Mat for preventing and improving bedsores

Abstract

To provide a mat for prevention / improvement of pressure sore, which is superior in breathability while having moderate body pressure dispersion, and thereby can promote a blood flow of a user.SOLUTION: A mat 1 is the mat for prevention / improvement of pressure sore where at least a portion of a body is placed therein. The mat has a bag 2 where 2-sheets of fabric 2a, 2b are integrated by multiple connection parts 2c plurally dotted in an island shape and a closed circumferential edge 2d; and the foamed beads filled in the inside of the bag 2. A foaming ratio of the foamed beads is 70-90 times, and multiple protrusions 3 for receiving a load from the body are formed between multiple connection parts 2c.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mat for preventing and improving bedsores (pressure sores) for preventing bedsores or improving the symptoms of bedsores. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the number of bedridden elderly people has been increasing due to the aging of the population. When the same posture is maintained for a long period of time due to being bedridden, the same part of the skin is continuously compressed, which can lead to bedsores. Bedsores often occur around the shoulder blades, elbows, sacrum, and heels, which are prone to pressure. Symptoms of bedsores include redness of the skin, sores, and ulcers.

[0003] In order to prevent and improve bedsores, it is considered important to distribute body pressure, and bedsore prevention mats and pads have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Urethane foam is often used as the material for such bedsore prevention equipment. However, although urethane foam is excellent at dispersing body pressure, it has been pointed out that it has poor breathability. In addition, the body sinks into the foam, making it difficult to change positions, which tends to increase the burden on bedridden people and their caregivers. On the other hand, it has also been pointed out that promoting the user's blood flow is important for preventing and improving bedsores. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-224324 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a mat for preventing and improving bedsores, which has excellent breathability while providing appropriate body pressure dispersion and promotes blood flow in the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The mat for preventing and improving bedsores of the present invention is a mat for preventing and improving bedsores on which at least a part of the body is placed, and is characterized in that it comprises a bag body in which two pieces of fabric are integrated by a closed peripheral part and a plurality of scattered island-like connecting parts, and foamed beads filled inside the bag body, the foamed beads having an expansion ratio of 70 to 90 times, and a plurality of protrusions for receiving the load from the body are formed between the plurality of connecting parts.

[0007] The protruding portion has a protruding height of 1 cm to 3 cm. The plurality of connecting portions are arranged in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction in a plan view.

[0008] The foamed beads are composite resin foam particles of polystyrene resin and polyolefin resin, and the particles have an average particle size of 3.0 to 5.0 mm. The foamed beads are filled at a filling ratio of 80% or more in the bag.

[0009] Of the two pieces of fabric that make up the bag, only the surface of the fabric facing the body is covered with a waterproof film. Effect of the Invention

[0010] The mat for preventing and improving bedsores (hereinafter, simply referred to as the mat) of the present invention has a bag body in which two pieces of fabric are integrated by a plurality of island-like connecting parts and a closed peripheral part, and foam beads filled inside the bag body, and the foam beads have an expansion ratio of 70 to 90 times, and a plurality of protrusions that receive the load from the body are formed between the plurality of connecting parts, so that the concentration of body pressure can be prevented by supporting the body at points partially, and a space is created between the body and the mat, resulting in excellent breathability. In addition, since the expansion ratio of the foam beads is 70 to 90 times, the adhesion is improved at the points in contact with the body, which makes it easy to generate heat and has excellent heat retention. As a result, the user's body temperature rises, blood flow is promoted, and it is effective in preventing and improving bedsores.

[0011] The protruding height of the protrusion is 1 cm to 3 cm, so that even when the protrusion receives a load, a space is likely to be created between the body and the mat.

