EP0821559B1 - Bett mit einer luftmatratze mit einer verformbaren oberfläche aus weichen kügelchen und ähnliche verfahren - Google Patents
Bett mit einer luftmatratze mit einer verformbaren oberfläche aus weichen kügelchen und ähnliche verfahren Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0821559B1 EP0821559B1 EP96913102A EP96913102A EP0821559B1 EP 0821559 B1 EP0821559 B1 EP 0821559B1 EP 96913102 A EP96913102 A EP 96913102A EP 96913102 A EP96913102 A EP 96913102A EP 0821559 B1 EP0821559 B1 EP 0821559B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- air
- pouch
- bead
- inflatable
- air bag
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
- A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
- A61G7/057—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor
- A61G7/05738—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor with fluid-like particles, e.g. sand, mud, seeds, gel, beads
- A61G7/05746—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor with fluid-like particles, e.g. sand, mud, seeds, gel, beads fluidised by air flow
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
- A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
- A61G7/057—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor
- A61G7/05784—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor with ventilating means, e.g. mattress or cushion with ventilating holes or ventilators
- A61G7/05792—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor with ventilating means, e.g. mattress or cushion with ventilating holes or ventilators with low air loss function, e.g. in mattresses, overlays or beds
Definitions
- the present invention relates to therapeutic beds and, more particularly, to therapeutic beds of the type having an air cushion support together with an integral fluidized bead surface.
- EP-A-0317009 relates to a bed for therapeutic treatment of a patient comprising a casing which is filled with small glass balls wherein the balls are fluidized by a stream of flowing air.
- US-A-4637083 relates to a patient support structure which employs fluid pressure to fluidize granular material to provide a patient support structure.
- the granular material is fluidized by passing air over the granular materials surface.
- Conventional bead beds typically include a bathtub-like tank filled with medical-grade silicone microspheres (or 'beads'). Each individual bead typically has a soda-lime core encased within a silicone sphere approximately 100 microns in diameter.
- a diffuser board is positioned horizontally at the base of the tank, separating two compartments within the tank - an upper compartment which contains the beads and a smaller, lower compartment which serves as a plenum chamber filled with air for fluidizing the beads. With appropriate blowers and temperature control systems, air is blown into the plenum chamber, from which the pressurized air is forced upwardly through the diffuser board and further (often in bubble-like manner) through the beads, giving the beads a liquid-like quality.
- a filter sheet is draped over the top of the tank to contain the beads while allowing the upward passage of air.
- the patient can lie either directly on the filter sheet or on a second cover sheet. Despite the liquefied state of the beads, the patient remains buoyant because of the relative density of the beads.
- Air beds eliminate many of these problems. Not only are the mattresses of the air beds lighter due to the lighter supporting medium (i.e., air versus beads), but lighter-duty supportive equipment and structural members are needed as well. Moreover, air beds permit many of the user-friendly features of standard hospital beds, such as sit-up, Trendelenberg, and the like, not to mention retractable side rails and radioluminescence. The extra space beneath the patient surface also allows not only for extra storage, but also for adding accessory therapeutic units such as percussion and hyper-hypothermia treatment.
- the patient support surface comprises an air cushion with integral fluidized bead surfaces.
- the beads may be fluidized by the same air flow as is utilized for inflating the patient support air cushion.
- the invention described herein allows the patient support surface to be positioned as desired, providing a lightweight, full-featured fluidized bead bed.
- air flow can be compartmentalized into a plurality of air bags or cushions, each with independent bead surfaces, the present invention also enables a wide variety of additional surface therapies not previously available with bead beds, including pulsation, percussion, and kinetic therapies.
- the fluidized bead surfaces may also be detachable for facilitating infection control procedures.
- FIG. 1 there is shown a patient treatment bed 20 that is uniquely suited for treatment of burn patients and other patients subject to extensive recuperative periods.
- Bed 20 includes a frame 19 supporting a plurality of patient support air bags 21, which are uniquely adapted with bead pouches 22.
- One fairly basic aspect of the invention can be embodied in one or more cushions such as patient support air bags 21, operatively associated with one or more fluidized bead containment pouches 22 and means for fluidizing the same, all of which may or may not be mounted on a frame such as frame 19.
- One advantage of the invention is that it can be implemented as a relatively simple upgrade to a pre-existing air support. Typically, the only change needed will be to replace one or more of the air cushions of the pre-existing support with new cushions that are specially-adapted to implement the present invention. In some cases, however, it may be that additional blower capacity is needed due to the relatively large amount of air required to fluidize the bead pouches 22 as compared to the amount of air that may be needed to sustain inflation of the pre-existing support. Those of skill in the art will understand how to increase blower capacity, such as by adding an additional blower or redirecting existing blowers.
