Inflatable mattress and its control

Abstract

A patient support system is provided that allows for the formation of a gap (e.g., a channel) between the patient's target area and the support surface on which the patient is supported. The gap may be provided by selectively lowering a region of the patient support aligned with the patient's target area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a mattress used to support an individual thereon, and more specifically, to a mattress used in a medical setting and having one or more inflatable zones.

Background Art

[0002] In a medical setting, pressure ulcers (pressure injuries) that occur in hospitals are the cause of 60,000 deaths per year. Hospital mattresses are used to support patients placed on beds, stretchers, cots, etc., in addition to the treatment and prevention of pressure ulcers. There are mainly four factors contributing to the occurrence of pressure ulcers, namely, pressure, heat, moisture (humidity), and shear.

[0003] Hospital mattresses are equipped with various means of redistributing pressure, including one or more inflatable bladder (air bladder, bag) with controllable inflation levels. The inflation level of the bladder can be set to distribute the patient's weight over the widest possible area, or to distribute it over an area sufficient to reduce undesirable pressure concentration on the patient's body. Approximately 70% of pressure ulcers occur in the sacral region near bony prominences. Current clinical guidelines require patients to be repositioned (turned) every two hours to redistribute pressure in the sacral region. This is known as the "Q2 turn." Acceptance criteria for the Q2 turn require clinicians to recommend offloading the sacrum and repositioning the patient to a 30° angle. Conventional offloading is often achieved by creating a gap directly beneath the sacrum using pillows or wedges and supporting the adjacent areas above and below the sacrum. Adequate offloading in this procedure can be verified by touching the sacrum from below the patient to ensure there is no contact between the patient and the surface below. While the Q2 turn is standard care for pressure ulcer prevention, conventional products available on the market do not automatically perform the Q2 turn on behalf of the caregiver. Conventional products exist, but they either 1) assist in positioning the patient in the Q2 turn position, or 2) automatically rotate the patient without meeting the requirements for maintaining the Q2 turn. The Q2 turn position also allows outside air (ambient air) to reach the sacrum, enabling the dissipation of heat and moisture.

[0004] Conventional mattresses used in medical settings often accumulate moisture between the mattress and the patient, which increases the coefficient of friction against the skin and can lead to pressure ulcers. Efforts have been made to address these concerns, such as incorporating microclimate control features (local temperature and humidity of the skin) like low-air-loss systems. However, despite such efforts, moisture accumulation and pressure ulcers remain concerns. Similarly, moisture accumulation and pressure ulcers when the patient is lying on the mattress can be hidden from visual inspection or examination. Traditionally, methods have been employed to periodically move the patient to dissipate moisture and heat buildup, but such examinations are time-consuming, interfere with patient care, and raise patient handling concerns.

[0005] Nursing is a laborious profession in the United States due to the cumulative musculoskeletal strain caused by patient repositioning. Patient repositioning is one of the most burdensome tasks performed by nurses. While products exist to assist caregivers in these care activities, there are no readily available automated solutions, and caregiver labor remains. Patient repositioning is performed for purposes beyond pressure ulcer prevention through pressure redistribution and microclimate management. Skin checks constitute standard care in pressure ulcer diagnosis.

[0006] As part of a pressure ulcer skin check, caregivers rotate the patient's body from supine to lateral to examine the skin condition on the back. This examination may include separating skin folds and assessing reperfusion through skin blanching (temporary pallor due to skin pressure). Rotation allows caregivers to adequately perform these assessment procedures. However, not all patients can tolerate positional changes.

[0007] Patients with hemodynamic instability may experience a decrease in oxygen saturation due to rotation, making care staff hesitant to move them. This is a deliberate trade-off, prioritizing other vital organ systems over skin concerns, particularly cardiac concerns. Providing means to deliver pressure redistribution, microclimate management, and skin checks to supine patients without repositioning would allow caregivers to balance traditionally conflicting priorities.

[0008] Other devices within the scope of hospital mattresses provide solutions to adjacent challenges that the mattress itself does not address. Bed sheets form a hygienic layer between the patient and the mattress top cover and are washable after each patient use. Positioning devices reduce the force required to lift, move laterally, and reposition the patient. Absorbent pads (or chuxes) remove and collect moisture excreted by the patient and are often placed closest to the patient. Patient gowns ensure access necessary for care activities while maintaining the patient's dignity. Specialized mattresses designed for pressure ulcer prevention often do not consider these adjacent layers when comprehensively evaluating their pressure ulcer prevention performance, leaving ambiguity when caregivers judge the cumulative impact on patient care. [Overview of the Initiative] [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In general, an innovative embodiment of the subject matter described herein may be provided in a patient support system for a patient support device comprising a deck having one or more deck sections. The patient support system may include a patient support that can be supported on the deck. The patient support may include first and second inflatable bladders. The first inflatable bladder may be associated with a first support surface region of the patient support, and the second inflatable bladder may be associated with a second support surface region of the patient support. The first and second inflatable bladders may be adjacent to each other and may be operable to contact and collectively support the patient on the first and second support surface regions.

[0010] The patient support system may include a control system configured to direct (control) the inflation levels of first and second inflatable bladder. The control system may be operable to selectively lower the second support surface area relative to the first support surface area by decreasing the inflation level of the second inflatable bladder relative to the first support surface area, thereby creating a gap between the second support surface area and the patient.

[0011] The preceding and other embodiments may, individually or in combination, optionally include one or more of the following features. In particular, one embodiment may include all of the following features in combination.

[0012] In some embodiments, the inflation level of the second inflatable bladder can be reduced by the contraction (decompression, deflation) of the second inflatable bladder.

[0013] In some embodiments, contraction is provided by forming a vacuum for the second inflatable bladder.

[0014] In some embodiments, the control system may be operable to direct (control) the inflation level of a second inflatable bladder as part of a zone of multiple bladders associated with the second inflatable bladder.

[0015] In some embodiments, the patient support may include a third inflatable bladder associated with a third support surface region of the patient support. The third inflatable bladder may be located on one side of the second inflatable bladder, opposite to the first inflatable bladder.

[0016] In some embodiments, the control system may be configured to instruct (control) the inflation level of a second inflatable bladder to selectively lower the second support surface area relative to both the first and third support surface areas, thereby creating gaps between the second support surface area and the patient, and between the first and third support surface areas.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first and third support surface regions support and contact the patient, and the gap may provide a channel (passage, groove) between the first and third support surface regions.

[0018] In some embodiments, the channel may provide a fluid path for outside air to flow between the second support surface region and the patient.

[0019] In some embodiments, the third inflatable bladder may be adjacent to the second inflatable bladder, and as a result, the second inflatable bladder may be sandwiched between the first inflatable bladder and the third inflatable bladder.

[0020] In some embodiments, the area of ​​the patient that can be supported by the second support surface area is visible for examination through the gap.

[0021] In some embodiments, the gap provides physical access (means of reaching) to examine the patient from one side of the patient support.

[0022] In some embodiments, the gap may be large enough to offload pressure, yet small enough to prevent the patient from bottoming out against the support deck.

[0023] In some embodiments, the gap may be large enough to allow outside air to reach the surface, yet small enough to prevent the patient from bottoming out against the support deck.

[0024] In some embodiments, the patient support may include a first inflatable bladder and a second inflatable bladder, and an uppermost layer provided between them and the patient. The uppermost layer may be operably coupled to the second inflatable bladder and may provide a second support surface area for supporting the patient thereon. The second support surface area of ​​the uppermost layer may descend in response to a decrease in the inflation level of the second inflatable bladder relative to the first inflatable bladder, creating a gap.

[0025] In some embodiments, the top layer may be attached to the second inflatable bladder.

[0026] In some embodiments, one or more intermediate layers are provided between the top layer and the second inflatable bladder, and the one or more intermediate layers can move with the top layer.

[0027] In some embodiments, a vacuum can be formed with respect to the top layer and the bladder, facilitating movement of the top layer together with the second inflatable bladder.

[0028] In some embodiments, the gap provides a zero pressure (no pressure) region with respect to the patient and the patient's second support surface region.

[0029] In some embodiments, a contact pressure (interface pressure) sensor may be provided between the patient and the first and second support surface regions. This contact pressure sensor may be configured to provide contact pressure sensor information regarding the respective contact pressures between the patient and the first and second support surface regions.

[0030] In some embodiments, the control system may be configured to instruct (control) the inflation levels of the first and second inflatable bladders based on the contact pressure sensor information.

[0031] In some embodiments, the control system may be configured to determine (decide) the position of the patient on the patient support based on the contact pressure sensor information.

[0032] In some embodiments, the control system may be configured to instruct the inflation levels of the first and second inflatable bladders based on the determined position of the patient on the patient support.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first inflatable bladder may be controlled according to an alternating low-pressure therapy process, while the second inflatable bladder is offloaded to the patient.

[0034] In some embodiments, the first inflatable bladder may be controlled according to an active pressure redistribution process, while the second inflatable bladder is offloaded to the patient.

[0035] In some embodiments, the control system may be able to receive a manual selection from the caregiver and operate to offload a second support surface area to the patient.

[0036] In some embodiments, the user interface can be configured to accept manual selections from the caregiver.

[0037] In some embodiments, the control system may be configured to selectively offload a second support surface region from a first support surface region, while simultaneously preventing the first inflatable bladder from offloading the first support surface region.

[0038] In some embodiments, the control system may be configured to sequentially offload first and second support surface areas, wherein the control system may be configured to instruct (control) the inflation level of a second inflatable bladder to offload the second support surface area to the patient for a first duration, and after the first duration, the control system may be configured to instruct the inflation level of the second inflatable bladder to support the patient on the second support surface area, and to instruct the inflation level of the first inflatable bladder to offload the first support surface area to the patient for a second duration.

[0039] In some embodiments, the user interface is operable to display information to the caregiver, and the control system is operable to control the user interface to display a heatmap based on the amount of time between a threshold time and the amount of time between the second support surface area being lowered for offloading and then rising again to support the patient, and the amount of time between the threshold time and the first support surface area being lowered for offloading and then rising again to support the patient.

[0040] In some embodiments, the control system may be operable to determine a sequence of offloading of multiple inflatable bladders based on the adjacency relationships between the multiple inflatable bladders.

[0041] In general, an innovative embodiment of the subject matter described herein may be provided in a patient support system for a patient support device including a deck comprising one or more deck sections. The patient support system may include a patient support that can be supported on the deck. The patient support may include a first support surface area and a second support surface area. The first and second surface areas may be adjacent to each other and may be able to contact and collectively support the patient.

[0042] The patient support system may include a control system configured to instruct (control) the heights of first and second support surface areas. The control system may be operable to selectively lower the second support surface area relative to the first support surface area, thereby creating a gap between the second support surface area and the patient.

[0043] The aforementioned and other embodiments may, individually or in combination, optionally include one or more of the following features. In particular, one embodiment may include all of the following features in combination.

[0044] In some embodiments, the patient support system may include a turning mechanism that can operate to lift one lateral side of the patient relative to the other side. A control system can operate to direct (control) the turning mechanism in conjunction with lowering the height of a second support surface area.

[0045] In some embodiments, the turning mechanism, along with the lowered second support surface area, allows for visual and / or physical inspection of the patient area.

[0046] In some embodiments, the control system can operate to direct (control) a turning mechanism to lift the patient's lateral side, creating a gap on the patient's lateral side and offloading a portion of the patient's body.