[0012] Of the two pieces of fabric that make up the bag, only the surface of the fabric closest to the body is covered with a waterproof film, so while the breathability of the mat as a whole is maintained, dirt on the mat can be easily washed off even if it comes into contact with an affected area. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mat for preventing and improving bedsores according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a mat for preventing and improving bedsores according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 shows a device for filling foam beads. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a process of filling foam beads. [Diagram 5] Photographs of the affected area before and after use of the mat of the present invention. [Figure 6] Photographs of the affected area before and after use of the mat of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 shows thermography photographs of each measurement site. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] An example of a mat for preventing and improving bedsores according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mat. The mat 1 in FIG. 1 is a cushion-like shape with a substantially square shape in plan view and a certain thickness. The size of the mat of the present invention may be a size that allows at least a part of the body of a user, such as a bedridden person, to be placed thereon. For example, in the case of a mat on which only a part of the body, such as the heel or sacrum, is placed, the length in the first direction (X-axis direction in FIG. 1) is about 30 to 60 cm, and the length in the second direction (Y-axis direction in FIG. 1) perpendicular to the first direction in plan view is about 30 to 60 cm. In addition, in the case of a mat on which the entire body of a user is placed, the mat is a rectangular parallelepiped, with a longitudinal length of about 120 to 200 cm and a lateral length of about 50 to 100 cm.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, the mat 1 has a bag body 2 made of two pieces of fabric 2a, 2b, and foamed beads (see Fig. 2) filled inside the bag body 2. The bag body 2 is a quilted bag body in which the fabrics 2a, 2b are integrated by a plurality of independent island-like scattered connecting parts 2c and a peripheral part 2d, and is entirely sealed. The connecting parts 2c connecting the two pieces of fabric 2a, 2b need only be spaced apart to prevent the movement of the foamed beads filled inside, and adjacent connecting parts are disposed at a distance that exceeds the outer diameter of a metal pipe described later.

[0016] The peripheral edge 2d of the mat 1 needs only to be closed to the extent that the filled foam beads do not scatter during use. The peripheral edge 2d connects the peripheral edges of the two pieces of fabric 2a, 2b, and is preferably reinforced by hemming with a separate fabric. Providing the hemming can prevent the fabric from fraying.

[0017] Examples of the fabrics 2a and 2b include knitted and woven fabrics. In this case, the knitted and woven fabrics form a quilted bag, and the surfaces of the two fabrics form the outer skin of the mat 1. The bag is mainly formed of a single layer of knitted and woven fabric, but can be multi-layered if necessary. When making a bag with knitted fabric, the bag can be made by simultaneously knitting two knitted fabrics, one on the front and one on the back, using a circular knitting machine. There is no particular restriction on the weaving method of the knitted and woven fabric, and any known weaving method such as plain weave or twill weave may be used. In the present invention, it is essential that the weave is such that the foam beads do not scatter, but it is also preferable that the fabric has air permeability that allows compressed gas to pass through when the foam beads are filled, as described below. It is also preferable that the knitted and woven fabric as a whole is a stretchable fabric with elastic recovery, for example by using polyether-ester elastic yarn or polyurethane elastic yarn.

[0018] The two pieces of fabric are connected to each other at the periphery and at the connecting parts. The two pieces of fabric are connected by sewing them together or by simultaneously knitting the two pieces of fabric. The sewing is formed by overlapping two pieces of fabric and sewing them together, while the simultaneous knitting is a method in which the connecting parts are formed when the fabric is formed.

[0019] The two pieces of fabric may be treated differently. For example, of the two pieces of fabric constituting the bag, only the surface of the fabric facing the body may be waterproofed. As bedsores progress, exudate may ooze from the affected area. If the exudate adheres to the mat, it will become contaminated. However, for example, by covering only the surface of the fabric facing the body with a waterproof film, the mat can be washed. Also, by not waterproofing the fabric on the opposite side to the body, heat accumulated inside the mat can be dissipated, and the breathability of the entire mat can be maintained.

[0020] The two pieces of fabric may be of the same type or different types. When the two pieces of fabric are of different types, the fabric constituting the surface facing the body may be highly stretchable with strong elastic recovery compared to the fabric constituting the opposite surface. With this configuration, the lower surface of the mat is in a state where it does not deform significantly when in contact with a stand or the like, while the surface facing the body is easily deformed flexibly to fit the body shape. The fabric on the opposite side to the body side may be non-stretchable.

[0021] In the present invention, the expansion ratio of the foamed beads in the bag body 2 is 70 to 90 times, and a plurality of protruding parts 3 that receive the load from the body are formed between the plurality of connecting parts 2c. As shown in the examples described later, by setting the expansion ratio of the foamed beads to 70 to 90 times, the generation of heat is increased, which is effective in preventing and improving bedsores. In addition, in the mat 1, the filling ratio of the foamed beads in the bag body 2 is preferably 80% or more. By dividing the inside of the bag body 2 to some extent by the connecting parts 2c and increasing the filling ratio of the foamed beads, the free movement of the filled foamed beads can be restricted. As a result, an appropriate repulsive force is imparted to the protruding parts 3, which can partially support the body at points, and an appropriate space is created between the body and the mat. The filling ratio refers to the ratio (%) of the total volume of the foamed beads to the total volume of the space inside the bag body. The filling ratio of the foamed beads is more preferably 80% to 95%, and even more preferably 80% to 90%.

