Air pressure control device of mattress for preventing bedsores

Abstract

An air pressure control mattress device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a mattress unit; a control unit; a pump unit; and a user input unit. The mattress unit comprises a plurality of air cells for receiving air from the pump unit. The control unit comprises: a processor: a memory for storing at least one instruction for controlling air pressure; at least one pressure sensor for measuring air pressure in the air cells; and at least one air pressure control unit for controlling air inflow and outflow of the air cells on the basis of the instruction executed by the processor. Accordingly, the present invention can obtain a bedsore prevention effect through the air pressure control device which takes into consideration the characteristics of the body and body position of a user, and can further increase the bedsore prevention effect in consideration of all of the surrounding environment such as temperature and humidity, shear force, friction force, and the like in addition to vertical pressure.

Description

Air pressure control device in mattress to prevent bedsores

[0001] The present invention relates to an air pressure control device for a mattress for preventing bedsores, and more particularly, to a configuration of an air pressure control mattress for supporting various medical procedures applied to bedridden patients, including prevention and treatment of bedsores, and a method and program for controlling air pressure.

[0002] The human body's skin swells when pressure deprives the capillaries of oxygen. When pressure is continuously and repeatedly applied to bony prominences, poor blood circulation can lead to skin necrosis and blocked blood vessels, which can lead to bedsores. Elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and patients who have difficulty supporting themselves are particularly susceptible to bedsores due to prolonged periods of maintaining the same posture. To prevent bedsores, it's important to change positions regularly to relieve pressure and maintain appropriate body temperature and humidity.

[0003] Traditionally, to prevent pressure ulcers, healthcare professionals and caregivers would identify areas of pressure on the patient and then relieve the pressure in those areas. However, this process requires the caregivers to manually change the patient's position to relieve the pressure, which is time-consuming and costly. Furthermore, the ability of caregivers to consistently assess the risk of pressure ulcers throughout the day is limited, leading to ongoing disputes over responsibility for negligence in management. Furthermore, pressure applied to the same area varies depending on individual factors such as weight, height, gender, and age. Therefore, the risk of pressure ulcers must be managed individually for each individual. However, it is difficult for caregivers to individually assess the pressure applied to each area based on a patient's posture and assess the risk of pressure ulcers.

[0004] Meanwhile, air mattresses have recently been used to prevent bedsores to address these issues. Using air mattresses requires relatively little assistance from caregivers and allows for continuous pressure relief.

[0005] Conventional air mattresses, as shown in Fig. 1, have horizontally elongated air cells connected vertically, and as shown in Fig. 2, odd-numbered air cells and even-numbered air cells alternately support each other for 3 to 5 minutes to prevent bedsores. In such cases, there is a risk of grounding when air escapes from air cells corresponding to protruding body parts such as the greater trochanter or shoulders, and the user may experience psychological and physical discomfort such as motion sickness, thereby compromising the effectiveness and usability.

[0006] Furthermore, some high-end products have a function that warns of danger when the air pressure inside the air cell drops. However, this function simply operates when the internal air pressure falls below a critical level without considering the user's physical characteristics, and thus does not sufficiently achieve the practical effect of preventing bedsores. Furthermore, when using a horizontally elongated air cell, as illustrated in the conventional technology in Fig. 1, when the patient turns to his or her side, the air in the center of the air cell may spread to both sides, causing grounding or damage to the air cell.

[0007] Therefore, a new pressure ulcer prevention system is required that accurately identifies pressure points according to the user's body curvature, precisely controls the pressure of the mattress to relieve pressure, and also alleviates difficulties for caregivers.

[0008] The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide an air pressure control device for a mattress for preventing bedsores.

[0009] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the technical problem mentioned above, and may include various technical problems within a scope obvious to a person skilled in the art from the contents described below.

[0010] An air pressure control mattress device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a mattress unit; a control unit; a pump unit; and a user input unit; wherein the mattress unit includes a plurality of air cells that receive air from the pump unit, and the control unit includes: a processor; a memory that stores at least one instruction for air pressure control; at least one pressure sensor that measures air pressure within the air cells; and at least one air pressure control unit that controls air inlet and outlet of the air cells based on the instruction executed by the processor.

[0011] The air pressure control unit may include at least one valve for injecting air into the air cell or discharging air from the air cell. The at least one valve may include an input valve connecting the air cell and the pump unit; and an output valve for discharging air from the air cell; or one valve may perform both the functions of injecting air into the air cell and discharging air from the air cell.

[0012] The above command may be executed by the processor so that, when the control unit receives a first input from the user input unit, air is injected into the air cell through the at least one valve, the air pressure within each air cell is continuously received from the pressure sensor, and the air injection through the at least one valve is stopped for the air cell for which the received air pressure reaches a first set value.

[0013] Accordingly, in one embodiment, the command may be executed by the processor to, when the control unit receives a first input from the user input unit, cause the input valve to be opened and the output valve to be closed, continuously receive air pressure within each air cell from the pressure sensor, and close the input valve connected to the air cell in which the received air pressure corresponds to a first set value.

