Inflatable zone-specific cushion and method for using the same

Abstract

A cushion includes a plurality of cells including a plurality of primary cells and a plurality of secondary cells. The cushion also includes a cushion base attached to the plurality of cells and having a plurality of primary fluid conduits each extending from a respective one of a plurality of fluid feed ports to a different one of the plurality of primary cells for inflation or deflation of the same. The plurality of primary fluid conduits connect to different respective primary ones of the plurality of cells, and the cushion base further including a plurality of jumper fluid conduits each extending from a first one of the primary cells to one of the secondary cells. Related methodology also discussed herein.

Description

INFLATABLE ZONE-SPECIFIC CUSHION AND METHOD FOR USING THE SAMETECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to an inflatable therapeutic cushion, and more particularly to a cushion capable of fitting into an interconnected cushion network for linked inflation and deflation and a method for operating the cushion.BACKGROUND

[0002] Various therapeutic cushions are known and used in a number of different ways to provide comfort and support for individuals required to spend extended periods in a resting position. Commonly, cushions may be designed to alleviate pressure points or offer a range of benefits from pain relief to improved circulation. Amongst the various types of therapeutic cushions commercially available, some controllably inflate and deflate to provide the user a variety of options to tailor and / or customize use and performance.

[0003] United States Patent No. 6,782,573 to Odderson is directed to a body supporting, serial inflating seat. In Odderson, inflatable bladders are inflated one after another in series to address blood circulation in the legs of a user. While Odderson might have certain applications, there is ample room for alternative strategies and improvements in this field.SUMMARY

[0004] In one aspect, a cushion includes a plurality of cells including a plurality of primary cells and a plurality of secondary cells. The cushion also includes a cushion base attached to the plurality of cells and having a plurality of primary fluid conduits each extending from a respective one of a plurality of fluid feed ports to a different one of the plurality of primary cells for inflation or deflation of the same. The plurality of primary fluid conduits connect to different respective primary ones of the plurality of cells, and the cushion base further including a plurality of jumper fluid conduits each extending from a first one of the primary cells to one of the secondary cells.

[0005] In another aspect, an interconnected cushion network includes a first cushion having a first plurality of cells arranged in a zoned pattern. The first cushion further includes a plurality of primary fluid conduits formed within the first cushion, each extending from a respective incoming fluid feed end to an outgoing fluid feed end, and having a first plurality of jumper fluid conduits. The interconnected cushion network further includes a second cushion connected to the first cushion, the second cushion having a second plurality of cells arranged in a zoned pattern, and the second cushion further including a second plurality of primary fluid conduits and a second plurality of jumper fluid conduits.

[0006] In yet another aspect, a method of operating a cushion includes feeding a fluid from a first fluid conduit to a first primary cell positioned within a cushion. Then feeding the fluid from the first plurality primary cell to a first jumper fluid conduit formed within the cushion, fluidly connected to the primary cell. Then delivering fluid to a first plurality of secondary cells fluidly connected to the jumper fluid conduit, inflating a first zone. Then feeding the fluid from a second fluid conduit to a second plurality of primary cells positioned within the cushion. Then feeding the fluid from the second plurality of primary cells to a second jumper fluid conduit fluidly connected to the second plurality of primary cells and delivering fluid to a second plurality of secondary cells fluidly connected to the jumper fluid conduit, inflating a second zone.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Fig. 1 is an illustration of a cushion system in a use configuration, according to one embodiment;

[0008] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a cushion, according to one embodiment;

[0009] Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a cushion, according to one embodiment

[0010] Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of a portion of the cushion, according to one embodiment;

[0011] Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectioned view of a cushion, according to one embodiment;

[0012] Fig. 6 is a top plane view of a portion of a cushion, according to one embodiment;

