Abstract: The present invention is an improved air cylinder for air mattresses primarily intended for hospitals, long-term care facilities and in-home use. Each elongated flexible air cylinder contains a foam member with a generally square cross-section and area to enclose a volume of air above the foam member. When one or more air cylinders are connected to a pump and pressure to air cylinders is increased, the area above the foam members enclosed by the flexible air cylinders inflates with air. The volume above the foam member in each flexible air cylinder can retain enough pressure to lift the portion of the patient's body above that air cylinder away from the resilient foam member. The flexible air cylinders may be connected to achieve an alternating pressure cycle where one set of air cylinders may be pressurized while other air cylinders are allowed to evacuate air and become depressurized.

Abstract: A foam core for a pressure reduction healthcare mattress is disclosed. It includes a top layer made of memory retention foam, a middle layer made of foam and having a convex shape that is higher along a longitudinal center line than along the two sides, and a lower support layer made of foam. The top layer is made of a torso piece and a softer foot/lower leg piece. The middle layer includes a heel pillow that fits into a heel pillow cavity in the foam, the heel pillow including layers of fiber material over a crown shaped foam insert. The lower support layer has a sloped portion in a lower leg section that slopes down toward a heel end of the foam core. Also disclosed is a pressure reduction healthcare mattress that includes the foam core and a cover.

Abstract: Air mattresses primarily intended for hospitals, long-term care facilities and in-home use are described. The mattress includes multiple foam layers and an air sector having multiple resilient foam filled air cylinders. The air cylinders at different locations are filled with foam having different density (firmness); some are filled with multiple layers of foam. Each air cylinder has an air inlet connected to the atmosphere by an inlet valve and an air outlet. The air outlets are either connected to one or more restricted internal check outlet valves in a non-powered air mattress, or connected to a pump via hose connectors in a powered air mattress. The restricted outflow of air from the cylinders in a non-powered air mattress allows the patient to slowly settle into the supportive foam layers for optimal interface pressure distribution. The air cylinders re-inflate when the patient adjusts position or is vacated from the surface.

Abstract: Air mattresses primarily intended for hospitals, long-term care facilities and in-home use are described. The mattress includes multiple foam layers and an air sector having multiple resilient foam filled air cylinders. The air cylinders at different locations are filled with foam having different density (firmness); some are filled with multiple layers of foam. Each air cylinder has an air inlet connected to the atmosphere by an inlet valve and an air outlet. The air outlets are either connected to one or more restricted internal check outlet valves in a non-powered air mattress, or connected to a pump via hose connectors in a powered air mattress. The restricted outflow of air from the cylinders in a non-powered air mattress allows the patient to slowly settle into the supportive foam layers for optimal interface pressure distribution. The air cylinders re-inflate when the patient adjusts position or is vacated from the surface.

Abstract: A foam core for a pressure reduction healthcare mattress is disclosed. It includes a top layer made of memory retention foam, a middle layer made of foam and having a convex shape that is higher along a longitudinal center line than along the two sides, and a lower support layer made of foam. The top layer is made of a torso piece and a softer foot/lower leg piece. The middle layer includes a heel pillow that fits into a heel pillow cavity in the foam, the heel pillow including layers of fiber material over a crown shaped foam insert. The lower support layer has a sloped portion in a lower leg section that slopes down toward a heel end of the foam core. Also disclosed is a pressure reduction healthcare mattress that includes the foam core and a cover.

Abstract: A linen securing device for securing bed linen, such as sheets, blankets and/or comforters to the mattress of a bed is disclosed. The linen securing device of the present invention comprises a strap that is mounted diagonally across the corner area of the bottom surface of a mattress in at least one corner of the mattress. The strap has an interior surface facing the bottom surface of the mattress and an exterior surface, may be elastic, at least in part, and serves to secure the corner area of a sheet against the bottom surface of the mattress. During use of the linen securing device of the present invention, a flat bed sheet is draped across the top surface of the mattress. The corner area of the sheet is gathered and is placed over the exterior surface of the strap of the linen securing device and is then tucked underneath the linen securing device strap in a "reverse tuck" position between the interior surface of the strap and the bottom surface of the mattress.

Abstract: A mattress to prevent the creation of pressure sores having a heel pillow portion intended for use in healthcare facilities having replaceable parts is disclosed. The heel pillow mattress of the present invention is made of foam and has a cavity located at the foot area of the mattress for containing a pillow therein. A soft, resilient pillow insert contained within the cavity provides cushion for the heels of a patient lying on the mattress. A layer of foam covers the top of the cavity containing the pillow insert. This layer of foam has a low indentation force deflection (IFD) to provide a high degree of cushioning for the heels. This layer of foam together with the pillow insert beneath it, provide increased cushioning when a patient's heels apply a downward force on the mattress so that as the heels sink into the mattress, the foam layer and the pillow insert give way to the downward force of the heels and the mattress cradles the heels.

Abstract: A mattress intended for use in hospital facilities, and having replaceable parts is disclosed. The mattress is made up of an upper layer of one foam material and a lower thicker layer, itself having two layers. The first lower layer is constructed to give a reclining body flexible support. The second lower layer supports and acts as a base for the first lower layer. The upper and lower foam layers are covered by a water and moisture impervious cover. The cover is formed in two halves, an upper half enclosing the upper layer on the top and sides and a lower half enclosing the lower layer on the bottom, the sides and a portion of the top. The two halves of the cover are joined together by a zipper around the side walls of the mattress to entirely enclose two inner foam layers.