[0047] In some embodiments, the turning mechanism may be a bladder (air bladder, bag).

[0048] In some embodiments, the patient support may include a first inflatable bladder and a second inflatable bladder. The first inflatable bladder may be associated with a first support surface region of the patient support, and the second inflatable bladder may be associated with a second support surface region of the patient support. The first and second inflatable bladders may be adjacent to each other and may be operable to contact and collectively support the patient on the first and second support surface regions.

[0049] In some embodiments, the patient support may include an uppermost layer that contacts the patient. The uppermost layer may be operably coupled to a second inflatable bladder and may provide a second support surface area for supporting the patient thereon. The second support surface area of ​​the uppermost layer may descend in response to a decrease in the inflation level of the second inflatable bladder relative to the first inflatable bladder, creating a gap.

[0050] In some embodiments, the top layer can be attached to a second inflatable bladder.

[0051] In some embodiments, one or more intermediate layers may be provided between the top layer and a second inflatable bladder, so that one or more intermediate layers can move together with the top layer.

[0052] In some embodiments, the expansion level of the second inflatable bladder can be reduced by the contraction of the second inflatable bladder.

[0053] In some embodiments, the control system may be operable to direct (control) the inflation level of a second inflatable bladder as part of a zone of multiple bladders associated with the second inflatable bladder.

[0054] In some embodiments, the patient support may include a third inflatable bladder associated with a third support surface region of the patient support. The third inflatable bladder may be located on one side of the second inflatable bladder, opposite to the first inflatable bladder.

[0055] In some embodiments, the control system may be configured to instruct the inflation level of a second inflatable bladder to selectively lower the second support surface area relative to both the first and third support surface areas, thereby creating gaps between the second support surface area and the patient, and between the first and third support surface areas.

[0056] In some embodiments, the first and third support surface regions may support and contact the patient, and the gap may provide a channel between the first and third support surface regions.

[0057] In some embodiments, the channel may provide a fluid path for outside air to flow between the second support surface region and the patient.

[0058] In some embodiments, the third inflatable bladder may be adjacent to the second inflatable bladder, and as a result, the second inflatable bladder may be sandwiched between the first inflatable bladder and the third inflatable bladder.

[0059] In some embodiments, the area of ​​the patient that can be supported by the second support surface area may be visible for examination through the gap.

[0060] In some embodiments, the gap may provide physical access to examine the patient from one side of the patient support.

[0061] In some embodiments, the gap may be large enough to offload pressure, yet small enough to prevent the patient from bottoming out against the support deck.

[0062] In some embodiments, the gap may be large enough to allow outside air to reach the patient, while being narrow enough to prevent the patient from bottoming out against the support deck.

[0063] In some embodiments, the gap may provide a zero-pressure area with respect to the patient and the patient's second support surface area.

[0064] Before describing in detail the embodiments and aspects of this disclosure, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the operational details or configuration details and details of component arrangements described in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. This disclosure can be implemented in various embodiments and aspects, and can also be implemented or carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. It should also be understood that the expressions and terms used herein are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered limiting. The use of the terms “including” and “comprising” and their variations means that they encompass the items and equivalents listed thereafter, as well as additional items and equivalents. Furthermore, enumerations may be used in the description of various embodiments and aspects. Unless otherwise specified, the use of such enumerations should not be construed as limiting one or more embodiments or aspects to any particular order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumerations be construed as excluding any additional steps or components that can be combined with or may be combined with the listed steps or components from the scope of the embodiments or aspects. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0065] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a patient support device according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0066] [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a patient support according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0067] [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a patient support according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0068] [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a partially exploded view of the patient support in Figure 3.

[0069] [Figure 5]Figure 5 shows a control system for a patient support according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0070] [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a typical side view of the gap provided by a patient support according to one aspect of this disclosure.

[0071] [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a top view of the gap and patient support shown in Figure 6.

[0072] [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a side view of the gap between the patient's target area and the patient support according to one aspect of this disclosure.

[0073] [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a gap provided by a patient support according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0074] [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows a heat map of the contact pressure of a patient supported on a patient support according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0075] [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows a plurality of inflatable bladders and the gaps they provide according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0076] [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows a plurality of inflatable bladders according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0077] [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows a plurality of inflatable bladders according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0078] [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a perspective view of a gap provided by a patient support according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0079] [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a perspective view of a gap provided by a patient support according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0080] [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a front view of the patient support with the turning mechanism activated.

[0081] [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a front view of the patient support shown in Figure 16, in which the patient is supported on the patient support and tilted by the turning mechanism.

[0082] [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a side view of the patient support shown in Figure 16, in which the patient support is supported on the patient support, tilted by a turning mechanism, and an offloaded area formed by a gap is provided.

[0083] [Figure 19] Figure 19 shows a heat map based on sensor feedback in one embodiment.

[0084] [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a representative top view of a patient support according to one embodiment.

[0085] [Figure 21] Figure 21 is a representative top view of a patient support according to one embodiment.

[0086] [Figure 22] Figure 22 is a diagram illustrating a method of operation according to one embodiment.

[0087] [Figure 23] Figure 23 is a representative top view of a patient support according to one embodiment.

[0088] [Figure 24]Figure 24 is a representative top view of a patient support according to one embodiment.

[0089] [Figure 25] Figure 25 is a representative top view of a patient support according to one embodiment.

[0090] [Figure 26] Figure 26 shows a representative top view and heat map of a patient support according to one embodiment.

[0091] [Figure 27] Figure 27 shows a method of operation according to one embodiment.

[0092] [Figure 28] Figure 28 is a representative top view of a patient support according to one embodiment.

[0093] [Figure 29] Figure 29 is a representative top view of a patient support according to one embodiment.

[0094] [Figure 30] Figure 30 is a representative top view of a patient support according to one embodiment.

[0095] [Figure 31] Figure 31 shows a representative top view and heat map of a patient support according to one embodiment.

[0096] [Figure 32] Figure 32 shows a representative top view and heat map of a patient support according to one embodiment.

[0097] [Figure 33] Figure 33 shows a heat map based on sensor feedback in one embodiment.

[0098] [Figure 34] Figure 34 shows a method of operation according to one embodiment.

[0099] [Figure 35] Figure 35 shows a representative top view and heat map of a patient support according to one embodiment.

[0100] [Figure 36] Figure 36 shows a representative top view and heat map of a patient support according to one embodiment.

[0101] [Figure 37] Figure 37 shows a method of operation according to one embodiment.

[0102] [Figure 38] Figure 38 shows a method of operation according to one embodiment.

[0103] [Figure 39] Figure 39 shows a representative top view and heat map of a patient support according to one embodiment.

[0104] [Figure 40] Figure 40 shows a method of operation according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0105] explanation A patient support system is provided that can form a gap (e.g., a channel (passage, groove)) between the patient's target area and the support surface on which the patient is supported. This gap may be provided by selectively lowering a region of the patient support aligned with the patient's target area.

[0106] I. Overview Figure 1 shows a patient support 20 according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In the example of Figure 1, the patient support 20 is a mattress. However, it will be understood that the patient support 20 can take other forms, such as a cushion or pad. In fact, in one aspect, the patient support 20 may be a cushion or pad for a chair, such as a wheelchair or a fixed chair. Generally, the patient support 20 can be used anywhere and at any time when a patient is supported on a surface and it is desirable to reduce the contact pressure (interfacial pressure) experienced by the patient while they are positioned on the patient support 20.

[0107] In Figure 1, the patient support 20 is supported on a patient support device 22, in this particular configuration, the patient support device 22 is a bed. The patient support device 22 can take forms other than a bed, including, but is not limited to, a portable bed, stretcher, operating table, or stretcher. The patient support device 22 may be a commercially available conventional support device, or it may simply provide support for the patient support 20. In other embodiments, the patient support device 22 may include one or more internally integrated control devices used to control the movement of the patient support 20, as will be described in more detail herein.

[0108] As shown in Figure 1, the patient support device 22 includes a base 24 having a plurality of wheels 26, a pair of height adjustment mechanisms 28 supported on the base 24, a frame or stretcher (litter) 30 supported on the height adjustment mechanisms 28, and a patient support deck 32 supported on the frame 30. The patient support device 22 may also include a headboard 34 and a footboard 36. Either or both of the headboard 34 and the footboard 36 are detachable from the frame 30 and may include one or more electrical connectors for establishing electrical communication between electronic components on or inside the footboard 36 and / or the headboard 34 and other electronic components supported on or inside the frame 30. Such electrical connectors may include one or more of the connectors disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 790,762, filed on March 8, 2013, by applicant Krishna Bhimavarapu and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Other types of connectors may also be used.

[0109] In one embodiment, an electrical connector may be provided to establish an electrical link between the patient support 20 and a user interface 38 located on the footboard 36 or on another side of the patient support device 22. The user interface 38 may take various forms, including, but is not limited to, a touchscreen, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a set of buttons, switches, knobs, or similar elements, or any combination thereof. The user interface 38 may allow a user to control the operation of the patient support 20. The electrical connection between the user interface 38 and the patient support 20 may take various forms, including a direct electrical cable extending from the footboard 36 to the patient support 20. In another example, the footboard 36 may include an electrical connector that electrically couples the user interface 38 to a circuit supported by the frame 30. This circuit is further electrically communicable to a port (not shown) into which the electrical cable from the patient support 20 can be inserted, thereby establishing an electrical link between the user interface 38 and the patient support 20. In yet another example, communication between the user interface 38 and the patient support 20 can be conducted entirely wirelessly. Further examples of such wireless communication are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 802,992, filed on 24 March 2013 by applicant Michael Hayes et al. and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0110] The height adjustment mechanism 28 is adapted to raise and lower the frame 30 relative to the base 24. The height adjustment mechanism 28 may be implemented as a hydraulic actuator, an electric actuator, or any other device suitable for raising and lowering the frame 30 relative to the base 24. In Figure 1, the height adjustment mechanism 28 is depicted as independently operable so as to adjust the orientation of the frame 30 relative to the base 24. This allows the patient support device 22 to tilt the patient supported on the patient support 20 in either the Trendelenburg direction (head down direction) or the reverse Trendelenburg direction (head up direction).

[0111] The frame 30 may provide a structure that supports the patient support deck 32, the headboard 34, and the footboard 36. The patient support deck 32 may provide a surface on which the patient support 20 can be placed, on which the patient can lie and / or sit. The patient support deck 32 may be formed from multiple sections, some of which may be pivotable around a generally horizontal pivot. However, it should be understood that the patient support deck 32 may have a different configuration (e.g., one section) without using multiple sections. In the configuration shown in Figure 1, the patient support deck 32 includes a head or back section 40, a seat section 42, a thigh section 44, and a foot section 46. In other configurations, the patient support deck 32 may include fewer or more sections. The head section 40, also called the fowler section or back section, may be pivotable between a generally horizontal direction (shown in Figure 1) and several elevated positions (not shown in Figure 1). The thigh section 44 and the foot section 46 may also be pivotable around a horizontal pivot axis.

