Air mattress capable of floating partially for preventing bedsores

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air mattress for preventing bedsores capable of alternating buoyancy, comprising: individual air cells capable of buoyancy by air input and capable of dispersing the body weight pressure through a predetermined elastic cushion; an air cell unit configured such that a plurality of individual air cells are arranged in parallel to form a plurality of rows, each row capable of alternating buoyancy; a fluid supply unit configured to selectively supply air to the individual air cells constituting each row to expand or contract in order to alternately buoy each row constituting the air cell unit; an air shower unit comprising fine air holes formed in a portion of the area between the arranged individual air cells to allow the injection of air supplied from the fluid supply unit to remove moisture from the patient; and a control unit configured to control the fluid supply unit to select the alternating buoyancy of the air cell unit and the air pressure of the air cells in various modes. By enabling the movement and distribution of body weight of patients or the elderly who cannot move their bodies freely through alternating buoyancy, bedsores can be prevented, and temperature-controlled air is discharged to the patient, thereby providing a comfortable environment. It can provide an environment.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air mattress for preventing bedsores that allows for alternating support, and more specifically, to an air mattress for preventing bedsores that allows for alternating support, thereby enabling the movement and distribution of body weight of patients or the elderly who cannot move their bodies freely, thus preventing bedsores, and providing a comfortable environment by allowing temperature-controlled air to pass through the mattress and be discharged to the patient. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, along with the increase in nursing care due to the acceleration of the aging population, one of the most common diseases is bedsores. Bedsores develop due to pressure and moisture when people with limited or no mobility lie in the same position for a long time, but this is a condition that can be avoided if thorough preventive measures are taken.

[0003] A bedsore is a localized ulcer that occurs on the skin, or more broadly on the skin and the underlying tissues. As the amount of blood flow passing through the tissue under pressure decreases, the supply of oxygen and nutrients becomes insufficient. Consequently, metabolic abnormalities occur in the affected tissue, leading to necrosis of the skin tissue and potentially life-threatening conditions such as sepsis. In addition, direct or indirect damage may occur due to physical impact on the ulcerated tissue caused by repeated pressure from bones or friction combined with pressure.

[0004] Many patients with bedsores are unable to move their bodies on their own, so caregivers must change the patient's position at regular intervals to prevent and treat bedsores.

[0005] However, periodically changing the patient's position to prevent bedsores not only increases the physical burden on the caregiver but also poses a problem that can lead to injuries to the caregiver if the patient is heavy or if the act of changing the position is excessively repeated.

[0006] As a conventional technology to solve such problems, many technologies have been developed to implement a mattress that prevents bedsores, thereby relieving the hardships of not only bedsore patients but also caregivers.

[0007] For example, Korean Published Patent No. 10-2022-0028767 discloses a mattress capable of preventing bedsores through compartmentalized pressure control and a bed including the same. This prior art can detect the body pressure of a patient lying in the same position for a long time and, in order to prevent the occurrence of bedsores, an air cell module can physically push a part of the patient's body to change the position.

[0008] However, these conventional mattresses had problems such as weak buoyancy of the air cell modules, the inability to alternate buoyancy, and moisture buildup due to the inability to release sweat as they were made of non-breathable material.

[0009] In addition to this, there are air mats designed to shift and distribute body weight by tilting the mat left and right; however, the effect of this tilting technology is weak, and since a mechanical device is required to move the entire mat side to side, it has the disadvantage of being difficult to manufacture and not economical in terms of cost. Prior art literature

[0010] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0028767 The problem to be solved

[0011] The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an air mattress for preventing bedsores that effectively prevents bedsores by enabling the movement and distribution of the patient's body weight and the addition of light body movements, such that sufficient buoyancy is generated when air is introduced into the air cells, and alternating buoyancy of each row of air cells is possible.