[0013] Fig. 7 is a concept diagram illustrating an operating sequence of the cushion of Fig. 3, according to one embodiment;DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Referring to all of the drawings, but focusing on Fig. 1, there is shown a therapeutic cushion system (hereinafter “cushion 10”), according to one embodiment. Cushion 10 is shown in Fig. 1 as it might appear in a use configuration to be laid upon, sat upon, or otherwise rested upon, by a user. It should be noted that cushion 10 may be employed in a network of cushions, where cushion 10 is one of a plurality of cushions. For example, in some embodiments, such as in Fig. 1, cushion 10 may be one of a plurality of cushions in a daisy-chained configuration to allow multiple units to be connected together in sequence for a continuous or customized layout. Select units may be added or removed from a given arrangement without disruption of the overall system. Cushion 10 will be discussed in the singular except when specified otherwise.

[0015] Cushion 10 may include a cushion cover 11. Cushion cover 11 may be formed of a variety of materials, including fabric, waterproof materials, or other suitable materials for cushion construction. Cushion 10 may be capable of being inflated and deflated in a controlled manner. The manner of inflation and deflation may vary based on existing strategies and may be adjusted based on user preference, or in other instances, utilized to carry out therapeutic treatments for the user. For example, cushion 10 may connect to a pumping mechanism 12 equipped to pump an inflation fluid, such as air, although the present disclosure is not thereby limited to such and other inflation fluids are contemplated.

[0016] Cushion 10 may further connect to a control valve assembly 14, which could include slide-type hydraulic valves such as spool valves, or poppet valves, for example, each of which is equipped with an electrical actuator that varies energy state responsive to a control signal from a control unit. Alternative valve assembly designs are contemplated herein. As shown, control valve assembly 14 and pumping mechanism 12 are coupled to cushion 10, but in other embodiments, control valve assembly 14 and pumping mechanism 12 may be positioned in cushion 10. Control valve assembly 14 may enable cushion 10 to adjust among a variety of valve configurations to vary fluid flowresulting in inflation and deflation. One known pumping mechanism and valve assembly may be seen in United States Patent No. 17 / 743,927 to Bussert et al.

[0017] Cushion 10 may be constructed from multiple pieces. For instance, as shown in Fig. 5, cushion 10 includes a cushion body 16 having two cushion portions. Focusing now on Fig. 2, there is shown a first cushion portion 18. Cushion 10 may extend from a leading cushion edge 20 and a trailing cushion edge 22. First cushion portion 18 may include a plurality of cells 24 extending between leading cushion edge 20 and trailing cushion edge 22. Each cell 24 may form a cell opening 26 in an end surface 27 of cushion 10 to receive inflation fluid. As seen in Fig. 3, cells 24 may be arranged in a left-hand series and a right-hand series, forming rows longitudinally arranged between leading cushion edge 20 and trailing cushion edge 22.

[0018] As suggested above, first cushion portion 18 may be structured to attach to a fluid transferring base for customized control of inflation. Control valve assembly 14 can provide selective connections at any one time to some cells 24. In one example, operation of the valves and the resulting feeding of inflation fluid to cells 24, and in some instances, withdrawal of inflation fluid from cells 24 may provide a wave-type operation where cells 24 alternate between an inflated state and a deflated state. In some embodiments, cushion 10 may include a controller operable to execute instructions based on data, predefined parameters, user input, sensor and / or user feedback, to adjust inflation rates, inflation timing, or the like, to, for example, enhance performance or optimize inflation patterns.

[0019] Focusing now on Fig. 3., the plurality of cells 24 may be grouped into zones. Each group, or zone, may be spatially distributed across different, or non-contiguous locations of cushion 10. It should be understood that such cells 24 of a given group, though spatially separated, may be fluidically linked. Cells 24 may include a plurality of primary cells 28 and a plurality of secondary cells 30.

[0020] In a practical implementation, each zone of cells 24 may also include one or more primary cells 28 and a plurality of secondary cell 30. It should also be understood that the designation “primary” is not intended to denote greater importance relative to “secondary” cells and the terms are used merely for descriptive convenience. Other uses of “primary” and / or “secondary” herein are to be analogously construed. Primary cells 28may be structured to receive an inflow of inflation fluid. Primary cells 28 may be in fluid communication with one or more secondary cells 30 of the same group via fluid connections.