[0112] Any common structure of the base 24, height adjustment mechanism 28, frame 30, patient support deck 32, headboard 34, and / or footboard 36 may take any known or conventional design, such as the design disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,690,059 granted to Lemire et al., titled “HOSPITAL BED” and assigned to the assignee of the present invention (all of which are incorporated herein by reference), or the design disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0163045 filed by Becker et al., titled “PATIENT HANDLING DEVICE INCLUDING LOCAL STATUS INDICATION, ONE-TOUCH FOWLER ANGLE ADJUSTMENT, AND POWER-ON ALARM CONFIGURATION” and assigned to the assignee of the present invention (all of which are also incorporated herein by reference). The structure of any of the base 24, height adjustment mechanism 28, frame 30, patient support deck 32, headboard 34, and / or footboard 36 may also take a form different from those disclosed in the aforementioned patent specification and published patent application specification.

[0113] In some embodiments, the operation of the patient support 20 may be at least partially based on sensor data generated from sensors incorporated within the patient support device 22, while in other embodiments, the patient support 20 may operate solely on sensor data generated from sensors located within the patient support 20. In those embodiments where the patient support 20 uses sensor data from the patient support device 22, such sensor data may include angular data and / or weight data. More specifically, in some embodiments, the patient support device 22 may include one or more angular sensors for detecting the angular direction (relative to the horizontal) of the frame 30 and one or more angular sensors for detecting the angular direction (relative to the horizontal) of one or more sections of the support deck 32. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the patient support device 22 may include a load cell system for detecting the weight and / or center of gravity of a patient located on the patient support 20. An example of a load cell system usable in the patient support device 22 is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,276,432 granted to Travis, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other load cell systems may also be used. Regardless of the specific load cell system used, the patient support device 22 may transmit to the patient support 20 any one or more of the patient's weight, the patient's center of gravity, the angular direction of the frame 30, and / or one or more angular directions of the deck sections 40-46, and the patient support 20 may use this data in the manner described in more detail herein.

[0114] Referring to Figure 2, the patient support 20 may further include a back zone 56, a thigh zone 60, and a foot zone 62. The back zone 56 may include a head zone or a pillow zone 64. The physical boundaries of each zone may be changed from those shown, and the number of locations in each zone may also be changed. In the configuration of Figure 2, the back zone 56 is positioned so as to be roughly aligned with the head or back section 40 of the patient support device 22 when the patient support 20 is placed on the support deck 32. Similarly, the seat zone 58 will be roughly aligned with the seat section 42, the thigh zone 60 will be roughly aligned with the thigh section 44, and the foot zone 62 will be roughly aligned with the foot section 46. However, such alignment is not mandatory. In fact, the patient support 20 may be used on a patient support device 22 where the support deck 32 does not have individual sections, or on a patient support device 22 that has fewer or more sections than the four shown in Figure 1.

[0115] As shown in Figure 2, the seat zone 58 is further divided into a right and a left side. That is, the seat zone 58 includes a right seat zone 58a and a left seat zone 58b. Each of the seat zones 58a and 58b defines an area where an airtightly isolated bladder (also referred to herein as pods) may be placed, and as a result, the inflation level corresponding to the right seat zone 58a can be controlled and / or set independently of the inflation level corresponding to the left seat zone 58b. In this manner, when the patient is lying on their side (lying down) or otherwise positioned closer to one side 52 than to the other, in at least some configurations, zones 58a and 58b can be set to different inflation levels. Alternatively, when the patient is positioned closer to the center of the patient support, the inflation levels of zones 58a and 58b can be set differently. In an alternative configuration, the seat zone 58 may be a single zone that does not have a separate compartment between the right and left sides and can be expanded or contracted integrally. In yet another alternative configuration, one or more of the other zones 56, 60 and / or 62 may be subdivided into left and right subzones, or further subdivided in other ways.

[0116] Figure 3 shows the patient support 20 with the outer cover removed, exposing multiple inflatable pods 66, a pillow bladder 79, a foam crib 70 supporting the pods 66, and multiple molded foot cushions 72. The foam cushions 72 are not inflatable, but instead provide cushioned support to the patient's feet through their flexible suppleness. In an alternative configuration, the foam crib 70 may be absent entirely, or absent in one or more areas around the periphery of the patient support 20. In this configuration, one or more inflatable pods 66 may be provided instead of the foam crib 70. For example, one or more inflatable pods 66 may be provided in the periphery area where the foam crib 70 is provided in the configuration shown in Figure 3.

[0117] In one configuration, the inflatable pods 66 are fluidly coupled to one another, corresponding to the zones 54. For example, all the inflatable pods 66 in the back zone 56 can inflate and deflate together, and can also inflate and deflate independently of the inflatable pods in any other zone. Similarly, all the inflatable pods 66 in the right seat zone 58a, all the inflatable pods 66 in the left seat zone 58b, and all the inflatable pods 66 in the thigh zone 60 can each inflate and deflate together within their respective zones, and can also inflate and deflate independently of the inflatable pods 66 in other zones. In this manner, the inflatable pods 66 in the dorsal zone 56 collectively define the dorsal bladder 74, the inflatable pods 66 in the right seat zone 58a collectively define the right seat bladder 76a, the inflatable pods 66 in the left seat zone 58b collectively define the left seat bladder 76b, and the inflatable pods 66 in the thigh zone 60 collectively define the thigh bladder 78. It should be understood that in alternative configurations, the bladders 74, 76a, 76b and / or 78 may be implemented in forms other than pods, such as, but not limited to, elongated bladders, flattened bladders, can-shaped bladders, or other shapes.

[0118] Figure 4 shows various components of the patient support 20 in the back zone 56 and the seat zone 58. The patient support 20 includes an upper cover 96, a fire barrier layer 97, a layer of conductive fabric 98, an inflatable pod 66, a fabric manifold 102, a foam crib 70, multiple turn bladder 104, six depth sensors 94, and a lower cover 106. The upper cover 96 may be made of any conventionally known material used in the manufacture of hospital mattresses, for example, but not limited to knitted polyester and / or polyurethane. The upper cover 96 in Figure 4 is the top layer of the patient support 20, but it should be understood that the top layer may differ depending on the configuration of the patient support 20. Similarly, the fire barrier layer 97 and the conductive fabric 98 may form an intermediate layer between the top layer and the inflatable pod 66. An example of an additional intermediate layer is a low-air-loss layer that allows for the intake and distribution of air for microclimate control. In alternative configurations, one, more, or all of the intermediate layers may be omitted.

[0119] The fire barrier 97 is positioned beneath the upper cover 96 (or top layer) and may be made of any suitable material that resists the spread of fire. Such materials can be diverse. In one configuration, the fire barrier 97 may be made of or may contain Kevlar® (poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide) or other brands of para-aramid synthetic fibers. Other materials may be used as alternatives.

[0120] The conductive cloth 98 may function to assist the depth sensor 94, which in the illustrated configuration is a capacitive sensor whose output changes as the patient moves closer or further away. More specifically, the conductive cloth 98 may function similarly to the upper plate of a parallel plate capacitor, while the depth sensor 94 forms the bottom plate of the parallel plate capacitor. Therefore, as the vertical distance between the conductive cloth 98 and any depth sensor 94 changes, the capacitance between the conductive cloth 98 and the depth sensor 94 changes. This change can be detected by a detection circuit 112 (Figure 5) electrically coupled between the conductive cloth 98 and each of the depth sensors 94. That is, one or more wires (not shown) are electrically coupled to the conductive cloth 98 and the detection circuit 112, while one or more other wires (not shown) are connected between each depth sensor 94 and the detection circuit 112. The conductive cloth 98 may be any commercially available conductive cloth, a conductive foil, or any other conductive material having a degree of flexibility that does not significantly alter the flexibility of the patient support 20 in that area. Examples of the depth sensor 94 and associated circuits are described in further detail in U.S. Patent No. 11,413,202, granted to Lefleche et al., issued on August 8, 2022, and assigned to Stryker, which is incorporated herein by reference in whole.

[0121] In one configuration, the upper cover 96, the intermediate layer, or a combination thereof may include one or more sensors, such as an interface sensor (shown in Figure 5), capable of detecting contact pressure between the patient and the patient support 20. Additionally or alternatively, one or more sensors may be provided on the upper cover 96. The interface sensor can provide sensor feedback to the pump assembly 90, which can then control the inflation state of the inflatable pod 66 or a group thereof based on this sensor feedback.

[0122] As described herein, the inflatable pods 66 can be inflated and deflated in groups (e.g., zones 56, 58a, 58b, and 60) under the control of a pump assembly 90 and associated control circuits. Fluid connections between the inflatable pods 66 and the pump assembly 90 can be established by a plurality of hoses 88 extending between the pump assembly 90 and the various inflatable pods 66. The hoses 88 are housed in a fabric manifold 102. Each hose 88 includes one or more connectors 108 for fluidly connecting the hose to one or more inflatable pods 66.

[0123] The pump assembly 90 may be located within a housing provided close to the foot end 50 of the patient support 20. The pump assembly 90 may also be located below the foot zone 62 within the housing. It should be understood that the pump assembly 90 may have different configurations and arrangements depending on the application.

[0124] The pump assembly 90 may include an air pump, blower, or other fluid (e.g., air) supply source, and the fluid may be supplied to the hose 88 for delivery to the inflatable pods 66. Additionally, the pump assembly 90 may be operable to remove fluid from the inflatable pods 66 via the hose 88. Thus, the ability to supply and remove fluid allows the pump assembly 90 to selectively inflate and deflate the inflatable pods 66 in groups. In an alternative configuration, the pump assembly 90 may selectively inflate and deflate each inflatable pod 66 individually. As described herein, the pump assembly 90 may be operable to determine the inflation state of the inflatable pods 66 and / or a group thereof and to instruct (control) changes in the inflation state based on sensor data and at least one of instructions provided by a caregiver via the user interface 38.

[0125] The turn bladder 104 is positioned below the foam crib 70 and can be used to assist in repositioning a patient positioned on top of the patient support 20. For this purpose, the turn bladder 104 may extend generally longitudinally from the head end 48 to the foot end 50, and each part may be individually and independently inflatable and deflated. The inflation of the turn bladder 104 may be controlled by a pump assembly 90 and its associated circuitry.

[0126] II. Control Systems Figure 5 shows one configuration of a control system 114 that may be implemented to control the patient support 20 in the manner described herein. Other types, arrangements, and / or configurations of the control system may be used as alternatives. The control system 114 may include a control system 116, a user interface 118, and a plurality of sensor systems, the sensor systems of which include, for example, one or more depth sensor systems 120, a tilt sensor 124, a moisture sensor related to the patient support surface for detecting moisture (humidity) near the patient, a temperature sensor for detecting temperature near the patient, a pneumatic sensor 122, and a contact pressure sensor 125 (interface pressure sensor).

[0127] The user interface 118 may be the same as the user interface 38 described above, which is integrated into the footboard 36 of the patient support device 22, or it may be a standalone user interface. Such a standalone user interface may include one integrated into a pedestal that is detachably attached to a patient bed, such as the patient support device 22. In the configuration shown in Figure 5, the user interface 118 is a touchscreen. It should be understood that other types of user interfaces, including buttons, switches, knobs, lights, and / or displays, may be used.

