Mattress with ventilation system for the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers or bedsores in immobile patients

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to apparatus for reducing the risk of bedfast patients developing decubitus ulcers or bedsores, and more particularly, to a bed mattress provided with ventilation system for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is well known that patients who are confined to a bed or chair for extended periods of time are at risk of developing decubitus ulcers, i.e., pressure sores, or bed sores as they are more commonly known. These ulcers are often seen to develop within soft tissue that is compressed between a bed or chair surface and a patient's weight-bearing bony prominences, the compressed tissue being at least partially deprived of oxygenated blood flow. A continued lack of blood flow, and resultant lack of oxygen, can result in cell death which may be evidenced in the form of pressure sores. Pressure sores do not develop immediately, but rather form over time, with the development speed depending on a number of factors including the firmness and friction of the supporting surface against the patient's skin, the patient / ambient temperature, the amount of moisture in contact with the skin, and the health and susceptibility of the skin due to age or illness.

[0003] One inventive approach of reducing the risk of decubitus ulcer development in bedfast patients is through the use of a specialized mattress, pad, or other arrangement, which is designed to lessen the weight-pressure that is brought to bear on the patient's bony prominences. These devices might be either static (e.g.' foam, air, or water mattresses) or dynamic (e.g., compartmentally inflatable mattresses that dynamically shift the locus of support pressure under the patient in response to the patient's movements). Examples of inventions in the prior art that are generally concerned with this subject matter are U.S. Letters Patent 4,425,676, 5,926,884, and 5,072,468.

[0004] US 2014 / 196210 discloses a mattress with a ventilation system comprising a segment with spaced ventilating through holes, a temperature sensor and a moisture detector in electrical communication with a programmable controller and a blower fan.

[0005] The mattresses of the prior arts have proven to be actually beneficial in preventing the development of decubitus ulcers or bedsores at the back of the patient and helps in the treatment of such if the patient has already said decubitus ulcers or bedsores. However, studies have proven that formation of bedsores is different from patient to patient and the environmental conditions in the location of the patient. For example, bigger or heavier patients are more likely to sweat faster than smaller and lighter patients and thus are more likely to have bedsores. Another parameter that may affect the quick formation of decubitus ulcers or bedsores is the temperature and humidity of the environment. Considerable temperature will cause the body to sweat which will hasten the formation of bedsores if not attended to.OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a system for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients that aims to solve the drawbacks of the prior art. The present invention, which is defined by the appended claims, proposes a bed mattress with ventilation system wherein the ventilation is facilitated by blower fans which blows air ventilation through ventilation holes provided on the mattress body, and wherein the blower fans are activated by a programmable controller. The programmable controller derives its input from a temperature sensor and a moisture detector to direct the activation of the blower fans.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a bed mattress with ventilation system for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients wherein said mattress body is defined by a plurality of rectangular overlapping segments attached to each other at least at longitudinal ends thereof, such that, when the patient is pressed against the mattress body a gap is formed in between said overlapping segments permitting further ventilation air to pass through.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a bed mattress with ventilation system for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients wherein hammock effect is prevented on the mattress body by the overlapping segments which facilitate redistribution of the body weight of the patient to maintain its original form.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a bed mattress with ventilation system for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients wherein said mattress body is adapted to be placed on top of a bed frame of a mechanized hospital bed, and wherein the mattress body consists of three layers and wherein the bottom layer is made of nylon mesh to withstand the continuous movement and the friction caused by the movement of the mechanized bed.

[0010] These and other object and advantages of said invention will come to light upon a reading of the following description when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bed mattress with ventilation system for a mechanized bed assembly for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bed mattress with ventilation system; FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1A; FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1A; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the mattress with ventilation system of the present invention placed on top of a bed frame of a mechanized hospital bed; FIG. 5 is an isolated view of the mechanized hospital bed where the mattress of the present invention is conjoined; FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the mechanized bed assembly conjoined with the mattress with ventilation system; FIG. 7 is an isolated side view showing the relationship of the mattress body with pushers of the mechanized bed assembly; and FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the control circuit of the ventilation system of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Referring now to the several views of the drawing wherein like reference numerals designate same parts throughout, shown is the invention for a bed mattress with ventilation system for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients, the bed mattress with ventilation system generally designated as reference numeral 10.

[0013] The bed mattress with ventilation system 10 comprises a rectangular mattress body 12, said mattress body 12 being defined by a plurality of rectangular segments 121 attached to each other at least at longitudinal ends thereof, each of said rectangular segments 121 of the mattress body 12 being provided with spaced ventilating through holes 14 traversing the top and bottom surfaces thereof, a temperature sensor 16, and a moisture detector 18 provided proximate said mattress body 12. The temperature sensor 16 is adapted to monitor the temperature of the space surrounding the mattress body 12 while the moisture detector is adapted to sense whether moisture or wetness is present at a certain spot of the mattress body 12. As shown, the moisture detector 18 is attached to the mattress body 12 with the sensor probes 181 being embedded inside the mattress body 12.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the rectangular segments 121 can be arranged longitudinally while in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the rectangular segments 121 are arranged transversely. In both embodiments, the rectangular segments 121 are arranged in overlapping manner so that when a patient is pressed against the mattress body 12, the overlap will compensate for the sagging of each segment to reduce the gap that will be formed between said rectangular segments 121.