- the term 'host platform is used in this description to refer to the pre-existing support. Modifications to the host platform may be described in detail, whereas unmodified details will be described only to the extent desired for reference.
- the host platform 20 may be any of a number of commercially available patient air supports, preferably low-air-loss patient treatment beds.
- Host platform 20 of the preferred embodiment comprises a low-air-loss bed presently commercialized under the trademark 'KINAIR III," commercially available from Kinetic Concepts, Inc. of San Antonio, Texas (“KCI").
- KCI Kinetic Concepts, Inc. of San Antonio, Texas
- the KINAIR III bed is described in substantial detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,240, dated April 9, 1991, incorporated herein by this reference.
- Other suitable host platforms include, but are not limited to, those marketed by KCI under the trademarks "HOMEKAIR,” “THERAPULSE” and 'BIODYNE II.” All of these platforms are commercially available from Kinetic Concepts, Inc.
- the THERAPULSE bed is described in substantial detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,029, dated September 3, 1991, incorporated herein by this reference.
- the BIODYNE II bed is described in substantial detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,719, dated September 1, 1992, also incorporated herein by this reference.
- Other host platforms might include wheelchairs with therapeutic air cushions or stand-alone therapeutic air mattresses mounted on any desired support.
- the principal difference between bed 20 and a commercially available KINAIR III bed is the adaptation of its air bags 21 to include fluidizable bead pouches 22.
- a simple form of such an adapted air bag 21 can be made by cutting a rectangular hole in the upper surface of an existing KINAIR III air bag and sewing a similarly-shaped, air-permeable bead pouch 22 over the hole.
- An air bag 21 made in such manner is shown in Figs. 2A&B, as part of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention. Conventional stitching techniques can be used to provide a smooth outer surface for the adapted bag 21.
- each adapted air bag 21 includes bead pouch 22 formed integrally therein.
- the air bag 21 can be disinfected through laundering with a dilute bleach solution in the same manner as conventional air bags. Due to the inclusion of the bead pouch 22, adequate drying of the air bag 21 may require operative connection of the air bag 21 to a host platform. Such operative connection helps dry the beads by virtue of the air blowing through beads 200. Although the exact length of time needed to dry the beads 200 may vary, twenty-four hours will generally be more than adequate. The drying time should be however long it takes to dry the beads so they can be adequately fluidized, while also respecting any infection control concerns.
- air bag 21 is described further herein as air bag 171, with reference to FIGS. 3A&B.
- air bag 171 utilizes a bead pouch 172 that is adapted to be removed from a pocket 198 in the end wall 175 of the air bag 171.
- the pouch 172 therefore, can be removed and disinfected or disposed of separate from any low-air-loss components.
- Another alternative embodiment of air bag 21 is described further herein as air bag 121, with reference to FIGS. 4A-D.
- Such alternative air bag 121 also utilizes a two-part construction for its bead pouch 122. Air bag 121 is different, though, in that its bead pouch 122 is embodied in a removable cap 130 for air bag 121.
- the bead containment pouch 122 is removed from the air bag 121 by removing the cap 130 as a whole, so that the pouch 122 can then be disinfected or disposed of separate from any low-air-loss components.
- Other embodiments are also disclosed.
- Each of the air bag embodiments 21, 171, 121 and 121' are made from the same basic fabrics -- a low-air-loss material and a filter sheet material.
- the low-air-loss material in the preferred embodiment is a polymer-coated nylon material commercially available under the trademark "GORE-TEX" from W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. of Elkton, Maryland. Such low-air-loss material has very little air permeability yet has a moisture vapor transmission rate in excess of 4700 g/m 2 /24 hours.
- the filter sheet fabric is constructed of 63-micron monofilament polyester fiber thread with 40-micron nominal mesh opening and 15% open area.
- the filter fabric is commercially available from Tetko, Inc. of Briarcliff Manor, NY.
- Tetko, Inc. of Briarcliff Manor, NY One possible alternative that might be considered is to use a similar multifilament fabric rather than the monofilament. Other suitable alternatives will be evident to those of skill in the art.
- Air bag 21, to begin with is formed to have the general shape (when inflated) of a rectangular prism, as shown in FIG. 2A.
- Air sac 21 has six generally rectangular walls 23-28, which may be considered as three pairs of opposed similar walls: opposite side walls 23 and 24, opposite end walls 25 and 26, and opposite top and bottom walls 27 and 28.
- Each of such walls 23-28 is formed primarily of the low-air-loss material referenced above, cut in pieces that are stitched (or otherwise joined) to adjacent pieces along their adjoining edges.
