INFLATABLE CELLULAR MATTRESS WITH ALTERNATING ZONES OF INFLATED CELLS
A cushion or mattress comprising a base and a plurality of linearly aligned individual air cells across the base. Groups of individual air cells can be interconnected and in fluid cooperation with an inflation source, such as a pump. In one aspect of the invention, the inflation of adjacent cells is staggered, for example, in a checkerboard-like inflation pattern that helps diffuse load over a wider area.
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This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/998,643 filed Oct. 12, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates generally to inflatable cushions and mattresses and, more specifically, an inflatable cellular mattress or cushion wherein the inflation pressure in adjacent air cells alternates.
Cushions, mattresses and mattress overlays intended for use by patients to help prevent skin and tissue damage or pressure sores are known. In general, such cushions, mattresses and mattress overlays are provided as fiber or foam filled cushions or mattresses, inflatable cushions or mattresses or inflatable cushions or mattresses comprising a plurality of individual inflatable air cells of various configurations. In general, the goal of such products is to distribute contact pressure or diffuse load over a wider area of the anatomy to reduce pressure points and thereby prevent or ameliorate pressure sores or decubitis ulcers. Although known cushions, mattresses and mattress overlays generally work well for their intended purposes, it is desirable to have such products that include improved means for diffusing load over a wider area.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA cushion or mattress comprising a base and a plurality of linearly aligned individual air cells across the base. Groups of individual air cells can be interconnected and in fluid cooperation with an inflation source, such as a pump and controller. In one aspect of the invention, the inflation of adjacent cells is staggered, for example, in a checkerboard-like inflation pattern. The alternating inflation patterns break up the pattern of pressure points on the user's anatomy.
One aspect of a mattress is indicated generally in figures by reference number 30. Mattress 30 can be comprised of individual sections, for example, three sections 32, 34, and 36, best seen in
In any event, each section, and hence the mattress as a whole, includes a base 41 with a plurality of linearly aligned individual inflation cells 42 arranged across the base forming longitudinal and transverse rows of individual cells. Individual inflation cells 42, are interconnected as will be discussed in reference to
As seen in
Mattress 30 also includes a controller 50. Controller 50 can be of any design and configuration that controls the actuation of pump 44 and the distribution of air into the sets of cells through the manifolds or solenoid valves as desired. Controller 50 can be computer operated by appropriately programmed software or can be function through the use of timers and electrical switches. It will be appreciated that the pump, controller and valve arrangement can be of any desired configuration so long as it provides the controlled inflation and deflation of groups of cells as will be described in greater detail.
As seen by comparing
Referring to
As seen in
It will be appreciated from the foregoing that that the arrangement and configurations of the mattress with alternating pressure cells is unlimited. They can have underlying mattresses, head sections, foot sections, or side rails. They can be sectional or one piece. They can have sections that include the alternating pressure air cells or do not include the alternative pressure air cells. They can include low air loss sections as well. Any arrangement or configuration that employs the alternating pressure air cells is intended to fall within the scope of the invention.
The rate of inflation and deflation, the internal cell pressure and interface pressure can be controlled or adjusted as desired. One skilled in the art will appreciate that individual parameters can be and will be adjusted depending upon patient size and body mass, condition of the user's skin and other factors.
The foregoing is an illustrative embodiment of the broader invention and a best mode of operation currently known to the inventors.
Claims
1. A mattress for support of a user, comprising:
- a base and a plurality of linearly aligned individual air cells across the base, said air cells being divided into at least two normally isolated groups of individual air cells, said air cells in each at least two groups being interconnected, each group being in fluid cooperation with an inflation source wherein the alternating inflation and deflation of each group of cells results in a staggered pattern of cells to break up the pattern of pressure points on a user's anatomy.
2. The mattress of claim 1 wherein the staggered pattern of inflated cells is a checkerboard pattern of inflated cells.
3. The mattress of claim 1 further comprising a controller for controlling the alternating inflation and deflation of the groups of cells.
4. A method of inflating alternating inflation of at least two groups of individual inflatable air cells to form an alternating pattern of inflated cells wherein the alternating inflation and deflation of each group of cells results in a staggered pattern to break up the pattern of pressure points on the user's anatomy comprising the steps of;
- Inflating a first group of cells;
- Inflating a second group of cells;
- deflating the first group of cells at a predetermined rate of deflation over a predetermined period of time, while the second group of cells remains inflated for same said predetermined period of time;
- re-inflating said first group of cells at a predetermined rate of inflation over a predetermined period of time, while the second group of cells remains inflated;
- deflating the second group of cells at a predetermined rate of deflation over a predetermined period of time, while the first group of cells remains inflated for same said predetermined period of time;
- re-inflating said second group of cells at a predetermined rate of inflation over a predetermined period of time, while the first group of cells remains inflated; and
- repeating said steps of deflating and re-inflating alternate groups of cells.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the inflated group of cells are inflated to an interface pressure of between the inflated cells and the user's anatomy of about 25 mmHG to about 200 mmHg.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the inflated group of cells are inflated to an interface pressure of between the inflated cells and the user's anatomy of about 25 mmHG to about 80 mmHg.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the inflated group of cells are inflated to an interface pressure of between the inflated cells and the user's anatomy of about 25 mmHG.
8. A mattress for support of a user, comprising:
- a base and a plurality of linearly aligned individual inflatable air cells across the base, said inflatable air cells being divided into at least two normally isolated groups of individual air cells, said air cells in each at least two groups being interconnected, each group being in fluid cooperation with an inflation source wherein the alternating inflation and deflation of each group of cells results in a staggered pattern of cells to break up the pattern of pressure points on a user's anatomy; a pump for inflating the cells and a controller operatively associate with the pump for controlling the alternating inflation and deflation of the groups of cells.
9. The mattress of claim 6 further comprising a manifold between said pump and said inflatable air cells.
10. The mattress of claim 6 comprising at least two mattress sections each section having at least two groups of normally isolated groups of individual air cells.
11. The mattress of claim 6 further comprising side rails.
12. The mattress of claim 6 further comprising a underlying inflatable mattress.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 10, 2008
Publication Date: Aug 19, 2010
Applicant: ROHO, INC. (Belleville, IL)
Inventors: David McCausland (Glen Carbon, IL), Paul A. Rickman (Belleville, IL), Dennis L. Clapper (Swansea, IL)
Application Number: 12/682,434
International Classification: A47C 27/10 (20060101);