mattress

Abstract

The objective is to provide a mattress that prevents pressure ulcers, can be manufactured at a low cost, allows for precise control of the unevenness of each area of ​​its surface, and is expected to be highly effective in preventing pressure ulcers. [Solution] The system comprises multiple cells arranged in a planar configuration and a supply / discharge device that expands and contracts the cells by supplying and discharging fluid into and out of the cells. Multiple operation groups consisting of multiple cells are provided, and the supply / discharge device is configured to operate each cell so that cells of the same operation group are in a similar expanded and contracted state. Multiple cells are arranged in a row in a predetermined direction, which is a setting direction, when viewed from above, to form a cell row. The cell rows are arranged in parallel in a direction that intersects the setting direction when viewed from above, and adjacent cell rows are configured so that the cells constituting each row are offset from each other in the setting direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mattress for preventing pressure ulcers.

Background Art

[0002] A mattress provided with a plurality of cells arranged side by side in a plane and expanding and contracting vertically by supplying and discharging fluid into and from the cells, and a supply / discharge device for expanding and contracting the cells by supplying and discharging fluid into the cells is conventionally known.

[0003] Such a mattress can efficiently prevent pressure ulcers by individually controlling the expansion of a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged cells. However, when control means such as switching valves for controlling the expansion are provided individually for each of the plurality of cells, the number of parts increases and the manufacturing cost becomes high.

[0004] As an improvement of such a problem, a plurality of operation groups each composed of a plurality of cells are provided, and the supply / discharge device is configured to operate each cell so that the same cells in the operation group are in the same expansion / contraction state (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0005] The mattress of the above document can finely control the unevenness for each area on its upper surface by a plurality of operation groups, and it is only necessary to provide control means for each of the plurality of groups including a plurality of cells. Therefore, compared with the case where control means are provided individually for each of the plurality of cells, the manufacturing cost can be kept low.

[0006] However, since the cells of the mattress of the above document are simply arranged in a matrix, the effect of preventing pressure ulcers may be limited, and further improvement is desired.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a mattress that prevents pressure ulcers, is manufactured at a low cost, allows for precise control of unevenness in each area of ​​its surface, and is expected to be highly effective in preventing pressure ulcers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above problems, a mattress for preventing pressure ulcers is provided, comprising: a plurality of cells arranged in a planar layout and expanding and contracting vertically by supplying and discharging fluid into and out of them; a supply and discharge device that causes the cells to expand and contract by supplying and discharging fluid into and out of the cells; a plurality of operation groups consisting of a plurality of cells are provided; the supply and discharge device is configured to operate each cell so that identical cells in the operation group are in a similar state of expansion and contraction; the plurality of cells are arranged in a row in a predetermined direction, which is a setting direction, when viewed in plan, to form a cell row; the cell row is arranged in parallel in a direction that intersects the setting direction when viewed in plan; and adjacent cell rows are arranged such that the cells constituting each row are offset from each other in the setting direction.

[0010] Multiple cells 8 may be positioned in a staggered pattern, with their individual positions set accordingly.

[0011] The setting direction may be set along the entire length of the mattress.

[0012] Each action group may consist of a column of cells.

[0013] Multiple action groups may be positioned at different locations on the body of a person lying on the mattress.

[0014] The supply and discharge device may include a pump for pressurizing the fluid and one or more switching valves for switching or opening / closing the flow path to the cell, and the supply and discharge device may be configured to extend the cell by pressurizing the fluid into the cell by the pump, while shrinking the cell by discharging the fluid inside the cell by pressurizing the fluid by the pump or by switching the flow path by the switching valve.

[0015] The supply and discharge device may be configured such that, by providing one or more switching valves for switching or opening / closing the flow path leading to the cells for each of the multiple operating groups, each cell is operated so that cells belonging to the same operating group are in a similar state of expansion and contraction.

[0016] The supply and discharge device may be configured such that, by switching with the switching valve, a flow path is formed connecting the inside of the cell and the pump, and the pump is driven to pressurize fluid into the cell, thereby switching to an extended state in which the cell is extended; by switching with the switching valve, a flow path is formed connecting the inside of the cell and the pump, and the pump is driven to suck fluid into the cell, thereby switching to a contracted state in which the cell is contracted; and by stopping the pump and switching with the switching valve, a free state is achieved in which fluid can freely enter and exit the inside and outside of the cell.

[0017] The switching valve is a solenoid valve, and the supply / discharge device has a control unit that controls the switching valve, and the control unit may be configured to operate a plurality of operating groups in rotation or periodically.