- certain walls may actually be formed from the same piece of material as another wall, while other walls may be formed of a combination of one or more pieces of material.
- the edges between two adjoining walls hence, may not in actuality constitute seams between fabric pieces.
- Fabric-gathering seams and conventional stitching techniques are used to generally form each of the four corners 27e-27h of upper wall 27. That same piece of fabric which forms upper wall 27, further, extends partially down each of the opposite side walls 23 and 24 and each of the opposite end walls 25 and 26 to a seam (not shown) with an adjoining piece of fabric slightly above the level of baffle 127. Again, such sewing techniques and the general construction for the various walls 23-28 of air sac 21 will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art, particularly with reference to commercially-available air sacs.
- the air cushions in different shapes, such as the cut-out shape of the BIODYNE air sacs, or the relatively flat (or 'low profile') shape of the air sacs used in products such as the DYNAPULSE product, also available through Kinetic Concepts, Inc.
- each air bag 21, 171, 121 and 121' also has a post 43 and an air inlet 44 operatively secured to the bottom wall 28 thereof, as is standard for KINAIR III air bags, for attachment to the host platform 20.
- Such hardware 43 and 44 are standardly employed in a manner which allows entry of air into a space 48 enclosed by the main part 29 of air bag 21, such air being blown by blowers such as standardly included in the host platform 20.
- Each air bag 21 further comprises a baffle 127, also constructed of low-air-loss fabric, although less costly alternative fabrics may be desired as air permeability and low skin shear benefits are not necessary for baffle 127.
- Baffle 127 functions to ensure the desired prismatic shape of the inflated bag 21 (i.e., that of a rectangular prism).
- the baffle 127 is sewn, or attached by other equivalent means, at its edge 128 to the inside surface of the front side wall 23 of the air bag 21.
- the baffle 127 is similarly sewn, or attached by other equivalent means, at its edge 129 to the inside surface of the rear side wall 24 of the air bag 21.
- the end-to-end length of baffle 127 as measured from edge 130 to edge 131 is sufficiently less than the end-to-end length of air bag 21, as measured from end 25 to end 26. That shorter length allows substantial air flow around the baffle. Said air flow is as depicted by arrows (including arrows 33a-c in FIGS. 2A&B).
- the preferred embodiment provides a minimum 4-inch opening between end wall 25 and edge 130 as well as end wall 26 and edge 131.
- FIG. 2B there is shown a sectional view of a fluidized bead containment pouch 22 (viewed on the vertical plane 2B-2B indicated in FIG. 2A).
- the bead containment pouch 22 is substantially rectangular from above (rectangular shape generally visible in Fig. 2A) and comprises rectangular top and bottom filter sheets 41-42.
- sheets 41 and 42 can be readily made together as a seamless pouch, sheets 41 and 42 are sewn or otherwise joined to each other around their perimeters (i.e., along edges 40a-40d) in a substantially sealed manner so as to form a substantially closed pouch for containing beads 200.
- filter sheets 41 and 42 are constructed of the same filter sheet fabric as described previously herein.
- pouch 22 By making pouch 22 seamless or by providing sealed seams 40a-d, leakage of beads 200 from pouch 22 can be minimized. Once filled with beads 200 to the desired extent and sealed closed, the pouch 22 is then sewn (or otherwise attached) to the upper wall 27 of air bag 21, around the perimeter of hole 39.
- FIGS. 7A & 7B there is shown a plan view of the cut-outs for the upper wall 27 and bead pouch 22, respectively.
- the rectangular hole 39 which is cut out of upper wall 27, is a substantially rectangular hole.
- the preferred dimensions of such hole are 5 inches (along edges 39c&d of hole 39) by 23 inches (along edges 39a&b of hole 39).
- the pouch 22 begins at a single piece 86 of filter sheet fabric cut in the shape as shown in FIG. 7B.
- piece 86 The overall dimensions of piece 86 are nominally 49 inches (in length) by 61 ⁇ 2 inches (in width), although lower sheet 42 is tapered in its primary dimension to 4 inches.
- the dimensions 401-406 of piece 86 are 151 ⁇ 2, 41 ⁇ 2, 41 ⁇ 2, 4, 61 ⁇ 2 and 241 ⁇ 2 inches, respectively.
- the resulting size is generally such that in every air bag 21 on bed 20 included a pouch 22, then the entire patient could be supported on the bead pouches 22.
- Certain ones of air bags 21 may have differently sized pouches 22, or may not have pouches at all.
- head air bags 98 have shorter pouches (only about 10 inches long), and the last air bag 99 does not have a pouch 22 at all.
- air bags with and without pouches 22 can be mixed and matched along the length of the bed 20 to achieve a desired surface.