[0014] The above command may be executed by the processor so that the control unit receives a first input from the user input unit, stops air injection through the at least one valve, and then continuously receives the air pressure within each air cell from the pressure sensor, and receives the air pressure within each air cell from the pressure sensor every n seconds after the received air pressure changes by a second set value or more, and when the amount of change in the air pressure within each air cell within n seconds becomes less than a third set value, the air pressure within each air cell received from the pressure sensor at that time may be stored as body pressure data in the memory.

[0015] Accordingly, in one embodiment, the command may be executed by the processor so that the control unit receives a first input from the user input unit, closes the input valve, and then continuously receives the air pressure within each air cell from the pressure sensor, and receives the air pressure within each air cell from the pressure sensor every n seconds after the received air pressure changes by a second set value or more, and when the amount of change in the air pressure within each air cell within n seconds becomes less than a third set value, the air pressure within each air cell received from the pressure sensor at that time may be stored as body pressure data in the memory.

[0016] Additionally, the command may be executed by the processor to open all valves or input valves included in the air pressure control unit when continuously receiving air pressure within each air cell from the pressure sensor.

[0017] In addition, the command may be executed by the processor so that, when the control unit receives a second input from the user input unit, the control unit transmits a pump operation signal to the pump unit, and the input valve and the output valve are controlled until the difference between the air pressure in each air cell received from the pressure sensor and the body pressure data is equal to or less than a third set value, and then the valve corresponding to the air cell in which the difference between the air pressure in each air cell received from the pressure sensor and the body pressure data is equal to or less than the third set value, or the input valve and the output valve are maintained in a closed state.

[0018] In addition, the command may be executed by the processor to control the at least one valve according to a rule stored in the memory after the control unit receives a third input from the user input unit, injects air into the air cell through the at least one valve until the difference between the air pressure in each air cell received from the pressure sensor and the body pressure data is equal to or less than a third set value.

[0019] Additionally, the command may be executed by the processor to keep the at least one valve, particularly some of the output valves, in an open state when the control unit receives a fourth input from the user input unit.

[0020] Additionally, the command may be executed by the processor so that, when the control unit receives a fifth input from the user input unit, the processor alternately performs a first function of injecting air into each air cell to which all valves in the first group, which are part of the at least one valve, are connected, and a second function of exhausting air from each air cell to which all valves in the first group are connected.

[0021] In one embodiment, the command may be executed by the processor so that, when the control unit receives a fifth input from the user input unit, the processor alternately performs a first function of opening all input valves and closing all output valves within a first group that is part of the input valves and the output valves, and a second function of closing all input valves and opening all output valves within the first group.

[0022] The above first group can be determined based on input received from the user input unit.

[0023] The above plurality of air cells are arranged in a matrix form, and the first group may be input valves and output valves corresponding to air cells arranged on odd-numbered rows or columns.

[0024] The above command may be executed by the processor to inject air through a valve corresponding to an air cell located under at least one of the user's head, chest, buttocks, and heel when the control unit receives a sixth input from the user input unit. At this time, the command may be executed by the processor to inject air simultaneously or sequentially.

[0025] The above command may be executed by the processor so that, when the control unit receives a sixth input from the user input unit, all input valves corresponding to air cells located under at least one of the user's head, chest, buttocks, and heels are opened, all output valves are closed, and a pump operation signal is transmitted to the pump unit.

[0026] Alternatively, the command may be executed by the processor to discharge air through a valve corresponding to an air cell located under at least one of the user's head, chest, buttocks, and heels when the control unit receives a sixth input from the user input unit. In this case, the command may be executed by the processor to discharge air simultaneously or sequentially through valves corresponding to all of the air cells located under the user's head, chest, buttocks, and heels.

[0027] The above air pressure control unit may further include at least one optical sensor for checking the status of the valve.

[0028] Among the plurality of air cells, at least one air cell positioned under the user's head, chest, buttocks, or heel may include a filler inside.

[0029] The control unit may further include at least one angle sensor that measures an angle between at least one of the air cells and the ground.

[0030] It is preferable that the above pump unit includes a pump that injects air into the air cell according to the command executed by the processor.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a bedsore prevention effect can be obtained through an air pressure control device that takes into account the characteristics of the user's body and posture, and the bedsore prevention effect can be further increased by taking into account not only vertical pressure but also surrounding environment such as temperature and humidity, shear force, friction force, etc.

[0032] In addition, it is possible to individually control each air cell to enable alternate buoyancy, measure and analyze the air pressure or contact pressure of each air cell to analyze the user's posture, and selectively remove the pressure of some of the air cells.

[0033] Therefore, it can help treat bedsores and other diseases by removing or supporting pressure on areas where the patient feels discomfort, such as the lumbar region, and creating a customized posture for each patient.

[0034] In addition, it can automatically monitor bedridden patients by detecting pressure changes or changes in posture due to the patient's breathing, thereby detecting emergency situations such as seizures, and can support medical staff such as nurses by adjusting air pressure appropriately in situations where the patient needs to be moved or cardiopulmonary resuscitation is required.

[0035] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the function of warning of occurrence of dangerous body pressure, occurrence of internal low pressure, and change in body position, the product's operating time, change data of body pressure data, warning data, etc. are recorded and provided as learning data for artificial intelligence or provided to institutions, thereby contributing to improving the quality of medical care.

