Perineal healing support

Abstract

A reconfigurable support for a perineal area of a patient, the reconfigurable support assembly including: a plurality of supports configured to be stacked in a selectively configurable arrangement, wherein the plurality of supports include: a first resilient support of a predetermined resilience; a second resilient support of a lower predetermined resilience than the first resilient support; and a third resilient support which includes an aperture to provide a clearance from a perineum area of a patient to the first or second resilient support when stacked in a support stack.

Description

Perineal healing supportTechnical Field

[0001] The present technology relates generally to post-trauma medical support of healing a perineal area of a patient.Background Art

[0002] After a trauma in a perineal region of a patient, the perineal region is extremely sensitive.

[0003] Patients find it difficult to sit down, since a sitting action places pressure on the traumatised area around the perineum.

[0004] But sitting is convenient and it assists in the rest and recuperation process.

[0005] Some solutions are available but they lack flexibility and consistency. Towels can be used: two folded towels can be placed on a seat, each one being disposed on one side of the seat. This arrangement leaves a gap between the towels so that there is no pressure placed on the perineum. As healing of the perineum progresses, the towels can be folded lower, but there is little way of consistently rolling and folding the towels to provide consistent healing advances towards a full sitting position.

[0006] There are other kinds of cushions, but again, there are none that are known to provide anything other than a single central aperture for a first stage of the perineal healing process.

[0007] There are no known solutions that provide healing care support during middle and final stages of healing of the perineum area after a trauma such as childbirth.

[0008] The present invention has been invented in an effort to ameliorate one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages.Summary of Invention

[0009] In accordance with an aspect of the present technology there is provided a reconfigurable support for a perineal area of a patient, the reconfigurable support assembly including: a plurality of supports configured to be stacked in a selectively configurable arrangement, wherein the plurality of supports include: a first resilient support of a predetermined resilience; a second resilient support of a lower predetermined resilience than the first resilient support; and a keeper to keep the supports in a stack.

[0010] In accordance with an aspect of the present technology there is provided a reconfigurable support for a perineal area of a patient, the reconfigurable support assembly including: a plurality of supports configured to be stacked in a selectively configurable arrangement, wherein the plurality of supports include: a first resilient support of a predetermined resilience; and a second resilient support which includes an aperture to provide a clearance from a perineum area of a patient to the first resilient support when stacked in a support stack.

[0011] In accordance with an aspect of the present technology there is provided a reconfigurable support for a perineal area of a patient, the reconfigurable support assembly including: a plurality of supports configured to be stacked in a selectively configurable arrangement, wherein the plurality of supports include: a first resilient support of a predetermined resilience; a second resilient support of a lower predetermined resilience than the first resilient support; and a third resilient support which includes an aperture to provide a clearance from a perineum area of a patient to the first or second resilient support when stacked in a support stack.

[0012] In one embodiment the first resilient support is a foam cushion.

[0013] In one embodiment the first resilient support is an inflatable cushion.

[0014] In one embodiment the first resilient support includes a spring pocket arrangement, or a tensioned mesh arrangement, or a leaf spring arrangement. There may be a combination of these known kinds of arrangements.

[0015] In one embodiment the first resilient support may include a board inside a cushion.

[0016] In one embodiment the first resilient support may be high or medium density foam, or memory foam, or latex foam.

[0017] In one embodiment the first resilient support may be the equivalent resilience of around 80 or 90 kg / m3but may be as low as 40kg / m3.

[0018] In one embodiment the second resilient support may be the equivalent resilience of around 60 to 20kg / m3.

[0019] In one embodiment the aperture in one or more of the resilient supports may be a generally central hole so that the resilient support may be in the form of a ring.

[0020] In one embodiment the aperture may be a bight or a notch extending from one edge of one or more of the resilient supports.

[0021] The notch or the central hole may be such that at least a portion of the perineum is clear of the resilient support below.

[0022] In one embodiment there is provided a retainer to keep the resilient supports in a stack.