[0021] Zones may operate independently or in combination with one another. Rather, each zone may be selectively activated to control which group of cells 24 is inflated, and which group is deflated at any one time. The number of available zones defines the number of inflation configurations that can be achieved for customized inflation patterns of cushion 10. Generally, as the number of inflatable cells 24 increases, so does the number of possible zone configurations.

[0022] Fig. 3 sets forth an exemplary first zone 32 having primary cell 128 and secondary cell 130, second zone 34 having primary cell 228 and secondary cell 230, and third zone 36 having primary cell 328 and secondary cell 330. For convenience of distinguishing between different cells, it will be noted cells of first zone 32 are designated with a first shading pattern in the drawings, cells of second zone 34 are designated with a second shading pattern in the drawings, and cells of third zone 36 are designated with a third shading pattern in the drawings herein.

[0023] It will also be appreciated that the cell arrangement illustrated in Fig. 3 is exemplary, and numerous alternative strategies might be successfully implemented. Analogously, while the zoned arrangement of cells provide a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone, in other implementations, more than three zones might be provided. It will further be appreciated that the presently discussed strategy differs from other designs for therapeutic cushions which may distribute pressure between only two zones providing only a back and forth motion instead of a customized, wave, or peristaltic pumping action.

[0024] Now also referring to Fig. 4, first cushion portion 22 may also include a plurality of cross pads 38 positioned upon each cell 24. Cross pads 38 may reinforce seams and provide additional structural support. First cushion portion 18 may further include a plurality of exhaust channels 40 interspersed about cushion 10. In one example, exhaust channels 40 extend from leading cushion edge 20 toward trailing cushion edge 22. Optionally, exhaust channels 40 may be positioned between rows of cells 24, or arranged in an alternating pattern with cells 24, such as in Fig. 3. Exhaust channels 40 arestructured to open in a pattern interspersed among the plurality of cells 24 and provide user cooling during operation.

[0025] First cushion portion 18 may further include a plurality of drains 42 positioned between leading cushion edge 20 and trailing cushion edge 22. It should be appreciated that illustrated positions of drains 42 and exhaust channels 40 are exemplary only, and numerous alternative configurations might be implemented. For example, while the cushion 10 of Fig. 3 includes drains 42 between the left-hand series and right-hand series of cells 24, the present disclosure is not limited to such and drain and exhaust channels 40 might have alternative placement contingent upon cushion design.

[0026] As shown in Fig 5, cushion 10 may include a user-contact lobe 44 positioned upon cells 24, and an inter-lobe region 46 positioned between cells 24. Cushion 10, may further also include gusset walls 48. Gusset walls 48 may be internal or external and bias cells 24 into an open and upright position. Cells 24 are designed to expand towards an inflated direction 50 when inflation fluid is added and to collapse towards a deflated direction 52 when inflation fluid is removed, utilizing vertical motion with little to no lateral motion.

[0027] In one example, cells 24 include user-contact lobes in an alternating arrangement with inter-lobe regions 46, and each internal gusset wall is located in one of the plurality of inter-lobe regions 46. In this particular example, a cell gap 53 may be formed between two adjacent cells 24. As noted above, cushion 10 further includes a second cushion portion 54, which acts as a plumbing layer for cushion 10 thereby facilitating fluid transfer during inflation and deflation.

[0028] Referring now to Fig. 6, there are shown additional features of second cushion portion 54. Second cushion portion 54 may include a cushion base 56 having a plurality of primary fluid conduits 58. Each of the primary fluid conduits 58 may be connected to cells 24, and extend from leading cushion edge 20 to or toward trailing cushion edge 22. Second cushion portion 54 may be structured to serve as the base or bottommost portion of cushion 10, and first cushion portion 18 may be designed to seat atop of, and attach to second cushion portion 54.

