Inflatable, pressure alleviating, eggcrate mattress pad

Abstract

The inflatable, pressure alleviating, eggcrate mattress pad is a mattress pad that is placed on top of a conventional mattress. The mattress pad has an eggcrate-shaped surface and separate air channels inflate and deflate alternating air cells at different intervals and pressure levels. The air cells are alternately inflated or deflated in a checkerboard pattern so that as one air cell point is inflated, the adjoining air cell point is deflated. The mattress pad is also equipped with two inflatable wedges on the underside of the mattress pad. One wedge is on each side of the centerline of the mattress pad. When either of the wedges is inflated it will tip one side of the mattress upwards to assist turning over an immobilized patient.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a bedsore preventing mattress, and particularly to an inflatable, pressure alleviating eggcrate mattress pad having an eggcrate-shaped surface and inflatable wedges on the underside of the mattress in order to prevent the formation of bedsores and ease the turning of a patient by a hospital attendant. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Bedsores are tender or inflamed patches on the skin that develop when a weight-bearing part of the body is squeezed between bone and another body part, or a bed, chair, splint, or another hard object. Bedsores are also called decubitus ulcers, pressure ulcers or pressure sores. Bedsores are usually caused by sitting or lying in one position for too long, for example people confined to a wheel chair or bed-ridden patients, and can be serious. Deep sores can go down in to the muscle or even to the bone. If not treated properly, bedsores can ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] The inflatable, pressure alleviating, eggcrate mattress pad is a mattress pad that is placed on top of a conventional mattress in order to prevent bedsores and to aid in the repositioning of bedridden patients. The mattress pad has an eggcrate-shaped surface. Separate air channels inflate and deflate alternating air cells at different intervals and pressure levels. The air cells are alternately inflated or deflated in a checkerboard pattern so that when one air cell point is inflated, the adjoining air cell point is deflated. By periodically changing the set of air cells that are inflated, a bedridden patient will not expose one area of their body to continual pressure and thus the risk of acquiring bedsores is reduced.

[0015] The mattress pad is also equipped with two inflatable wedges on the underside of the mattress pad. One wedge is on each side of the centerline of the mattress pad. When either of the wedges is inflated it will tip one side of the mattress upwards so that a patient can be more easily moved. For example, if a patient was lying on their back and one of the wedges is inflated, the patient is shifted onto his or her side, making it much easier for an attendant to move the patient.

[0017] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a pad for a mattress that will help to prevent the formation of bedsores in bedridden patients.

[0018] It is another object of the invention to provide a mattress pad having selectively inflatable wedges, on opposite sides of the centerline to make the task of shifting a bedridden patient easier, with minimal strain on the attendant.

[0019] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

Problems solved by technology

Bedsores are usually caused by sitting or lying in one position for too long, for example people confined to a wheel chair or bed-ridden patients, and can be serious.

If not treated properly, bedsores can become infected, and bedsores are always painful whether or not they are infected.

Repositioning an elderly, immobile or bedridden patient several times each day can expose both the patient and the healthcare worker to significant physical and mental stresses.

The patient can be bruised or even have bones fractured due to the awkward nature of being turned over or repositioned.

The healthcare worker often suffers long-term back, joint or muscular problems when required to shift a patient or patients several times each day.

The support apparatus is designed to keep a patient stable and is not designed to prevent bedsores.

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