[0023] The retainer may be a fastener such as a hook and loop, or a patch of hook and loop fastener disposed on one face, or a strap, or a press stud arrangement, or like fasteners.

[0024] In one embodiment the retainer is a keeper which includes a recess to receive the resilient supports. The arrangement is such that the keeper is a housing or frame with a wall at least partially disposed around the recess. The recess may be as deep as two or three thicknesses of resilient supports, such that there is a flat top which is the same height as the support stack. This, when constructed, allows a broad support surface on which to sit, and when one of the supports with the aperture are disposed at the top of the stack, allows a clearance space under the perineum, to allow it to heal in the first days after trauma. Afterthe first days, then the other supports may be placed at the top, the softer ones first, then the harder, more resilient ones.

[0025] The housing may include a notch or a break in the front wall to provide access to the resilient supports. The notch may extend from the top of the wall to a base part, to allow access to the bottom of the stack to allow reconfiguration of the stack.

[0026] In one embodiment one of the resilient supports is a board to provide a leaf spring of sorts, to increase the resilience of the stack. The board may be placed under the top support or above the bottom support depending on the resilience desired.

[0027] In one embodiment the housing may be constructed from foam.

[0028] In one embodiment the housing may be high density foam; it may be medium density foam.

[0029] In one embodiment there are bumps or connectors or catches or bosses or fingers extending from an inside face of the housing wall to improve the connection between the resilient supports and the wall of the housing.

[0030] In one embodiment the connectors or catches may extend into cooperating bores or receivers in the resilient supports.

[0031] In one embodiment the catches may be disposed on the resilient supports and the cooperating receivers may be on the walls of the internal wall faces.

[0032] In one embodiment the housing may be roughly dimensioned about 600 x 600mm, wherein the housing may have walls of about 150mm thick, and the resilient supports may be about 250mm x 250mm.Brief Description of Drawings

[0033] To provide a clearer understanding, the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the attached drawings, and in those drawings:

[0034] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a reconfigurable support arrangement in accordance with one embodiment of the present technology;

[0035] Figure 2 is a exploded view of another reconfigurable support arrangement in accordance with a different embodiment of the present technology;

[0036] Figure 3 is an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, fully assembled;

[0037] Figure 4 is a front elevation view of Figure 3 (some parts of the wall of the housing cutway for clarity) in a first configuration with a cushion with an aperture in a top position on the stack of cushions, for a first stage of healing;

[0038] Figure 5 is a front elevation view of Figure 3 (some parts of the wall of the housing cutway for clarity) in a second configuration with a medium-density cushion in a top position on the stack, and a cushion with an aperture in a bottom position on the stack of cushions, for a second stage of healing;

[0039] Figure 6 is a front elevation view of Figure 3 (some parts of the wall of the housing cutway for clarity) in a third configuration with a high-density cushion in a top position on the stack, and a cushion with an aperture in a bottom position on the stack of cushions, for a final stage of healing;

[0040] Figure 7 is a plan view of the assembled arrangement of Figure 3 in situ on a chair; and

[0041] Figure 8 is an isometric view of the assembled arrangement of Figure 7 in situ on the chair.Description of Embodiments

[0042] Referring to the drawings there is shown a reconfigurable support for a perineal area of a patient, the reconfigurable support generally indicated at 10.

[0043] The reconfigurable support 10 includes a plurality of supports, which are configured to be stacked in different arrangements, depending on the progression of healing of the perineal area after trauma. In the first days after trauma, the patient finds it very difficult to place any pressure from seating in the area. So, the stack in this first configuration (Figures 1 and 2 and 3 and 4) includes a top support 20 which helps with seating but places no pressure on theperineum. This is done by the support 20 which in the embodiment shown is a cushion 20 with a central notch or aperture 22, at the top of the stack 12. The legs and sit bones and gluteal regions of the patient (not shown) are supported in this first stage so that the patient can adopt a seating position while recuperating, without aggravation to the perineum.

