Therapeutic mattress
A mattress for cushioning the body of a user that is economical to implement for the prevention, reduction and healing of decubitus ulcers and associated injuries. The mattress of the present invention provides a plurality of support to areas of the body of a user, as critical support areas and utilizes a plurality of voids, as air pouches, in non-critical support areas such as the back the back of the head and shoulders, the tailbone region, arms, elbows, hips, heels and feet, thereby to prevent, reduce and heal decubitus ulcers. In the preferred embodiment, the mattress is comprised wholly of fire-retardant, anti-microbial, variable density foam.
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application entitled, “THERAPEUTIC MATTRESS,” having Ser. No. 60/756,988, filed Jan. 6, 2006, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is generally related to a mattress, and more particularly is related to a therapeutic mattress used as a bed or a cushion which reduces pressure and compression forces for non-critical support areas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDecubitus ulcers, pressure ulcers, pressure sores, bedsores, or other localized tissue damage are risks for persons who are otherwise immobile or bedridden, or left to sit or lie in one position for a period of time. These injuries are at greatest risk to occur in the bony areas of the body, including the back of the head and shoulders, the tailbone region, arms, elbows, hips, heels and feet. The sores can occur with minimal pressure and compression forces, rubbing or friction that causes the deprivation of oxygen and nutrients to tissue, causing the formation of such sores. In some instances, these sores begin as minor skin irritations that are simply exacerbated by the compression, heat and moisture created by the body's weight and the mattress. These injuries can occur in persons of all ages during times of prolonged illness or immobility. The elderly are especially at risk because of the increased likelihood of debilitating medical condition with immobility. The development of these sores can lead to serious infection, which in some cases become life threatening.
The good news is that these injuries are preventable and such sores do occur, they do not have to get worse. Bedding or other cushioning that reduces or relieves compression effectively addresses the skin's vulnerability to injury. A variety of bedding and cushion arrangements have been proposed to reduce and relieve compression while in use. Generally these bedding and cushioning options include alternate design mattresses, foam, gel, or low pressure inflatable overlays, which lie on top of a regular mattress, or alternating pressure mattresses. However, these bedding and cushioning options are often expensive to implement and have not fully addressed the continuing problem of decubitus ulcers and associated injuries. Therefore, there remains an unaddressed need to address these deficiencies and inadequacies. The present invention is made in consideration of these identified circumstances and it is an object thereof to provide a mattress, as bedding or cushioning, which is economical to implement for the prevention, reduction and healing of decubitus ulcers and associated injuries.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe mattress of the present invention has a structure that provides a plurality of support to areas of the body of a user, as critical support areas and utilizes a plurality of voids, as air pouches, in non-critical support areas such as the back of the head and shoulders, the tailbone region, arms, elbows, hips, heels and feet, thereby to prevent, reduce and heal decubitus ulcers. In the preferred embodiment, the mattress is comprised wholly fire-retardant, anti-microbial, variable density foam. The preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes angular shapes in modular sections for the gradual support maximization in the critical support areas and reduction of pressure and compression force in the non critical support areas. Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the incorporated drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
Man aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the invention and, together with the description and claims, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout several views.
It is a principle object of the present invention to provide a mattress that is economical to implement for the prevention, reduction and healing of decubitus ulcers and associated injuries. More particularly, it is a principle object of the present invention to provide a therapeutic mattress which provides a plurality of support to areas of the body of a user, as critical support areas and utilizes a plurality of voids, as air pouches, in non-critical support areas such as the back the back of the head and shoulders, the tailbone region, arms, elbows, hips, heels and feet, thereby to prevent, reduce and heal decubitus ulcers.