[0036] Figures 1 and 2 are drawings showing the structure and air pressure control method of a mattress according to the prior art.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a mattress unit and a control unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a mattress unit and an air pressure control unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 5 is a diagram of the internal structure of an air cell and node board according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the interior of an air pressure control unit connected to one air cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a signal flow related to a control unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining a method of controlling air pressure in each air cell of a mattress portion according to user input according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing various examples of a mattress unit and a user input unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Fig. 10 is an exemplary diagram utilizing an air pressure control mattress device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] The advantages and features of the present invention, as well as the methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described in detail below, along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided solely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The present invention is defined solely by the scope of the claims.

[0046] The shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, numbers, etc. disclosed in the drawings for explaining embodiments of the present invention are illustrative and are not limited to the matters illustrated in the drawings. Like reference numerals refer to like components throughout the specification. In addition, in describing the present invention, if a detailed description of a related known technology is judged to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. When the terms “includes,” “has,” and “consists of” are used in this specification, other parts may be added unless “only” is used. When a component is expressed in the singular, it includes a case where the plural is included unless there is a specifically explicit description.

[0047] When interpreting a component, it is interpreted as including the error range even if there is no separate explicit description.

[0048] When describing a positional relationship, for example, when the positional relationship between two parts is described as 'on top of', 'upper part of', 'lower part of', 'next to', etc., one or more other parts may be located between the two parts, unless 'right away' or 'directly' is used.

[0049] Although terms like "first" and "second" are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another. Therefore, a "first" component referred to below may also be a "second" component within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0050] In this disclosure, expressions such as “A or B,” “at least one of A and / or B,” or “one or more of A or / and B” can include all possible combinations of the listed items. For example, “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” or “at least one of A or B” can all refer to (1) including at least one A, (2) including at least one B, or (3) including both at least one A and at least one B.

[0051] Throughout the specification, identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar components.

[0052] The size and thickness of each component shown in the drawing are shown for convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to the size and thickness of the component shown.

[0053] The individual features of the various embodiments of the present invention can be partially or fully combined or combined with each other, and, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, various technically feasible interconnections and operations are possible. Each embodiment may be implemented independently of the others, or may be implemented together in a related manner.

[0054] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The multiple embodiments described below may be applied in duplicate as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0055] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a mattress unit and a control unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 3, an air pressure control mattress device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an outer shell (100), at least one air cell (200), a pressure sensor (300), and an air pressure control unit (400).

[0057] Since the outer shell (100) is a component that comes into direct contact with the user's body, it is preferably made of a waterproof and elastic material. For example, the outer shell (100) or at least a portion thereof may be composed of a coated spandex. Furthermore, from the perspective of preventing bedsores, the outer shell (100) is preferably made of a material capable of controlling temperature and humidity. For example, a portion of the outer shell (100) may be composed of a mesh material. In other embodiments, the outer shell (100) may not be included, and may be detachable, allowing the user to directly determine whether to include the outer shell (100).

[0058] As shown in Fig. 3, it is preferable that the air cell (200) change shape according to the curvature of the user's body. A detailed description of the air cell (200) will be provided below.

[0059] It is preferable that the pressure sensor (300) be included within the air cell (200) to measure the air pressure within the air cell (200). The pressure sensor (300) may also be connected to the air pressure control unit (400) and may be included within the air pressure control unit (400) to measure the pressure of a portion of the air pressure control unit (400).

[0060] The air pressure control unit (400) may be composed of a plurality of hoses and a plurality of motors, and these plurality of hoses may be connected as one. In one embodiment, two or more hoses within the air pressure control unit (400) may be connected to each other through a single main hose. The two or more hoses or the main hose may connect the air cell and the pump or the external exhaust port to serve as an air passage between the air cell and components other than the air cell.

[0061] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a mattress unit and an air pressure control unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 4, a bedsore prevention mattress including an air pressure control device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of air cells arranged in a matrix form.

[0063] The air cell is internally filled with a fluid, a filler, or a combination thereof, and the outer surface may be made of a material that is flame retardant and has a high melting point. Furthermore, it is preferable that the material be resistant to external impacts and not easily damaged, such as by tearing. The air cell or the outer surface of the air cell is preferably made of a durable and elastic material, and may be made of, for example, at least one of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and rubber.

[0064] In addition, at least some of the air cells may contain filler inside. The amount of filler inside at least some of the air cells containing filler may be different from each other. The filler of the air cell (200) is preferably an elastic material such as polyurethane foam, memory foam, rubber, sponge, or a plurality of micro beads. When polyurethane foam or memory foam is used as the filler of the air cell, the amount of filler inside at least some of the air cells containing filler is the same, but the density or shape of the filler may be different from each other. The air cell (200) may be filled inside with a fluid, filler, or a combination thereof, and the outer surface may be made of a material having flame retardancy and a high melting point.