[0029] Cushion 10 may further include a fluid feed port 60 structured to fluidly connect each primary cell 28 to an inflation fluid source. Primary fluid conduit 58 may include anincoming feed end 62 in fluid communication with fluid feed port 60, for the addition of inflation fluid, and an outgoing feed end 64 having an outlet 65. Each primary fluid conduit 58 extends from a respective one of the plurality of fluid feed ports 60 to a different one of the plurality of primary cells 24 for inflation or deflation of the same via a fluid zoned pattern.

[0030] As noted above, the grouping of cells 24 enables selective fluid feeding by zones. To this end, cushion base 56 further includes a plurality of jumper fluid conduits 66, each extending from a respective primary cell 28 of a zone, to at least one secondary cell 30. Various configurations of fluid conduits are contemplated herein. For instance, as shown, primary fluid conduits 58 and jumper fluid conduits 66 are each positioned in cushion base 56, but alternatively, one or both may be positioned external to cushion base 56.

[0031] In some embodiments, each jumper fluid conduit 66 may extend from leading cushion edge 20 to trailing cushion edge 22, and diverting elements 68 may be positioned at on one or both ends to restrict and control fluid flow. In other embodiments, jumper fluid conduits 66 may be designed for cell-to-cell communication and do not extend fully through the cushion. In this embodiment, primary fluid conduit 58 may extend all the way through cushion 10. Another way to understand this principle is that each primary fluid conduit 58 may extend a first greater linear distance 70 and each jumper fluid conduit 66 may extend a second lesser linear distance 72 less than the first linear distance 70.

[0032] Cushion base 56 may further form a plurality of conduit openings 74. Conduit opening 74 may be structured to deliver inflation fluid from primary fluid conduits 58 and jumper fluid conduits 66, to a respective cell 24 during operation of cushion 10. In one example, attaching first cushion portion 18 to second cushion portion 54 may bring cell openings 26 into alignment with conduit openings 74, thereby permitting delivery of inflation fluid into each cell 24. In a manner akin to the plurality of cells 24, conduit openings 74 are arranged in rows. For clarity of description, a primary row 76 corresponds to conduit openings 74 which feed primary cells 28, while a secondary row 78 corresponds to conduit openings 74 that feed inflation fluid to secondary cells 30.

[0033] Cushion base 56 may be attached to first cushion portion 18 through various methods or combinations of methods, such as adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, heatsealing, clamping, or even potentially sewing. Cushion base 56 may be structured to provide support and allow distribution of pressure during usage. To this end, cushion base 56 may also include a plurality of attached layers 80, which can be seen in Fig. 5.

[0034] Referring now to Fig. 7 there is shown a diagrammatic operating sequence for feeding inflation fluid to cells 24. It will be recalled that first zone 32, second 34, and third zone 36 include primary cells 128, 228, 328 and secondary cells 130, 230, 330. During operation of cushion 10, flow of inflation fluid may be directed into primary cells 28 associated with a respective zone 32, 34, 36 via a respective fluid feed port 60. In some instances, such as what is shown on the left-side of Fig. 6, the inflation fluid enters a respective primary cell 28 and exits through outlet 65 at outgoing feed end 64, thereby defining a through-flow path 82.

[0035] In other instances, such as in the configuration on the right-side of Fig. 6, the inflation fluid enters primary cells 28 and one or more jumper fluid conduits 66 feeds inflation fluid to secondary cells 30 of the same zone. In this configuration, cushion may define a branched flow path 84. It should be appreciated that, as shown, multiple jumper fluid conduits 66 may be present, each feeding inflation fluid to one or more secondary cells 30, which can be the same or different.

[0036] As noted above, these secondary cells 30 may be located at different spatial positions across cushion 10. Jumper fluid conduits 66 may traverse areas occupied by cells 24 belonging to other groups or zones. To this end, jumper fluid conduits 66 may vary in length depending on the distance between primary cells 28 and secondary cells 30, or, in some instances, secondary cell 30 to another secondary cell 30, allowing the inflation fluid to reach different regions within groups.