[0012] In addition, the purpose is to provide an air mattress for preventing bedsores that can remove moisture from the patient and create comfortable conditions by having a structure that allows temperature-controlled air to be injected into some areas of the air mattress, thereby facilitating smooth ventilation. means of solving the problem

[0013] To achieve the above-mentioned objective of the present invention, the present invention provides an air mattress for preventing bedsores, which is provided on a bed and prevents the occurrence of bedsores on the body of a patient lying in the same position on the bed for a long time, comprising: individual air cells capable of buoyancy by air input and capable of dispersing body weight pressure through a predetermined elastic cushion; an air cell unit configured such that a plurality of individual air cells are arranged in parallel to form a plurality of rows, and each row is capable of alternate buoyancy; a fluid supply unit that selectively supplies air to the individual air cells constituting each row to alternately buoy the rows constituting the air cell unit, thereby causing them to expand or contract; an air shower unit having fine air holes formed in a portion of the area between the arranged individual air cells, capable of spraying air supplied from the fluid supply unit to remove moisture from the patient; and a control unit that controls the fluid supply unit to enable the alternate buoyancy of the air cell unit and the air pressure of the air cells to be selected in various modes. An air mattress for preventing bedsores is provided, comprising: an air cell unit that contacts the patient's entire body through individual air cells in the bed; and individual air cells that are arranged in a greater number in the length direction than in the width direction in the air cell unit, and are arranged in a number of rows in the length direction according to the patient's height in the air cell unit.

[0014] The individual air cell is characterized by comprising an air foam member that allows air circulation and is buoyant upon air input, and enables the distribution of body weight pressure through a predetermined elastic cushion, and an air cell cover that is installed to surround the air foam member and expands to form an expansion space upon air supply.

[0015] In the present invention, the fluid supply unit may include a pneumatic pressure generating unit that generates pneumatic pressure, a pneumatic pressure regulating unit for regulating the pressure of air generated and supplied by the pneumatic pressure generating unit, a pressure air supply pipe connected to supply air supplied by the pneumatic pressure regulating unit to each row of the air cell unit, an opening and closing valve that opens and closes to supply or discharge air to the pressure air supply pipe from the pneumatic pressure regulating unit, and a cell connecting pipe for connecting the pressure air supply pipe to individual air cells of the air cell unit.

[0016] The above air shower unit may be provided in some of the cell connecting pipes.

[0017] Here, a variable temperature unit for heating or cooling the air sprayed from the air shower unit may be further included.

[0018] It is preferable that the above variable temperature unit includes a Peltier element that performs heating or cooling by supplying power.

[0019] Meanwhile, the fluid supply unit can be controlled so that fluid is supplied alternately to the air cells in odd-numbered rows and air cells in even-numbered rows among each row of the air cell unit.

[0020] In the present invention, the air cell unit is composed of 1 row, 2 rows, 3 rows ... n rows, and the air shower unit is provided in a row corresponding to a multiple of 3 (3m) among the cell connecting pipes, and the fluid supply unit can be controlled so that fluid is alternately supplied to the air cell in the 3m+1 row of the air cell unit, the air cell in the 3m+2 row, and the 3m row where the air shower unit is provided.

[0021] Here, n is an integer greater than or equal to 3, and m is an integer including 0.

[0022] Meanwhile, the above air shower unit may be installed to allow partial air injection through a separate air pipe other than the cell connecting pipe.

[0023] Additionally, the air shower unit may include a discharge port that forms an air outlet by communicating with a cell connecting pipe of the fluid supply unit or a separate air pipe, and a cap installed at the discharge port and having a fine air hole formed therein. Effects of the invention

[0024] According to the present invention as described above, when air is introduced into the interior of an air cell through pressurized air, a sufficient buoyancy effect is generated, and alternating buoyancy of each row of air cells is possible, thereby enabling the movement and distribution of the patient's body weight and the addition of light body movements, so that bedsores can be effectively prevented.