[0018] The mattress body may be flexibly bendable and deformable, and the mattress body may be provided with a housing portion which is a hole or opening that is open at least at the top and in which at least the lower part of the cell is positioned and accommodated.

[0019] It may be provided with a breathable mattress body, the fluid may be air, and the supply / discharge device may be configured to exhaust air into the mattress body.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] By controlling the expansion and contraction of the cells for each of the plurality of operation groups, it is possible to keep the manufacturing cost low, and it is possible to finely control the unevenness for each area on its upper surface. Moreover, since the adjacent operation groups are arranged such that the cells constituting each of them are offset from each other in a predetermined one direction, the effect of preventing bedsores can also be sufficiently expected.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a side view of a bed provided with a mattress to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the mattress. [Figure 3] It is a side view of the mattress. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] (A) is a pneumatic circuit diagram showing the state of the supply / discharge device when switching to the rising mode, (B) is a pneumatic circuit diagram showing the state of the supply / discharge device when switching to the origin mode, and (C) is a pneumatic circuit diagram showing the state of the supply / discharge device when switching to the descending mode. [Figure 6] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the operation control executed by the control unit for each operation group.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Figure 1 is a side view of a bed with a mattress to which the present invention is applied. The bed comprises a headboard 1, a footboard 2, a plurality of bottoms 3 positioned between the headboard 1 and the footboard 2, a bed frame 4 to which the headboard 1 and the footboard 2 are attached and fixed and which supports the bottoms 3, and a mattress 6 positioned and placed on the bottoms 3, and has the function of preventing and mitigating (hereinafter simply "prevention") pressure ulcers in people who lie down to rest or sleep (hereinafter simply "sleepers").

[0023] Here, we define the headboard 1 side as the front and the footboard 2 side as the rear, and use this as a reference to determine the other directions. The following explanation will proceed based on this premise.

[0024] Multiple bottom 3s are arranged in a front-to-back configuration. The inclination angle of one of the adjacent bottom 3s is changed by rotating it up and down relative to the other, using their connection point as a pivot.

[0025] In the illustrated example, two bottoms 3 are provided: a backrest-side bottom 3A and a leg-side bottom 3B, and the tilt angle of the backrest-side bottom 3A is adjustable. Incidentally, the bottom 3 whose tilt angle is to be adjusted can be rotated up and down by an actuator and can be locked in any vertical rotation position or multiple vertical rotation positions.

[0026] Furthermore, it is possible to have more than three bottom sections, allowing users to choose the most comfortable side for their sleep.

[0027] Figures 2 and 3 are perspective and side views of the mattress, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 3. The mattress 6 is provided with the above-mentioned pressure ulcer prevention function, and specifically comprises a mattress body 7, a plurality of cells 8 that are secondarily (planarly) arranged vertically and horizontally (front and back and left and right) within the range in which the mattress body 7 is located in a plan view and that expand and contract vertically by supplying and discharging fluid (gas in this example) into and out of them, and a supply and discharge device 9 (see Figure 5) that causes the cells 8 to expand and contract by supplying and discharging fluid (air in this example) into and out of the cells 8.

[0028] The mattress body 7 is made of a material (such as a synthetic resin like urethane foam) that is flexible, bendable, and breathable, in response to changes in the inclination angle of some of the bottoms 3.

[0029] In this mattress body 7, at each of the multiple cell 8's placement positions, there are vertically oriented accommodating holes 7a into which the entire or substantially entire cell 8, with both the top and bottom sides open and in its natural length, is positioned and accommodated (specifically, accommodated in a fitted state). In other words, the same number of accommodating holes 7a are formed at each of the cell 8's placement positions in the mattress body 7.

[0030] Furthermore, the function of this housing is ensured as long as it has a depth and diameter that allows at least the lower part of the cell 8 to be positioned and accommodated, and it may also be composed of a bottomed housing hole with the bottom closed.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, this mattress 6 is provided with multiple sets of operating groups (cell rows) 11, each containing multiple cells 8, which operate so that these cells 8 reach similar expansion and contraction states (specifically, they expand and contract vertically to achieve the same or approximately the same vertical length). In other words, the supply and discharge device 9 is configured to operate each cell 8 so that cells 8 belonging to the same operating group 11 reach similar expansion and contraction states.

[0032] Each of the multiple motion groups 11 consists of cells 8 arranged in a line in a predetermined direction, which is a setting direction set in advance when viewed from above. In the illustrated example, this setting direction is set to the horizontal direction from front to back, which is the overall length of the mattress 6.