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An alternate embodiment of the present invention is as a mattress which is intended for use as other than a single size mattress, for example a mattress intended for use as a double size mattress or larger. Additionally, it is intended that the scope of the present invention include a resized mattress as a single use cushion, including an affixed furniture cushion, a portable personal cushion or otherwise. In these additional embodiments, dimensions and layout of the angular shapes of the critical support layer would vary to accommodate the change in overall perimeter dimension, but the zones for reduction of pressure and compression forces would remain the same.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in, or will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from, the detailed description, figures and drawings and claims herein. The accompanying figures and drawings, which are incorporated herein by reference and constitute a part of this specification, additionally illustrate an embodiment of the invention. Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms and devices, such description is for illustrative purposes only. The words used are words of description rather than of limitation. Also, it should be further appreciated that modifications and variations to the specifically illustrated and discussed features and materials hereof may be practiced in various embodiments and uses of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, by virtue of present reference thereto. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the present invention should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiment contained herein. Still further, it is to be understood that different embodiments, as well as different presently preferred embodiments, of this invention, may include various combinations or configurations of presently disclosed features, elements, or their equivalents (including combinations of features or configurations thereof not expressly shown in the figures or stated in the detailed description). Such variations may include, but are not limited to, substitutions of the equivalent means, features, and materials for those shown or discussed, and the functional or positional reversal of various parts, features, or the like. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.
Claims
1. A mattress for use for the reduction of pressure and compression forces to a user, said mattress comprising:
- at least three modular sections for the gradual support of the user, each modular section having a defined thickness between an upper surface and a lower surface.
2. The mattress of claim 1, in which the modular sections are comprised of a fire retardant material capable of supporting the body of the user, such as foam.
3. The mattress of claim 1, in which the modular sections are comprised of or encased in a material with an anti-microbial means.
4. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the modular sections may be of any slashed, smooth, egg crate or any other design known in the industry.
5. The mattress of claim 1, wherein said modular sections further comprise a plurality of angular shapes for support to areas of the user's body and said modular sections further comprise a plurality of voids to reduce pressure and compression forces on areas of the user's body.
6. The mattress of claim 5, wherein said plurality of angular shapes are further comprised of shapes in substantially formed triangles, squares and rectangles.
7. The mattress of claim 5, wherein said plurality of voids reduce pressure and compression forces on the back of the head and shoulders, the tailbone region, arms, elbows, hips, heels and feet of the user.
8. The mattress of claim 6, wherein said plurality of angular shapes is further comprised of a series of independent shapes divisible position with respect to a center axis defining halves of said mattress.
9. The mattress of claim 1, wherein said mattress further comprises a substantially center axis defining halves of the mattress with the plurality of angular shapes divisibly positioned with respect to this axis.
10. A mattress for use for the reduction of pressure and compression forces to a user, said mattress comprising:
- a top layer having a defined thickness between an upper surface and a lower surface; and
- at least three modular sections, each modular section having a defined thickness between an upper surface and a lower surface, with said upper surface of modular section being fixed firmly to said lower surface of top layer.
11. The mattress of claim 10, wherein said top layer and said modular sections are a single member, capable of manual division.
12. The mattress of claim 10, in which the top layer and the modular sections are individually comprised of a material capable of supporting the body of the user, such as foam.
13. The mattress of claim 10, wherein said modular sections further comprise a plurality of angular shapes for support to areas of the user's body and said modular sections further comprise a plurality of voids to reduce pressure and compression forces on areas of the user's body.
14. The mattress of claim 13, wherein said voids are further comprised of cavities of air.
15. The mattress of claim 13, wherein said plurality of angular shapes are further comprised of shapes in substantially formed triangles, squares and rectangles.
16. The mattress of claim 15, wherein said plurality of angular shapes is further comprised of a series of independent shapes divisible position with respect to a center axis defining halves of said mattress.
17. The mattress of claim 10, in which a bottom layer, having defined thickness between an upper surface and a lower surface is fixed firmly to the lower surface of said modular section, as an intermediate layer between said top layer and said bottom layer.
18. A method of preventing, healing and reducing decubitus ulcers and associated injuries comprising placing a user on a mattress assembly comprising a top layer having a defined thickness between an upper surface and a lower surface; and at least three modular sections, each modular section having a defined thickness between an upper surface and a lower surface, with said upper surface of modular section being fixed firmly to said lower surface of top layer, wherein said modular sections further comprise a plurality of angular shapes for support to areas of the user's body and said modular sections further comprise a plurality of voids to reduce pressure and compression forces on areas of the user's body.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said plurality of angular shapes of the modular section are positioned with respect to a substantially center axis defining halves of the mattress.
20. The mattress of claim 18, wherein said top layer and said modular sections are a single member, capable of manual division.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 5, 2007
Publication Date: Jul 12, 2007
Inventor: Carl Pete Giggleman (Cross Hill, NC)
Application Number: 11/650,404
International Classification: A47C 27/14 (20060101);