[0128] Each depth sensor system 120 includes one depth sensor 94, a corresponding detector 112, a conductive cloth 98, and, in some configurations, a shield (not shown) positioned below the depth sensor 94. The detector 112 can be any circuit capable of detecting the changing capacitance between the depth sensor 94 and the conductive cloth 98. In one configuration, the detector 112 may include the AD7747 capacitance-to-digital converter manufactured by Analog Devices, Inc. (Norwood, Massachusetts). In other embodiments, other types of detection circuits may also be used. Whatever circuit is used, the detector 112 may detect the capacitance level between the depth sensor 94 and the conductive cloth 98, which indicates the vertical distance between the depth sensor 94 and the conductive cloth 98, and that distance further indicates how much the patient is currently sinking in various areas of the seat zone 58. The number and types of depth sensor systems 120 may vary depending on the application. In Figure 5, there are six individual detection circuits 112, which generate six individual measurements of the patient's depth within the seat zone 58. In one configuration, each depth sensor system 120 generates multiple capacitance measurements per second, while in other configurations, measurements are taken at different frequencies.

[0129] The control system 116 may be electrically connected to both the user interface 118 and the depth sensor system 120, and may also be electrically connected to a plurality of pneumatic sensors 122 and, in Figure 5, one or more tilt sensors 124. In one configuration, the control system 116 may be coupled to one or more contact pressure sensors 125, which may be operable to detect contact pressure between the patient and the patient support 20, as described herein. Additional sensors, such as temperature sensors or moisture sensors, or both, may be coupled to the control system 116. Additionally or alternatively, one or more sensors described herein may not be present in the control system 116.

[0130] The pneumatic sensor 122 can measure the current air pressure inside each of the inflatable bladder 66 of the patient support 20 (e.g., the back bladder 74, the seat bladder 76a and 76b, the thigh bladder 78, and the pillow bladder 79). Each of these bladders roughly corresponds to zones 56, 58a, 58b, 60, and 64, respectively.

[0131] The tilt sensor 124 measures the angular direction of one or more parts of the patient support 20 and / or the angular direction of the entire patient support 20. In some embodiments, as described above, the tilt sensor 124 is omitted, and instead the patient support 20 receives tilt data from one or more angle sensors incorporated into the patient support device 22. In yet another embodiment, the patient support 20 is implemented without any tilt sensor 124 and without receiving any tilt data from the patient support device 22.

[0132] The control system 116 shown in Figure 5 includes two separate circuit boards, namely a sensor circuit board 126 and a main control circuit board 128. The sensor circuit board 126 can receive electrical signals from all of the various sensors (e.g., a depth sensor 120, a pneumatic sensor 122, a tilt sensor 124, a contact pressure sensor 125, a temperature sensor, and a moisture sensor) and monitor the operation of these sensors. Data collected from one or more of these sensors can be transferred from the sensor circuit board 126 to the main control circuit board 128 and used as a basis for controlling the gap 68 between the patient support 20 and the patient 100 for offloading the target area of ​​the patient 100.

[0133] In one configuration, this data from one or more sensors may be transmitted via a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) bus, but it should be understood that other buses may be used for this purpose. The main circuit board 128 may be programmed to execute the control algorithms described herein, or may be configured in other ways. In general, the main circuit board 128 may determine a suitable inflation level for all types of bladders (e.g., a desired air pressure, or a desired patient depth in the case of a bladder equipped with a depth sensor 120), and control the valves, air pumps, and other elements for achieving and maintaining their appropriate inflation levels. More specifically, the main circuit board 128 is able to communicate with the air pump control unit 130 and / or a number of exhaust valves 132. Electrical signals transmitted to the pump control unit 130 and the exhaust valves 132 may enable the main control board 128 to achieve and maintain suitable inflation levels for the types of bladders. The exhaust valve 132 may be configured to discharge air from the inflatable bladder 66 into the atmosphere and / or to the air mover of the pump assembly 90, providing powered exhaust from the inflatable bladder 66 (for example, via a vacuum formed over the inflatable bladder 66 by the air mover).

[0134] As shown in Figure 5, each board 126 and 128 includes a processor, which may be a microprocessor or microcontroller. In fact, each circuit board 126 and 128 may include any electrical component, or group of electrical components, capable of executing the algorithms described herein. In many configurations, circuit boards 126 and 128 may be microprocessor-based, but not all such configurations utilize a microprocessor. Generally, any one or more of the following, namely circuit boards 126 and 128, may include one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, field-programmable gate arrays, system-on-a-chip, volatile or non-volatile memory, discrete circuits, and / or other hardware, software, or firmware capable of executing the functions described herein. Such components can be physically configured in any preferred way, for example, by mounting them on one or more circuit boards or by arranging them in any other way, and this may be integration into a single unit or distribution into multiple units. Furthermore, it should be understood that the control system 116 may be implemented in a different form than the two boards 126 and 128 shown in Figure 5. Such variations may include configurations in which the functions of both substrates 126 and 128 are integrated into a single substrate, or configurations in which the functions of these substrates are distributed across more substrates than the two substrates 126 and 128 shown in Figure 5.

[0135] III. Pressure Redistribution As described herein, in one embodiment, one or more inflatable bladders 66 may be offloaded. Additionally or alternatively, the pressure in one or more inflatable bladders 66 that are not offloaded may be controlled according to an active pressure redistribution methodology. Such control of the unoffloaded inflatable bladders 66 may be used to substantially prevent the formation of a high-pressure "ring" around the offloaded area associated with the offloaded inflatable bladder 66. An example of such an active pressure redistribution methodology is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0378636, entitled “INFLATABLE MATTRESS AND CONTROLS,” filed and published on December 1, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, a preferred inflation level for one or more inflatable bladders 66 may be determined by monitoring the rate of change of depth with respect to air pressure as the inflatable bladder 66 is inflated or deflated. By detecting the inflection point in the relationship between depth and pressure output on a graph, a suitable inflation point for the bladder 66 can be determined that reduces the contact pressure experienced by the patient without causing the patient to sink uncomfortably into the mattress. Active pressure redistribution can be performed in cooperation with an inflatable bladder 66 that is not currently offloaded, with respect to one or more offload modes described herein.

[0136] IV. Off-road (offloading) (pressure relief, load reduction) As shown in Figures 6 to 15, the patient support 20 may be configured to control the movement of a plurality of inflatable bladders 66 to selectively form a gap 68 between the patient (designated 100) and the patient support surface of the patient support 20. The gap 68 may provide offloading to an area of ​​the patient 100 and facilitate pressure ulcer prevention and / or pressure ulcer examination. As described herein, the gap 68 is provided by selectively controlling the height or inflation level of one or more inflatable bladders 66, for example, by deflating one or more of the plurality of inflatable bladders 66 relative to the other plurality of inflatable bladders 66. In this way, by controlling the inflation levels of the plurality of inflatable bladders 66, it is possible to selectively support a portion of the patient 100 while creating a gap between the patient support 20 and the patient 100 in other areas. The gap 68 may be large enough to offload pressure, yet small enough to prevent the patient 100 from bottoming out against the support deck 32. Additionally, or alternatively, the gap 68 may be large enough to allow or induce the arrival of outside air (ambient air) to create airflow, while still being small enough to prevent the patient from bottoming out against the support deck.

[0137] In one embodiment, a region of the patient support 20 may be lowered relative to an adjacent region of the patient support 20, thereby forming a gap 68 between the patient 100 and the lowered region of the patient support 20. The lowering of the patient support 20 and the resulting formation of the gap 68 may be accomplished by contracting one or more inflatable bladder 66 relative to an adjacent inflatable bladder 66. In one configuration, the inflated state of one or more of the adjacent inflatable bladder 66 may be increased, and the inflated state of one or more inflatable bladder 66 may be decreased during, before, or after the inflated state to form the gap 68.

[0138] As described herein, the foam crib 70 may be absent in one or more areas or in whole in the patient support 20. Figures 9 and 11 show a gap 68 provided in the patient support 20, with the foam crib 70 provided between the gap 68 and the periphery of the patient support 20. In configurations where the foam crib 70 is absent, the gap 68 may be formed on the periphery of the patient support 20. For example, the gap 68 may be provided at the end or side of the patient support 20, allowing access to the patient 100 through the gap 68 on the side of the patient support 20, for example, allowing a caregiver to access an area of ​​the patient 100 above the gap 68.

[0139] The gap 68 can facilitate the avoidance of pressure ulcers and / or fluid accumulation. It should be noted that fluid accumulation in areas such as the patient's sacrum can increase shear forces on the skin, thereby increasing the risk of pressure ulcer development. Furthermore, pressure on bony prominences such as the sacrum can affect capillaries, potentially leading to tissue ischemia and pressure ulcer formation. By forming the gap 68 (for example, by drawing air from the configuration of an adjacent inflatable pod 66 connected to the upper cover 96), the inflow of outside air into the gap 68 between the patient support 20 and the patient 100 can be permitted and / or induced. The gap 68 may be provided with respect to areas of the patient that are otherwise inaccessible or accessible only in positions other than the current position (e.g., prone, supine, or lateral). The formation of this type of gap 68 allows the skin in these areas to dissipate heat and moisture into the surrounding space, preventing fluid accumulation, thereby improving patient comfort and reducing the likelihood of pressure ulcer formation.

[0140] By forming a gap 68, a zero or substantially no-load offload effect (decompression effect) can be provided to a region of patient 100 (e.g., a target region or bony prominence) corresponding to the support surface region associated with the gap 68. This method allows for the substantially or completely removal of all pressure from the target region and the redistribution of the load to the adjacent region supporting the load. It is sometimes customary to use pillows and wedges to avoid contact with the target region. However, the formation of the gap 68 (or its channel configuration) according to this disclosure allows for the offloading of the target region, and furthermore, the absence of contact allows for visual confirmation of the gap beneath the target region.

[0141] As described herein, the control system 116 is operable to direct one or more of the inflatable bladder 66 to an inflated state. This control unit may be used to create a gap 68 between the patient support 20 and the patient 100. It should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the multiple inflatable bladder 66, and that any type of patient support may be used that is operable to raise or lower a portion of the patient support 20 relative to the patient, and that they are under the control of the control system 116 to form the gap 68 or any modified form thereof as described herein.

[0142] In Figures 6 and 7, for disclosure purposes, a patient 100 is represented, and a transparent window 101 is provided in the patient support 20 to show a gap 68 that may form between the patient support 20 and the patient 100. Instead of the transparent window 101 in Figures 6 and 7, the patient 100, the patient support 20, and the gap 68 are shown in Figure 8. For ease of understanding, Figure 9 shows the patient support 20 and the gap 68 excluding the patient 100. The offloading of the gap 68 can be seen in the heat map shown in Figure 10, which shows the contact pressure on the patient 100 lying on the patient support 20 with the gap 68 shown in Figure 8. It can be seen that the area of ​​the patient 100 located over the gap 68 has lower pressure compared to other areas of the patient 100.

[0143] In Figure 6, the patient support 20 is operable to support the transparent window 101 in a first support surface region 69 adjacent to the gap 68. The gap 68 may be associated with a second support surface region 63 that can be selectively lowered or raised relative to the patient 100, thereby allowing the patient 100 to be offloaded or supported on the patient support 20, respectively. The first support surface region 69 and the second support surface region 63 may be positioned adjacent to each other.