[0033] Multiple operation groups 11 are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the "parallel direction"), which is a direction that intersects (specifically, is orthogonal) with respect to the setting direction in a plan view. Specifically, the parallel direction is oriented horizontally from left to right.

[0034] In parallel, adjacent operation groups 11, 11 are configured such that the cells 8 constituting each group are offset from each other in the setting direction. Specifically, in parallel, adjacent operation groups 11, 11 are arranged in an alternating pattern so that the individual cells 8, 8 constituting each group are not adjacent to each other in the parallel direction.

[0035] In other words, the positions of the individual cells 8 are set so that the multiple cells 8 arranged in two dimensions are in a staggered pattern. Correspondingly, the positions of the individual accommodation holes 7a drilled in the mattress body 7 are also set so that they are in a staggered pattern.

[0036] In the illustrated example, the density of the accommodating holes 7a (cells 8) is not evenly distributed throughout the entire mattress body 7. In the area of ​​the mattress body 7 that includes the part where the sleeper's head is positioned (in this example, the area closer to the headboard 1), the density of cells 8 is lower. This is because the risk of the sleeper's head developing pressure sores is low in this area.

[0037] Specifically, by providing a non-functioning area 6a in the mattress body 7, near the end and center of the headboard 1 side, where no receiving holes 7a are provided, the density of the receiving holes 7a is biased as described above.

[0038] Figure 5(A) is a pneumatic circuit diagram showing the state of the supply and discharge device when switching to the upward mode, (B) is a pneumatic circuit diagram showing the state of the supply and discharge device when switching to the origin mode, and (C) is a pneumatic circuit diagram showing the state of the supply and discharge device when switching to the downward mode. The supply and discharge device 9 includes a pump 12 that pumps air, which is a type of fluid, and one or more solenoid valves (switching valves) 13, 14 that switch and open / close the flow path leading to the cell 8.

[0039] The supply and discharge device 9 expands the cell 8 by pumping air into the cell 8 using the pump 12, while simultaneously contracting the cell 8 by discharging the fluid inside the cell 8 using the pump 12 or by switching the flow path using the solenoid valves 13 and 14.

[0040] To describe the supply and discharge device 9 in detail, the solenoid valves 13 and 14 are provided: a pump-connection solenoid valve 13 that forms an air passage from the pump 12 to the cell 8, and an external-connection solenoid valve 14 that forms an air passage to the outside.

[0041] The pump connection solenoid valve 13 is a directional control valve that switches between an open state, which forms an air passage from the pump 12 to the cell 8, and a closed state, which blocks that passage. This pump connection solenoid valve 13 is constantly elastically biased toward the open state.

[0042] The external solenoid valve 14 is a directional control valve that switches between an open state, which forms at least a portion of the flow path from inside the cell 8 to the outside, and a closed state, which blocks that flow path. This pump connection solenoid valve 13 is constantly elastically biased toward the open state.

[0043] In this example, by switching both the pump connection solenoid valve 13 and the external connection solenoid valve 14 to the open state, the entire flow path for discharging air from cell 8 to the outside is formed.

[0044] Pump 12 is connected to a flow path 16 that is permanently formed between two solenoid valves 13 and 14, and is also connected to the outside.

[0045] The pump 12 discharges air drawn in from the flow path 16 to the outside by rotating the motor it contains in one direction (forward rotation), and discharges air drawn in from the outside into the flow path 16 by rotating the motor in the other direction (reverse rotation).

[0046] Incidentally, the inside of the breathable mattress body 7 is set as the external area through which air is discharged via the external connection solenoid valve 14, and as the external area to which the pump 12 is connected. By discharging air into the inside of the mattress body 7 in this way, moisture inside the mattress body 7 can be removed.

[0047] These two types of solenoid valves 13 and 14 are provided for each of the multiple operating groups. In this example, this makes it possible to operate each cell so that cells belonging to the same operating group are in a similar state of expansion and contraction.

[0048] Incidentally, cell 8 is molded in a cylindrical shape (circular in plan view) oriented vertically, and its bellows 8a formed on its circumferential surface allow it to expand and contract. Correspondingly, the housing hole 7a is also molded in a circular shape (composed of a cylindrical space) in plan view, allowing cell 8 to be housed in a fitted state.

[0049] Furthermore, the extended state of the bellows-structured cell 8 can be detected by a sensor 17 (see Figure 6) that directly or indirectly detects the internal pressure. One or more of these sensors 17 are provided for each of the multiple operating groups 11, and they detect the state of each cell 8 belonging to that operating group 11.