[0037] Also shown in Fig. 7, cushion 10 may support multiple flow paths, illustratively, flow path 86, flow path 88, and flow path 90, correspond to zones 32, 34, and 36 respectively. Each flow path 32, 34, and 36 is shown delivering inflation fluid to a respective primary cell 28 and subsequently distributes inflation fluid via jumper fluid conduits 66 to secondary cells 30 of a given zone. In some embodiments, outgoing feed end 64 may be open for the attachment of additional cushions, or alternatively, may be closed to support a single configuration.

[0038] Referring back now to Fig. 1 , it will be recalled that cushion 10 may be structured to be one of a plurality arranged in a linked configuration, or an interconnected cushion network 92. Interconnected cushion network 92 may include cushion 10 and a second cushion 94, also having a plurality of cells 96. Second cushion 94 may be understood to be generally analogous in structure and function to cushion 10, unless where indicated otherwise.

[0039] In the linked configuration, through-path 82 extends between the adjacent cushions, resulting in a singular cohesive fluid path extending through fluid feed port of second cushion 94, to feed inflation fluid to primary cells of second cushion 94. Another way to understand this principle is that one or more primary fluid conduits of cushion 10 and cushion 94 may be aligned such that a single continuous through-path 82. In this particular example, primary fluid conduits 52 extend from primary cells 28 of one cushion to primary cells of second cushion 94. Another way to understand this principle is that primary fluid conduits 58 may be structured to jump feed a fluid between primary cells when in a linked configuration. As mentioned above, if the addition of second cushion 94 is not desired, the outgoing feed end 64 of one or more flow paths may be selectively closed or sealed, thereby terminating the inflation fluid flow at the end of a given zone.INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0040] Referring to the drawings generally, it will be recalled that therapeutic cushion 10 according to the present disclosure can be inflated and deflated to optimize patient comfort and mitigate discomfort, such as ulcer development. Cushion 10 may have a fluidically divergent plumbing layer operable to jump feed inflation fluid both between cells 24 and other cushions. For instance, operating cushion may include feeding a fluid from a first fluid conduit to a first primary cell positioned within the cushion, then feeding the fluid from the first primary cell to a first jumper fluid conduit formed within the cushion, fluidly connected to the first primary cell.

[0041] Operating cushion may further include delivering fluid to a first secondary cell fluidly connected to the first jumper fluid conduit, inflating a first zone, and then feeding the fluid from a second fluid conduit to a second primary cell positioned within thecushion. Operating cushion may further include feeding the fluid from the second primary cell to a second jumper fluid conduit fluidly connected to the second primary cell, and then delivering fluid to a second secondary cell fluidly connected to the second jumper fluid conduit, inflating a second zone. Operating cushion may further include feeding the fluid from a third primary fluid conduit to a third primary cell, and then from the third primary cell to a third jumper fluid to deliver fluid to a third secondary cell, inflating a third zone. In some embodiments operating further comprising feeding to all primary fluid conduits simultaneously, and then cutting off the feed to the first primary fluid conduit to deflate the first zone. In other embodiments, feeding to the second fluid conduit and the third primary fluid conduit simultaneously, and then cutting off the feed to the second primary fluid conduit to deflate the second zone.

[0042] The present description is for illustrative purposes only, and should not be construed to narrow the breadth of the present disclosure in any way. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications might be made to the presently disclosed embodiments without departing from the full and fair scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Other aspects, features and advantages will be apparent upon an examination of the attached drawings and appended claims. As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is claimed is:

1. A cushion comprising: a plurality of cells including a plurality of primary cells and a plurality of secondary cells; a cushion base attached to the plurality of cells and including a plurality of primary fluid conduits each extending from a respective one of a plurality of fluid feed ports to a different one of the plurality of primary cells for inflation or deflation of the same; the plurality of primary fluid conduits connecting to different respective primary ones of the plurality of cells; and the cushion base further including a plurality of jumper fluid conduits each extending from a first one of the primary cells to one of the secondary cells.

