612 results about "Pressure Sores/Ulcers" patented technology

There is provided herein a sensor/monitor combination designed to reduce the risk of pressure ulcer occurrence in immobile patients, wherein the level of patient activity is tracked to determine whether or not that patient has exhibited sufficient activity to merit eliminating a scheduled assisted relocation to a new position. The instant device senses the time since a patient last relocated into a different sitting or lying position. If the patient has not moved during some predetermined time period, the nursing staff will be notified by the invention that it is time to manually reposition the patient. If the patient has significantly changed position during the predetermined time period and, thus, allowed previously compressed tissues to reoxygenate, the invention will not signal that a move is necessary, thereby eliminating the need in some cases to rouse the patient from an otherwise healing sleep.

A wound shield may include a conformable frame to circumscribe a wound. Any suitable dressing may be secured over the conformable frame providing separation between the wound and the dressing. The wound frame may provide pressure relief around a wound or pressure sore to permit healing, allow compression for venous ulcers, retain moisture within the wound environment, absorb exudate, relieve pain and trauma associated with dressing removal, allow debridement and application of topical medications and or other compounds or chemicals, accelerate healing and facilitate monitoring of wounds. A conformable frame may be composed of one or more layers of any suitable material and may include adhesive on one or more surfaces to secure the frame to the wound site, to secure the frame to itself and or any suitable closure element and or to secure the dressing to the conformable frame. A wound shield may be used for humans or any suitable animal.

A wound shield for exudate management may include a conformable frame to circumscribe a wound. The conformable frame may be formed of material for absorbing wound exudate. Exudate absorbing material may also be one of two or more layers of material forming the conformable frame. The layers may be arranged to keep the exudate absorbing layer at some selected distance from a patients skin. Any suitable dressing may be secured over the conformable frame providing separation between the wound and the dressing. The wound frame may provide pressure relief around a wound or pressure sore to permit healing. The conformable frame may be wrapped, in a spiral, around a wound providing an increasing pressure relief by increasing distance from the wound. A conformable frame may be composed of one or more layers of any suitable material and may include adhesive on one or more surfaces to secure the frame to the wound site and or to secure the dressing to the conformable frame. One layer of the two or more layers of material forming the conformable frame may be a wicking or conduit material that draws exudate from the wound and transports the exudate to any suitable media for exudate storage. The exudate storage may be one or more layers of a dressing covering the wound site, or it may be a removable reservoir.

A support surface, such as an underpad, for preventing pressure sores in a patient is a multi-layer textile assembly having a skin contact layer formed from a fabric of synthetic filament yarns woven to provide air permeability and moisture vapor permeability and having a thickness of less than 1 mm. An absorbent middle layer is formed from a breathable microfiber fabric woven to provide for moisture transition from an upper surface of the middle layer to a bottom surface of the middle layer. The skin contact layer and the middle layer are stitched together using a stitching pattern optimized to produce an open pattern with minimal puckering. A bottom layer is formed from a breathable, waterproof fabric woven from synthetic yarn to produce a moisture vapor transfer rate within the range of 5,000 to 20,000 grams per meter squared per 24 hours. The three layers are attached together around their outer edges.

There is provided herein a support surface such as a bed or chair which contains a network of inelastic straps, the tension in each of which can be independently sensed and adjusted under control of an electronic monitor. Preferably, each strap will contain a plurality of sensors to allow an attached electronic monitor (preferably one with a microprocessor) to determine in real time the amount of pressure (or the duration of the pressure) applied to each strap. Based on that information, the attached monitor will periodically loosen or tighten the straps as needed to move support for the patient's body away from current pressure points. In one preferred arrangement, each strap will preferably be loosened or tightened through the use of a worm gear drive or similar mechanical motor.

The present invention relates generally to the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers and a platform for monitoring, prevention and management of pressure ulcer using a pressure mapping system that records a patient's bed posture, tracks different limbs along with associated statistical pressure image data and produces a summary report for care givers after data analysis and risk assessment. The methodology allows care givers to utilize the stress data and schedule the repositioning of the patient more effectively. The invention relates to creation and using algorithms and analytics for monitoring, prevention and management of pressure ulcers which include time-stamped whole-body pressure distribution data collection and profiling; posture classification, limb detection and tracking; quality of turn and risk assessment; turning schedule and nursing staff utilization for pressure ulcer management; and patient status reporting system customized for caregivers.