[0022] In Fig. 1, the connecting parts 2c are aligned in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. More specifically, the connecting parts 2c are arranged in a geometric pattern having a predetermined repetition (for example, in a staggered pattern). As shown in Fig. 1, by arranging the connecting parts 2c in a staggered pattern, the protruding parts 3 are formed in a substantially diamond shape and arranged in a staggered pattern, which makes it easier to distribute the body pressure of the user.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of line AA in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, in the cross-sectional view cut on the connecting parts 2c aligned in the X-axis direction, a plurality of filling chambers 2e are formed, which are divided by the connecting parts 2c. The filling chambers 2e are filled with foamed beads 4. The protruding height H (maximum height) of the protruding parts 3 is 1 cm to 3 cm. This protruding height H is the height from the bottom surface of the protruding parts 3 (for example, the end surface of the connecting parts 2c) to the apex of the protruding parts 3. By ensuring a certain protruding height of the protruding parts, it becomes easier to create a space between the body and the mat even when weight is applied from the body. The protruding height H of the protruding parts 3 is preferably 2 cm to 3 cm.

[0024] In FIG. 2, the distance between adjacent connecting parts 2c in the X-axis direction is L X Then, L X In this case, the distance L is preferably 3 cm to 10 cm, more preferably 5 cm to 10 cm, and even more preferably 5 cm to 8 cm. X is the distance between the centers of the connecting parts 2c in the X-axis direction. Although not shown in the figure, the distance between adjacent connecting parts 2c in the Y-axis direction is L Y Then, L Y The distance L is preferably 3 cm to 10 cm, more preferably 5 cm to 10 cm, and even more preferably 5 cm to 8 cm. X and distance L Y may be the same length as each other, or may be different lengths from each other.

[0025] The material of the foam beads filled in the mat is preferably a foamable thermoplastic resin. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include polystyrene resin, polyolefin resin such as polypropylene resin or polyethylene resin, polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, or polylactic acid, and polycarbonate resin. These can be used as foam particles made of a single resin or foam particles made of a composite of multiple resins. As foam particles made of a composite of multiple resins, for example, a composite resin of polystyrene resin and polyolefin resin can be used. In particular, the composite resin of polystyrene resin and polyolefin resin has excellent resilience and is therefore suitable for preventing or improving bedsores. In addition, a known foaming agent (propane, butane, pentane, etc.) can be used as the foaming agent.

[0026] The expanded beads filled in the mat are, for example, spherical expanded beads having an average particle size of 0.1 to 5.0 mm, and preferably spherical expanded beads having an average particle size of 3.0 to 5.0 mm. The expansion ratio is preferably 80 to 90 times. If the average particle size is less than 0.1 mm, the beads are likely to scatter from the fabric, and if it exceeds 5.0 mm, the texture of the quilted product is inferior. The average particle size is a value measured by a laser diffraction / scattering method.

[0027] The surface of the foamed beads is preferably subjected to a lubricity treatment. By performing the lubricity treatment, the fluidity of the foamed beads filled in the filling chamber of the mat is improved, and a moist feeling can be given when used as a mat. As a method of the lubricity treatment, a method of applying a highly viscous liquid, a solid lubricant, etc. to the surface of the foamed beads can be mentioned. The method of applying a highly viscous liquid is preferred from the viewpoint of workability. As the highly viscous liquid, glycerin, polybutene, polyethylene glycol, liquid paraffin, silicone oil, etc. can be mentioned. As the solid lubricant, graphite powder, fluororesin powder, etc. can be mentioned. Among these, glycerin is preferred from the viewpoint of workability. In addition, the foamed beads can be mixed with a fragrance, a negative ion generator, far-infrared powder, etc., as necessary.