[0050] The supply and discharge device 9 configured in this way switches to an upward mode that extends each cell 8 of the operation group 11 by switching one of the solenoid valves 13 and 14 provided exclusively for the operation group 11, which is the pump connection solenoid valve 13, to the open state and the other, which is the external connection solenoid valve 14, to the closed state, and by driving the pump 12 in the forward direction (see Figure 5(A)).

[0051] Furthermore, the supply and discharge device 9 switches to a downward mode in which each cell 8 of the operation group 11 is reduced in size by switching one of the solenoid valves 13 and 14, which are provided exclusively for the operation group 11, to the open state, and the other, the solenoid valve 14 for external connection, to the closed state, and by driving the pump 12 in reverse (see Figure 5(C)).

[0052] Furthermore, the supply and discharge device 9 switches each of the solenoid valves 13 and 14, which are provided exclusively for the multiple operating groups 11, to the open state, and stops the pump 12 from driving, thereby allowing gas to freely move in and out of each cell 8 of the operating group 11, and switching to the origin mode in which the cell 8 expands and contracts to its natural length (see Figure 5(B)).

[0053] In other words, the supply and discharge device 9 is switched between an upward mode, a downward mode, or a home mode by switching the opening and closing of two solenoid valves 13 and 14 and the flow path, and by switching the operation of the pump 12.

[0054] When switching to each mode, whether or not the expansion and contraction of cell 8 has been completed is determined by the detection result of sensor 17.

[0055] For example, the completion of the switch to the free state in which each cell 8 belonging to the target operation group 11 is expanded or contracted to its natural length by switching to the origin mode is confirmed by confirming that the pressure detected by the sensor 17, which is specifically provided for that operation group 11, has stabilized at the minimum value. Incidentally, when the cell 8 is expanded or contracted to its natural length, the upper surface of the cell 8 is flush with the upper surface of the mattress body 7 or slightly protruding.

[0056] Furthermore, the completion of the switch to the upward mode, where each cell 8 belonging to the target operation group 11 is fully extended, is confirmed by verifying that the pressure detected by the sensor 17, which is specifically provided for that operation group 11, has stabilized at the maximum positive pressure. Incidentally, when a cell 8 is fully extended, the upper surface of the cell 8 protrudes from the upper surface of the mattress body 7.

[0057] Furthermore, the completion of the switch to a sufficiently retracted state for each cell 8 belonging to the target operation group 11 by switching to the descent mode is confirmed by verifying that the pressure detected by the sensor 17, which is specifically provided for that operation group 11, has stabilized at the maximum value on the negative pressure side. Incidentally, when a cell 8 is sufficiently retracted, the upper surface of the cell 8 is located below the upper surface of the mattress body 7.

[0058] The supply and discharge device 9 is equipped with a control unit 18 (see Figure 6) consisting of a microcontroller and the like that controls the drive of the pump 12 and the opening and closing / switching of two types of solenoid valves 13 and 14.

[0059] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit. The control unit 18 incorporates a timer 18a that performs counting using the frequency of a CPU or the like. The aforementioned sensor 17 is connected to its input side, and the aforementioned pump 12 and solenoid valves 13 and 14, two of which are provided for each of the multiple operation groups 11, are connected to its output side.

[0060] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for operation control that the control unit performs for each operation group. When processing starts, the control unit starts processing from step S101. In step S101, the timer 18a is set and counting begins (S101), and processing proceeds to step S102.

[0061] In step S102, each cell 8 of the operation group 11 is switched to the origin mode, and after switching each cell 8 of the operation group 11 to the free state, the process proceeds to step S103. In step S103, it is checked whether the count by timer 18a has completed for the operation group 11. If it has completed, the process proceeds to step S104; otherwise, the process returns to step S102.

[0062] In step S104, each cell 8 of the operation group 11 is switched to the downward mode, and after switching each cell 8 of the operation group 11 to the contracted state, the process proceeds to step S105. In step S105, each cell 8 of the operation group 11 is switched to the upward mode, and after switching each cell 8 of the operation group 11 to the extended state, the process returns to step S101, and the process shown in Figure 7 is repeated thereafter.

[0063] The above process is performed for each operation group 11, and the timing of this process is appropriately staggered among the operation groups 11, thereby causing multiple operation groups 11 to operate in a rotating and periodic manner.

[0064] With a bed (mattress 6) configured as described above, the pressure acting on the sleeper on the mattress 6 is appropriately released, effectively preventing bedsores in the sleeper.

[0065] In particular, it can be expected to be highly effective in preventing bedsores in bedridden patients with serious conditions who are unable to turn over. This can also reduce the burden on hospitals.