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the mattress body 12 is adapted to be placed on top of a bed frame "F" of a mechanized hospital bed "HB." As shown, the mechanized hospital bed "HB" is equipped with a plurality of pusher assemblies "P" within the bed frame "F" wherein said pusher assemblies "P" are adapted to be rotated by a drive motor "M." The pushers are arranged in alternating manner such that when they are simultaneously rotated, the pushers will cause an area of the mattress 26 to alter or move in alternating pattern. In the preferred embodiment, the number of transverse rectangular overlapping segments 121 comprising the mattress body 12 corresponds to the number of pusher assemblies "P" arranged in columns in the case of longitudinal rectangular segments 121, or in rows in the case of transverse rectangular segments 121, such that, when the body "B" of the patient is pressed against the mattress body 12 and the pusher assemblies "P," a gap "G" is formed in between said overlapping segments 121, as shown in FIG. 7. The attachment between the overlapping segments 121 is preferably facilitated with a flexible or elastic fabric 30 stitched at both longitudinal ends of adjacent segments so that adjacent or connected segments will be allowed to stretch away from each other to form the gap "G."

[0016] The overlapping segments 121 forming the mattress body 12 also facilitate redistribution of the body weight of the patient to maintain its original form after each cycle of the pusher assemblies "P" and prevent hammock effect wherein the mattress body is stretched taught like a hammock.

[0017] Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3, each of said transverse rectangular overlapping segments 121 of the mattress body 12 consists preferably of at least three (3) layers, including a bottom layer 20, a top layer 22, and a middle cushioning layer 24. As disclosed in the preceding paragraph, the bottom layer 20 of the mattress body 12 is in contact with the pusher assemblies "P" which are adapted to be rotated. It is imperative therefore that the bottom layer 20 is made of a strong material that will withstand the continuous movement and the friction caused by the rotation of the pusher assemblies "P" and also have the abrasive property to ensure that the middle cushioning layer 24 will maintain its position. The present invention herein proposes that the bottom layer 20 be of material inhibiting such properties such as nylon mesh or any other suitable material. The top layer 22 can be of any suitable fabric or leather material that will maintain the middle cushioning layer 24 in its position as well as having the strength and flexibility to be stitched with the nylon mesh bottom layer 20, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0018] The bed mattress with ventilation system 10 further includes a programmable controller 26 in electrical communication with the temperature sensor 16 and the moisture detector 18, and at least one blower fan 28 arranged below the mattress body 12, and in electrical communication with the programmable controller 26. As shown, the programmable controller 26 can be secured to the bed frame "F" or in any other convenient location. Both the temperature sensor 16 and moisture detector 18 are in electrical communication with the programmable controller 26 and serve to provide input parameters to said programmable controller 26 for the activation of the blower fan 28. For example, when heat and / or moisture are detected, the programmable controller 26 can be programmed to activate the blower fan 28 to deliver ventilating air through the spaced ventilating through holes 14 of the mattress body 12, as shown by the dashed arrows in FIG. 6, as well as through the gaps "G" between the overlapping segments 121, thus preventing or reducing formation of bedsores caused by heat and sweat of patients.

Claims

1. A mattress with ventilation system (10) for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients, the mattress with ventilation system (10) comprising a rectangular mattress body (12) being defined by a plurality of rectangular segments (121) attached to each other at least at longitudinal ends thereof, each of said rectangular segments (121) of the mattress body (12) provided with spaced ventilating through holes (14) traversing the top and bottom surfaces thereof, a temperature sensor (16) and a moisture detector (18) provided proximate said mattress body (12), characterized in that, said bed mattress with ventilation system (10) further includes a programmable controller (26) in electrical communication with the temperature sensor (16) and the moisture detector (18), and at least one blower fan (28) arranged below the mattress body (12), said at least one blower fan (28) in electrical communication with the programmable controller (26), wherein both the temperature sensor (16) and the moisture detector (18) serve to provide input parameters to said programmable controller (26) for the activation of said blower fan (28), such that when heat and moisture are detected, the controller (26) is programmed to activate the blower fan (28) to deliver ventilating air through the spaced ventilating through holes (14) of the mattress body (12).

2. The mattress with ventilation system (10) for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients according to claim 1, wherein the moisture detector (18) is attached to the mattress body (12) with sensor probes (181) of said moisture detector (18) being embedded inside the mattress body (12).

3. The mattress with ventilation system (10) for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients according to claim 1, wherein each of said rectangular segments (121) of the mattress body (12) consists of at least three layers, including a bottom layer (20), a top layer (22), and a middle cushioning layer (24).

4. The mattress with ventilation system (10) for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients according to claim 3, wherein the bottom layer (20) is made of nylon mesh material.

5. The mattress with ventilation system (10) for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients according to claim 3, wherein said rectangular segments (121) are arranged longitudinally in an overlapping manner.

6. The mattress with ventilation system (10) for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients according to claim 3, wherein said rectangular segments (121) are arranged transversely in an overlapping manner.