- the fluidized bead surface may be limited to that region of the patient where the burn is located, while the rest of the patient is supported on conventional KinAir III air bags.
- the bead surface may be limited to the seat section as that is where weight concentration is greatest.
- the upper sheet 41 is preferably about 2 inches wider than the lower sheet 42, for reasons mentioned elsewhere herein.
- each bead pouch 22 is preferably medical grade microspheres of the type commonly employed in air fluidized bead beds. Such beads range in size from 50 to 150 microns in diameter and are commercially available from a number of sources, including Potters Industries, Inc. of Carlstadt, New Jersey.
- a single bead pouch 22 preferably contains about a two pounds of beads, although quantities of bead material from 1 ⁇ 4 to 30 pounds or more per air bag may be suitable.
- the bead pouch 22 is also not completely filled, so that the beads are free to fluidize therein. Consequently, when air flows through bead pouch 22 without a patient supported thereon, the upper filter sheet 42 tends to billow upwardly, forming an air space 201 above the beads 200.
- lower filter sheet 42 may require some degree of air flow restriction in order to prevent excessive loss of air from within air bag 21.
- the balance of the amount of air flow that will be desired through lower filter sheet 42 will depend on a variety of circumstances, including the blower capacity of the host platform 20, the volume of beads 200 in each air bag 21, and the number of air bags 21 which are adapted with bead pouches 22.
- air-impermeable strips 89a&b may be adhered to the outer surface of lower filter sheet 42 to reduce and concentrate air flow through lower filter sheet 42.
- Such strips 89a&b are preferably composed of commercially available sealing tape such as is used for waterproofing grommets in the clothing industry.
- Suitable sealing tape is a 3 ⁇ 4-inch Teflon sealing tape commercially available through the W. L. Gore Company.
- Strips 89a&b (and similar strips sealing seams 40a&b) preferably around the entire length of bead containment pouch 22 on the lower surface of lower filter sheet 42.
- Such configuration of sealing strips 89a-d leaves three sections 88a-c of lower filter sheet 42 unobstructed for free flow of fluidizing air therethrough. Due to the 3-inch width of lower filter sheet 42, sections 88a-c end up being three strips of unobstructed filter sheet running the length of bead containment pouch 22.
- Each of strips corresponding to sections 88a-c are approximately 1 ⁇ 4-inch wide, although that width dimension will flare toward the ends 40c and 40d of bead containment pouch 22 as the bead containment pouch itself flares as well.
- the profile shape of the pouch 22 (i.e., the cross-sectional shape such as shown in Fig. 2B) depends on a variety of factors. Such factors include but are not limited to the size of the bead pouch 22, the relative porosity of the filter sheets 41 and 42, the air pressure within plenum space 48, the quantity of beads 200 within pouch 22, and the patient weight. In many cases, the bead pouch 22 tends to arch upwardly due to the pressure within air bag 21, in contrast to the cigar-like shape shown in Fig. 2B.
- Two practical concerns with this occurrence are (i) that the beads 200 might migrate downward at the sides of the pouch 22 due to gravity, and (ii) that the arching might restrict free fluidization by compressing the beads between the upper and lower filter sheets 41 & 42.
- One contemplated way of reducing such concerns is the inclusion of a vertical baffle (not shown) spanning between the lower filter sheet 41 and the horizontal baffle 34, in the same general manner as illustrated in Fig. 4D.
- Another technique that is preferred is to make the upper filter sheet 41 wider and longer than the lower sheet 42 (approximately 2 inches in each dimension) so that the lower sheet 42 tends to be more taut (and, hence, less arched) than the upper sheet 41.
- Yet another technique is to increase the volume of the beads 200 in a given air bag 21, such as by starting the bead pouch 22 at the level of baffle 34, with beads filling up roughly the entire upper third of the air bag 21.
- air bag 21 Although simple, the construction of air bag 21 might be found to be less than ideal for disinfecting on a routine basis. Referring to FIGS. 3A-4D, alternate embodiments of air bag 21 are shown which allow detachment of bead pouch 22 (or its equivalent) so that the bead containment pouch may be disinfected separately.
- Air bag 171 is adapted with a removable bead pouch 172.
- the removable pouch 172 consists only of its upper and lower filter sheets 191 and 192 and the beads 200 contained therebetween.
- pouch 172 is inserted within (and removable from) a pocket 198' near the upper wall 177 of air bag 171. Access to the pocket 198' is provided through an opening 199 in the end wall 175 of the air bag 171.
- the opening 199 may be covered and/or sealable by a Velcro flap (not shown) or the like.
- the pocket 198' is formed of two layers of filter sheet material 197 and 198 just beneath the upper wall 177 of the air bag 171. Layers 197 and 198 are joined by conventional techniques along the opposite edges 177a and 177b of upper wall 177 to form pocket 198'.
