GB2508189A

GB2508189A - Two way stretch fabric mattress cover

Info

Publication number: GB2508189A
Application number: GB201221054A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jon Lewis
Original assignee: Direct Healthcare Services Ltd
Current assignee: Direct Healthcare Services Ltd
Priority date: 2012-11-22
Filing date: 2012-11-22
Publication date: 2014-05-28
Also published as: GB201221054D0

Abstract

A cover 60 of a resiliently deformable fabric material in which the fabric stretch properties of the fabric vary along the length of the cover. Preferably the fabric stretch properties also vary along the width of the cover. The fabric may be formed of a base woven fabric bonded to a waterproof layer. Preferably the base fabric comprises cotton, linen, nylon or polyester and the waterproof layer is PVC or polyurethane. The waterproof layer preferably has uniform stretch properties. The differing stretch properties of the fabric may be achieved by varying the weave of the base fabric. The cover may be dimensioned to act as a mattress cover, a chair cover, a cushion cover or a cover for a footstool. A mattress system is also disclosed comprising a cover and a mattress having two interlinked air chambers, the first chamber including a resilient insert.

Description

TWO WAY STRETCH FABRIC COVER

Background to the invention

The present invention i-elates to a two way stretch fabric cover for a mattress, cushion, chair, footstool or the like, and specifically a two way stretch fabric cover having stretch propel-ties which vary along the length of the cover.

It is a problem in hospitals and nursing homes, that patients who are either bed-bound or spend a significant period of time confined to a bed can suffer from painful pressure sores, also known as pressure ulcers. These are painful sores that develop as a result of external forces resulting from direct pressure, shear and friction over bony prominences, causing stresses and strains on the tissue, which inhibit circulation and thereby prevent oxygen and other nutrients reach the tissues.

Pressure sores typically occur over bony prominences including the heels, ankles, hips, bottom, shoulders, elbows and back, as well as the back of the head.

Prolonged pressure between these pressure points and the mattress result in red skin which foniis a blister over time followed by an open sore. These pressure sores are painful for the patient and can destroy the muscle or bone beneath the skin. In extreme circumstances, they can become infected, causing potentially life-threatening blood poisoning or bone infections.

One of the best ways of preventing a pressure sore is to reduce or relieve the pressure on vulnerable areas, for example, by moving around and changing position as much as possible. One way in which this is achieved is through the use of specialist mattresses in hospitals and care-homes. Conventional pressure relief mattresses include specialised foam mattresses comprising a foam base and a specially contoured foam insert on which the body is supported. Although such mattresses are effective at preventing the development of pressure sores, some patients require more assistance to keep moving, and may require an alternative mattress type, the inflatable mattress, This type of mattress comprises a series of

I

inflatable sections. Such mattresses maybe either permanently inflated or the inflatable cells may be partially or wholly inflated deflated using motorised pumps.

Where a pump is used, each inflataNe section is in fluid connection with the pump (not shown) which selectively inflates/deflates each inflatable section thereby gently moving the patient supported thereon.

However, despite the fact that the change in contours during inflation and deflation of the mattress vary along the length and/or width of the bed, the mattress cover which is applied over the mattress to protect the mattress during use has uniform stretch properties along both its length and width. Therefore, at specific regions along the length of the bed, the mattress cover will have thsufficient stretch to accommodate the change in contours of the mattress during inflation/deflation and so will restrict the movement of the mattress, thereby compromising the optimal efficiently of the mattress in afleviating bed sores.

There is therefore a need for a mattress cover which has varying stretch properties along its length andlor width to facilitate the function of pressure relief mattresses in the prevention andlor alleviation of pressure sores.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention seeks to address the problems of the prior art.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a fabric cover of a resiliently deformable fabric materia' having fabric stretch properties. the cover having a length and a width and being resiliently defomiable along the length and across the width, wherein the fabric stretch properties of the fabric material vary along the length of the cover.

In one embodiment, the fabric stretch properties of the fabric material vary along the width of the cover.

The fabric cove]-may comprise a first woven ayer and a second waterproof layer, the two layers being bonded together.

Preferably, the woven layer has a varied weave such that the stretch properties of the first layer vary along its length.

More preferably, the woven layer has a varied weave such that the stretch properties of the first layer va.iy along its width.

In a further embodiment, the waterproof layer has uniform stretch properties along its ength.

Preferably, the waterproof layer has uniform stretch properties along its width.

The woven layer may comprise, but is not restricted to one or more of cotton, linen, nylon, polyester mix or any other suitable moisture wicking fabric.

I

The waterproof layer may comprise a resilient plastic material such as, but not restricted to, one or more of polyurethane and PVC.