There is provided an inflatable mattress and coverlet used to reduce and treat decubitus ulcers. The mattress is an air inflatable mattress and is particularly adapted for use on a bed in a hospital, nursing home, health care facility or the like. The air inflatable mattress has a series of apertures on the top allowing small amounts of air to pass through to the underside of the coverlet. According to one aspect of the invention the coverlet is placed over the top of air inflatable mattress in the central portion thereof between the head of the bed and the foot of the bed. The coverlet is of sufficient length to extend under the weight bearing portions of the patient. The coverlet has as a first layer a moisture wicking fabric, such as a polyester, and on one side of the moisture wicking fabric there is attached a microporous polymeric member which allows air from the mattress to pass through the coverlet to the patient. Adjacent the polymeric member is another layer comprising a spacer fabric. The side edges of the coverlet form a drip edge and may be attached to the mattress by suitable means.

The invention relates to an active wound repair material, specifically to a functional dressing and a preparation method and application thereof, belonging to the field of medical materials. To overcome a technical problem, the invention provides the functional dressing, which belongs to biologically active wound repair materials. The functional dressing is prepared from the following raw materials by weight: 2 to 6 parts of biologically active glass, 12 to 20 parts of alginate, 4 to 12 parts of chitosan and 100 to 200 parts of water. Multiple dosage forms can be prepared from the above-mentioned raw materials, mainly comprising a gel, a dressing, etc. The functional dressing provided by the invention has the advantages of bacteriostatic action on a wound, promotion of wound healing and growth, adsorption of a small amount of tissue exudates, good biosecurity, waterproof performance, a bacterium blocking effect, etc. The functional dressing has a wide application scope, is applicable to mechanical trauma and operative incision (wound) and exerts a good therapeutic effect on hard-healing wounds like burns and scalds, diabetic foot, ulcer and pressure sores and a good curative effect on an infectious wound and a delayed union wound.

The invention refers to a sensor arrangement comprising at least one capacitance sensor for detecting a pressure and a shear force, wherein the capacitance sensor is integrated into a wearable textile, a method for measuring a shear force and a pressure by such a sensor arrangement, wherein the shear force and pressure is exerted on a skin of a person lying in a bed or sitting in a chair and to combinations and uses of the method. This described textile sensors allow for a simultaneous measurement of shear stress and pressure in anti decubitus textiles. This enhances risk assessment with regard to the development of bedsore ulcer.

Present invention features methods for induction of angiogenesis by administration of lysine (l-&d-) or lysine oligomers (molecular weight approx between 500 and 2500), both homo and hetero-oligomers, consisting of either l-or d- or both enantiomers. Induction of Angiogenesis by the methods of the invention can be use in therapeutic angiogenesis, in, for example, treatment of ischaemic conditions and syndromes, such as chronic wounds (e.g diabetic wounds and ulcers, bed sores and other pressure sores, burns of various degrees and extents etc.) as well as coronary and cerebral ischaemia and peripheral vascular ischaemic conditions. Induction of angiogenesis by the described methods also will be useful in inducing/enhancing radiosesitivity in some solid tumors.

A pressure monitoring method and system for warning a patient or caregiver that soft tissue pressure has exceeded some predetermined level that over time would necessitate moving the patient to minimize or prevent soft tissue damage. The method and system entail the use of a pressure-sensitive pad assembly adapted to be applied to a surface of the patient's body and generate electrical outputs corresponding to soft tissue pressure sensed at the surface. The system monitors the electrical outputs over a preselected time period and generates a cumulative output signal based on the electrical outputs and corresponding to whether or not the soft tissue pressure has exceeded a predetermined pressure level during the preselected time period. The system generates audible and visual warnings if the cumulative output signal exceeds a predetermined cumulative threshold until the soft tissue pressure drops below the predetermined pressure level.

Pressure monitoring methods and systems for warning a patient or caregiver that soft tissue pressure has exceeded some predetermined level that over time would necessitate moving the patient to prevent or at least reduce a risk of soft tissue damage. The methods and systems entail the use of a pressure sensing unit adapted to be applied to or near a surface of the patient's body, and a sensor associated with the sensing unit to generate electrical outputs corresponding to soft tissue pressure sensed at the surface. The electrical outputs are wirelessly monitored over a preselected time period to generate a cumulative output signal based on the electrical outputs and corresponding to whether or not the soft tissue pressure has exceeded a predetermined pressure level during the preselected time period. An alarm is generated if the cumulative output signal exceeds a predetermined cumulative threshold until the soft tissue pressure drops below the predetermined pressure level.

A pressure relieving dressing comprising an absorbing element and a substantially non-absorbing pressure distributing element, in which the absorbent element constitutes a part of a proximal skin contacting surface, said absorbing element being encircled by the pressure distributing element or being situated at the border of the pressure distributing element constituting the remaining part of the surface of the dressing to be in contact with the skin rendering it possible to obtain an effective and durable dressing suitable for both wound healing and prophylaxis of pressure ulcers.