- the upper wall 177 is also provided with a rectangular filter sheet panel 189 for allowing free flow of air through bead pouch 172.
- An alternative of air bag 171 excludes the upper filter sheet layer 197 of pocket 198'.
- the pouch 172 can be removed and disinfected or disposed of separate from the low-air-loss components of air bag 171. Such low-air-loss components can then be disinfected using standard laundering techniques for air bags.
- the bead containment pouch 172 may be disinfected by infection control techniques which are standard and well-known in the art for fluidized bead systems. Such infection control procedure may involve destroying the filter sheet layers 191 and 192 of the pouch 172 and pouring the beads 200 through a sieve screen into a conventional decontamination tank. Decontamination can then be achieved by a thermal process of heating the beads to 122°F for at least 24 hours. Further benefits of such removable conformation of bead pouch 172 will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
- air bag 121 A second basic type of alternative to air bag 21 is shown in Figs. 4A-C as air bag 121.
- air bag 121 also has a two-part construction adapted with a removable bead pouch 122 to facilitate infection control.
- the removable pouch 122 is embodied in a removable cap 130 that fits over the top of a main part 129 of air bag 121.
- the main part 129 can be disinfected through laundering in the same manner as with conventional air bags, and the cap 130 can be disinfected separately.
- the particular technique used for disinfecting the cap should be chosen based on the effectiveness of each technique, it is presently thought that adequate disinfection may be achieved by placing the entire cap 130 into a conventional microsphere decontamination unit, together with a separate bead lot. Such a decontamination is intended to raise the temperature of the cap above 120°F for more than a 24-hour period.
- Other disinfection techniques such as chlorination, gamma radiation and/or autoclaving, may be considered as additional alternatives
- the main part 129 of air bag 121 is much like the construction of a standard KinAir III air bag, except that the main part 129 includes a filter sheet panel 147 and Velcro tabs 131a-d.
- Cap 130 includes the bead containment pouch 121 and Velcro tabs 132a-d. The shape and construction of cap 130 is such that it fits snugly over the main part 129 when the main part 129 is inflated, with tabs 132a-d positioned to mate with tabs 131a-d for releasably securing the cap 130 in place. Once so positioned, cap 130 positions bead pouch 122 over the filter sheet panel 147, so that air escaping through panel 147 is directed through pouch 122, tending to fluidize the beads 200 therein.
- Velcro tabs 132a-d and 131a-d may be enlarged or replaced with other connections providing a better seal. Improving such seal ensures that the only significant escape for air from the air bag 121 is through bead pouch 122.
- the size of the panels 147 and pouch 122 is much the same as that of the pouch 22 in the first embodiment, although panel 145 is preferably narrower than pouch 122.
- main part 129 includes a vertical baffle 149 coextensive with the conventional horizontal baffle 227'.
- Vertical baffle 149 spans is joined by stitching between the centerline 150 of panel 147 to form a trough-like crease along the top of main part 129'.
- Such trough-like crease not only tends to bias beads 200 toward the centerline 150, but its stitched joinder increases fluidization (by introducing stitch holes in panel 147) along the centerline 150 where the beads 200 are drawn.
- Bed 320 generally consists of an air mattress 318 (and related components) mounted on a standard bed frame 319.
- the mattress 318 is sectioned into three basic support cushions 318a, 318b, and 318c, as is standard for a variety of mattress and mattress overlay products.
- Each basic support cushion 318a, b or c is supplied with air flow from a standard air supply unit 315 through corresponding supply hoses 316a-e.
- Each cushion includes a series of six vertical baffles (not numbered) to ensure retention of a relatively flat shape.
- Figs. 5&6 examples of such patient support mattress systems are found in the commercially available FIRSTSTEP SELECT, HOMEKAIR DMS and DYNAPULSE products, each commercially available through Kinetic Concepts, Inc.
- the particular system illustrated in Figs. 5&6 is a modified FIRSTSTEP SELECT unit.
- the mattress 318 is substantially the same as the commercial version of that product.
- the only significant difference being the addition of fluidizable bead containment pouches 322a-c and any additional blowers that might be needed (if any) to fluidize the same.
- the size of the bead containment pouches 322a-c can be varied as desired. For instance, in Fig.
- the size of the pouch 322b positioned for supporting the seat section of a patient is larger than the other two pouches 322a&c.
- greater therapy can be provided in the seat section (or in any other areas) where the therapeutic need is greater.
- the particular method of adapting the cushions 321a-c with an appropriate number of bead containment pouches 22 is not critical but will be understood from an understanding of the preferred embodiment of air bag 21.