In a further embodiment, the cover is dimension to cover a mattress, cushion, chair or footstool.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a mattress system comprising a. a fabric cover according to any preceding claim; and b. a mattress comprising a substantially planar base mattress defining a mattress arrangement receiving portion and a mattress arrangement received therein, the rniattress arrangement comprising a substantially air-tight support portion, the support portion comprising first and second inter-linked chambers, which are inter-linked so as to allow air to flow therebetween, wherein the first chamber includes a resilient air-retention means, such that, in use, air is able to pass between the first and second inter-linked chambers in dependence upon external pressure applied to the support portion and/or upon decompression of the resilient air-retention means, wherein the fabric cover is dimensioned to correspond to the mattress.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I is a view from above of a first embodiment of a mattress in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a view of the underside of the embodiment of figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a support portion of the embodiment of figure 1; Figure 4A is a cross-sectiona' view of a further embodiment of a support portion; Figure 4B is a view from above of the support portion of figure 4A; Figure 5 illustrates the patient monitoring device dispby connected to the sacral area npport portion; Figure 6 illustrates a mattress cover for use with the mattress arrangement of figures I and 4A and B; and Figure 7 is a cross-sectiona' view of various foam sections.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a mattress 10 in accordance with the present invention, and figure 2 shows the underside i2 of mattress arrangement 4.

Mattress 10 comprises a foam mattress base 2 having a substantially planar base 4 and side borders 6 that extend above planar base 4, thereby creating a recess into which mattress arrangement 4 may be received in use.

Mattress arrangement4 comprises a plurality of support portions 12 provided with inter-linked chambers 14. each of which contains a resilient air-resistant means in the foim of a shaped foam section 16, which can be seen in figwes 3, 4A and 4W Foam portion 8 is provided to support the head and neck regions.

Figure 2 show's the underside of mattress arrangement 4. Each chamber 14 is provided with support straps 18 which extend around the full circumference of the chamber 14. Straps 18 are then secured to backing support fabric 20, thereby holding the chambers 14 in place relative to one another and providing a sheet like fabric that extends beyond the chambers 14 at each end which can be secured in place relative to mattress base 2. Tn figure 2, support straps iS, which are present below the fabric 20, are indicated by dashed lines.

Each foam section 16 is shaped and contoured and of appropriate density to support the part of the patient's body that would rest thereon, during use.

Some examples of the different shapes of foam sections 16 that may be employed are shown in figure 7. However, it is to be appreciated that any suitaHe shape and contours and foam density could be used as long as it provides the appropriate level of support for the intended location of the foam section 16 within mattress arrangement 4. As can be seen in figures 1 and 2, support portions 12 contain between two and four inter-linked chambers 14.

For examp'e, the lumbar support portion 12a comprises three chambers 14a, hip support portions 12b each comprise two chambers 14b, leg support portions 12c comprise four chambers I 4c and ankle support portions I 2d comprise two chambers 14d. The foam in the ankle support portions I 2d has greater contouring and a lower density that the foam in, for example, the lumbar support portion 12a, as the ankle support portion I 2d is not intended to support as large a body weight at the lumber support portion 12a.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectiona' view of the support portion I 2b that supports the sacral area of a patient. Figure 3 shows the air conduit 22 linking chambers l4b within support portion i2b, Air conduit 22 comprises a flexible tube extending along the exterior under-surface 24 of each support portion 12b i.e. the surface 24 of support portion l2b that is in communication with backing support fabric 20. The flexible tube 22 extends through the under-surface 24 of each inter-linked chamber within a support portion l2b, making a seal with extenor surface 24 such that air may flow between each inter-linked chamber I 4b in support portion I 2b without any air loss to the atmosphere. Flexible tube 22 has a first end 26 which is closed and a second end 28 which is provided with a one way air-flow valve 29 which allows air ingress into chambers i4b, but prevents air loss from chamibers 14b via second end 28 of flexible tube 22.

A flexible tube 22 and one-way air-flow va've 29 is provided for each support portion 14 in mattress arrangement 4.

The one-way air-flow valve allows the influx of air into the chambers 14 to compensate for any loss of air from the chambers that may occur over time as air is lost through the walls of support portions i 2. The walls of the interlinked chambers comprise polyurethane. However, it is to be appreciated that any suitable resilient plastic material may be used such as, but not limited to, PVC, either alone or in combination with polyurethane.

Figures 4A and 4B show a further embodiment of a support portion 14b. In this embodiment, rather than foam sections i6 being retained within separate chambers 14b, they are retained within a single chamber l4b but kept separate by virtue of a weld joint 15 extending almost the full length of support portion 12b, leaving a small un-welded channel to permit airflow between the two sections A and B of the support portion l2A. In the embodiment shown in figure 4B. two small channels 23 are provided to permit air flow throughout support portion 14b. However, it is to be appreciated that the size, number and location of the airtlow channels may vary from that shown in figure 4B.

