A mattress

Abstract

Mattress suitable for providing pressure relief, muscle recovery and heat dissipation through adaptive rigidity based on body heat. The mattress includes a rigid foam base 4 with opposing, upwardly ex

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a mattress. More especially, the invention relates to a mattress which includes a plurality of internal foam layers to provide for a user improved heat dissipation and muscle recovery. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Hospital mattresses are an integral part of clinical environments. They are different from regular mattresses for reason that they are required to aid in patient recovery as opposed to solely providing comfort. Hospital mattresses typically comprise an internal synthetic or natural foam layer which is encased in a waterproof and easy-to-clean cover. In use, the mattress surface remains static and relieves pressure over time by evenly distributing an individual's weight over a large surface at a continuous low pressure . However, one issue with these mattresses is that patients who utilise the mattress for extended periods of time need to be moved regularly to prevent the formation of pressure ulcers. An alternative to a standard foam hospital mattress is an alternating air pressure mattress. Such mattresses use constantly alternating inflated air cells which can help relieve and redistribute pressure through a dynamic surface. The flow of air is controlled by a pump which is connected to the mattress, ensuring there is constant movement under the patient's skin. Such pumps are loud and need to be constantly turned on to provide support for the patient. Furthermore, due to vibration caused by the pump, some patients may also get nausea. Hybrid pressure mattresses provide an alternative to standard mattresses, these being able to target which can target pressure relief without the need of air pumps. The present invention seeks to provide a mattress which can provide pressure relief with enhanced heat dissipation without the need of an air pump. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a mattress suitable for providing inter alia pressure relief, muscle recovery and heat dissipation through adaptive comprising a rigid foam base with opposing, upwardly extending side walls; a castellated foam layer; a plurality of thermo-responsive polymeric foam layers which is superimposed onto the castellated foam layer and a patient interface layer, comprising a thermo-responsive foam positioned above said foam layers. Preferably, the side walls of the foam base include downwardly extending castellations. Preferably, the foam base comprises a polyether-polyurethane foam. Preferably, the castellated foam layer comprises a of polyether-polyurethane foam. Preferably, the patient interface layer comprises a thermo-responsive polymeric foam. Preferably, the thermo-responsive foam block comprises at least one thermo-responsive foam and at least one polyether-polyurethane foam. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a mattress in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the mattress illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the mattress illustrated in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a further perspective view of the mattress illustrated in Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 is an exploded view of a further mattress in accordance with the invention. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the mattress illustrated in figure 5; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of the mattress illustrated in figure 5. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention will now be described with reference to the following examples of mattresses in accordance with the invention. The illustrated mattress 2 comprises a rigid foam base 4, upon which is positioned a castellated foam layer 6 and a patient interface layer 8. Thermo-responsive foam block 10 is located between the foam layer 6 and the interface layer 8, this foam block comprising a plurality of foam layers superimposed onto the castellated foam layer 6. Each layer of foam is secured to its neighbouring layer or layers by an adhesive. By 'thermo-responsive foam' it is meant a foam which can decrease in hardness upon an increase in body temperature. The foam base 4 is a polyether-polyurethane foam, preferably having a density range of 46-70 kg / m3. The foam base 4 comprises two opposing generally vertically extending walls 12. As will be seen from figure 2, each wall 12 includes castellations 14 which extend downwardly from the top surface of the base 4 to provide flexibility to the mattress. The height of each wall 12 is preferably between 40-50mm; preferably 45mm. The castellated foam layer 6 sits on the base layer 4. The foam layer 6 preferably comprises a polyurethane foam and has a density range of 38-54 kg / m3 and a thickness of 72-77mm. A preferred thickness is 75mm. The patient interfacing foam layer 8 comprises a thermo-responsive polymeric foam, having a density range of 57-61 kg / m3 and a thickness of 15-25mm. A preferred thickness is 20mm. Located therebetween is a thermo-responsive foam block, which comprises a plurality of foam layers 10 superimposed on the castellated layer 6 and comprising two different foams to provide structural support through the use of thermo-responsive polymeric foams. The order of these foam layers is not limited to what has been depicted in the figures. The thermo-responsive polymeric foam layer preferably has a density range of 48-61 kg / m3 and a thickness of between 20-30mm. At least one foam layer is comprised of a polyether-polyurethane foam, having a density range of 24-38 kg / m3 and a thickness of 18-26mm. The invention will now be described with reference to the following examples of mattresses in accordance with the invention. Example 1 In this example, the mattress is comprised of six distinct layers, these comprise; a foam base 4 which is 25mm thick and its sides 12 are 45mm in height, the density range of the foam is between 65-68 kg / m3. a castellated foam layer 6 which is 75mm thick, the density range of the foam being between 48-52 kg / m3. a thermo-responsive block 10 comprised of three layers, each with a thickness of 20mm are situated between the castellated layer and the patient interface layer. These layers comprise: 1. Polyether-polyurethane foam, wherein the foam has a density range of 34-37 kg / m3. 2. Thermo-responsive polymeric foam, wherein the foam has a density range of 48-52 kg / m3. 3. Polyether-polyurethane foam, wherein the foam has a density range of 48-52 kg / m3. Example 2 In this example, the mattress is comprised of five layers, these comprise; a foam base 4 which is 30 mm thick and its sides 12 which are 45mm in height. The density range of the foam is 48-52 kg / m3. a castellated foam layer 6 which is 75mm thick, the density range of the foam being between 40-42 kg / m3. A thermo-responsive block 10 comprised of two layers is situated between the castellated layer and the patient interface layer. These layers comprising: 1. Polyether-polyurethane foam, of thickness of 25mm and the density range of between 34-37 kg / m3. 2. Thermo-responsive polymeric foam, of thickness of 30mm and density range between 48-52 kg / m3. It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of mattresses in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made without departing from the true scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A mattress suitable for providing inter alia pressure relief, muscle recovery and heat dissipation through adaptive rigidity based on body heat, the mattress comprising;a rigid foam base with opposing, upwardly extending side walls;a castellated foam layer;a plurality of thermo-responsive polymeric foam layers which is superimposed onto the castellated foam layer; anda patient interface layer, comprising a thermo-responsive foam positioned above said polymeric foam layers .

2. A mattress according to claim 1, wherein the side walls of the foam base include downwardly extending castellations.

3. A mattress according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the foam base comprises a polyether-polyurethane foam.

4. A mattress according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the castellated foam layer comprises a of polyether-polyurethane foam.

5. A mattress according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the patient interface layer comprises a thermo-responsive polymeric foam.

6. A mattress according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermo-responsive foam block comprises at least one thermo-responsive foam and at least one polyetherpolyurethane foam.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS:17 04 24CLAIMS1. A mattress suitable for providing inter alia pressure relief, muscle recovery and heat dissipation through adaptive rigidity based on body heat, the mattress comprising;a rigid foam base with opposing, upwardly extending side walls;a castellated foam layer;a thermo-responsive foam block comprised of multiple layers, at least one of which is thermo-responsive polymeric foam, where the block is superimposed onto the castellated foam layer;anda patient interface layer, comprising a thermo-responsive foam positioned above said polymeric foam layers .

2. A mattress according to claim 1, wherein the side walls of the foam base include downwardly extending castellations.

3. A mattress according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the foam base comprises a polyether-polyurethane foam.

4. A mattress according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the castellated foam layer comprises a ofpolyether-polyurethane foam.CM5. A mattress according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the patient interface layer comprises a thermo-responsive polymeric foam.

6. A mattress according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermo-responsive foam block further comprises at least one polyether-polyurethane foam.

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