[0044] So, the plurality of supports includes a first resilient support 30 of a predetermined resilience, shown at the base of the stack 12, and a second resilient support 40 of a lower predetermined resilience than the first resilient support 30; and a third resilient support 20 which includes the notch or aperture 22 to provide a clearance from a perineum area of a patient to the first or second resilient support when stacked in a support stack.

[0045] The resilient supports are foam cushions, but they could be, as described hereinabove, inflatable cushions, with a selected and predetermined air volume inside, or they may have a spring pocket arrangement, or a tensioned mesh arrangement, or a leaf spring arrangement. There may be a combination of these known kinds of arrangements.

[0046] There is shown in Figure 2 a further support which is a board 50.

[0047] The supports have different levels of resilience to support the whole timeline of healing of the perineal area, and to provide standardised and measurable progress so as to report to a health practitioner. The first resilient support 30 may be high or medium density foam, or memory foam, or latex foam, and the second support 40 may be of relatively lower density, and the third support 20 may be of a further selected density, perhaps medium or low.

[0048] The first support, whatever its constructions, may be an equivalent resilience of around 80 or 90 kg / m3but may be as low as 40kg / m3. The second resilient support may be the equivalent resilience of around 60 to 20kg / m3. The aperture 22 in one or more of the resilient supports may be a generally central hole so that the resilient support may be in the form of a ring, but in the Figures it is a bight or a notch 22 extending from one edge of one or more of the resilient support 20. The notch 22 helps to elevate the perineum clear of the resilient support below, which may be 30 or 40.

[0049] A keeper or retainer 60 is provided to keep the resilient supports 20, 30 and 40 in the stack 12. This retainer 60 is in the Figures shown, a foam body 62 which includes a top recess 64 to receive the resilient supports 20, 30 and 40. The arrangement of the body 62 isas a housing 66 with a wall 68 at least partially disposed around the recess 64. The recess 64 may be as deep as two or three thicknesses of resilient supports, such that there is a flat top 67 which is the same height as the support stack 12. This, when constructed, allows a broad support surface on which to sit, and when one of the supports 20 with the aperture 22 is disposed at the top of the stack 12, it allows a clearance space under the perineum, to allow it to heal in the first days after trauma. After the first days, then the other supports may be placed at the top, the softer ones first, then the harder, more resilient ones. This arrangement helps to treat the patient because they can report to their health practitioner the kind of cushion that they are using and the practitioner can treat them accordingly, since they will know how far along the healing journey they are, without having to make a visual inspection of the area.

[0050] The housing 66 includes a notch 23 or a break in the front wall 69 to provide access to the resilient supports 20, 30 and 40. The notch 23 extends from the top of the wall 66 to a base part, to allow access to the bottom of the stack to allow reconfiguration of the stack 12.

[0051] One of the resilient supports is a board 80 to provide a leaf spring of sorts, to increase the resilience of the stack 12. The board 80 may be placed under the top support or above the bottom support depending on the resilience desired.

[0052] The housing 66 is constructed from foam, and may be high density foam or it may be medium density foam.

[0053] The foam does not have to be different densities as between the first and second and third supports. The different configurations may be enough to provide different supports, depending on the location of the cutout in the stack 12. The stack 12 may even be flipped (reversed). That may be enough to change the resilience response.

[0054] The housing when viewed from above, may be roughly dimensioned about 600 x 600mm, wherein the housing may have walls of about 150mm thick, and the resilient supports may be about 250mm x 250mm.

[0055] It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0056] It is to be understood that any prior art publication referred to herein does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art.

[0057] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE PRESENT INVENTION ARE AS SET OUT BELOW:

1. A reconfigurable support for a perineal area of a patient, the reconfigurable support assembly including: a plurality of supports configured to be stacked in a selectively configurable arrangement, wherein the plurality of supports include: a first resilient support of a predetermined resilience; a second resilient support of a lower predetermined resilience than the first resilient support; and a keeper to keep the supports in a stack.