In use, a patient supported on mattress 10 will exert pressure on suppor portions 14, with more pressure being applied at specific pressure points e.g. heels, ankles, hips, bottom, shoulders, elbows and back. Taking sacral support portion i4b as an example, when pressure is applied to support portion 12b, a greater pressure will be exerted on one chamber 14b than the other inter-linked chamber 14b. When this happens, the chamber under the highest pressure will compress, foam section 16 will compress and air will flow from that chamber into inter-linked chamber Mb via air conduit 22. As the total volume of the support portion I 4b remains the same, as it is a sealed volume, the air within support portion 14b will increase in pressure, and support portions 14b will become firmer under the weight of the patient support thereon, with the effect that a greater surface area of support portion 14b is supporting the weight bearing surface of the patient support thereon. This has the effect of reducing the pressure through a single pressure point as the weight is more distributed and thus the nsk of a pressure sore at that specific pressure point will be significantly reduced, if not eliminated.

Similarly, when the heels of a patient rest on a chamber 12d of support portion 14d.

air flows into adjacent interlinked chambers 12d, thereby increasing the pressure with the interhnked chambers which become firmer and rise up to support the lower leg e.g. calf regions of the patient, thereby distributing the weight normafly applied through the heels and reducing the pressure through the heels, thus reducing or eliminating the risk of a pressure sore at the heels of the patient.

When the pressure on a chamber 14 is alleviated, foam section 16 within that chamber will decompress, thereby drawing air back into the chamber 14 from adjacent inter-linked chambers 14 and, if the patient weight is removed altogether.

the air pressure throughout the sealed volume of air in interlinked chambers will equilibrate again. Thus, the foam section is very important as it is required in order to encourage efficient airflow back into the chamber after removal/reduction of the external pressure applied to the chamber during use.

As a patient moves on the mattress 10, the airflow between interlinked chambers 12 will subtly shift the weight of the user, thereby further facilitating the reduction in the risk of pressure sores.

Pressure point mapping has shown that there is reduced pressure at all pressure points using the mattress 10 according to the present invention when compared with conventional foam and inflatable mattresses.

I

During use, mattress 10 is covered with a fitted fabric cover 60. Fabric cover 60 comprises a waterproof layer bonded to a woven layer. In order to maximise the pressure reduction qualities of mattress 10 it is important that the fabric cover 60 can stretch to accommodate the changes in the shape, contours and size of the inter-linked chambers 14 of each support section 1 2. As mentioned above, the properties of the foam sections 16 vary in dependence upon their position within the mattress arrangement 4 i.e. in dependence upon the expected weight to be supported on the chamber 14 within which it is located. For example, the foam sections 16 in support portions 14d that support the heels of a user are of lower density and greater contoured surface area when compared, for example, with the foam sections 16 in support portions 1 4h that support the sacral area of a user, during use. This means that the various support portions 12 will exhibit different changes in shape etc. during use. Conventional fabric covers have uniform stretch properties and therefore resist the change in shape etc. of the support portions 12 in use. Therefore, in order to maxinilse the positive pressure alleviation properties of the mattress 10, it is important that the cover used accommodates the changes that occur throughout the mattress 10 during use.

Figure 7 illustrates the areas where greater stretch properties would be required. In figure 7. A represents the end of the mattress where a user would locate their head and B represents the end of the mattress where a user would locate their feet, during use. Regions 100 (supporting feet/ankles). 110 (supporting hips). i20 (supporting the bottom) and 130 (supporting the back) are the regions within the mattress cover that would require greater stretch properties than elsewhere. This allows the mattress cover to more effectively accommodate the changes in contour of the supporting mattress as the patient is supported thereon and during movement of position of the patient on the mattress itself.

Therefore, fabric cover 60 comprises a resiliently deformable fabric material having fabr c stretch properties that vary along the length and width of the fabric.

The waterproof layer of fabric cover 60 has uniform stretch properties along its length and also has uniform stretch properties along its width. However, the woven fabric to which the waterproof fabric is bonded exhibits varying stretch properties along its length and varying stretch properties along its width. This is achieved by altering the weave such that a tighter weave is used at places in the fabric cover 60 where less stretch is desired, for example at the region on which the upper back is supported in use; and using a more relaxed weave at regions in the fabric cover 60 where more stretch is desired, for example, at the region on which the sacral area of the patient would be supported in use. In this way, the fabric cover 60 will deform in to correspond with the deformation of the mattress 10 when bearing weight during use, rather than resisting the deformation of the mattress 10 during use.