[0025] In addition, by having a structure that allows temperature-controlled air to be injected into certain areas of the air mattress, smooth ventilation is achieved to create comfortable conditions, and it is effective in removing moisture from the patient. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a bed equipped with an air mattress for preventing bedsores according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an embodiment of an air mattress for preventing bedsores according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, wherein (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a cell connecting pipe for connecting individual air cells, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a cell connecting pipe equipped with an air shower section. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an air cell according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of an air shower unit according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating another embodiment of an air mattress for preventing bedsores according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0027] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a bed with an air mattress for preventing bedsores installed according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an embodiment of an air mattress for preventing bedsores according to the present invention.

[0029] The air mattress for preventing bedsores according to the present invention enables alternating buoyancy through pressurized air, thereby preventing bedsores by moving and dispersing body weight and adding light body movements. It comprises, largely, individual air cells (10), air cell units (100) in which the individual air cells (10) are arranged in parallel in a vertical and horizontal manner, and a fluid supply unit (200) that selectively supplies air to the air cell units (100).

[0030] The individual air cells (10) above are capable of floating by the input of air and can distribute the body weight pressure of the human body through a predetermined elastic cushion, and are arranged in a row to form a row. For example, the individual air cells (10) above may be arranged in a row with 6 to 8 units in the width direction and 12 to 25 units in the length direction, depending on the height of the patient.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the individual air cell (10) is composed of an air foam member (14) that allows air circulation and is buoyant by the input of air, and enables the dispersion of body weight pressure due to a predetermined elastic cushion, and an air cell cover (12) that is installed to surround the air foam member (14) and expands to form an expansion space by supplying air.

[0032] Here, the air foam member (14) is formed in a roughly rectangular shape and is made of a material that allows for ventilation and smooth air circulation, so that when air is supplied into the air cell (10) by the fluid supply unit (200), the air passes through the air foam member (14) and can be easily expanded.

[0033] The above air foam member (14) may be composed of a material having good breathability and a hardness or density that can support a patient, for example, latex foam or sponge material.

[0034] In addition, the air foam member (14) can be ventilated to form a three-dimensional network structure that allows for smooth air circulation. This three-dimensional network structure can be manufactured by extruding synthetic resin raw materials to produce a raw resin that allows for smooth air circulation and has high rebound elasticity, and, for example, can be manufactured by melting a synthetic resin raw material selected from low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) homopolymer, propylene homopolymer, EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) alone or a copolymer thereof, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyacetal, and polyamide.

[0035] Such an air foam member (14) can be obtained by extruding resin discharged through an extrusion nozzle in multiple layers to form a three-dimensional network structure, then compressing the inflated three-dimensional network structure to a desired thickness and cooling it.

[0036] Meanwhile, the air foam member (14) is designed to expand to form an expansion space by allowing air supplied from the fluid supply unit (200) to pass through the air foam member (14) and expand inside the air cell cover (12). The air cell (10) equipped with such an air foam member (14) has the advantage of providing a comfortable environment for the patient and allowing it to be used even while sleeping, as almost no noise is generated even when expanding due to air inflow.

[0037] The above air cell cover (12) may be made of TPU, a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. TPU is a polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomer that possesses the best mechanical properties among thermoplastic elastomers, such as tensile strength, tear strength, and wear resistance, and is a material that can be widely applied for uses requiring high durability.

[0038] In addition, thin films can be fabricated due to high initial properties, and long-term use is possible thanks to excellent mechanical properties such as superior resilience, oil resistance, and hydrolysis resistance.

[0039] Meanwhile, the air cell cover (12) may also be made of a breathable material so that air supplied into the air cell (10) is discharged. If the air cell cover (12) is breathable, the air supplied to the expansion space inside the air cell is discharged to the patient's skin, thereby suppressing or preventing the occurrence of bedsores on the patient's skin.

[0040] The upper surface of the air cell cover (12) may be formed flat or round depending on the degree of expansion due to air inflow. When pressure corresponding to the patient's body weight is applied to the air cell cover (12) while the air cell cover (12) is expanded, the exterior of the air cell cover (12) is deformed. Then, as the exterior of the air cell cover (12) is deformed, the pressure corresponding to the patient's body weight can be dispersed.