[0065] A node board including an air pressure control unit (400) may be positioned inside or underneath the air cell. In one embodiment, each node board may control four adjacent air cells (2x2 arranged in a mattress form) as illustrated in FIG. 4. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the node board may control one air cell or multiple adjacent air cells. In this case, the node board may control each air cell or control all connected air cells at once. That is, the air pressure within one air cell may be increased or decreased by controlling an input valve or an output valve connected to one air cell, or the air pressure within four air cells may be increased or decreased at once by controlling one input valve or an output valve connected to all four air cells. The detailed structure of the air cell and the node board will be described later with reference to FIG. 5.

[0066] Figure 5 is a diagram of the internal structure of an air cell and node board according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 5, the air cell (200) may include an air cell upper portion (210) and an air cell column portion (220), and may further include a joint portion (230) connecting the upper portion (210) and the column portion (220). The air cell upper portion (210) is preferably convex toward the user's body, i.e., in an upward direction, but may have a flat shape. The air cell column portion (220) may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but may also have a cylindrical or spherical shape, and the present disclosure does not limit the shape of the column portion. The shapes of the air cell upper portion (210) and the air cell column portion (220) described above may be shapes observed when the air pressure inside the air cell is a certain amount (e.g., 1 atm) or more, and may have different shapes when the air pressure inside the air cell is lower than the external pressure.

[0068] It is preferable that the air cell joint (230) be manufactured in a form that does not negatively affect the durability of the air cell or cause discomfort to the user when the air pressure inside the air cell is lower than the external pressure and the volume of the air cell decreases.

[0069] The air cell (200) may further include an air cell bottom portion (240) and an air cell frame (250), which are components that prevent unintended air inflow and outflow so that internal air pressure control is performed only by the air pressure control unit or only according to the user's intention. At this time, the air cell bottom portion (240) is preferably made of the same material as at least a portion of the air cell upper portion (210), the air cell column portion (220), and the air cell joint portion (230), and the air cell frame (250) is preferably made of a material that is less susceptible to change due to external pressure, such as plastic or metal. The shape of the air cell bottom portion (240) is preferably made parallel to a portion of the corresponding air cell frame (250).

[0070] An air pressure control unit (400) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include at least one of a hose unit (410), a motor unit (420), a circuit unit (430), and a cover frame (440). The hose unit (410) may include a first hose (411), a second hose (412), and a third hose (413). The first hose (411) may be arranged to cross the center of the air cell frame (250) or the cover frame (440). The second hose (412) may be connected to one side of the first hose (411) and may be arranged vertically with respect to the first hose (411). The third hose (413) may be connected to the other side of the first hose (411) and may be arranged vertically with respect to the first hose (411). Additionally, the third hose (413) may further include a fourth hose (414) that is divided from one side of the third hose (413). In one embodiment, the first to fourth hoses (411, 412, 413, 414) may be positioned under one air cell or may be positioned to operate as one module under a plurality of air cells.

[0071] When the first to fourth hoses (411, 412, 413, 414) are positioned as a single module under a plurality of air cells, the first to fourth hoses (411, 412, 413, 414) can be connected to each other to perform the function of moving air between the air cells. For example, when the air in the first air cell needs to be discharged and the second air cell connected to the same node board as the first air cell needs to be filled with air, the air in the first air cell can be controlled to move into the second air cell through the second hose (412) connecting the first and second air cells.

[0072] The pressure sensor (300) may be located inside the air cell (200) and may be located in the hose section (410), and some of the plurality of pressure sensors (300) may be located inside the air cell (200) and others may be located in the hose section (410).

[0073] At least some of the first to fourth hoses (411, 412, 413, 414) can be opened and closed by driving the motor unit (420). The motor unit (420) can include at least one of a motor (421), a holder unit (422), an optical sensor (423), and a wheel lever (424). The motor (421) can be a three-way valve-type motor valve capable of controlling the flow rate of the valve, and is provided in a cylindrical shape so that one side of the valve can be opened and closed by rotation. The holder unit (422) can serve to fix the motor (421) to a specific position or a specific state.

[0074] The optical sensor (423) may be positioned on top of the motor (421) and may include a phototransistor, and a light emitting diode (LED) may be positioned on the opposite side of the optical sensor (423). When an object such as a wheel with a slot is physically positioned between the phototransistor and the light emitting diode, a pulse train is generated, so that the motor unit (420) or the control unit can count the pulse train through the optical sensor (423) to check the current state (e.g., revolutions per minute, RPM) of the motor (421). Accordingly, the state (e.g., rotation speed) of the motor (421) can be controlled. The wheel lever (424) may be positioned on top of the motor (421) to rotate the motor (421) according to a command from the motor unit (420) or the control unit.

[0075] The pressure sensor (300) can be combined with the air cell frame (250) or positioned on the upper part of the air cell frame (250) to measure the user's body pressure by part. The body pressure measured by the pressure sensor (300) can be transmitted to the control unit, and thus the control unit can determine whether to open or close each hose (411, 412, 413, 414) based on the received body pressure and the current state of the motor confirmed through the optical sensor (423), and transmit a control signal to the motor unit (420). It is preferable that the motor unit (420) that receives the control signal operates the wheel lever (424).

[0076] The circuit unit (430) may be a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly, and may be a control module of an electronic control device formed by combining multiple elements. The circuit unit (430) may include a processor and a memory, or may perform a signal transmission function based on a processor or memory located outside the air pressure control unit (400). The circuit unit (430) may be electrically connected to the motor unit (420).

