers 3 'and 3", which may be made of a continuous material, seen from the side and from the front.
• the two equal long fingers 3 'and 3" are arranged parallel and opposite to each other.
• the clamp comprises a predefined spaced area between the two fingers 3 'and 3".
• the first finger 3' may be arranged relative to the top surface of the cushion 1.
• the second finger 3" is arranged relative to the bottom surface of the cushion.
• the at least the two fingers 3 'and 3" are arranged such that the two fingers 3 'and 3" physically holds the upper side and lower side of the cushions 1 together during inflation, thus constituting a restriction of the full volume of the chamber or a part of the chamber , when inflating the cushion 1.
• the clamp 2 which comprises at least one terminal with at least two fingers.
• the first finger 3' is capable of being arranged relative to the upper side of the cushion.
• the second finger 3" is capable of being arranged relative to the lower side of the cushion.
• the two fingers 3 'and 3" partially enclose the cushion.
• the physical design of the clamp 2 and placement of the clamp 2 restricts complete inflation of the cushion, thus thereby constituting a volume indication for the correct amount of air in the cushion.
• Fig 6 shows a clamp 2 with guide instruction 9 printed on the upper side of one of the fingers 3 of a clamp 2.
• the clamp 2 may partly consist of a resilient poly mer opaque material, which changes color as a result of its bending.
• Fig. 7 shows a clamp 2 that comprises fixing grooves and/or protrusions 4, seen from the side and front.
• the fixing grooves and/or protrusions 4 are arranged on the inner side of the two fingers 3, extending towards each other.
• Alternative the fixing grooves and/or protrusions are arranged on the inner side of the first finger facing the inner side of the second finger.
• the fixing grooves and/or protrusions 4 may be made of a same material as the clamp fingers.
• the fixing grooves and/or protrusions 4 may be made of a more resilient material as the clamp fingers.
• the volume indicator is engag- ing the cushion such that the correct amount of air is provided in the cushion 1, when the two fingers are slowly pressed apart while inflating.
• Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of a clamp 2 with smooth fingers 3 made of a contin- uous material.
• the clamp may be moulded as one item.
• the clamp 2 or part of the clamp may be made of a flexible polymer-opal material. Said flexible polymer-opal material changes color when stretched and again when unloaded indicating the amount of air inside the cushion. When changing color the clamp provides a visual in dication related to the pressure inside the chamber.
• Fig. 9 shows a clamp 2 made in two parts, each finger is divided into each part/item.
• the two fingers 3 'and 3" is attached to each other using an interconnecting part 10 arranged in one end of the individual fingers 3 'and 3".
• the interconnecting part 10 may also be arranged in both ends of the individual fingers 3 'and 3", such that the fingers are provided with a connection in each end of the clamp 2.
• the clamp 2 can in principle be a continuous material or joined by two parts.
• the fingers 3 mentioned above are joined at one end.
• Such jointing may be effected by various means includ ing adhesive applied either directly or indirectly via a jointing sticker, or mechanical joining with heat, pop rivet, button function, magnet or the like.
• the clamp may alter- natively comprise a predefined rupture area where the two fingers are connected, leav ing a weak interconnected area, which breaks when the predefined pressure inside the inflated chamber is reached.
• Fig. 10 shows the cushion 1 while the inflatable camber G is being filled with air or another medium.
• the cushion 1 is filled via the valve opening, not shown, and will, as seen, gradually unfold, whereby the clamp 2, made in two parts, simultaneously limits the full inflation of the cushion.
• the chamber is divided into two chambers l and 1 ".
• Fig. 11 shows the cushion 1, where the joining mechanism as being an interconnecting part 10 is just broken, thereby indicating that the cushion 1 is properly inflated.
• the variant shown corresponds to the cushion seen in Fig. 1, but as mentioned, the princi ple can also be used for the cushion variants shown in Fig. 2.
• the clamp may alterna tively comprise a predefined recessed area, where the two fingers are connected, leav- ing a weak interconnected area, which breaks when the predefined pressure inside the inflated chamber is reached.
• a method of inflating an inflatable cushion 1 with volume indicator, such as a clamp 2 may comprise at least one of the following steps:
• the clamp or part of the clamp is changing color.
• the scale of pressure inside the chamber is related to a scale of clamp colors.
• the clamp which fingers have been assembled us- ing the interconnecting part or parts, is breaking from each other.
• the cushion contains a predefined amount of air in relation to the intended effect / function of the cushion.
• the cushion 1 will contain the right amount of air as soon as the clamp 2 breaks into two parts. The pumping is stopped at the same time it is an indication that the cushion 1 contains the right amount of air in relation to the intended effect / function.
• the method of inflating an inflatable cushion 1 with volume indicator may further comprise at least one of the following steps: - regulating the amount of air in the cushion 1, by supplying additional air, and/or

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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)
• Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Citations (5)

• 2019
  • 2019-12-23 EP EP19219234.2A patent/EP3842020A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2020
  • 2020-12-21 WO PCT/EP2020/087446 patent/WO2021130164A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (5)

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