[0066] Incidentally, the positive pressure value in cell 8 when it is extended is set to about half of the limit pressure of that cell 8. The same applies to the negative pressure value in cell 8 when it is contracted.

[0067] In the example above, the setting direction was set along the entire length of the mattress 6, but it is also possible to set it along the width of the mattress 6. Furthermore, it may be set for each part of the person sleeping. In other words, in the example above, each action group 11 was composed of a column of cells, but it is also possible to set action groups using a separate set of cells 11.

[0068] Furthermore, in the example described above, after completing the operation in the origin mode, the system transitions to the upward mode, and after completing that operation, it moves to the downward mode, and after completing that operation, it transitions back to the origin mode. This process is repeated, and the cycle is set by the time to be counted. Alternatively, it may be set to correspond to operation group 11 and perform complex movements useful for preventing pressure ulcers.

[0069] Furthermore, since it is not necessary to repeatedly switch to the origin mode from the start of counting until the count-up is complete, if the count-up is not yet complete in step S103, the process in step S103 may be repeated again. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0070] 1 Headboard 2 Footboards 3 Bottom 3A Backrest bottom 3B Leg-side bottom 4 bed frames 6 Mattresses 6a Non-acting area 7. Mattress body 7a. Enclosure opening (enclosure section) 8 cells (air cells) 8a Bellows 9 Supply / discharge device 11 Action Group (Cell Column) 12 pumps 13. Solenoid valves for pump connection (switching valves, solenoid valves) 14. Solenoid valves for external connection (switching valves, solenoid valves) 16 channels 17 CM 18 Control Unit 18a timer

Claims

1. A mattress that prevents pressure ulcers, Multiple cells arranged in a planar configuration and expanding and contracting vertically due to the supply and discharge of fluid into and out of them, The system includes a supply and discharge device that causes the cell to expand and contract by supplying and discharging fluid into and out of the cell, Multiple action groups consisting of multiple cells are created, The supply and discharge device is configured to operate each cell so that cells of the same operating group are in a similar state of expansion and contraction. Multiple cells are arranged in a row in a predetermined direction, which is a set direction, when viewed from a planar perspective, to form a cell column. The aforementioned cell rows are arranged in parallel in a direction that intersects the setting direction in a plan view, Adjacent cell columns are arranged such that the cells constituting each column are offset from each other in the aforementioned setting direction. A mattress characterized by the following features.

2. Multiple cells 8 are arranged in a staggered pattern, with their individual positions set accordingly. The mattress according to claim 1.

3. The setting direction is set along the entire length of the mattress. The mattress according to claim 1.

4. Each action group is composed of a column of cells. The mattress according to claim 1.

5. Multiple movement groups are positioned at different locations on the mattress, corresponding to the positions of various parts of the body of the person lying on it. The mattress according to claim 1.

6. The supply and discharge device comprises a pump for pressurizing the fluid and one or more switching valves for switching or opening / closing the flow path leading to the cell. The supply and discharge device is configured to extend the cell by pumping fluid into the cell using the pump, and to shrink the cell by discharging the fluid inside the cell using the pump or by switching the flow path using the switching valve. The mattress according to claim 1.

7. The supply and discharge device is configured such that each cell operates in such a way that cells belonging to the same operating group expand and contract in a similar manner, by providing one or more switching valves for switching or opening and closing the flow path leading to the cells for each of the multiple operating groups. The mattress according to claim 6.

8. The aforementioned supply and discharge device, By switching with the aforementioned switching valve, a flow path is formed connecting the inside of the cell and the pump, and by driving the pump and pressurizing fluid into the cell, the cell is switched to an extended state in which it is extended. By switching with the aforementioned switching valve, a flow path is formed connecting the inside of the cell and the pump, and by driving the pump to draw fluid into the cell, the cell is switched to a contracted state in which it is reduced in size. The pump is stopped from driving, and the switching valve is used to switch the cell to a free state, which allows fluid to freely enter and exit the cell. It is configured in such a way The mattress according to claim 6.

9. The aforementioned switching valve is a solenoid valve, The supply and discharge device has a control unit that controls the switching valve, The control unit is configured to operate multiple operation groups in a rotational or periodic manner. The mattress according to claim 6.

10. Equipped with a mattress body that can be bent and deformed flexibly, The mattress body is provided with a housing portion which is a hole or opening that is open at least at the top and in which at least the lower part of the cell is positioned and housed. The mattress according to claim 1.

11. Equipped with a breathable mattress body, The fluid is air, The supply and discharge device is configured to exhaust air into the mattress body. The mattress according to claim 1.

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