[0077] It is preferable that the cover frame (440) be mutually coupled with the air cell frame (250), but at this time, it is preferable that the coupling be not sealed so that at least a portion of the hose portion (410) can penetrate the combination of the cover frame (440) and the air cell frame (250). The cover frame (440) may include a support (441) therein for supporting or dividing the internal space.

[0078] Figure 6 is a diagram of the internal structure of an air pressure control unit corresponding to a single air cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] Referring to Fig. 6, at least two motor parts (420a, 420b) may be arranged along the length direction of the second hose (412). The hose part (410) is fitted between fitting members extending from the motor parts (420a, 420b), and accordingly, a protrusion protruding from the lower end of the motor part (420) can press the outer surface of the hose part (410) to close the hose. The protrusion can be moved through the operation of the wheel lever (424), and the hose can be opened at this time. That is, each hose (411, 412, 413, 414) constituting the hose part (410) can be opened or closed by the rotation of the motor (421) based on a signal from the control part.

[0080] Additionally, when assembling the cover frame (440) composed of several pieces, hoses other than the second hose (411, 413, 414) can be connected to the second hose (412). Accordingly, air can be moved between air cells as described above.

[0081] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a signal flow related to a control unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 7, the control unit (500) may include, in addition to the air pressure control unit (400), a memory (510), a processor (520), and a pump control unit (530), and may include part or all of the pressure sensor (300). The pressure sensor (300) may be located outside the control unit, and in this case, the processor (520) may control at least one of the memory (510), the air pressure control unit (400), and the pump control unit (530) based on a value measured by the pressure sensor (300).

[0083] The memory (510) temporarily or non-temporarily stores various programs or data, and transmits the stored information to the processor (520) according to a call from the processor. In addition, the memory (510) can store various information (e.g., instructions) necessary for calculation, processing, or control operations of the processor (520) in an electronic format.

[0084] The memory (510) may include, for example, at least one of a main memory and an auxiliary memory. The main memory may be implemented using a semiconductor storage medium such as ROM and / or RAM. The ROM may include, for example, a conventional ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and / or MASK-ROM. The RAM may include, for example, DRAM and / or SRAM. The auxiliary memory may be implemented using at least one storage medium capable of permanently or semi-permanently storing data, such as a flash memory device, an SD (Secure Digital) card, a solid state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), an optical media such as a magnetic drum, a compact disc (CD), a DVD, or a laser disc, a magnetic tape, a magneto-optical disc, and / or a floppy disk.

[0085] The processor (520) can control overall operations related to air pressure control within each air cell by executing at least one instruction stored in the memory as described above. In particular, the processor (520) can be implemented not only as a single processor but also as a plurality of processors. In one embodiment, the processor (520) can perform part or all of the role of the pump control unit (530) to transmit a signal for operating the air pump within the pump unit. Therefore, in one embodiment, the control unit (500) can control the pump unit (700) without including a separate pump control unit (530).

[0086] The pressure sensor (300) may include both an air pressure sensor and a flexible pressure sensor. In this case, the control unit (500) or the processor (520) may use or fuse the measurement values ​​of the air pressure sensor and the flexible pressure sensor together. By interpreting the pressure values ​​of the air pressure sensor and the flexible pressure sensor in two or three dimensions, it is possible to determine in what form the user is lying, and through this, a human body pressure map (or human body posture map) according to the user's lying posture can be generated, and ultimately, a process for identifying a pressure ulcer risk area can be performed. In other words, rather than a simple judgment of directly measuring the area of ​​high pressure application by pressure sensing, the lying posture is first determined using an operation method stored in a memory (510) such as artificial intelligence, and through this, it is possible to estimate which area of ​​the body the pressure is applied to. When identifying a pressure ulcer risk area using this method, an accuracy of 90% or more can be achieved.

[0087] The air pressure control unit (400) may be composed of a hose unit (410) and a motor unit (420) depending on the components, but may be functionally composed of an input valve (420a') and an output valve (420b'). It is preferable that each of the input valve and the output valve include at least one of a motor and a hose. The input valve and the output valve may each include separate motors, i.e., an input motor and an output motor, but the input valve and the output valve may be opened and closed by a single motor. Similarly, the input valve and the output valve may each include separate hoses, i.e., an input hose and an output hose, but both the input and output of air may be performed by a single hose. In other words, the input valve (420a') and the output valve (420b') may each include separate motor units (420a, 420b), or both valves performing both functions may be operated by a single motor. Additionally, the input valve (420a') and the output valve (420b') may each include separate hoses, or may share one hose.

[0088] The user input unit (600) can receive first to sixth inputs from a user, or additional information related to the first to sixth inputs. The user input unit (600) can include a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen), a touch panel, etc. The touch panel can be formed of a capacitive touch panel that detects changes in electrical signals, a pressure-sensitive touch panel that detects physical pressure, an infrared touch panel that forms an infrared grid and detects changes in the infrared grid, a surface ultrasonic touch panel that forms an ultrasonic grid and detects changes in the ultrasonic grid, etc.