[0041] These individual air cells (10) reduce the burden of pressure on the patient's skin by dispersing the pressure caused by the patient's body weight.

[0042] The air cell unit (100) of the present invention is characterized by having a plurality of individual air cells (10) arranged in parallel to form a plurality of rows, and each row configured to be capable of alternate buoyancy.

[0043] The above air cell unit (100) may be composed of 1 row, 2 rows, 3 rows ... n rows. For example, if 18 individual air cells (10) are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction according to the patient's height, the n rows become 18 rows, and the air cell unit (100) is composed of 1 to 18 rows.

[0044] The above air cell unit (100) selectively supplies air to individual air cells (10) constituting the air cell unit (100) by the fluid supply unit (200) to alternately float each heat.

[0045] The above fluid supply unit (200) may include a pneumatic generating unit (74) that generates pneumatic pressure to alternately float each row constituting the air cell unit (100), a pneumatic regulating unit (76) for regulating the pressure of the air generated and supplied from the pneumatic generating unit (74), a pressure air supply pipe (30)(40)(50) that connects the air supplied from the pressure regulating unit (76) to each row of the air cell unit (100), an opening / closing valve (62)(64)(66) that opens and closes to supply or discharge air to the pressure air supply pipe (30)(40)(50) from the pressure regulating unit (76), and a cell connecting pipe (32)(42)(52) for connecting the pressure air supply pipe (30)(40)(50) to the individual air cell of the air cell unit.

[0046] The above-mentioned pneumatic generating unit (74) generates pneumatic pressure on its own, and the pneumatic regulating unit (76) connected to the pneumatic generating unit (74) supplies pneumatic pressure to the air cell unit (100) by regulating it. The above-mentioned pneumatic generating unit (74) and the pneumatic regulating unit (76) are installed within the main body (70) and are controlled by a control unit (72) that controls the alternating lifting of the air cell unit (100).

[0047] The above control unit (72) controls the pneumatic generation of the pneumatic generation unit (74) and the pneumatic control of the pneumatic control unit (76) to enable the air pressure of the air cell (10) to be selected in various modes.

[0048] For example, in the pneumatic control method of the present invention, a sensor that detects a pressure value when air is output is installed inside the main body (70), so that when a user sets a level of pneumatic pressure, the sensor detects this when the corresponding pressure is reached and can stop the output of air, and if the pressure falls below a standard again after stopping, the pneumatic generating unit (74) can restart to output air.

[0049] Meanwhile, pressure air supply pipes (30)(40)(50) are connected to supply air supplied from the pneumatic control unit (76) to each row of the air cell unit (100), and at this time, an opening / closing valve (62)(64)(66) is installed to enable the opening and closing of the air supply from the pneumatic control unit (76).

[0050] Meanwhile, the above-mentioned pressure air supply pipes (30)(40)(50) are installed along the length of the air cell unit (100), and in order to alternately lift each row of the air cell unit (100), the cell connecting pipes (32)(42)(52) are connected to the pressure air supply pipes (30)(40)(50) in the order of alternating lifting.

[0051] In the present invention, as an embodiment of an air mattress for preventing bedsores, the invention is described by illustrating an air cell unit (100) in which 12 individual air cells (10) are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction to form 12 rows, as shown in FIG. 2, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the air cell unit (100) may be composed of individual air cells (10) arranged in various ways.

[0052] In one embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 2, the air cell unit (100) has a configuration in which three rows alternately float. To this end, the air cell unit (100) has cell connecting pipes (32)(42)(52) of A line, B line, and C line alternately connected to individual air cells (10) from row 1 to row 12, and each cell connecting pipe (32) of A line is connected to a first pressure air supply pipe (30), the cell connecting pipe (42) of B line is connected to a second pressure air supply pipe (40), and the cell connecting pipe (52) of C line is connected to a third pressure air supply pipe (50).

