Inflatable Mattress and Method for Positioning a Patient

• US 20080244830A1
• Filed: 09/28/2006
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DT Davis Enterprises Limited (ETAC AB)
• Original Assignee: Woodlark Circle
• Inventors: Davis, David T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,574,761 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 5/615
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/32 lying
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/02 with toilet conveniences, or specially adapted for use with toilets
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05769 with inflatable chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0755 for the legs or feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1026 Sliding sheets or mats
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1028 by a support moving on air cushion

Abstract

An inflatable mattress having an inflated torso support pad, a first leg extending out from a first portion of the inflated torso support pad, and a second leg spaced from the first leg and extending out from a second portion of the inflated torso support pad. The first leg and the second leg define a gap between them to allow the legs to be spread apart for toileting or cleaning of the patient, or deflated and rolled upon themselves so as to provide easy access to the patient during clinical procedures. A method is provided for positioning a patient with the inflatable mattress.

Claims

1. A mattress comprising;

an inflatable torso support pad;

an inflatable first leg extending out from a portion of said inflatable torso support pad;

an inflatable second leg spaced from said inflatable first leg and extending out from said portion of said inflatable torso support pad, and further wherein said first leg, said second leg, and said torso support pad are substantially simultaneously inflatable such that said inflatable first leg and said inflatable second leg define a gap between them so as to be movable between (i) a first adjacent position, and (ii) a second spaced-apart position.

4. A mattress according to claim 1 wherein said inflatable torso support pad includes an air inlet valve.

7. A mattress according to claim 1 wherein said first leg and said second leg are rolled upon themselves while in a substantially deflated state.

10. A mattress according to claim 1 wherein said inflatable first leg, said inflatable second leg, and said inflatable torso support pad each comprise a bottom panel that defines a plurality of perforations so as to form a transfer-capable inflatable mattress.

11. A mattress according to claim 1 including a top panel having a head portion, a first appendage portion, a second appendage portion, and a peripheral edge;

a bottom panel having a head portion, a first appendage portion, a second appendage portion, a peripheral edge, and a plurality of perforations; and

a perimeter band having a top edge and a bottom edge so that said peripheral edge of said top panel is sealingly fastened to said top edge of said perimeter band and said peripheral edge of said bottom panel is sealingly fastened to said bottom edge of said perimeter band, and further including an air inlet port positioned in a portion of said perimeter band.

12. A mattress according to claim 11 wherein said bottom panel defines a plurality of perforations so as to form a transfer-capable inflatable mattress.

13. A mattress according to claim 1 further defining a crotch between said first leg and said second leg at a terminal end of said gap.

14. A mattress according to claim 13 wherein said crotch comprises a shape comprising at least one of circular, trapezoidal, and oval.

15. A mattress according to claim 1 including a retaining strap extending from an end surface of said first leg to an end surface of said second leg so as to limit spreading of said legs during transport.

16. A mattress according to claim 12 including a retaining strap extending from an end surface of said inflatable first leg to an end surface of said inflatable second leg so as to limit spreading of said inflatable legs during transport.

2-3. -3. (canceled)

5-6. -6. (canceled)

8-9. -9. (canceled)

17-27. -27. (canceled)

30. A method of positioning a patient for treatment comprising:

(A) positioning said patient upon an inflatable mattress;

(B) inflating a torso support section, a first leg support section and a second leg support section simultaneously so as to fully support said patient;

(C) repositioning said selectively inflated mattress.

31. (canceled)

32. A method of positioning a patient for treatment comprising;

(A) positioning said patient upon an inflatable mattress comprising;

a deflated torso support section having an end;

a deflated first leg support section extending out from a portion of said end; and

a deflated second leg support section spaced from said deflated first leg support section and extending out from said portion of said end, wherein said deflated first leg support section and said deflated second leg support section define a gap between them;

(B) inflating said torso support section, said first leg support section and said second leg support section so as to fully support said patient;

(C) repositioning said inflated mattress.

33-40. -40. (canceled)