- Another variation (not shown) of bed 320 can be made by replacing substantially all of the top surface of the mattress 318 with a single fluidizable bead pouch.
- the invention described herein allows combination of a fluidized bead patient support surface, well-known in the art to be an ideal patient support surface, with the advantages of low-air-loss beds.
- Such advantages will be evident to those skilled in the art and include, but are not limited to, vertical and/or articulated displacement of the patient support surface, side to side rotation of the patient, automatic percussion of the patient's chest area, and built-in scales, all of which are well-known in the art and may be described in the literature available for the commercial products KINAIR III, HOMEKAIR, THERAPULSE and BIODYNE II.
- the air bags 21 as a whole generally become softer at lower pressures, the beads 200 generally become more stiff with lower degrees of fluidization.
- pulsing the fluidization with the THERAPULSE as host platform 20 will cause the beads 200 in the air bags 21 to vary from soft, to stiff, to soft, and so on.
- adjacent air bags 21 vary in opposite phase (as is normal for THERAPULSE pulsation)
- stiffness of the bead pouch 22 surface will vary in opposition to the air pressure in the air bag 21 as a whole.
- Another alternative embodiment which is not shown in the drawings, is adapted to provide a dedicated air flow for purposes of fluidizing the beads 200 in each air bag 21.
- the concept for this alternative is to allow separate control of the air supply directed to the plenum used for fluidizing the bead pouch 22 and to reduce the size of that plenum chamber. With a smaller, separately controlled plenum, the pressure of the air fluidizing the beads can be increased to achieve greater fluidization without increasing the pressure of the air bag 21 as a whole.
- a separate inflatable chamber is defined within air bag 21 directly adjacent the bead pouch 22. The inflatable chamber serves as the plenum for fluidizing the bead pouch 22, and a separate air supply is directed to that plenum.
- the construction of the separate plenum within the air bag 21 would be designed in any manner desired, although the simplest approach uses the same low-air-loss material as the remainder of air bag 21.
- the separate dedicated air flow might be directed through a separate air inlet for the air bag 21.
- a collapsible air conduit within air bag 21 would also serve to direct the flow of air from the second air inlet to the dedicated plenum.
- conventional air conduit may be suitable, a fabric conduit (also formed of sealed low-air-loss material) may be adequate to serve this purpose.
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Claims (9)
- Therapeutisches Patientenbehandlungsbett (20) mit einer aufblasbaren Patientenstütze, bei dem die aufblasbare Patientenstütze folgendes umfaßt:ein Luftkissen (21; 121; 121'; 171) mit einer oberen Fläche,ein der oberen Fläche des Luftkissens (21; 121; 121'; 171) zugeordnetes fluidisierbares festes Medium, und wobeidie aufblasbare Patientenstütze dafür geeignet ist, wirksam Mitteln zum Fluidisieren des fluidisierbaren festen Mediums zugeordnet zu werden.
- Patientenbehandlungsbett (20) nach Anspruch 1, bei dem das fluidisierbare feste Medium durch eine luftdurchlässige Tasche (22; 122; 172) eingeschlossen wird, angeordnet auf der oberen Fläche des Luftkissens (21; 121; 121'; 171),
- Patientenbehandlungsbett (20) nach Anspruch 2, bei dem das Luftkissen (21; 121; 121'; 171) eine aufblasbare Kammer (48) einschließt und die Tasche (22; 122; 172) eine Schicht eines luftdurchlässigen Gewebes (42) umfaßt, angeordnet zwischen der aufgeblasenen Kammer (48) und einer Menge des fluidisierbaren festen Mediums.
- Patientenbehandlungsbett (20) nach einem der Ansprüche 2 oder 3, bei dem die Tasche (122; 172) abnehmbar auf der oberen Fläche des Luftkissens (121; 171) befestigt wird.
- Therapeutisches Patientenbehandlungsbett (20), das folgendes umfaßt:eine Vielzahl von aufblasbaren Luftkissen (21; 121; 121'; 171), die zusammen eine aufblasbare Patientenstütze bilden, wobei wenigstens eines der aufblasbaren Luftkissen (21; 121; 121'; 171) eine Kammer (48) einschließt und eine luftdurchlässige Schicht (42) umfaßt, angeordnet zwischen der Kammer (48) und einer Menge von fluidisierbaren Mikrosphären derart, daß die Luft innerhalb der Kammer (48) auf eine Weise durch die luftdurchlässige Schicht (42) geleitet wird, die dazu tendiert, die Mikrosphären zu fluidisieren.