[0053] The present invention, having such a structure, enables alternating buoyancy in the order of line A, line B, and line C, such that when air is introduced into the cell connector (32) of line A, the air cells (10) in rows 1, 4, 7, and 10 are buoyed, when air is introduced into the cell connector (42) of line B, the air cells (10) in rows 2, 5, 8, and 11 are buoyed, and when air is introduced into the cell connector (52) of line C, the air cells (10) in rows 3, 6, 9, and 12 are buoyed.

[0054] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, wherein (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a cell connecting pipe for connecting individual air cells, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a cell connecting pipe equipped with an air shower section.

[0055] As shown in the drawing, the cell connecting pipes (32)(42)(52) are installed at the bottom of the air mattress, and a connecting port (34)(44)(54) is formed vertically so that it passes through a plate (20) for installing the air cell (10) and communicates with the bottom of the air cell (10). When air is introduced through the cell connecting pipes (32)(42)(52), air is supplied into the air cell (10) from the connecting port (34)(44)(54), and the air passes through the air foam member (14) to expand the air cell (10).

[0056] Meanwhile, in the present invention, an air shower unit (56) is provided in which fine air holes are formed in a portion of the area between the individual air cells (10) arranged so that air supplied from the fluid supply unit can be sprayed to remove moisture from the patient.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3(b), the air shower unit (56) can be integrally formed with the cell connecting pipe (52). For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the air shower unit (56) is provided in the cell connecting pipe (52) of the C line, and it is illustrated that an air shower is possible together with the C line when alternately floating in the order of the A line, B line, and C line.

[0058] Meanwhile, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of an air shower unit according to the present invention. Although the air shower unit (56) may be formed in the shape of a discharge port through which air is sprayed, it may also have a configuration in which fine air holes are formed to enable finer air spraying.

[0059] To this end, the air shower unit (56) may be equipped with a cap (80) having a fine air hole (82) formed in the discharge port (22) that is connected to the cell connecting pipe (52) of the fluid supply unit and forms an air outlet.

[0060] In this way, if a cap (80) with fine air holes (82) formed in the air shower section (56) is installed, the air velocity increases as it passes through the fine air holes (82) according to the flow rate relationship, and a stronger air jet can be used to provide comfort to the patient.

[0061] FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating another embodiment of an air mattress for preventing bedsores according to the present invention, wherein the air shower unit (156) may be installed in a separate air pipe (152) to spray air onto the patient separately from the cell connecting pipes (32) (42) for alternating support.

[0062] In this case, the air cell unit (100) has cell connecting pipes (32) (42) of line A and line B alternately connected to individual air cells (10) from row 1 to row 12 so that line A and line B alternately float, and the air shower unit (156) controls air injection from the control unit (72) as needed.

[0063] Here, a variable temperature unit for heating or cooling the air sprayed from the air shower unit (156) may be further included. It is preferable that the variable temperature unit includes a Peltier element that performs heating or cooling by supplying power.

[0064] The air shower unit (156) of the present invention can adjust the temperature of the sprayed air into cold and warm air, thereby providing a warm or cool environment according to the temperature desired by the patient.

[0065] The air mattress for preventing bedsores according to the present invention, having this configuration, is configured such that individual air cells (10) constituting the air cell unit (100) form a plurality of rows, and each row is configured to allow for alternating support, thereby preventing bedsores through the movement and distribution of the patient's body weight and the addition of light body movements.

[0066] In addition, by configuring an air shower unit capable of air showering in the central part of the patient's body and spraying air through fine air holes in the air mattress, it is possible to effectively remove exudate or moisture from the patient's body.