[0089] In addition, the user input unit (600) may further include an output device to output the status of the air pressure control device according to one embodiment of the present invention to the user. Output devices included in the user input unit (600) include lights, speakers, text display devices, and display panels. In particular, the display panel may include various types of display panels such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel, an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) panel, an AM-OLED (Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode), an LcoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon), a QLED (Quantum dot Light-Emitting Diode), a DLP (Digital Light Processing), a PDP (Plasma Display Panel) panel, an inorganic LED panel, and a micro LED panel, but is not limited thereto. Meanwhile, the display panel may configure a touch screen together with the above-described touch panel, and may be formed of a flexible panel.

[0090] The user input unit (600) may be composed of multiple input units rather than a single input unit, and in this case, the multiple input units may perform different roles or may perform some of the same roles.

[0091] The pump unit (700) can operate the air pump by receiving a signal from the control unit (500) or the pump control unit (530). The pump unit (700) is involved in increasing the air pressure within the air cell, but if the pump unit (700) includes an air outlet, it can also be used to decrease the air pressure within the air cell.

[0092] The communication between the above-described components may be based on electrical signals such as RS-485, and in one embodiment, may include wireless communication. For example, when the user input unit (600) and the control unit (500) are not physically connected, communication between the user input unit (600) and the control unit (500) may be performed through Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, CAN communication, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, ultrawide band (UWB), Zigbee, infrared Data Association (IrDA), Near Field Communication (NFC), Wi-Max, Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5G, 6G, and subsequent communication standard technologies.

[0093] At this time, the control unit (500) and each component of the control unit may further include a communication unit, and each component of the control unit including the communication unit may not be physically connected to each other. For example, the memory (510), the processor (520), and the pump control unit (530) may be included in a separate carrier board, and the pressure sensor (300) and the air pressure control unit (400) may be included in a node board. In this case, both the carrier board and the node board may include a communication unit so that the processor (520) can control each component.

[0094] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining a method of controlling air pressure in each air cell of a mattress portion according to user input according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] Figure 8(a) is a drawing showing the side of the mattress unit when the user input unit (600) receives the first or second input. The first input may be the operation of the power button without a separate input from the user, or may be a signal related to the start of use input by the user using a touchpad or button, etc.

[0096] When receiving a first input, the air pressure control mattress device can fill all air cells before laying the user or patient on the mattress portion. This is because friction is reduced when the mattress portion is laid down and the user or patient is moved to a position on the mattress portion when the air is sufficiently filled. To this end, the control unit (500) can make the input valve open and the output valve closed, continuously receive the air pressure in each air cell from the pressure sensor, and close the input valve connected to the air cell where the received air pressure corresponds to the first set value. Alternatively, the control unit can inject air into the air cell through the at least one valve, continuously receive the air pressure in each air cell from the pressure sensor, and stop injecting air through the at least one valve for the air cell where the received air pressure reaches the first set value.

[0097] When a user or a patient lies down on the mattress, the pressure difference of each air cell changes according to the body of the user or patient. Therefore, the control unit (500) can continuously receive the air pressure within each air cell from the pressure sensor, and determine that the user or patient lies down on the mattress when the received air pressure changes by a second set value or more or when the difference between the received air pressures is by a second set value or more, and thereafter, the air pressure within each air cell can be received from the pressure sensor every n seconds. For example, the pressure can be measured every 5 seconds. Alternatively, it is preferable to measure the pressure every second. The air pressure within each air cell is continuously received, and when the amount of change in the air pressure within each air cell within n seconds is less than a third set value, the air pressure within each air cell received from the pressure sensor at that time can be stored as body pressure data in the memory (510). The body pressure data can also be referred to as a body pressure map corresponding to the patient's lying posture. The third set value can be defined as an absolute quantity or a relative quantity. For example, the third setting value may be 1 to 100 Pa, or 1 to 5%.

[0098] The second input may be a signal transmitted by the user through the user input unit in order to move the user or patient lying on the mattress unit. The air pressure control mattress device may, upon receiving the second input, rapidly inject air into the air cells in order to minimize friction when moving the user or patient lying on the mattress unit. To achieve this, the control unit (500) transmits a pump operation signal to the pump unit (700), and controls the valves, such as by opening and closing the input valve and the output valve, until the difference between the air pressure in each air cell received from the pressure sensor and the body pressure data is equal to or lower than a third or fourth set value, and may maintain the valves (including the input valve and the output valve) corresponding to the air cell in which the difference between the air pressure in each air cell received from the pressure sensor and the body pressure data is equal to or lower than the third or fourth set value, in a closed state. That is, after the first input, air may be injected into each air cell until a state similar to the body pressure data or the body pressure map obtained by laying the user or patient on the mattress unit is achieved. Thereafter, the control unit (500) can re-store the air pressure within each air cell in the corresponding state. The corresponding value can replace the existing body pressure data.

[0099] The third input may be received by the control unit (500) to automatically adjust the air pressure or air volume within each air cell to distribute the pressure along the curved surface of the human body in order to lower the body pressure in areas with high body pressure of the user or patient to prevent bedsores. In this case, “automatically” refers to an algorithm pre-stored in the memory (510). The pre-stored algorithm may be based on artificial intelligence. Accordingly, the algorithm or pre-stored rule may be continuously modified based on the input received from the pressure sensor (300) or the user input unit (600).

