Inclined mattress pad

Abstract

A full length mattress pad is provides improved patient support for all parts of the user's body through provision of a support surface supplement for use with existing support surfaces, such as for use on top of a conventional mattress or hospital bed. The pad has a body of resilient material having a relatively flat, planar lower surface for being received on top of the existing support surface, and has a length at least generally the same as that of the mattress, or at least long enough to support the full length of a user. An inclined upper surface is defined by the body of resilient material, and has a plurality of different longitudinal sections. The plurality of different longitudinal sections collectively define a predetermined angle of inclination for the inclined upper surface which is relatively constant along the entire length of the body of resilient material relative to its planar lower surface. At least one of the plurality of different longitudinal sections has a relatively flat surface inclined at the predetermined angle of inclination, while at least one other of the plurality of different longitudinal sections has a surface formed with respective or different projections therein, so that improved patient support is provided through a combination of the inclined upper surface and the plurality of different longitudinal sections. Preferably, the predetermined angle of inclination is no more than about 10°. Characteristics of the plurality of longitudinal sections are selected based upon one or more of the type of resilient material used, the thickness of such material, the change in thickness of such material due to the predetermined angle of inclination, the material density, and the indention load deflection characteristics of such material, with such selection and combination of characteristics determined so as to optimize the inclined pad for support for the user's body which is engineered on the basis of the intended end use of said mattress pad. The longitudinal sections are also formed by one or both of longitudinal and lateral cuts within a selected portion of the inclined upper surface, also preselected to address the relieving of support pressure points to decrease the chance of decubitus ulcers in users of the mattress pad. At least one of the depths, widths, and lengths of such cuts, forming cross-sectional shapes of the different or respective projections, are preselected on the basis of the intended end use of said mattress pad. A plurality of channels may be formed between adjacent of the respective projections, for dissipating heat and moisture from a user who is supported on the inclined upper surface, to increase the health and comfort of such user.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 652,689, entitled “INCLINED MATTRESS PAD” by Kim Robertson, Robert Green, and Robert E. Ackley, filed Feb. 14, 2005 and which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002] The present subject matter concerns mattress pads or overlays having an inclined surface in general, and in particular full length mattress pad embodiments having a variety of features to improve support for all parts of the user's body including in combination an inclined surface and sectionalized support areas, and which pads are portable yet which offer improved manufacturing efficiencies. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Convoluted foam pads have been used for providing improved comfort in affordable, consumer style products. Convoluted foam pads have also been used in hospital care practices as well as home therapeutic use as mattress overlays. Examples of such prior foam...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] The present subject matter recognizes and addresses the above briefly discussed drawbacks, and others, of prior mainly horizontal support surfaces and existing mechanisms for creating an inclined support surfaces on which a user reposes during rest or sleep. Accordingly, one broad aspect of the present subject matter is to provide an inclined pad that may be used to maintain normal prone like, sleeping position while elevating selectively either legs or head relative to the rest of the user's body. Another broad aspect of the present subject matter is to provide an improved topper or pad device which is portable while still being full length relative to the underlying mattress with which it is used.

[0014] A further general aspect of the present subject matter is to provide improved patient support surfaces, for reducing the incidence of damaged tissue conditions, such as may occur from the application of sheer forces on tissue. Still another general aspect of the present subject matter is to provide improved patient support surfaces, for reducing the incidence of circulatory-based ailments.

[0015] Another general aspect of the present subject matter is to provide such improved support through use of a support surface supplement that is easy to adapt for use with existing support surfaces, such as for use on top of a conventional mattress or hospital bed. In such context, another present aspect to provide such an improved support surface supplement that is relatively low cost.

Problems solved by technology

The problem of prolonged pressure on natural bony projections of an individual greatly lessens the comfort of the user, or in patient situations (i.e., users constrained to significant periods of bed rest), creates conditions for the potential occurrence of decubitus ulcers.

Such ulcers may typically occur in patients located in acute care settings where the patient's condition or treatment regimen limits the opportunity to therapeutically turn or otherwise reposition the patient.

Lying flat on a conventional mattress, or other horizontal surface such as a conventional mattress with a typical convoluted pad, may help promote stomach acid leaking from the stomach into the esophagus, thereby causing heartburn and damaging the esophagus as well as the vocal cords.

Having high CCP and ICP readings can increase the risk of strokes and other cerebrovascular circulation problems.

Elevating the head also lowers blood flow pressures, which pressures could otherwise lead to additional problems such as brain edema, migraines, and glaucoma.

When the muscles of the soft pallet at the base of the tongue and the uvula relax and sag, the airways become blocked making breathing both labored and noisy and can even cause it to stop altogether.

Further, many people suffer from leg edema which results in swollen legs and feet that occur when fluid is retained in these extremities.

Further, elevation of feet and legs relative to the rest of the body may also decrease the occurrence and severity of varicose veins.

The use of such blocks often causes the mattress to slide.

Further, the individual sleeping on the mattress also tends to slide down the smooth surface, very undesirably creating sheer forces, which can damage skin tissue.

Similarly, wedges have been used for placement under a mattress, to lift the mattress into an inclined position, though with similar resulting problems.

However, these beds are quite expensive and do not incline the whole body.

Therefore, such beds are not useful for individuals needing to remain generally in a prone position.

As with the adjustable bed, abnormal sleeping positions often occur through the use of such wedges.

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