[0067] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments, various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Such changes and modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present invention as long as they do not depart from the technical concept provided by the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of rights of the present invention should be determined by the claims set forth below. Explanation of the symbols

[0068] 10: Individual air cell 12: Air cell cover 14: Air foam component 30, 40, 50: Pressurized air supply pipe 32, 42, 52: Cell connectors 62, 64, 66: Shut-off valves 70: Main body 72: Control unit 74: Pneumatic generation unit 76: Pneumatic control unit 100: Air cell unit 200: Fluid supply unit

Claims

Claim 1 An air mattress for preventing bedsores, equipped on a bed to prevent the occurrence of bedsores on the body of a patient lying on the bed in the same position for a long time, comprising: individual air cells capable of buoyancy upon air input and capable of dispersing body weight pressure through a predetermined elastic cushion; an air cell unit configured such that a plurality of individual air cells are arranged in parallel to form a plurality of rows, each row capable of alternate buoyancy; a fluid supply unit capable of selectively supplying air to the individual air cells constituting each row to alternately buoy the rows constituting the air cell unit, thereby causing them to expand or contract; an air shower unit having fine air holes formed in a portion of the area between the arranged individual air cells to allow the injection of air supplied from the fluid supply unit to remove moisture from the patient; and a control unit capable of controlling the fluid supply unit to allow the alternating buoyancy of the air cell unit and the air pressure of the air cells to be selected in various modes. An air mattress for preventing bedsores, comprising: an air cell unit that contacts the patient's entire body through individual air cells in the bed; individual air cells that are arranged in greater numbers in the longitudinal direction than in the width direction in the air cell unit, and are arranged in multiple rows in the longitudinal direction according to the patient's height in the air cell unit; and a fluid supply unit comprising: a pneumatic generating unit that generates pneumatic pressure; a pneumatic regulating unit for regulating the pressure of air generated and supplied by the pneumatic generating unit; a pressure air supply pipe connected to supply air supplied by the pneumatic regulating unit to each row of the air cell unit; an opening / closing valve that opens and closes to supply or discharge air to the pressure air supply pipe in the pneumatic regulating unit; and a cell connecting pipe for connecting the pressure air supply pipe to the individual air cells of the air cell unit; wherein the air shower unit is provided in some of the cell connecting pipes. Claim 2 An air mattress for preventing bedsores according to claim 1, characterized in that the individual air cells are capable of air circulation and are buoyant upon air input, and are capable of dispersing body weight pressure due to a predetermined elastic cushion; and an air cell cover installed to surround the air foam member and expands to form an expansion space upon air supply. Claim 3 delete Claim 4 delete Claim 5 An air mattress for preventing bedsores according to claim 1, further comprising a variable temperature unit for heating or cooling the air sprayed from the air shower unit. Claim 6 An air mattress for preventing bedsores according to claim 5, characterized in that the variable temperature unit includes a Peltier element that performs heating or cooling by supplying power. Claim 7 An air mattress for preventing bedsores according to claim 1, wherein the fluid supply unit is controlled to alternately supply fluid to the air cells in the odd-numbered rows and the air cells in the even-numbered rows of each of the air cell units. Claim 8 An air mattress for preventing bedsores according to claim 1, wherein the air cell unit is composed of 1 row, 2 rows, 3 rows ... n rows, the air shower unit is provided in a row corresponding to a multiple of 3 (3m) among the cell connecting pipes, and the fluid supply unit is controlled to alternately supply fluid to the air cells in the 3m+1 row of the air cell unit, the air cells in the 3m+2 row, and the 3m row where the air shower unit is provided. Here, n is an integer greater than or equal to 3, and m is an integer including 0. Claim 9 An air mattress for preventing bedsores according to claim 1, characterized in that the air shower unit is installed to allow partial air injection through a separate air pipe other than the cell connecting pipe. Claim 10 An air mattress for preventing bedsores according to claim 1, wherein the air shower unit comprises a discharge port that forms an air outlet by communicating with a cell connecting pipe of the fluid supply unit or a separate air pipe, and a cap installed at the discharge port and having fine air holes formed therein.

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