Where a patient is not capable of movement, for example, they are unconscious or immobile, it is still necessary for nursing staff/carers to move the patient periodically to ensure that they do not remain in the same position for too long as this would encourage the onset of pressure sores. However, it is often not apparent to carers whether a patient is undertaking sufficient movement without assistance to lower the risk of pressure sores, so typically a pump is used to selectively inflate and deflate portions of an inflatable mattress to keep a patient moving, whether or not that patient requires such assistance.

It would therefore be useful to have an indication of the movement of the patient in order to determine their needs with respect to assisted movement.

In order to detemiine whether a patent is movement without assistance, it is possible to modify the support portion I 2b, which supports the sacral area of a patient supported thereon. Support portion 12b is shown in figures 3 and 4A and dashed lines shown an extension 25 to flexible tube 22. Extension 25 links support portion l2b to a patient movement monitor 50, as shown in figure 5.

Patient movement monitor 50 comprises a housing 51 provided with an air inlet 53 to which a second end 49 of flexible tube 22 is connected, in use, to make an air-tight seal with housing SI. A pressure detector 52 is located within housing SI and is fluid communication with the airflow through ir inlet 53. The monitor 50 is further provided with display means 54 in communication with pressure detector 52 and operable to receive signals from pressure detector 52 and provide an indication relating to the air pressure detected by pressure detector 52.

Display means 54 may provide an indication of the actual pressure detected or if any change in pressure has been detected. Any detection of pressure indicates that there has been a change in the distribution of external pressure appUed to the inflatable mattress and therefore that the patient has moved. In the embodiment shown, the patient movement monitor 50 is further provided with a processor 56 operable to detect the passing of a predetermined time period and provide a signal to the display of pressure fluctuation detection and corresponding time of detection.

In this way. it is clear at what time patient movement was detected.

The combination of interlinked chambers 14b of support portion 12b, flexible tube 22, and pressure detector 52 form a sealed volume of air. In use, a patient supported on mattress 10 will apply pressure through their sacral area to support portion 12b, thereby increasing the pressure in this sealed volume, the pressure reading of which can be detected as a pressure value at pressure detector 52.

Movement of a patient will result in a shifting of their weight, even if only momentary and a change in the pressure through the sealed volume, This changed pressure will be detected at pressure detector 52. Thus any pressure change or fluctuation measured by pressure detector 52 is indicative of movement of the patient supported on mattress 10.

I

Although aspects of the invention have been described with reference to the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiment shown and that various changes and modifications may be effected without further inventive skifl and effort. For example, although the embodiments describe a cover for a mattress, it is to be appreciated that such a cover may be effectively dimensioned to fit a cushion, chair, footstool or any other soft supporting surface where varying stretch across the fabric's length or width assists with accommodating the changes in contours of the underlying support.

Claims

CLAIMSI. A fabric cover of a resiliently deformable fabric material having fabric stretch properties, the cover having a length and a width and being resiliently deformable along the length and across the width, wherein the fabric stretch properties of the fabric material vary along the length of the cover.
2. A fabric cover according to claim I, wherein the fabric stretch properties of the fabric material vary along the width of the cover.
3. A fabric cover according to claim I or claim 2, comprising a first woven layer and a second waterproof layer, the two layers being bonded together.
4. A fabric cover according to claim 3, wherein the woven layer has a varied weave such that the stretch properties of the first layer vary along its length.
5. A fabric cover according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the woven layer has a varied weave such that the stretch properties of the first layer vary along its width.
6. A fabric cover according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the waterproof layer has uniform stretch properties along its length.
7. A fabric cover according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the waterproof layer has uniform stretch properties along its width.
8. A fabric cover according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the woven layer comprises any one or more of cotton, linen, nylon and polyester mix.
9. A fabric cover according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the waterproof layer comprises polyurethane andlor PVC.
10. A fabric cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover is dimension to cover a mattress, cushion, chair or footstool.

Ii. A mattress system comprising a. a fabric cover according to any preceding claim; and b. a mattress comprising a substantially planar base mattress defining a mattress arrangement receiving portion and a mattress arrangement received therein, the matutss arrangement comprising a substantially air-tight support portion, the support portion comprising first and second inter-linked chambers, which are inter-linked so as to allow air to flow therebetween, wherein the first chamber includes a resilient air-retention means, such that, in use, air is able to pass between the first and second inter-linked chambers in dependence upon external pressure applied to the support portion andior upon decompression of the resilient air-retention means, wherein the fabric cover is dimensioned to correspond to the mattress.