Therapeutic mattress assembly

Abstract

A therapeutic mattress assembly comprising a mattress having a substrate assembly that includes a plurality of cylinders positioned side by side over the length of the mattress. Each cylinder is configured as a low air loss system to allow air to flow into the cylinder from a source and out of the cylinder through small holes located on the top of each cylinder. An overlay assembly provides a foam cushion that provides a supporting surface above the substrate assembly for the patient. A calf lift bladder operates to effectively raise or lower the patient's feet to prevent pressure related injuries. A lateral rotation assembly selectively raises and lowers a selected half of the mattress to turn patients in a lateral direction. A bolster inflates in response to the lateral rotation assembly to secure the patient within the mattress.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 415,629, filed May 1, 2003 which is a national stage filing of Patent Cooperation Treaty Application Ser. No. PCT / US2001 / 044111, filed Nov. 6, 2001 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 246,356 filed Jul. 11, 2000.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates generally to inflatable mattress systems, and particularly to a mattress assembly combining an inflatable substrate and a foam support surface.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Inflatable mattresses are used in hospital rooms, old age homes, and other applications in which a person is required to spend long periods of time restricted to a bed. A common problem for patients requiring such long-term care is the development of decubitus ulcers, or bed sores, caused by excessive pressure applied to a patient's contact points. A patient's weight on a bed can cause a counter force to be applied to the patient's body f...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The mattress effectively reduces pressure on heels and ankles by lifting them from the mattress surface, distributing weight more evenly, and rotating the patient to alternate pressure points, thereby reducing the risk of tissue damage and promoting healing.

Problems solved by technology

A common problem for patients requiring such long-term care is the development of decubitus ulcers, or bed sores, caused by excessive pressure applied to a patient's contact points.

Although contact points can be present across the body, it is common for sick and disabled individuals who are bed bound to develop tissue damage on the heels of the feet, on the ankle, and / or on other parts of the body.

This tissue damage to the heels is generally the result of an individual lying in a supine position, where the heels bear the weight of the legs on the surface of the mattress.

Often, this pressure exceeds the ability of the capillaries to circulate blood to the cells which results in an isohemic condition.

Lacking blood supply, these cells die causing the tissue damage.

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