[0028] A method for filling the mat with foam beads will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 3 shows a filling device, and Fig. 4 shows a filling process. The filling device 5 is composed of a hopper 6 for storing foam beads, a supply valve 6a for adjusting the supply amount of foam beads supplied from the hopper 6, a compressed gas supply pipe 7 for transporting the foam beads and a supply valve 7a for adjusting the supply amount, an elastic hose 8 connected to a conductive metal pipe 9 for filling the transported foam beads into a bag body, and a control device 10 for controlling the supply valves 6a and 7a. The entire filling device including the conductive metal pipe 9 is electrically grounded by an earth (not shown). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the foam beads from being charged due to contact with the inner surface of the conductive metal pipe 9.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4(a), a foam bead filling port 11 is provided in a part of the bag body 2 before the foam beads are filled. A metal pipe 9 is inserted into the bag body 2 through the foam bead filling port 11. The metal pipe 9 used for filling the foam beads is preferably cylindrical. The outer diameter is set to a diameter that allows the shortest adjacent joints formed in the bag body 2 to pass and be inserted. The outer diameter of the metal pipe 9 can be changed according to the capacity and shape of the bag body 2 as long as it is equal to or smaller than the above diameter. The shape of the metal pipe 9 is preferably linear, but can be curved according to the shape of the bag body 2. The material of the metal pipe 9 may be conductive, and is preferably a copper or copper alloy pipe that can prevent the foam beads from being charged.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 4(b), the tip of the metal pipe 9 inserted inside the bag body 2 reaches the deepest part 12 of the bag body 2. Since the bag body 2 before being filled with the foamed beads can be changed into any shape, the metal pipe 9 can easily reach the deepest part 12 even if it is straight. Thereafter, by adjusting the supply valves 6a and 7a controlled by the control device 10, the foamed beads 4 are filled while the foamed beads are successively drawn from the deepest part 12 of the bag body 2 toward the foamed bead filling port 11 side, as shown in Figs. 4(b) to 4(d). By filling with the foamed beads 4, the bag body 2 becomes quilted with a predetermined thickness.

[0031] When the compressed air supply valve 7a is opened to supply compressed air to the metal pipe 9 while the supply valve 6a is open, the hopper 6 side is reduced in pressure, and the foamed beads 4 are supplied and filled into the bag body 2 together with the compressed air. The compressed air is easily dispersed from the woven or woven fabric of the bag body 2.

[0032] After filling with the foam beads 4, the foam bead filling port 11 is sewn together as shown in Fig. 4(e). The sewn foam bead filling port 11 is then folded back inside the bag-like body and sewn together along the periphery 2d as shown in Fig. 4(f), and then hemmed to complete the mat for preventing and improving bedsores. Since the foam bead filling port of this mat is filled and then sealed by sewing, it can be sealed without the foam beads being scattered.

[0033] From the above, by using the mat of the present invention, the body can be partially supported at points, and the concentration of body pressure can be prevented. In addition, since the mat of the present invention uses foam beads, it is superior in both heat insulation and heat retention compared to urethane foam or gel materials. In particular, since the foam beads have an expansion ratio of 70 to 90 times, it is excellent in heat generation, and as a result, the body temperature of the user is raised, and blood flow can be promoted. Furthermore, the moderate repulsive force of the protrusions creates a space between the body and the mat, which results in improved breathability and makes it easy to change positions. In particular, since the mat of the present invention is relatively hard, it is superior in stably holding the body compared to urethane foam or gel materials. In addition, since the mat of the present invention has moderate moisturizing properties, it can prevent the skin from drying. In this way, the mat of the present invention is effective in preventing or improving bedsores due to the above-mentioned action.

[0034] The mat of the present invention is preferably used by people who maintain the same posture for a long time in order to prevent or improve bedsores. Examples of users of the mat of the present invention include bedridden elderly people, hospitalized patients, patients undergoing long-term surgery, wheelchair users, etc. For example, in the case of wheelchair users, the mat of the present invention can be used as a mat to be placed on the seat of the wheelchair. EXAMPLES

[0035] The mat according to the present invention was used to verify the effectiveness of improving bedsores on bedridden elderly people in a nursing home. The dimensions of the mat used in the verification were as follows: short side length 53.5 cm, long side length 132.5 cm, protruding height 3 cm, distance between adjacent connecting parts in the short side direction 7 cm, and distance between adjacent connecting parts in the long side direction 7 cm. The foamed beads filled in this mat were a composite resin of polystyrene resin and polyolefin resin (EMPOL NEO (registered trademark) manufactured by JSP Corporation). The average particle size of the foamed beads was 4 to 5 mm, and the expansion ratio was 90 times.