[0144] In one embodiment, the gap 68 can provide a space that allows a caregiver to visually and / or physically examine the patient 100. For example, in Figure 7, the gap 68 is large enough for a person's hand to fit within it, potentially allowing for a physical examination of the associated area of ​​the patient 100. This technique eliminates the need to rotate the patient 100 to access areas inaccessible in the patient's current position, which is particularly useful when the patient cannot be rotated due to hemodynamic instability or other complications. Traditional procedures for turning a patient onto their side for examinations or bathing are laborious and often require two people: one to hold the patient and another to visually examine and blanch them from head to toe. These log-roll procedures for accessing skin areas or positioning devices beneath the patient 100 can cause musculoskeletal damage to the caregiver over time.

[0145] By dropping or lowering one or more inflatable bladder 66 together with the associated portion of the upper cover 96 coupled to these one or more inflatable bladder 66, a gap 68 can be formed, providing a target examination area. As described herein, by acting on the turning bladder 104, the patient 100 can be pivoted or tilted laterally, further facilitating visual and / or physical access to areas of the patient 100 (e.g., the entire back, including the gluteal cleft and its apex). This configuration can reduce the number of staff required for manual examination, increase patient stability, and reduce the likelihood of caregiver injury throughout the examination process. Lowering the support surface area associated with one or more inflatable bladder 66 (e.g., by adjusting the inflation state of one or more inflatable bladder 66 and lowering the uppermost layer of the patient support 20 together with one or more inflatable bladder 66) to create a gap 68 can conform to clinical guidelines of substantially no contact with the sacrum and can allow confirmation of the absence of contact by physical examination (e.g., manual confirmation). This configuration virtually eliminates the need to rotate the patient sideways or insert support devices under the patient. In one configuration, one staff member can effortlessly ensure that patient 100 is in an acceptable state, preventing musculoskeletal strain and reducing the burden on caregivers.

[0146] Caregivers may hesitate to perform visual and / or physical examinations of skin areas inaccessible in the patient's current position if the patient has hemodynamic instability, burns, or fragile skin, or if other priorities are in conflict. By controlling the patient support 20 with a gap 68, caregivers can overcome such hesitations, primarily because the gap 68 can be formed with virtually no impact on the patient 100. For example, if the patient 100 is in a supine and unstable position, the gap 68 can avoid instability due to decreased oxygen saturation or excessive shear force that could lead to skin damage, which may result from periodic lateral positioning (e.g., log roll) using a positioning device for examination (e.g., Q2 turns every two hours).

[0147] In one configuration, by lowering or dropping one or more inflatable bladder 66 and adjacent upper cover 96 below a certain area of ​​the patient (e.g., the patient's sacrum) to the bottom, the caregiver can confirm that there is no pressure under the target area. If the caregiver wishes, the patient can be rotated using the turning bladder 104 to raise the patient's angle to observe the target area and perform a skin check. The absence of contact between the patient 100 and the patient support 20 substantially prevents shear forces in the target area and allows for the inflow of outside air to dissipate moisture and heat buildup (addressing microclimate factors and enhancing patient comfort).

[0148] By controlling the patient support 20 according to one configuration described herein, the use of Q2 turns (e.g., periodic repositioning and repositioning for examination) can be replaced or reduced, and the offloading of patient areas (e.g., sacral offloading) can be enabled. The upper cover 96 and intermediate layers, such as bed sheets, positioning devices, and absorbent pads, can be lowered integrally to maintain the gap 68. The gap 68 may be visually apparent and facilitate inspection by cameras or exploration equipment, enabling quantification of blanching for skin checks and tracking of wound healing rates.

[0149] As described herein, the control system 116 is operable to selectively adjust the inflation state of one or more of the inflatable bladders 66. With reference to Figures 6 and 9, the control system 116 is configured to deflate one or more inflatable bladders 66 associated with the second support surface region 63, and to maintain or increase the inflation state of the inflatable bladder 66 associated with the first support surface region 69. Deflation of the inflatable bladder 66 associated with the second support surface region 63 may be provided by discharging a fluid (e.g., air) into the atmosphere and / or by removing the fluid via an air mover. Removal of the fluid from the inflatable bladder 66 associated with the second support surface region 63 via the air mover may be achieved by a vacuum acting on the inflatable bladder 66 by the air mover. The air mover in this configuration may be part of the pump assembly 90 described herein.

[0150] Although the first support surface region 69 and the second support surface region 63 are described in combination with a plurality of inflatable bladders 66, it should be understood that either or both of the first support surface region 69 and the second support surface region 63 may be associated with a single inflatable bladder 66. Furthermore, it should be understood that either or both of the first support surface region 69 and the second support surface region 63 may be associated with a zone or group of inflatable bladders 66 as described herein.

[0151] In one embodiment, the third support surface region 71 is provided on one side of the second support surface region 63 opposite to the first support surface region 69, in combination with one or more inflatable bladder 66. The third support surface region 71 and the associated one or more inflatable bladder 66 may be operable to support the patient 100 in the same way as the first support surface region 69. When the one or more inflatable bladder 66 associated with the second support surface region 63 is in a lowered state to form a gap 68, the gap 68 may take the form of a channel (passage, groove) located between the first support surface region 69 and the third support surface region 71. This channel provides or induces a fluid path for outside air to flow between the second support surface region 63 and the patient 100, thereby enabling microclimate control over the area of ​​the patient 100 associated with the second support surface region 63.

[0152] The upper cover 96 shown in Figures 6 and 7 provides an uppermost layer to the patient support 20. The upper cover 96 may be operably coupled to a plurality of inflatable bladders 66 associated with a second support surface region 63, so that when an inflatable bladder 66 contracts to lower relative to an adjacent inflatable bladder 66, the upper cover 96 (e.g., the top layer) also descends or moves away from the patient 100, forming a gap 68 with respect to the second support surface region 63. The upper cover 96 may be coupled to the plurality of inflatable bladders 66 associated with the second support surface region 63 in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, direct or indirect attachment via an intermediate layer. One example of such attachment is the provision of an elastic connection between the top layer and the upper or lower layers of one or more inflatable bladders 66. Another example of an attachment mechanism is the provision of magnets to connect or couple the top layer to the upper parts of one or more inflatable bladders 66. Additionally, or alternatively, the upper cover 96 may be coupled to a plurality of inflatable bladder 66 via a vacuum formed within the upper cover 96, so that the coupling between the upper cover 96 and the inflatable bladder 66 can be maintained regardless of the inflation level of the inflatable bladder 66. The vacuum-based coupling is not limited to a vacuum acting on the entire upper cover 96; for example, instead of forming a vacuum over the entire patient support 20 and / or upper cover 96, a localized vacuum or air suction may be provided to pull down the top layer.

[0153] The upper cover 96 and any intermediate layer (e.g., fire barrier layer 97) may be well coupled to or act in conjunction with the inflatable bladder 66, and the manner of this coupling may vary. Furthermore, it should be noted that the degree of tension of the corners of the upper cover 96 on the internal components of the patient support 20 may affect the ability of the upper cover 96 and intermediate layer to act in conjunction with the inflatable bladder 66 to facilitate the formation of the gap 68. For example, if the upper cover 96 is excessively taut, it may hammock in the area associated with the gap 68, potentially affecting the proximal offloading of the gap 68. On the other hand, if the upper cover 96 is excessively loose, wrinkles or sagging may occur in the lower area of ​​the patient 100, potentially creating pressure points. In one configuration, the upper cover 96 and any intermediate layer may be configured to adequately form the gap 68 while avoiding sagging and the possibility of wrinkles occurring when the gap 68 is absent. As an example, the upper cover 96 and optionally one or more intermediate layers may be expandable or contractible to facilitate the formation of a gap 68 and to eliminate slack if the gap 68 is not present. The retaining mechanism used between the upper cover 96 and the expandable bladder 66 may be configured to avoid excessive textile retention, which could lead to reduced durability and maintainability.

[0154] The upper cover 96 may be coupled to multiple inflatable bladder 66 or a subset thereof via a retaining mechanism such as a textile retaining mechanism, holding multiple layers between the patient 100 and the support surface, so that when the inflatable bladder 66 descends or decreases in height, the upper cover 96 and intermediate layers move into a gap 68 formed beneath the patient 100. The gap 68 may allow previously inaccessible areas of the patient's skin to dissipate heat and moisture by creating an access path to the outside air. This allows caregivers to improve microclimate performance for pressure ulcer prevention while continuing to meet the patient's care needs. Conventional methods involve placing a product between the patient and the patient support 20 for the purpose of offloading a predetermined area of ​​the patient. By forming the gap 68 according to one configuration of the present disclosure, the use of such positioning products (e.g., pillows or wedges) can be avoided. Similarly, Gap 68 can overcome several drawbacks associated with conventional structures and procedures that rely on positioning products between the patient and the support surface, conventional structures and procedures that utilize the placement of absorbent pads (or chux) to remove and contain moisture discharged from the patient, or conventional structures and procedures that use patient gowns which may negatively affect access to care activities.

[0155] The formation of the gap 68 according to one aspect of this disclosure may be provided by the contraction of one or more of the inflatable bladder 66 of the patient support 20. In Figures 11–13, one or more contracted bladders are designated 67 and associated with the gap 68 shown therein. In Figure 11, a contracted bladder 67 is shown, and a transparent window 101 is shown applying pressure to the region of the inflatable bladder 66 associated with the gap 68 and the adjacent region (e.g., multiple inflatable bladders 61 adjacent to the contracted bladder 67). The transparent window 101 is provided, for the purpose of aiding understanding, to show that the gap 68 is large enough for a person's hand to be placed beneath the transparent window 101. In practice, the transparent window 101 is replaced by a patient 100, and the gap 68 allows the person's hand to be placed beneath the patient 100.

[0156] Figures 12 and 13 provide further details of the inflatable pod 66 and its deflated state. Each inflatable pod 66 may include a top surface 80, a base 82, and side walls 84. Each bladder or at least one inflatable pod 66 within each zone 54 may have an opening 86 adapted to be connected to an air hose 88. The air hose 88 may extend to a pump assembly 90, which may include an air mover for supplying or discharging air to or from the corresponding inflatable pod 66, as described herein. As shown in Figures 12 and 13, a pod 66 having an opening 86 defined in the base 82 further includes a plurality of side openings 92 defined in the side walls 84, generally near the base 82. The side openings 92 may provide fluid communication with adjacent pods 66. Therefore, the air supplied via the hose 88 can be delivered not only to the pod 66 having the opening 86 defined in the base 82, but also to all adjacent pods 66 that are in fluid communication with the side openings 92. These adjacent pods may further include their own side openings 92, and can distribute the supplied air to more pods 66. The locations of the side openings 92 can be arranged such that all inflatable pods 66 within a given zone 54, i.e., a defined bladder, are interconnected by one or more side openings 92. Pods 66 at the ends of zone 54 may not have side openings 92 on their outer sides, thereby being fluidly isolated from adjacent zones. As a result, all pods 66 within a given zone 54 may be in fluid communication with each other and may have approximately the same air pressure. In some configurations, multiple air hoses 88 are connected to a given zone 54, and in some configurations, separate air hoses 88 may be used for supplying air to the zone 54 and for discharging air from the given zone 54. Regardless of the configuration, the control unit of the pump assembly 90 may monitor the delivery of air to and / or removal of air from various zones 54.