- Therapeutisches Patientenbehandlungsbett (20) nach Anspruch 5, bei dem:das aufblasbare Luftkissen (21) eine aufblasbare Kammer (48) einschließt, definiert durch zwei Arten von Material, einschließlich eines luftdurchlässigen Gewebes und eines verhältnismäßig undurchlässigen zweiten Gewebes, wobei sich die luftdurchlässige Schicht (42) aus dein luftdurchlässigen Gewebe zusammensetzt.
- Patientenbehaadlungsbett (20) nach einem der Ansprüche 5 oder 6, bei dem ein zweites der aufblasbaren Kissen (21; 121; 121'; 171) eine zweite aufblasbare Kammer definiert und ebenfalls eine Schicht eines luftdurchlässigen Gewebes umfaßt, angeordnet zwischen der aufblasbaren Kammer und einer Menge von fluidisierbaren Mikrosphären derart, daß die Luft, welche die zweite Kammer aufbläst, auf eine Weise durch das zugeordnete luftdurchlässige Gewebe geleitet wird, die dazu tendiert, die zweite Menge von fluidisierbaren Mikrosphären zu fluidisieren.
- Patientenbehandlungsbett (20) nach einem der Ansprüche 5 oder 6, bei dem eine Luftzufuhr zum Aufblasen der zweiten aufblasbaren Kammer gesondert von der Luftzufuhr zum Aufblasen der ersten aufblasbaren Kammer gesteuert werden kann, wodurch ermöglicht wird, daß ein Strom von fluidisierender Luft für die erste Menge an fluidisierbaren Mikrosphären gesondert von einem Strom von fluidisierender Luft für die zweite Menge an fluidisierbaren Mikrosphären gesteuert wird.
- Patientenbebandlungsbett (20) nach Anspruch 8, das außerdem Mittel zum Pulsieren des ersten Luftstroms im Verhältnis zum zweiten Luftstrom umfaßt.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US42868995A | 1995-04-25 | 1995-04-25 | |
US428689 | 1995-04-25 | ||
PCT/US1996/005704 WO1996033641A1 (en) | 1995-04-25 | 1996-04-24 | Air bed with fluidized bead surface and related methods |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0821559A1 EP0821559A1 (de) | 1998-02-04 |
EP0821559A4 EP0821559A4 (de) | 2000-06-14 |
EP0821559B1 true EP0821559B1 (de) | 2003-06-18 |
Family
ID=23699962
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP96913102A Expired - Lifetime EP0821559B1 (de) | 1995-04-25 | 1996-04-24 | Bett mit einer luftmatratze mit einer verformbaren oberfläche aus weichen kügelchen und ähnliche verfahren |
Country Status (10)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0821559B1 (de) |
JP (2) | JPH11504239A (de) |
AT (1) | ATE242988T1 (de) |
AU (1) | AU5571496A (de) |
CA (1) | CA2216791C (de) |
DE (1) | DE69628742T2 (de) |
DK (1) | DK0821559T3 (de) |
ES (1) | ES2201183T3 (de) |
PT (1) | PT821559E (de) |
WO (1) | WO1996033641A1 (de) |
Families Citing this family (29)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6721979B1 (en) * | 1995-04-25 | 2004-04-20 | Kci Licensing, Inc. | Air bed with fluidized bead surface and related methods |
US6021533A (en) | 1997-08-25 | 2000-02-08 | Hill-Rom, Inc. | Mattress apparatus having a siderail down sensor |
US6351862B1 (en) | 1997-10-24 | 2002-03-05 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Mattress replacement having air fluidized sections |
AU1816199A (en) | 1997-12-11 | 1999-06-28 | Hill-Rom, Inc. | Mattress structure |
CA2327361A1 (en) | 1998-04-14 | 1999-10-21 | Hill-Rom, Inc. | Communication and bed function control apparatus |
GB9822335D0 (en) * | 1998-10-13 | 1998-12-09 | Pegasus Airwave Ltd | Inflatable patient supports |
CA2401125A1 (en) | 2000-02-25 | 2001-08-30 | Sohrab Soltani | Air fluidized bladders for a bed |
US6493888B1 (en) | 2000-04-18 | 2002-12-17 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Pediatric mattress |
US7128735B2 (en) | 2004-01-02 | 2006-10-31 | Richard Scott Weston | Reduced pressure wound treatment appliance |
US7909805B2 (en) | 2004-04-05 | 2011-03-22 | Bluesky Medical Group Incorporated | Flexible reduced pressure treatment appliance |
US8062272B2 (en) | 2004-05-21 | 2011-11-22 | Bluesky Medical Group Incorporated | Flexible reduced pressure treatment appliance |
US10058642B2 (en) | 2004-04-05 | 2018-08-28 | Bluesky Medical Group Incorporated | Reduced pressure treatment system |