[0036] Figures 5 and 6 show the change over time in the affected area of ​​bedsore. Figure 5 is an enlarged photograph of the area near the left iliac bone of elderly person A (94-year-old woman). As shown in Figure 5(a), before the start of use of the mat, redness of about 5 cm was confirmed on the left iliac bone. After that, the redness significantly decreased in the first week of use (Figure 5(b)), and disappeared in the second week of use (Figure 5(c)). Figure 6 is an enlarged photograph of the area near the lumbar region of elderly person B (85-year-old woman). As shown in Figure 6(a), before the start of use of the mat, the central part of the affected area was red, and the damage extended to the dermis. The area of ​​the red damage in this central part was about half in the sixth week of use (Figure 6(b)), and was significantly reduced in the eleventh week of use (Figure 6(c)). In this way, it was confirmed that the use of the mat of the present invention improved the symptoms of bedsore.

[0037] Next, the effect of generating heat by the difference in the expansion ratio of the foam beads was evaluated. For the test mats, a mat with an expansion ratio of 90 times (similar to the mat used in the verification at the nursing facility described above) and a mat with an expansion ratio of 50 times were used. In an environment of room temperature 25°C ± 2°C and humidity 60 ± 5% RH, the subject's hands and back were placed on each mat for 10 minutes, and the surface temperature of each part before and after placement was measured with a thermography camera. When the measurement site was the hand, the temperature was measured near the center of the back of the hand, and when the measurement site was the back, the temperature was measured near the center of the back. Figure 7(a) is a thermography photograph after placing the hand on a test mat with an expansion ratio of 90 times for 10 minutes, and Figure 7(b) is a thermography photograph after placing the back on a test mat with an expansion ratio of 90 times for 10 minutes. The measurement results of the surface temperature before and after placement are shown in Table 1.

[0038] [Table 1]

[0039] As shown in Table 1, when the measurement site was either (a) the hand or (b) the back, the mat with a foaming ratio of 90 times showed a greater temperature rise than the mat with a foaming ratio of 50 times. In other words, it was found that the mat with a foaming ratio of 90 times has better heat retention than the mat with a foaming ratio of 50 times, preventing heat generation from escaping. As heat generation increases, the user's body temperature rises and blood flow is promoted, making the mat of the present invention even more effective in preventing and improving bedsores.

[0040] It was also found that differences in foaming ratios affected the subjects' physical sensations. Specifically, the subjects felt that the 50x foam was hotter than the 90x foam. In other words, the 90x foam has the characteristic of being less sensitive to heat. From these results, it can be said that the 90x foam mat has better heat retention and breathability than the 50x foam mat. [Industrial Applicability]

[0041] The mat for preventing and improving bedsores of the present invention has excellent breathability while dispersing body pressure appropriately and promoting blood flow to the user, and can therefore be used as a mat for preventing or improving bedsores in medical institutions, elderly care facilities, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 Mat (Mat for preventing and improving bedsores) 2 bags 2a Fabric 2b Fabric 2c Connecting part 2d Periphery 2e Filling chamber 3 Protrusion 4. Foam beads 5 Filling equipment 6. Hopper 7 Compressed gas supply pipe 8 Elastic hose 9 Metal Pipes 10 Control device 11 Foam bead filling port 12 Deepest part of the bag

Claims

1. A mat for preventing and improving bedsores, on which at least a part of the body is placed, comprising: The present invention comprises a bag body in which two pieces of fabric, a fabric constituting a surface facing the body and a fabric constituting a surface on the opposite side, are integrated by a plurality of island-like connecting parts and a closed peripheral part, and foam beads are filled inside the bag body, A mat for preventing and improving bedsores, characterized in that the foamed beads have an expansion ratio of 70 to 90 times, the foamed beads are resin foam particles, the average particle size of the particles is 3.0 to 5.0 mm, and a plurality of protrusions for receiving the load from the body are formed between the plurality of connecting parts (however, this does not include mats that are contained inside a gas-impermeable bag and are evacuated before use).

2. 2. The mat for preventing and improving bedsores according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion has a protruding height of 1 cm to 3 cm.

3. A mat for preventing and improving bedsores as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the multiple connecting portions are aligned in a first direction and a second direction that intersects the first direction in a planar view.

4. 4. The mat for preventing and improving bedsores according to claim 1, wherein the foam beads are composite resin foam particles of a polystyrene resin and a polyolefin resin.

5. A mat for preventing and improving bedsores as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that of the two pieces of fabric that make up the bag body, only the surface of the fabric facing the body is covered with a waterproof film.

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