[0100] The fourth input is a recommended input for patients with bedsores or users or patients at high risk of bedsores, and is a function for removing pressure from some air cells (opening output valves or maintaining pressure below 1 atm). The control unit (500) that receives the fourth input can keep some of the valves, particularly some of the output valves, in an open state, and some of the valves or some of the output valves can be determined from an algorithm stored in the memory (510), or from data directly input by a user such as a medical professional through the user input unit (600), or a combination of the two can be determined.

[0101] The air pressure control mattress device that receives the fifth input can perform the function of alternately floating the air cells of the conventional art, that is, alternately floating the air cells of odd and even rows. In addition, the group of air cells to be alternately floating can be determined from an algorithm stored in the memory (510), or can be determined from data directly input by a user such as a medical professional through the user input unit (600), or can be determined by combining the two. In addition, as in the fourth input, only the remaining air cells can be alternately floating while the pressure of some of the air cells is removed. The group of air cells alternately floating in the fifth input is not limited to two groups as in the conventional art, and one air cell group can repeat contraction and expansion, or three or more air cell groups can be alternately floating.

[0102] The sixth input may be an input to support an emergency situation requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Since the patient's chest must be fixed when performing CPR, the control unit (500) receiving the sixth input opens all input valves corresponding to the air cells located under the chest of the user (the user and the patient may be interchangeable due to the nature of the invention), closes all output valves, and then transmits a pump operation signal to the pump unit so that all the air cells located under the patient's chest are filled with air or the air pressure becomes equal to or higher than the fifth set value. At this time, the time taken for the air pressure in the air cells located under the patient's chest to reach or higher than the fifth set value must be very short, and there is a possibility of the air cells being damaged.

[0103] Accordingly, the control unit (500) receiving the sixth input can open all output valves corresponding to the air cells located under the user's chest to release the air within the air cells located under the user's chest. At this time, since there is a risk of grounding on the user's back, a filler such as polyurethane foam may be inserted within some of the air cells. Such a filler may be present within all air cells (200) in addition to the air cells located under the user's chest.

[0104] In addition, the control unit (500) that receives the sixth input can inject or discharge air through a valve corresponding to an air cell located under a bony protrusion such as the user's head, buttocks, or heel in addition to the user's chest. In this case, in order to prevent grounding of each part, the air cell located under a bony protrusion such as the user's head, chest, buttocks, or heel may include a filler inside.

[0105] In addition, the control unit (500) that receives the sixth input can simultaneously inject or discharge air into or from all air cells whose air pressure must be controlled, and can sequentially inject or discharge air into or from each air cell according to the order stored in the memory (510).

[0106] In addition to the first to sixth inputs, various inputs may exist in the inputs received through the user input unit (600) depending on the circuit configuration of the control unit (500) or the configuration of commands stored in the memory (510).

[0107] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing various examples of a mattress unit and a user input unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 9, the air cells (200) within one mattress section may have different shapes and heights. In one embodiment, one air cell (200) may be arranged for each unit section arranged in a matrix form, or one air cell (200) may correspond to all of multiple adjacent unit sections. For example, when the size of the air cell corresponding to one unit section is 10 cm × 11 cm × 16 cm (the numerical values ​​representing the width and height of the air cell may have an error of less than 20%), an air cell having a size of 20 cm × 11 cm × 16 cm and an air cell having a size of 40 cm × 11 cm × 16 cm may be arranged together. The size of the air cell (200) is not limited to the above-described example, and air cells having different lengths or heights in addition to the width may be arranged on one mattress section.

[0109] Referring to the bottom of Fig. 9, the heights of the air cells (200) may vary. In this case, the sizes of the air cells (200) may be the same, but the heights at which the air cells (200) are arranged may vary. In other words, the heights at which the air cell frames (250) are arranged may vary or be differential for each air cell (200).

[0110] Additionally, the mattress portion may be placed on a frame including an air pressure control portion (400) or a control portion (500), and at this time, the outer surface of the frame may include a user input portion (600). The frame may include wheels and brakes to assist movement of the user or patient.

[0111] FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram showing the use of an air pressure control mattress device according to one embodiment of the present invention in a medical institution such as a hospital.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 10, the air pressure control mattress device according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include an angle adjustment function. In one embodiment, the mattress unit includes at least one joint unit that can be folded or unfolded according to an input from a user input unit (600'), and each joint unit can be controlled when a seventh input for angle adjustment is received. At this time, at least one air cell (200) may include an angle sensor. From a cost perspective, it is preferable that the angle sensor be included only in a portion of the air cell (200) rather than the entire air cell.

[0113] The second input or a separate input (the eighth input) may further perform functions to move the user or patient. For example, the air pressure within the air cell or the height of the air cell (the height of the air cell frame) may be controlled to create an incline in the mattress section, and, as in the case of receiving the seventh input, the incline may be created by controlling the joints within the mattress section to facilitate movement of the user or patient.