[0157] For example, the retracted bladder 67 shown in Figure 13 is shown in association with the gap 68 and the zone, and each of the retracted bladders 67 is fluidically connected to one another. In this configuration, the expansion or contraction of the retracted bladder 67 via the air hose 88 may affect the expansion states of all the inflatable bladders 66 shown as retracted bladder 67 in the zone shown. Alternatively, the retracted bladder 67 and one or more other inflatable bladders 66 may be individually controllable so that the pump assembly 90 can individually control the expansion state of each of the retracted bladder 67.

[0158] Figures 6–13 illustrate the state gap 68 at specific locations near the sacrum of patient 100, but it should be understood that the gap 68 may be formed at any location or area of ​​the patient support 20. Similarly, it should be understood that the gap 68 is not limited to being formed by reducing the inflated state of one or more inflatable bladder 66. Additional exemplary locations include the forearm area shown in Figure 14, or the back area shown in Figure 15. Further examples include the supine area (shoulder, sacrum, heel, etc.), the prone area (forehead, cheek, nose, chin, clavicle / shoulder, elbow, chest / breast, genitals, anterior pelvic bone, knee / patella, dorsum of foot and toes, etc.), and the lateral area (ear, shoulder, elbow, hip, thigh, lower leg, ankle / heel, etc.).

[0159] V. Off-load control (pressure relief control) As described herein, the control system 114 can control the patient support 20 in various ways, in particular, control the air pressure in one or more inflatable bladder 66 of the patient support 20. The control system 114 can control the air pressure in one or more inflatable bladder 66 based on feedback from one or more sensors, such as a contact pressure sensor 125 that provides feedback indicating the contact pressure between the patient and the patient support 20.

[0160] For illustrative purposes, several control methods for one or more inflatable bladder 66s are described herein, along with the selection of one or more specific inflatable bladder 66s for off-road use. It should be understood that such selections for off-road use may be made for one or more zones associated with each of the one or more inflatable bladder 66s, and therefore, descriptions relating to the selection of inflatable bladder 66s may relate to the selection of zones associated with one or more inflatable bladder 66s.

[0161] In one embodiment, the caregiver may manually select one or more inflatable bladder 66 in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein to offload various target areas of the patient 100.

[0162] As described herein, offloading adjacent pods 66 can contribute to the formation of channels that can facilitate airflow, visual access, or physical access to the area. However, in some cases, it may be beneficial to prevent adjacent pods 66 from collapsing simultaneously. Information from a real-time pressure map (e.g., feedback from the contact pressure sensor 125) allows the controller 114 to determine whether adjacent zones are supporting a significant portion of the patient's weight. This is particularly true in the seat area when the head angle of the bed is increased.

[0163] For example, Figure 19 shows a heatmap 1900 based on feedback from a contact pressure sensor 125, indicating that the head of the patient support 20 is raised and the pressure in the seat region 1910 is increasing. In this case, control over the inflatable bladder 66 within the seat region 1910 (or other specific region associated with the patient 100 and based on feedback from the contact pressure sensor 125) can be restricted, thereby preventing all or part of the inflatable bladder 66 within the seat region 1910 from being offloaded simultaneously. This type of control method can facilitate avoiding the patient 100 bottoming out in an unspecified region or being unsupported by any of the inflatable bladder 66. Such bottoming out can adversely increase the contact pressure in a specific region.

[0164] In one embodiment, if an inflatable bladder 66 is offloaded to patient 100, adjacent inflatable bladder 66s may be prevented from being offloaded at the same time. Figure 20 shows multiple inflatable bladder 66s selected for offloading to patient 100. Inflatable bladder 66s adjacent to the selected inflatable bladder 66 may be disabled or excluded from selection for offloading. Such selection of inflatable bladder 66s can be performed by a caregiver via a user interface 38, and the exclusion of inflatable bladder 66s with respect to the selected inflatable bladder 66 may be displayed on the user interface 38 in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 20.

[0165] Control of the inflatable Bladda 66 for selection and exclusion from off-road use can be implemented in various ways.

[0166] In Figures 21 to 25, the control system 114 can operate according to method 2200 and accept a user selection (e.g., via user interface 38) of one or more inflatable bladder 66 for offloading to patient 100. Step 2210. Based on the user selection, the control system 114 identifies a sequence of inflatable pods 66 for offloading, labeled as group 2110 in Figure 21. Step 2212. The criterion for identifying the sequence may be adjacent inflatable pods 66. However, it should be understood that this criterion is not limited to adjacentness, and any kind of criterion may be used to identify the sequence.

[0167] The user's selection of inflatable pods 66 may include inflatable bladder 66 outside of group 2110 that have been identified as targets for sequential offloading. For example, in Figure 21, the inflatable bladder 66 identified by reference numeral 2120 may be excluded from group 2110. This inflatable bladder 2120 may be offloaded to patient 100, while group 2120 may be sequentially offloaded according to one or more embodiments described herein.

[0168] In Figures 22 to 25, the method 2200 includes selecting the first inflatable bladder 66 from a group 2110 of inflatable bladder 66 identified as targets for sequential offloading, and offloading the selected bladder 66 as shown in Figure 23. Steps 2214, 2216. If it is decided to continue the operation, the control system 114 may select the next inflatable bladder 66 in the identified group 2110. Steps 2218, 2220. Optionally, the control system 114 may provide a time delay before or after such a selection to allow the currently offloaded inflatable bladder 66 to remain offloaded for a certain period of time, for example, 20 minutes (which may be predetermined, dynamically determined, or selected by the user). As shown in Figure 24, the currently offloaded inflatable bladder 66 may be repressurized or reinflated, and a newly selected inflatable bladder 66 may be offloaded. Step 2216. This process may be continued through a specified group 2110 of inflatable bladders 66 identified as sequential offload targets, and Figure 25 shows the state in which the next inflatable bladder 66 is offloaded in relation to the bladder offloaded in Figure 24.

[0169] In one embodiment, the selection of one or more inflatable bladder 66 for off-road use may be based on feedback from one or more sensors, for example, contact pressure feedback from a contact pressure sensor 125. For example, the control system 114 may operate according to the method 2700 shown in Figures 26-31.

[0170] Method 2700 may include obtaining sensor feedback, such as contact pressure sensor data from the contact pressure sensor 125. Step 2710. Such contact pressure sensor data may be visualized according to the heatmap 2600 shown in Figure 26. Based on the contact pressure sensor data, the control system 114 can identify one or more high-pressure areas associated with the patient 100. Step 2712. For example, in Figure 26, high-pressure areas 2610A-D are identified based on the heatmap 2600 generated from contact pressure sensor data obtained from the contact pressure sensor 125.

[0171] High-pressure areas 2610A to D may include regions comprising multiple adjacent inflatable bladders 66, and high-pressure areas 2610A to D themselves may be considered adjacent to one another. Based on such adjacency, the control system 114 can identify a sequence of inflatable bladder offloads. Each stage of the sequence may include the offloading of one or more inflatable bladders 66 and may optionally occur within the same high-pressure areas 2610A to D. In one embodiment, if high-pressure areas 2610A to D include multiple inflatable bladders, the number of stages or steps in the offload sequence may be reduced or optimized so that multiple non-adjacent inflatable bladders 66, which may be located within the same high-pressure areas 2610A to D and / or belong to different high-pressure areas 2610A to D, can be offloaded. This sequence determination may differ from a sequence determination in which the stages or steps of the sequence may include sequentially offloading one inflatable bladder 66 at a time for a given high-pressure area 2610A to D. Step 2714.

[0172] In Figures 27 to 31, method 2700 includes selecting an initial group of one or more inflatable bladder 66s identified as targets for sequential offloading. In one embodiment, this initial group is shown in Figure 28, and the control system 114 can begin offloading the selected group of inflatable bladder 66s. Steps 2716, 2718. If it is decided to continue the operation, the control system 114 may select a next group of one or more inflatable bladder 66s. Steps 2722, 2720. Optionally, the control system 114 may introduce a time delay before or after such a selection, allowing the currently offloaded group of one or more inflatable bladder 66s to remain offloaded for a certain period of time, for example, 20 minutes (which may be predetermined, dynamically determined, or selected by the user). As shown in the progression from Figure 28 to Figure 29, the group of inflatable bladder 66 currently in an offload state may be repressurized or reinflated, and one or more newly selected groups of inflatable bladder 66 may be offloaded. Step 2718. The process may be continued through a group of inflatable bladder 66 associated with high-pressure areas 2610A-D and identified as targets for sequential offloading, with Figures 30 and 31 illustrating the next steps or stages of the sequential offloading method.

[0173] In one embodiment, the control system 114 may be configured to determine the position of the patient 100 on the patient support 20 based on feedback from one or more sensors. For example, the position of the patient 100 on the patient support may be determined based on contact pressure sensor information obtained from a contact pressure sensor 25. The determination of the patient 100's position may vary depending on the application, such as by determining the estimated position of at least a portion of the patient 100 relative to the patient support 20. As another example, the position determination may include the silhouette of the patient 100 on the patient support 20, which is determined based on contact pressure sensor information. Such a silhouette of the patient 100 relative to the patient support 20 is shown in Figure 32.

[0174] Additionally, or alternatively, position determination may include identifying how the patient 100 is lying on the patient support 20, for example, whether the patient is in a supine, prone, or lateral position.

[0175] Optionally, caregivers may be given the opportunity to confirm the location of patient 100 through a user interface.

[0176] As described herein, the control system 114 can control the air pressure of one or more inflatable bladder 66 based on the position determination of the patient 100 relative to the patient support 20. For example, the control system 114 can selectively offload one or more inflatable bladder 66 based on the position determination (e.g., the silhouette of the patient 100 relative to the patient support 20).

[0177] In one embodiment, if the device or control system 113 recognizes a contact pressure map, it can map the estimated silhouette of the patient 100 to the patient's reclining position (supine, prone, or lateral). The device or control system 114 may allow the user to verify its accuracy. In this way, the device or control system 114 can identify known pressure ulcer sites based on the silhouette. For example, in the supine position, the device can identify which zones correspond to the patient's head, shoulders, elbows, sacrum, greater trochanter, ischial tuberosity, heel, or combination thereof. At this point, the device or control system 114 can offload all or a subset of these zones. Counterintuitively, some of these zones may exhibit low or medium contact pressure.

[0178] A method according to one embodiment is shown in Figure 34 and is generally designated as 3400. Method 3400 includes obtaining sensor feedback, such as contact pressure sensor information or data, from the contact pressure sensor 125. Step 3410. Such contact pressure sensor data is shown in one embodiment in the heatmap of Figure 33, where multiple high-pressure areas are shown along with low-pressure and medium-pressure contact pressure areas.

[0179] As described herein, the controller 114 performs position determination based on sensor feedback, such as contact pressure sensor information or data acquired in step 3410. Based on the position determination, the controller 114 can identify patient-specific zones or regions on the patient support 20. Step 3412. For example, the controller 114 can associate one or more specific parts of patient 100 on the patient support 20, such as the patient's head, shoulders, elbows, sacrum, greater trochanter, ischial tuberosity, heel, or a combination thereof. By identifying patient-specific zones or regions, the controller 114 can identify known areas of the patient that are susceptible to injury. Such areas may or may not correspond to high-pressure areas 3320 identifiable from the contact pressure sensor feedback. For example, such areas may correspond to low-pressure or medium-pressure contact pressure areas of patient 100. Such low-pressure or medium-pressure areas 3310 of patient 100 are shown in Figure 33.