2. A reconfigurable support for a perineal area of a patient, the reconfigurable support assembly including: a plurality of supports configured to be stacked in a selectively configurable arrangement, wherein the plurality of supports include: a first resilient support of a predetermined resilience; and a second resilient support which includes an aperture to provide a clearance from a perineum area of a patient to the first resilient support when stacked in a support stack.

3. A reconfigurable support for a perineal area of a patient, the reconfigurable support assembly including: a plurality of supports configured to be stacked in a selectively configurable arrangement, wherein the plurality of supports include: a first resilient support of a predetermined resilience; a second resilient support of a lower predetermined resilience than the first resilient support; and a third resilient support which includes an aperture to provide a clearance from a perineum area of a patient to the first or second resilient support when stacked in a support stack.

4. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first resilient support is a foam cushion.

5. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first resilient support is an inflatable cushion.

6. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first resilient support includes a spring pocket arrangement, or a tensioned mesh arrangement, or a leaf spring arrangement.

7. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first resilient support includes a resilient or rigid plate, sheet or board.

8. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first resilient support is high or medium density foam, or memory foam, or latex foam.

9. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first resilient support may be the equivalent resilience of around 80 or 90 kg / m3but may be as low as 40kg / m3.

10. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the second resilient support is an inflatable cushion.

11. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the second resilient support includes a spring pocket arrangement, or a tensioned mesh arrangement, or a leaf spring arrangement.

12. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the second resilient support includes a resilient or rigid plate, sheet or board.

13. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the third resilient support is an inflatable cushion.

14. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the third resilient support includes a spring pocket arrangement, or a tensioned mesh arrangement, or a leaf spring arrangement.

15. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the third resilient support includes a resilient or rigid plate, sheet or board.

16. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the second resilient support may be the equivalent resilience of around 60 to 30kg / m3.

17. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the second resilient support may be the equivalent resilience of around 40 to 10kg / m3.

18. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the aperture in one or more of the resilient supports may be a generally central hole so that the resilient support may be in the form of a ring.

19. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the aperture may be a bight or a notch extending from one edge of one or more of the resilient supports.

20. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the notch or the central hole may be such that at least a portion of the perineum is clear of the resilient support below.

21. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is provided a retainer to keep the resilient supports in a stack.

22. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the retainer is a fastener such as a hook and loop, or a patch of hook and loop fastener disposed on one face, or a strap, or a press stud arrangement, or like fasteners.

23. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the retainer is a keeper which includes a recess to receive the resilient supports, and the arrangement is such that the keeper is a housing or frame with a wall at least partially disposed around the recess.

24. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the recess is as deep as two or three thicknesses of resilient supports, such that there is a flat top which is the same height as the support stack so that, when constructed, there is a broad support surface on which to sit, and when one of the supports with the aperture are disposed at the top of the stack, allows a clearance space under the perineum, to allow it to heal in the first days after trauma.

25. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the housing includes a notch or a break in the front wall to provide access to the resilient supports.

26. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the notch extends from the top of the wall to a base part, to allow access to the bottom of the stack to allow reconfiguration of the stack.

27. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein another resilient support is provided in the form of a board to provide a leaf spring of sorts, to increase the resilience of the stack.

28. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the board is placed under the top support or above the bottom support depending on the resilience desired.

29. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the housing is constructed from foam.

30. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the housing is high density foam or medium density foam.

31. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein there are bumps or connectors or catches or bosses or fingers extending from an inside face of the housing wall to improve the connection between the resilient supports and the wall of the housing.

32. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the connectors or catches may extend into cooperating bores or receivers in the resilient supports.

33. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein the catches are disposed on the resilient supports and the cooperating receivers may be on the walls of the internal wall faces.

34. The reconfigurable support in accordance with claim 1 wherein when viewed from the top, the housing is about 600 x 600mm, and the housing further has thick walls, of about 150mm thick, and the resilient supports may be about 250mm x 250mm

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