A wound shield including a conformable frame to circumscribe a wound and warm water circulating system to maintain a warm environment. Any suitable dressing may be secured over the conformable frame providing separation between the wound and the dressing. The wound frame may provide pressure relief around a wound or pressure sore to permit healing. A conformable frame may be composed of one or more layers of any suitable material and may include adhesive on one or more surfaces to secure the frame to the wound site and or to secure the dressing to the conformable frame.

An air inflatable mattress and mattress coverlet are provided for the prevention and treatment of decubitus ulcers (i.e., pressure sores or bedsores). The mattress incorporates a user selectable static or alternating air powered support surface for more uniformly redistributing pressure exerted on a patient's skin. The mattress coverlet encompasses a low air loss feature independent of the mattress's user selectable air powered support surface. Such low air loss feature provides a patient contact surface exhibiting a high moisture vapor transfer ratio in conjunction with a forced air flow to aid in reducing the moisture and heat near the patient's body. Both the mattress and mattress coverlet are driven by an external control system which houses the user controls, as well as the necessary pumps, regulators, and valving.

A portable, hand-holdable Blanching Response Tester apparatus (BRT) pressable against the skin of a human patient to provide an indication of a non-blanchable erythema indicative of an incipient pressure sore includes a housing having in a front end wall thereof an optically transmissive window and within the housing a broad-band light source electrically energizable to emit light including energy in the near infrared (0.8μ to 1.5μ) outwards through the window. A first, leading photodetector spaced laterally apart from the light source and a second, trailing photodetector spaced equidistant from the light source in an opposite direction have fields of view which include regions of the skin ahead of an behind a central area of the skin illuminated by the light source. Electronic signal processing circuitry within the BRT housing includes a pair of differential amplifiers having opposite pairs of inputs connected to the pair of photodetectors, one amplifier driving a first, “NO-GO” red, light-emitting diode mounted in an upper wall panel of the housing, and the other amplifier driving a second, “GO” green LED. When the BRT window is pressed against the skin and the light source energized, if light reflected from the skin by leading photodetector over a questionable area of the skin exceeds light reflected from a known healthy sample area of skin beneath the trailing photodetector the red, NO-GO LED is illuminated if the difference in light values exceeds a first threshold values signifying a pressure sore, and if light received by the trailing photodetector exceeds that received by the leading photodetector by a second threshold value, the green, GO LED is illuminated.

The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles comprising skin health and odor control additives for the treatment and prevention of skin irritation. The skin health treatment additive comprises an oil soluble wax that forms a tight lattice to protect the skin, and vitamins, lipids and triglycerides to protect and replenish the skin. Such disposable absorbent articles of the present invention are especially advantageous for the treatment and skin breakdown leading to partial full thickness wounds or pressure ulcers.

A self-limiting electrosurgical electrode for use with electrosurgery and various other surgical procedures is disclosed. The electrode includes a heating element for generating heat to warm a patient resting upon the electrode. The electrode can also include one or more pads to prevent the creation of pressure sores or decubitus ulcers on a patient resting upon the electrode. The electrode has an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 4,000 Ω·cm, which arises from resistive components, capacitive components, inductive components, or combinations thereof. Through the selection of the impedance characteristics for the electrode materials, and through tailoring of electrode geometries, the electrode of the present invention is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma.

Method and devices for the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers are described in which a portable support assembly may be worn by a bed-stricken individual around particular regions of the body where pressure ulcers tend to form. The portable support assembly may generally include one or more individual fluid filled pods which are enclosed entirely within an inner fluid pad localized along a central portion. Both the one or more pods and inner fluid pad are then enclosed entirely by another layer of fluid within an outer fluid pad which extends over the entire assembly. Each of the fluid layers may be secured to an outer shell which is relatively stiffer than the fluid layers and may restrict or limit the expansion or movement of the fluid pods and/or fluid pads.

The invention relates to a body position alarming combination system for preventing a pressure sore. An air cushion is provided with a plurality of airbags, each airbag is provided with a pressure detection device and a timer, the pressure detection device and the timer are connected with a computer by virtue of a signal wire, the computer is connected with an alarming device, an air inlet valve and an air outlet valve by virtue of a control wire, each airbag is communicated with an air outlet of an air pump by virtue of an air inlet pipe, the air inlet pipe is provided with an air inlet valve, each airbag is communicated with an air inlet of the air pump by virtue of an air outlet pipe, and the air outlet pipe is provided with an air outlet valve. After a patient lies on the air cushion, the computer carries out the timing according to the pressure information transmitted by the pressure sensor, after the pressure and timing information exceed a set value, the computer controls the alarming device to issue an alarm, the medical personnel is reminded of adjusting the body position of the patient, the computer also can control an inflating and deflating system by virtue of an air duct, the inflating and deflating system is used for carrying out the inflation and deflation, the stress situation of the patient body can be changed, local tissues of the patient can be prevented from being pressed for a long time, and the pressure sore can be effectively avoided.