MATTRESS DEVICE WITH MODULAR, STATIC OR DYNAMIC DECOMPRESSION

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular, static or dynamic decompression mattress device.

[0002] Such a mattress is intended to be used preferentially, but not exclusively, in the hospital setting to prevent the formation of bedsores and / or to make the user assume a particular posture, or a succession of different particular postures.

[0003] Among the most efficient, we know from documents FR 2 953 387 and FR 2 928 250 in the name of the applicant of static or dynamic inflatable mattresses, comprising one or more sets of inflatable cells with adjustable low pressure, associated with inflation and pressure management means allowing to inflate or deflate, simultaneously and / or alternately, one or more of said cells, allowing, by alternating inflation and deflation operations, to generate a swinging motion.

[0004] Advantageously, these mattresses comprise several distinct zones with juxtapositions of cushions, individually removable, which extend in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the general longitudinal direction of the mattress, or parallel to said longitudinal direction.

[0005] The cells of these mattresses are linked together and / or connected individually or in blocks to inflation and pressure management systems via a network of pipes, creating a coherent unit. While it is possible to customize a mattress to the patient's specific needs before use, the numerous pipes and connections make modifying the mattress's composition after it has been in operation difficult, if not impossible.

[0006] US patents 3,042,941, 6,151,735, and 6,912,748 are known to describe inflatable mattresses with an integrated pump, consisting of a cell containing a compressible memory foam element, and equipped with valves to allow the inflation of additional cells. However, these patents do not allow for the creation of a modular decompression mattress. Modular decompression mattress devices also exist, such as those described in patents US2005125905A1 and US7886386B2.

[0007] The present invention aims to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a modular, static or dynamic decompression mattress device that does not require connection to inflation and pressure management means via pipes.

[0008] The present invention relates to a modular decompression mattress device as defined in claim 1. The preferred features of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0009] When pressure is applied to a cell by a part of the body, the cell gradually deflates in accordance with the controlled flow rate of the extraction valve, and the foam block also compresses. When pressure is released, the foam block returns to its original shape, causing the cell to reinflate in accordance with the controlled flow rate of the inlet valve. This results in the cell deflating and inflating according to the external pressure.

[0010] According to an additional feature of the mattress device according to the invention, the valves are positioned at one end of each cell.

[0011] This eliminates the risk of the valves becoming blocked by the user lying on the mattress.

[0012] According to another additional feature of the mattress device according to the invention, the cells have irregularly shaped cross-sections: round, oval, square, or rectangular. This allows, for example, depending on the need to position them within the mattress device, the cells on one side or the other as required, to create a protrusion or a depression, for example, and this at any time since there are no pipes that could impede the movement of the cells.

[0013] According to another additional feature of the mattress device according to the invention, each cover is closed by a waterproof zip closure.

[0014] The envelopes, which are preferably made of a nylon-type plastic material, can be closed, after the introduction of the foam block(s), by a welding operation; however, a waterproof zip closure is preferred to allow the replacement of the block(s) if necessary.

[0015] According to another additional feature of the mattress device according to the invention, the foam block or blocks or similar material have particular surface reliefs, different on one side compared to another, each dedicated to a particular function.

[0016] It is therefore possible that one side of a cell is flat, while another, for example, is notched in the transverse direction, to create lateral support.

[0017] The cells are arranged transversely and / or longitudinally, and in an interchangeable and / or repositionable manner, as needed, with the possibility of modifying its composition at any time.

[0018] A mattress according to the invention is perfectly autonomous, it works without a compressor, it moves on the users' own requests.

[0019] From an ecological point of view, it has the advantage of having little or no carbon footprint in operation.

[0020] It should be noted that such a mattress is not strictly for medical use; it can very well be used by individuals.

[0021] On the other hand, it is perfectly possible to integrate into the mattress system one or more classic type inflatable cells, i.e. not equipped with a decompression system, and intended to remain inflated.

[0022] The advantages and characteristics of the mattress device according to the invention will become clearer from the following description, which relates to the attached drawing, which represents a non-limiting embodiment thereof.

[0023] In the attached drawing: there figure 1 represents a schematic perspective view and cutaway view of a mattress device according to the invention, the figure 2 represents a schematic perspective view of part of the same mattress system.

[0024] With reference to the figure 1 We can see a mattress device 1 according to the invention. It comprises a removable outer cover 2 shown partially, inside of which inflatable cells 3 are arranged juxtaposed.

[0025] Each of these cells 3 comprises a sealed envelope 30, equipped with two one-way flow-controlled valves, one 31 of which is adapted for air extraction while the other 32 is adapted for air introduction.

[0026] On the other hand, each envelope 30 contains a block 33 of foam or similar, with shape memory, capable on the one hand of deforming under the action of a pressure, and on the other hand of returning to its shape without pressure.

[0027] It will be understood that during the deformation of cell 3 under support, air escapes through valve 31, while during the recovery of shape of block 33 this causes the envelope 30 to swell by aspiration through valve 32.

[0028] Cells 3 can be of different shapes, as can be seen, but not limited to, on the figure 1 whether in the transverse or longitudinal direction, the envelope 30 being of course of appropriate shape.

[0029] We can thus see a cell 4 wider, in the direction of the length of the mattress 1, than the other cells 3, as well as a cell 5 whose upper face 50 is on the one hand convex in the direction of its width, and hollow in the transverse direction of the mattress 1.

[0030] This allows you to build a custom mattress, by choosing the 3 cells, arranging them in the cover, according to your needs.

[0031] According to the invention, since the cells 3 are independent, and not connected to inflation and pressure management means, it is possible at any time to exchange one or more cells 3, whether for replacement following a defect, or to modify the geometry of the mattress.

[0032] With reference to the figure 2 , which represents a cell 3 in view from below, we can see that the envelope 30 is closed by means of a waterproof zip closure 34.

Claims

1. Static or dynamic modular decompression mattress device, wherein it comprises, in a cover (2), a juxtaposition of inflatable cells (3; 4; 5), each comprising a sealed envelope (30), and each provided with at least two controlled-flow unidirectional valves (31; 32), one (31) of which is adapted to extract air while the other (32) is adapted to introduce air, and said envelope (30) includes internally at least one block (33) of foam or the like, capable on the one hand of deforming under the action of a pressing on said cell (3; 4; 5) so as to cause said envelope (30) to deflate, and on the other hand of regaining its shape without pressing so as to cause said envelope (30) to inflate by suction, characterised in that said cells (3; 4; 5) comprise independent cells (3), not connected to inflation and pressure-management means.

2. Mattress device according to claim 1, characterised in that the valves are positioned at one end of the cell.

3. Mattress device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the cells (3; 4; 5) have a cross-section of irregular shape, round, oval, square or rectangular.

4. Mattress device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that each envelope (30) is closed by an airtight zip-type closure (34).

5. Mattress device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the block(s) (33) of foam or similar has on the surface particular reliefs, different on one side with respect to another, each dedicated to a particular function, the upper face (50) of the cell (5) being on the one hand curved in the direction of its width, and hollow in the transverse direction of the mattress (1).