US7557718B2 (en) | 2004-04-30 | 2009-07-07 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Lack of patient movement monitor and method |
US7260860B2 (en) | 2004-08-04 | 2007-08-28 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Mattress system for a hospital bed |
US7464425B2 (en) | 2004-08-04 | 2008-12-16 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Hospital bed |
JP5537806B2 (ja) | 2005-07-08 | 2014-07-02 | ヒル−ロム サービシーズ,インコーポレイティド | 病院用ベッドの圧力制御 |
AU2006268288B2 (en) | 2005-07-08 | 2011-12-08 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Control unit for patient support |
AU2006269277B2 (en) | 2005-07-08 | 2012-02-16 | Hill-Rom, Inc. | Patient support |
US20080022461A1 (en) * | 2006-07-26 | 2008-01-31 | Kci Licensing, Inc., Legal Department, Intellectual Property | Patient support with welded materials |
US10231891B2 (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2019-03-19 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Modular fluidizable occupant support and compact fluidizable modules |
JP2011182949A (ja) * | 2010-03-09 | 2011-09-22 | Yoshida Dental Mfg Co Ltd | 高齢者対応歯科診療椅子用マットおよび歯科診療椅子 |
US8973186B2 (en) | 2011-12-08 | 2015-03-10 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Optimization of the operation of a patient-support apparatus based on patient response |
US9888785B2 (en) | 2014-04-21 | 2018-02-13 | Casper Sleep Inc. | Mattress |
US10363182B2 (en) | 2014-07-14 | 2019-07-30 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Patient control arm with phone dock and head of bed lockout |
TWM550626U (zh) * | 2017-06-22 | 2017-10-21 | zhi-hui Zheng | 病床及用於病床的氣墊條結構 |
EP3668353A1 (de) | 2017-08-14 | 2020-06-24 | Casper Sleep Inc. | Matratze mit ergonomischem und festigkeitsregulierendem endoskelett |
WO2019209733A1 (en) | 2018-04-23 | 2019-10-31 | Casper Sleep Inc. | Temperature-regulating mattress |
USD908398S1 (en) | 2019-08-27 | 2021-01-26 | Casper Sleep Inc. | Mattress |
USD927889S1 (en) | 2019-10-16 | 2021-08-17 | Casper Sleep Inc. | Mattress layer |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4347633A (en) * | 1980-07-22 | 1982-09-07 | American Hospital Supply Corporation | Patient treating mattress |
US4606087A (en) * | 1984-09-14 | 1986-08-19 | Alivizatos Margaret A | Convertible body supporting pads |
US4637083A (en) * | 1985-03-13 | 1987-01-20 | Support Systems International, Inc. | Fluidized patient support apparatus |
JPS61290953A (ja) * | 1985-06-19 | 1986-12-20 | 富士電機株式会社 | 身体支持具 |
NL8702712A (nl) * | 1987-11-12 | 1989-06-01 | Caremedic Bv | Bed voor therapeutische behandeling van een patient. |
US4951335A (en) * | 1989-06-05 | 1990-08-28 | Donan Marketing Corporation | Mattress assembly |
-
1996
- 1996-04-24 AT AT96913102T patent/ATE242988T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1996-04-24 DE DE69628742T patent/DE69628742T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-04-24 PT PT96913102T patent/PT821559E/pt unknown
- 1996-04-24 ES ES96913102T patent/ES2201183T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-04-24 DK DK96913102T patent/DK0821559T3/da active
- 1996-04-24 CA CA002216791A patent/CA2216791C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1996-04-24 EP EP96913102A patent/EP0821559B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-04-24 JP JP8532669A patent/JPH11504239A/ja not_active Withdrawn
- 1996-04-24 WO PCT/US1996/005704 patent/WO1996033641A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1996-04-24 AU AU55714/96A patent/AU5571496A/en not_active Abandoned
-
2007
- 2007-01-24 JP JP2007013661A patent/JP4203098B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2216791C (en) | 2005-07-12 |
EP0821559A1 (de) | 1998-02-04 |
DE69628742D1 (de) | 2003-07-24 |
EP0821559A4 (de) | 2000-06-14 |
DK0821559T3 (da) | 2003-10-06 |
CA2216791A1 (en) | 1996-10-31 |
AU5571496A (en) | 1996-11-18 |
DE69628742T2 (de) | 2004-04-22 |
PT821559E (pt) | 2003-10-31 |
JPH11504239A (ja) | 1999-04-20 |
WO1996033641A1 (en) | 1996-10-31 |
ES2201183T3 (es) | 2004-03-16 |
JP4203098B2 (ja) | 2008-12-24 |
ATE242988T1 (de) | 2003-07-15 |
JP2007144202A (ja) | 2007-06-14 |
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