[0180] Based on the identified patient-specific zone or region, the controller 114 can identify one or more inflatable bladder 66s and / or zones of inflatable bladder 66s of the patient support 20 corresponding to the patient-specific zone or region. Step 3414. An example of such determination is shown in Figure 32, in which a group of inflatable bladder 66s identified by reference numbers 3210, 3250, and 3220 is shown, and specific inflatable bladder 66s identified by reference numbers 3230, 3240, 3260, 3270, 3280, and 3290 is shown. As shown in the comparison between Figure 32 and Figure 33, a patient-specific zone or region that is a low-pressure or medium-pressure area 3310 may be associated with one or more inflatable bladder 66s or a group of inflatable bladder 66s, while a portion of the low-pressure or medium-pressure area may not be associated with one or more bladder 66s.

[0181] In one embodiment, position determination based on sensor feedback allows the controller 114 to identify patient-specific zones (e.g., head, shoulders, sacrum, heels, etc.), so that the controller 114 can target specific zones that are considered prone to pressure ulcers (such specific zones may correspond to high, low, or medium pressure conditions in the sensor feedback). Additionally, position determination enables the association of the target patient-specific area with the inflatable bladder 66 of the patient support, so that the controller 114 can identify the inflatable bladder 66 for offloading or pressure management control. Step 3414.

[0182] Method 3400 in Figure 34 includes determining whether all or a subset of the identified inflatable bladder 66 can be offloaded. For example, if all of the identified inflatable bladder 66 are sufficiently spaced apart from each other, they can all be offloaded simultaneously. Steps 3416, 3418. However, if one or more of the identified inflatable bladder 66 are close to or adjacent to each other, the control system 114 may decide to offload a subset of the identified inflatable bladder 66, similar to the offloading methods described in relation to Figures 27 to 31. Step 3416.

[0183] Method 3400 may include selecting one or more of the inflatable bladder 66 identified in step 3414. Step 3420. The selected one or more bladder 66 may be offloaded. Step 3422. If it is decided to continue the operation, the control system 114 may select another group of one or more inflatable bladder 66 from the inflatable bladder 66 identified in step 3414. Steps 3424, 3426. The criteria for selecting any(s) of the inflatable bladder 66 identified in step 3414 may be similar to the selection criteria described in relation to Methods 2200, 2700, including, for example, the adjacency and non-adjacency of the inflatable bladder 66s. More specifically, for example, the selection of one or more of the inflatable bladder 66 identified in step 3414 may be based on the fact that the selected inflatable bladder 66s are non-adjacent to each other, similar to the selection described in relation to Figures 28-31. Step 3424.

[0184] Optionally, the control system 114 may introduce a time delay before or after such selection, allowing the currently offloaded inflatable bladder 66 to remain offloaded for a certain period of time, for example, 20 minutes (which may be predetermined, dynamically determined, or selected by the user). The currently offloaded inflatable bladder 66 may be repressurized or reinflated, and a newly selected inflatable bladder 66 may be offloaded. Step 3424. This process may be continued through the inflatable bladder 66 identified as sequentially offload targets in step 3414.

[0185] VI. Alternating Low Pressure Therapy In one embodiment, one or more inflatable bladder 66 may be offloaded as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the pressure in the unoffloaded inflatable bladder 66 may be controlled in conjunction with Alternating Low Pressure Therapy. Alternating low pressure therapy may be provided in a powered air mattress, in which the bladder is assigned to two or more groups, for example, groups A and B, or groups A, B, and C, or groups A, B, C, and D. Four group configurations, in which the zones are labeled A, B, C, and D, are shown in Figure 35.

[0186] Alternating low-pressure therapy is shown in one embodiment in relation to method 3700 in Figure 37. Method 3700 includes inflating all A bladder 66 to low pressure and all B (and C and D) bladder 66 to higher pressure. Step 3710. After a specified amount of time (which may be preset or dynamically determined), the control system 114 instructs a cycle to the next sequence inflating all B bladder 66 to low pressure and all A (and C and D) bladder to high pressure. Step 3712. Next, for C bladder 66, C bladder 66 may be depressurized to low pressure and A, B and D bladder 66 may be pressurized to high pressure. Step 3714. Next, for D bladder 66, D bladder 66 may be depressurized to low pressure and A, B and C bladder 66 may be pressurized to high pressure. Step 3716. This process may be repeated. It should be noted that in this alternating low-pressure therapy, the pressure is not completely offloaded for any of the inflatable bladder 66s. Furthermore, it should be noted that the process described in relation to Method 3700 is described for groups A, B, C, and D of the four bladders. If there are fewer or more groups of bladder 66s, the steps in Method 3700 may be omitted or included, respectively, depending on the number of groups.

[0187] In addition to the alternating low-pressure therapy described herein, one or more inflatable bladder 66 can be selected as offload targets according to one or more embodiments described herein. For example, method 3700 can be incorporated into method 3800 shown in Figure 38, which includes steps 3710, 3712, 3714, and 3716. One or more inflatable bladder 66 to be offloaded may be excluded from the alternating low-pressure therapy process described in relation to method 3700 (for example, including an example of method 3700 that includes two or more bladder groups). For example, an inflatable bladder 66 or a group of inflatable bladder 66 may be offloaded or scheduled to be offloaded sequentially. Steps 3850, 3860, 3870. Such inflatable bladder 66 is excluded from the alternating low-pressure therapy process when it is offloaded or identified as an offload target. This configuration can be seen in Figure 36, where the offloaded bladder 66 is excluded from groups A, B, C, and D of the inflatable bladder 66.

[0188] In one embodiment, an inflatable bladder 66 that is scheduled for offloading but is not currently offloaded may be grouped with one of the groups of inflatable bladders in accordance with alternating low-pressure therapy and controlled together. For example, inflatable bladder 3610 in Figure 36 may be offloaded while the alternating low-pressure therapy process is being carried out and therefore excluded from this process. At a later stage, when inflatable bladder 3610 is not offloaded (for example, when an adjacent inflatable bladder 66 is offloaded), inflatable bladder 3610 may be associated with group C bladder and controlled together with group C bladder in accordance with the alternating low-pressure therapy process.

[0189] In one embodiment, the control system 114 may be configured to reconfigure or reassign inflatable bladder to different zones for alternating low-pressure therapy. For example, if inflatable bladder 66 is scheduled to be offloaded or has been offloaded, adjacent bladder may be reassigned to a different group of bladder for alternating low-pressure therapy. This reassignment or reconfiguration may be based on a variety of factors. For example, reconfiguration may be based on whether the clinician specifies that a particular zone should remain offloaded because the patient has a pre-existing pressure ulcer. As another example, reconfiguration may be based on whether the clinician specifies that the pressure in a particular zone should not be changed because the clinician is concerned about movement of parts of the patient's body (e.g., due to a cervical collar, cast, spinal injury). As yet another example, reconfiguration may be based on whether the mattress has an algorithm capable of mapping the patient's silhouette and whether the algorithm utilizes only the zones that are in contact with the patient, and possibly only the contact zones.

[0190] VII. Turning motion (position change motion) In one configuration, as described herein, the patient support 20 may include a turning mechanism, such as one or more turning bladders 104 positioned below an inflatable bladder 66. This turning mechanism may allow lateral rotation of the patient 100, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, where the patient 100 is tilted or pivoted at an angle θ. If the turning mechanism is a turning bladder 104, inflation of the left turning bladder 104 may be used to tilt or pivot the patient 100 at an angle θ. With the patient 100 tilted or pivoted, the control system 116 may be operable to instruct the formation of a gap 68 with respect to a second support surface area 63 positioned between a first support surface area 69 and a third support surface area 71. Thus, the patient support 20 may be configured to accommodate both tilting or repositioning the patient 100 and offloading areas of the patient 100 by forming a gap 68. As described herein, the gap 68 can be used to allow airflow, visual inspection, or physical inspection, or a combination thereof, with respect to patient 100.

[0191] In one embodiment, the turning mechanism may be operable to lift one side of the patient relative to the other side, and the control system 116 may be configured to control the turning mechanism in conjunction with lowering the height of the second support surface area 63. By lowering the height of the second support surface area 63 to form a gap 68, the caregiver can visually and / or physically examine an area of ​​the patient 100.

[0192] VIII. Off-road history In one embodiment, the offload history over a period of time can be tracked for each inflatable bladder 66 or group of inflatable bladder 66. Such history may be displayed on the user interface 113. The caregiver may be shown via the user interface 113 which areas of the patient support 20 have most recently been offloaded. The user interface 113 can display such history information as a still image as shown in Figure 39, or as a fast-forward video of a contact pressure map (similar to a radar weather chart). Based on this history information, the controller 113 may be configured to provide the caregiver (e.g., via the user interface 113) with suggestions regarding areas that should be considered for offloading next.

[0193] A method for tracking offload history in one embodiment is shown in Figure 40 and is generally designated as 4000. Method 4000 includes identifying a first group of inflatable bladder 66 that were offloaded with respect to a first threshold time, for example, less than one hour ago, and identifying a second group of inflatable bladder 66 that were offloaded with respect to a second threshold time, for example, less than two hours ago (potentially excluding inflatable bladder that were identified in the first group). Steps 4010, 4012. Method 4000 may further include identifying a third group of inflatable bladder 66 that were offloaded with respect to a third threshold time, for example, more than two hours ago. Step 4014. Heatmaps may be generated for the first, second, and third groups of inflatable bladder 66, and these heatmaps may be displayed to the caregiver. Step 4016. It should be understood that additional or fewer groups of inflatable bladder may be identified in relation to the threshold time.

[0194] As described above, method 4000 can provide caregivers with suggestions regarding a third identified group of inflatable bladder 66s, such as an inflatable bladder 66 that has not been offloaded within the past two hours. Step 4018.

[0195] Optionally, the offload history may be displayed on the user interface 113 along with a display of the patient's position relative to the inflatable bladder 66, for example, by displaying the silhouette of the patient 100 relative to multiple inflatable bladder 66 of the patient support 20. In this way, the caregiver can view the user interface 113 and visually determine, based on the heatmap generated from the offload history, which areas of the patient 100 were offloaded relative to a first, second, or third threshold time.

[0196] In one embodiment, the control system 114 can track the position of the patient 100 relative to the inflatable bladder 66, such as when the patient 100 moves on the patient support 20 over time. In one embodiment, the offload history may be tracked in relation to patient-specific regions rather than specific inflatable bladder 66. Based on this offload history with respect to patient-specific regions and the position of the patient 100 relative to the inflatable bladder 66, the heatmap of the inflatable bladder 66 may correspond to the offload history of each inflatable bladder 66 relative to the patient-specific region associated with each inflatable bladder 66. Step 4020. For example, if a pressure map can create a silhouette of the patient 100 and a zone for offloading is selected, the offloaded area can actually follow the patient 100 when the patient 100 moves toward the foot section of the patient support 20 or moves from side to side within the patient support 20. Alternatively or additionally, the caregiver may be notified if the patient moves beyond a given distance or if the patient's feet approach the footboard.

[0197] Terms indicating direction, such as "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower," "inner," "inwardly," "outer," and "outwardly," are used to assist in describing embodiments and aspects of the present disclosure based on the orientation of the illustrated embodiments and aspects. The use of directional terms should not be construed as limiting embodiments or aspects to a particular orientation.