[0114] Meanwhile, the air pressure control mattress device according to an embodiment of the present invention can apply a filler or air foam design for pressure distribution based on a pressure sensor (300) or body pressure data. That is, the amount or density of the filler within the air cell (200) on the mattress can correspond to the body pressure data.

[0115] In addition, the air pressure control mattress device according to an embodiment of the present invention can support remote monitoring and mattress control through an application. Accordingly, it can be combined with a pressure module method that individually controls all air cells and a freely bendable pressure sensor. Specifically, for example, 160 air cells (100 mm x 100 mm) that individually control air pressure can be installed on a mattress (900 mm x 2000 mm), and the pressure corresponding to all 160 air cells can be continuously measured to prevent bedsores by removing pressure rather than distributing pressure.

[0116] In addition, it can provide functions such as skin massage and inducing deep sleep through air pressure control, and when used in a large hospital, it can provide a monitoring function to prevent bedsores by presenting the posture cycle and pressure distribution of all patients.

[0117] According to one embodiment of the present invention, since the valve structure can be operated more frequently in relation to the air cell corresponding to a specific area where a pressure ulcer occurs, the number of valves and motors corresponding to a specific air cell can be increased. That is, the number of valves and motors corresponding to each air cell can vary for each air cell.

[0118] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made by a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims. Furthermore, such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present invention.

Claims

1. Mattress section; Control unit; pump section; and including a user input section; The above mattress portion includes a plurality of air cells that receive air from the pump portion, The above control unit, processor; A memory storing at least one instruction for controlling air pressure; At least one pressure sensor for measuring air pressure within the air cell; and At least one air pressure control unit for controlling air inlet and outlet of the air cell based on the command executed by the processor; Air pressure control mattress device.

2. In paragraph 1, The above air pressure control unit, comprising at least one valve for injecting air into the air cell or for discharging air from the air cell; Air pressure control mattress device.

3. In paragraph 2, The above command is, When the above control unit receives a first input from the user input unit, Injecting air into the air cell through at least one valve, Continuously receiving the air pressure within each air cell from the above pressure sensor, executed by the processor to stop the air injection through the at least one valve for the air cell in which the received air pressure reaches the first set value; Air pressure control mattress device.

4. In paragraph 3, The above command is, After the control unit receives a first input from the user input unit and is executed by the processor to stop the air injection through the at least one valve, Continuously receiving the air pressure within each air cell from the above pressure sensor, After the received air pressure changes by more than the second set value, the air pressure in each air cell is received from the pressure sensor every n seconds, When the amount of change in air pressure within each air cell within n seconds becomes less than or equal to the third set value, the air pressure within each air cell received from the pressure sensor at that time is stored as body pressure data in the memory, which is executed by the processor. Air pressure control mattress device.

5. In paragraph 4, The above command is, When continuously receiving the air pressure within each air cell from the pressure sensor, the processor is executed to open all valves included in the air pressure control unit. Air pressure control mattress device.

6. In paragraph 4, The above command is, When the above control unit receives a second input from the user input unit, Transmitting a pump operation signal to the above pump unit, Inject air into the air cell through at least one valve until the difference between the air pressure in each air cell received from the pressure sensor and the body pressure data is less than or equal to the third set value, The process is executed by the processor to keep the valve corresponding to the air cell in a closed state in which the difference between the air pressure in each air cell and the body pressure data received from the pressure sensor is less than or equal to the third set value. Air pressure control mattress device.

7. In paragraph 4, The above command is, When the above control unit receives a third input from the user input unit, Inject air into the air cell through at least one valve until the difference between the air pressure in each air cell received from the pressure sensor and the body pressure data is less than or equal to the third set value, executed by the processor to control the at least one valve according to a rule stored in the memory; Air pressure control mattress device.

8. In paragraph 4, The above command is, When the above control unit receives a fourth input from the user input unit, executed by said processor to maintain at least one of said valves in an open state; Air pressure control mattress device.

9. In paragraph 4, The above command is, When the above control unit receives a fifth input from the user input unit, A first function of injecting air into each air cell connected to all valves in the first group which are part of at least one of the valves and a second function of discharging air from each air cell connected to all valves in the first group are executed by the processor. Air pressure control mattress device.

10. In paragraph 9, The above first group is determined based on the input received from the user input unit. Air pressure control mattress device.

11. In paragraph 2, The above command is, When the above control unit receives the sixth input from the user input unit, Air is injected through a valve corresponding to an air cell located under at least one of the user's head, chest, buttocks, and heels. executed by the processor to transmit a pump operation signal to the pump unit; Air pressure control mattress device.

12. In paragraph 2, The above command is, When the above control unit receives the sixth input from the user input unit, Executed by the processor to discharge air through a valve corresponding to an air cell located under at least one of the user's head, chest, buttocks, and heels. Air pressure control mattress device.

13. In paragraph 2, The above air pressure control unit, further comprising at least one optical sensor for checking the status of said valve; Air pressure control mattress device.

14. In paragraph 1, The air cell, located under at least one of the user's head, chest, buttocks, and heel, contains a filling material inside. Air pressure control mattress device.

15. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, further comprising at least one angle sensor for measuring an angle between at least one of the air cells and the ground; Air pressure control mattress device.

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