2. The cushion of claim 1 wherein the plurality of primary fluid conduits and the plurality of jumper fluid conduits are formed in the cushion base.

3. The cushion of claim 2 wherein the cushion base includes a plurality of attached layers, and the plurality of primary fluid conduits and the plurality of jumper fluid conduits are defined between the plurality of attached layers.

4. The cushion of claim 2 wherein the fluid feed ports include an incoming feed end and an outgoing feed end and each of primary fluid conduits extends through the cushion base from the incoming feed end toward the outgoing feed end.

5. The cushion of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of cells includes a plurality of internal gusset walls.

6. The cushion of claim 5 wherein openings are defined between each internal gusset wall and the cushion base for feeding the fluid through the respective one of the plurality of cells.

7. The cushion of claim 5 wherein each of the plurality of cells includes a plurality of user-contact lobes in an alternating arrangement with a plurality of inter-lobe regions, and each of the plurality of internal gusset walls is located in one of the plurality of inter-lobe regions.

8. An interconnected cushion network comprising: a first cushion having a first plurality of cells arranged in a zoned pattern; the first cushion further including a plurality of primary fluid conduits formed within the first cushion, each extending from a respective incoming fluid feed end to an outgoing fluid feed end, and including a first plurality of jumper fluid conduits; and a second cushion connected to the first cushion, the second cushion having a second plurality of cells arranged in a zoned pattern; and the second cushion further including a second plurality of primary fluid conduits and a second plurality of jumper fluid conduits.

9. The cushion network of claim 8 wherein the plurality of primary fluid conduits are formed within both the first cushion and the second cushion for a linked inflation and deflation of the first cushion and the second cushion.

10. The cushion network of claim 9 wherein the first plurality of jumper fluid conduits each extend amongst the first plurality of cells according to the zoned pattern and the second plurality of jumper fluid conduits each extend amongst the second plurality of cells according to the zoned pattern.

11. The cushion network of claim 10 wherein the plurality of primary fluid conduits are structured to jump feed a fluid between the first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells.

12. The cushion network of claim 10 wherein a continuous through-path for inflation fluid extends from the first cushion to the second cushion.

13. The cushion network of claim 12 wherein the plurality of primary fluid conduits extend a first linear distance and the jumper fluid conduits extend a second linear distance less than the first linear distance.

14. The cushion network of claim 13 further including a plurality of exhaust channels that open in a pattern interspersed among the cells.

15. The cushion network of claim 8 wherein the first cushion and the second cushion are two of a plurality of cushions arranged in the interconnected cushion network.

16. A method of operating a cushion comprising: feeding a fluid from a first fluid conduit to a first primary cell positioned within a cushion; feeding the fluid from the first primary cell to a first jumper fluid conduit formed within the cushion, fluidly connected to the first primary cell; delivering fluid to a first secondary cell fluidly connected to the first jumper fluid conduit, inflating a first zone; feeding the fluid from a second fluid conduit to a second primary cell positioned within the cushion; feeding the fluid from the second primary cell to a second jumper fluid conduit fluidly connected to the second primary cell; and delivering fluid to a second secondary cell fluidly connected to the second jumper fluid conduit, inflating a second zone.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising feeding the fluid from a third primary fluid conduit to a third primary cell, and from the third primary cell to a third jumper fluid to deliver fluid to a third secondary cell, inflating a third zone.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising feeding to all primary fluid conduits simultaneously, and then cutting off the feed to the first primary fluid conduit to deflate the first zone.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising feeding to the second fluid conduit and the third primary fluid conduit simultaneously, and then cutting off the feed to the second primary fluid conduit to deflate the second zone.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the cushion is one of a plurality arranged in a linked configuration.

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