Internal structural configurations of bladders used in patient support systems

Abstract

A bladder comprising an outer and inner surface having a length, height and width, first and second ends, and an internal volume. A support structure is disposed within the bladder and has a length, width, height as well as an inner and outer region. The outer region of the support structure comprises support projections which define openings in the outer region of the support structure. The support projections have an engaging end which contacts the inner surface of the bladder and exerts force upon the inner surface of the bladder. The support projections maintain the internal volume of the bladder in a no-load sate. The openings in the support structure allow air to move freely in the bladder versus a solid support structure lacking openings. This aids in distribution of air within the bladder and provides air-like pressure management and comfort in addition to the structural support provided by foam inserts.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]This application claims the benefit of previously filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled “Internal Structural Configurations of Bladders Used in Patient Support Systems,” assigned U.S. Ser. No. 61 / 176,555, filed May 8, 2009, and which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This subject matter generally relates to internal structural configurations for bladders used in support surfaces for preventing, reducing, and / or treating decubitus ulcers, also known as pressure sores or bedsores.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0003]The present subject matter generally relates to bladders and air cylinders used in patient support surfaces and more particularly to combinations of foam and air or fluid technologies which are selected so as to lend themselves to certain common modular assembly features, in the context of improved performance and / or costs.[0004]Particularly in the field of healthcare, there has been a long felt and pr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0027]In another embodiment, the terminal area on a support projection can be a point, a convex rounded surface, a concave rounded surface, a flat surface, or combinations thereof. Moreover, different support projections may have different terminal ends. For example, in an embodiment with six support structures, three could have terminal areas that are points, one a concave rounded surface and two flat surfaces in order to aid with defining the structure of the bladder.

[0030]Another present general object is to provide a fully self-adjusting pressure relief system which optimizes pressure dispersion, while still using a relatively inexpensive and simple designs so as to obviate the need for motors, control systems, or specialized bed frames or training associated with its use and, maintenance.

[0031]Yet another object is to provide a pressure relief support system which is self-adjusting to allow for more even body weight distribution, thereby improving the reduction of pressure on the tissue and skin of a user. At the same time, it is an object to provide a self-adjusting technology which may be customized, as desired, for different patient uses, and for different alternate uses.

[0033]It is another present object to provide a self-adjusting technology with the advantages of active (i.e., dynamic) fluid-based systems, but with such simplicity that the technology may be extended to every day consumer products, such as ergonomic chairs and car seats, as well as consumer mattress replacement systems, mattresses and mattress overlays (as would also be applicable in the medical field).

Problems solved by technology

For a tremendous variety of reasons, many patients must withstand long periods of bed rest or other forms of confinement, such as use of a wheelchair or other accommodating but restrictive support arrangement.

In those instances, there is a tremendous risk that exposure to excess pressure, or longer term exposure to relatively lower pressure levels, can result in painful and even dangerous sores and other conditions in addition to decreased oxygen uptake, loss of bone mass, loss of skin integrity, loss of appetite, and decreased cardiovascular functioning.

Healthcare costs, generally, as well as patient well being may be greatly affected by the degree of pressure relief for patients confined to beds for significant periods of time.

Pressure sores (e.g. decubitus ulcers), potentially leading to infections and other worsened conditions or complications can occur from prolonged pressure exposure, such as experienced by those confined to beds, whether in a hospital, nursing home, or private residence.

Generally speaking, the more sophisticated techniques for achieving such pressure reductions are relatively more involved and therefore more expensive to manufacture and / or use.

As foam surface patterns become more sophisticated, there is a corresponding increase in the difficulty of producing such articles.

Generally speaking, as support surface designs become more entailed, they become more difficult and more expensive to produce.

Due to their complicated construction and design, such beds are typically more expensive with respect to initial purchase or rental cost.

They can also be complicated and expensive to maintain due to the prospect of failure of numerous moving mechanical parts, and due to the extensive training which an operator or maintenance person would be required to undergo.

Also, there is the prospect of highly undesired heat transfer to a patient, due to operation to the above-referenced motors, pumps and other systems.

Still further, the construction and design of such overall systems often require specialized bed frames not otherwise usable with typical mattresses.

However, air or liquid filled bladders are subject to deflation if pierced while in use as well as “hammocking” or “bottoming out” wherein the patient comes to rest on the substrate beneath the bladder due to insufficient support.

The problem with pressurized air supported surfaces is that if air were allowed to escape the pressurized chamber, the support surface would collapse and cause a hammock effect.

Bladders that use foam inserts within an air filled bladder fail to provide the measure of comfort associated with an air or liquid filled mattress.

Further, too soft of a foam can mimic the hammock or bottoming out experienced with air or liquid filled bladders.

Moreover, the foam inserts impede the flow of air through the bladder, thus preventing or significantly slowing the ability of the support surface to adjust to the patient.

Also, an undesirable characteristic of open-cell flexible polyurethane foam is that it can potentially solidify in a full vacuum-state, a so-called ‘compression set’ (CS).

If too much air is removed from the cellular structure of foam, it will harden in its densest state and subsequently no longer be able to self-inflate and regain its loft, even partially.

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