[0198] The above description pertains to the current embodiments and aspects of the disclosure. Various substitutions and modifications can be made without departing from the technical idea and broader aspects of the disclosure set forth in the attached claims, and these should be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law, including equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as an exhaustive description of all embodiments or aspects of the invention, nor should the claims be construed as limiting to specific elements illustrated or described in relation to these embodiments or aspects. For example, but not limited to, any individual element of the described embodiments or aspects may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise appropriate operation. This includes, for example, currently known alternative elements, such as those now known to those skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, which those skilled in the art may recognize as alternative elements during development. Furthermore, the disclosed embodiments and aspects include several features that are described collaboratively and that can collaboratively provide many benefits. The invention is not limited to embodiments or aspects that have all of these features or provide all of some of the described benefits, except to the extent expressed in the published claims. For example, the use of the article "a," "an," "the," or "said" to refer to an element in a claim in the singular form should not be interpreted as limiting that element to the singular. When an element in a claim is described as "at least one of X, Y, and Z," it is intended to include any one of X, Y, or Z, as well as any combination of X, Y, and Z, such as the combination of X, Y, and Z, the combination of X and Y, the combination of X and Z, and the combination of Y and Z.

[0199] While several forms have been shown and described, other changes and modifications will also be understood by those skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of disclosure as defined by the following claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law, including equivalents.

Claims

1. A patient support system for a patient support device, wherein the patient support device includes a deck comprising one or more deck sections, and the patient support system is A patient support comprising a first inflatable bladder and a second inflatable bladder, supported on the deck, wherein the first inflatable bladder is associated with a first support surface region of the patient support, the second inflatable bladder is associated with a second support surface region of the patient support, the first inflatable bladder and the second inflatable bladder are adjacent to each other, and are operable to contact and cooperate with the patient on the first support surface region and the second support surface region to support the patient, A patient support system comprising: a control system configured to indicate the inflation level of a first inflatable bladder and the inflation level of a second inflatable bladder, wherein the control system is operable to decrease the inflation level of the second inflatable bladder relative to the first inflatable bladder, thereby selectively lowering the second support surface area relative to the first support surface area, and as a result, creating a gap between the second support surface area and the patient.

2. The patient support system according to claim 1, wherein the inflation level of the second inflatable bladder is reduced by the deflation of the second inflatable bladder.

3. The patient support system according to claim 2, wherein deflation is provided by forming a vacuum over the second inflatable bladder.

4. The patient support system according to claim 1, wherein the control system is operable to direct the inflation level of the second inflatable bladder as part of a plurality of bladder zones associated with the second inflatable bladder.

5. The patient support system according to claim 1, wherein the patient support includes a third inflatable bladder associated with a third support surface region of the patient support, the third inflatable bladder being located on one side of the second inflatable bladder, opposite to the first inflatable bladder.

6. The patient support system according to claim 5, wherein the control system is configured to instruct the inflation level of the second inflatable bladder to selectively lower the second support surface area relative to both the first support surface area and the third support surface area, so that the gaps are provided between the second support surface area and the patient, and between the first support surface area and the third support surface area.

7. The patient support system according to claim 6, wherein the first support surface region and the third support surface region support and contact the patient, and the gap provides a channel between the first support surface region and the third support surface region.

8. The patient support system according to claim 5, wherein the third inflatable bladder is adjacent to the second inflatable bladder, and as a result the second inflatable bladder is sandwiched between the first inflatable bladder and the third inflatable bladder.

9. The patient support system according to claim 1, wherein the area of ​​the patient that can be supported by the second support surface area is visible for examination through the gap.

10. The patient support system according to claim 1, wherein the gap provides physical access to examine the patient from one side of the patient support.

11. The patient support system according to claim 1, wherein the gap is large enough to offload pressure, but small enough to prevent the patient from bottoming out against the deck.

12. The patient support system according to claim 1, which is large enough to allow outside air to reach the patient, but small enough to prevent the patient from bottoming out on the deck.

13. The patient support includes the first inflatable bladder and the second inflatable bladder, and an uppermost layer provided between them and the patient. The uppermost layer is operably coupled to the second inflatable bladder and provides the second support surface area for supporting the patient thereon, The uppermost second support surface region descends in accordance with the decrease in the inflation level of the second inflatable bladder relative to the first inflatable bladder, thereby providing the gap. The patient support system according to claim 1.

14. The patient support system according to claim 13, wherein the uppermost layer is attached to the second inflatable bladder.

15. The patient support system according to claim 13, wherein one or more intermediate layers are provided between the uppermost layer and the second inflatable bladder, and as a result, the one or more intermediate layers move together with the uppermost layer.

16. The patient support system according to claim 13, wherein a vacuum is formed over the uppermost layer and the first inflatable bladder and the second inflatable bladder, thereby facilitating the movement of the uppermost layer together with the second inflatable bladder.

17. The patient support system according to claim 16, wherein the vacuum acts on a local area of ​​the patient support that is aligned with the second support surface region.

18. The patient support system according to claim 1, wherein the gap provides a zero-pressure area with respect to the patient and the second support surface area of ​​the patient.

19. The patient support system according to claim 1, further comprising a contact pressure sensor provided between the patient and the first support surface region and the second support surface region, wherein the contact pressure sensor is configured to provide contact pressure sensor information relating to the respective contact pressures between the patient and the first support surface region and the second support surface region.

20. The patient support system according to claim 19, wherein the control system is configured to indicate the inflation levels of the first inflatable bladder and the second inflatable bladder based on the contact pressure sensor information.

21. The patient support system according to claim 19, wherein the control system is configured to determine the position of the patient on the patient support based on the contact pressure sensor information.

22. The patient support system according to claim 21, wherein the control system is configured to indicate the inflation level of the first inflatable bladder and the inflation level of the second inflatable bladder based on the determined position of the patient on the patient support.

23. The patient support system according to claim 18, wherein the first inflatable bladder is controlled according to an alternating low-pressure therapy process, while the second inflatable bladder is offloaded to the patient.

24. The patient support system according to claim 18, wherein the first inflatable bladder is controlled according to an active pressure redistribution process, while the second inflatable bladder is offloaded to the patient.

25. The patient support system according to claim 18, wherein the control system is operable to receive a manual selection from a caregiver and to offload the second support surface area to the patient.

26. The patient support system according to claim 25, comprising a user interface operable to receive the manual selection from the caregiver.

27. The patient support system according to claim 18, wherein the control system is configured to selectively offload the second support surface region from the first support surface region, and at the same time, the control system prevents the first inflatable bladder from offloading the first support surface region.

28. The patient support system according to claim 27, wherein the control system is configured to sequentially offload the first support surface region and the second support surface region, the control system is configured to instruct the inflation level of the second inflatable bladder to offload the second support surface region to the patient for a first duration, the control system is configured, after the first duration to instruct the inflation level of the second inflatable bladder to support the patient on the second support surface region, and to instruct the inflation level of the first inflatable bladder to offload the first support surface region to the patient for a second duration.

29. The patient support system according to claim 18, comprising a user interface operable to display information to a caregiver, wherein the control system is operable to control the user interface to display a heatmap based on the amount of time between a threshold time and the amount of time between the second support surface area being lowered for offloading and then raised again to support the patient, and the amount of time between the threshold time and the first support surface area being lowered for offloading and then raised again to support the patient.

30. The patient support system according to claim 18, wherein the control system is operable to determine a sequence of offloading of a plurality of inflatable bladders based on the adjacency relationships between the plurality of inflatable bladders.

31. A patient support system for a patient support device, wherein the patient support device includes a deck comprising one or more deck sections, and the patient support system is A patient support supported on the deck, wherein the surface of the patient support includes a first support surface region and a second support surface region, the first support surface region and the second support surface region being adjacent to each other and operable to contact and cooperate with the patient to support the patient, A patient support system comprising: a control system configured to indicate the height of the first support surface area and the second support surface area, wherein the control system is operable to selectively lower the second support surface area relative to the first support surface area, so as a result, a gap is created between the second support surface area and the patient.

32. The patient is equipped with a turning mechanism that can be operated to lift one side of the patient relative to the other side, The control system is operable to control the turning mechanism in conjunction with lowering the height of the second support surface region. The patient support system according to claim 31.

33. The patient support system according to claim 32, wherein the turning mechanism, together with the lowered second support surface area, enables visual and / or physical inspection of the patient area.

34. The patient support system according to claim 32, wherein the control system is operable to control the turning mechanism to lift one side of the patient and to create a gap on the side to offload a portion of the patient.

35. The patient support system according to claim 32, wherein the turning mechanism is a bladder.

36. The patient support comprises a first inflatable bladder and a second inflatable bladder. The first inflatable bladder is associated with the first support surface region of the patient support, The second inflatable bladder is associated with the second support surface region of the patient support, The first inflatable bladder and the second inflatable bladder are adjacent to each other and are operable to contact and cooperate with the patient on the first and second support surface regions to support the patient. The patient support system according to claim 31.

37. The patient support includes an uppermost layer that comes into contact with the patient. The uppermost layer is operably coupled to the second inflatable bladder and provides the second support surface area for supporting the patient thereon, The uppermost second support surface region descends in accordance with the decrease in the inflation level of the second inflatable bladder relative to the first inflatable bladder, thereby providing the gap. The patient support system according to claim 36.

38. The patient support system according to claim 37, wherein the uppermost layer is attached to the second inflatable bladder.

39. The patient support system according to claim 37, wherein one or more intermediate layers are provided between the uppermost layer and the second inflatable bladder, and as a result, the one or more intermediate layers move together with the uppermost layer.

40. The patient support system according to claim 36, wherein the inflation level of the second inflatable bladder is reduced by the deflation of the second inflatable bladder.

41. The patient support system according to claim 36, wherein the control system is operable to direct the inflation level of the second inflatable bladder as part of a plurality of bladder zones associated with the second inflatable bladder.

42. The patient support system according to claim 41, wherein the patient support includes a third inflatable bladder associated with a third support surface region of the patient support, the third inflatable bladder being located on one side of the second inflatable bladder, opposite to the first inflatable bladder.

43. The patient support system according to claim 42, wherein the control system is configured to instruct the inflation level of the second inflatable bladder to selectively lower the second support surface area relative to both the first support surface area and the third support surface area, so that the gaps are provided between the second support surface area and the patient, and between the first support surface area and the third support surface area.

44. The patient support system according to claim 43, wherein the first support surface region and the third support surface region support and contact the patient, and the gap provides a channel between the first support surface region and the third support surface region.

45. The patient support system according to claim 42, wherein the third inflatable bladder is adjacent to the second inflatable bladder, and as a result the second inflatable bladder is sandwiched between the first inflatable bladder and the third inflatable bladder.

46. The patient support system according to claim 31, wherein the area of ​​the patient that can be supported by the second support surface area is visible for examination through the gap.

47. The patient support system according to claim 31, wherein the gap provides physical access to examine the patient from one side of the patient support.

48. The patient support system according to claim 31, wherein the gap is large enough to offload pressure, but small enough to prevent the patient from bottoming out against the deck.

49. The patient support system according to claim 31, wherein the gap is large enough to allow outside air to reach the patient, but narrow enough to prevent the patient from bottoming out against the deck.

50. The patient support system according to claim 31, wherein the gap provides a zero-pressure area with respect to the patient and the second support surface area of ​​the patient.

Images