METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A DYNAMIC SUPPORT MATTRESS TO TREAT AND REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF PRESSURE ULCERS

• US 20160193096A1
• Filed: 03/14/2016
• Published: 07/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Offloading Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Offloading Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Dyevich, Michael, Butler, Glenn
• Granted Patent: US 10,548,789 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/142 with projections, depressions or cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/144 inside the mattress or cushion
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/146 on the outside surface of the mattress or cushion
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/148 of different resilience
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/15 consisting of two or more layers A47C27/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05715 with modular blocks, or inserts, with layers of different material
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05723 with cut-outs or depressions in order to relieve the pressure on a part of the body mattresses with cavities A47C27/142

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for preventing and treating pressure ulcers in bedfast patients. The invention includes providing a non-powered mattress having a first zone adapted to conform to a first body part and a second zone adapted to provide support to a second body part, and off-loading interface pressure on the first body part to the second body part by dynamically increasing the support provided to the second body part by the second zone based on a weight of the first body part on the first zone. The off-loading of interface pressure from the first body part to the second body part equalizes blood oxygen saturation in tissue of the first and second body parts. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.

Claims

1. A support including:

a base structure formed from a single piece of a first material having a first density, the base structure extending a full length of the support and including a well with non-vertical, graduated sides;

a core layer formed from a single piece of second material having a second density, the core layer extending a full width of the base structure and having a non-rectangular trapezoidal prism shape that is wider at a top surface than at a bottom surface and is shaped to fit flush within the well in the base structure; and

a top layer formed from a third material having a third density, the top layer covering the core layer and at least a portion of the base structure,

wherein the second density of the core layer is different than the first density of the base structure.

2. The support of claim 1 further comprising a calf pillow formed from a fourth material having a fourth density, wherein the calf pillow is adapted to cover a portion of the base structure not covered by the top layer.

3. The support of claim 2 further comprising a heel cushion formed from a fifth material having a fifth density, wherein the heel cushion is adapted to cover a portion of the base structure not covered by the top layer or the calf pillow.

4. The support of claim 3 wherein the fourth density is greater than the fifth density.

5. The support of claim 1 wherein the second density is greater than the first density.

6. The support of claim 1 wherein the core layer has an inverted trapezoidal prism shape.

7. A mattress for preventing and treating pressure ulcers in bedfast patients, the mattress including:

a first zone adapted to support a scapular area of a patient;

a second zone adjacent the first zone and adapted to support at least a sacrum area of the patient; and

a third zone adjacent the second zone and adapted to support a leg area of the patient,

wherein the second zone includes a structure adapted to compress the first and third zones based on weight applied to the second zone, and

wherein compressing the first zone increases the support provided to the patient by the first zone and compressing the third zone increases the support provided to the patient by the third zone.

8. The mattress of claim 7 wherein the structure adapted to compress the first and third zones includes a trapezoidal prism shaped layer.

9. The mattress of claim 8 wherein the trapezoidal prism shaped layer is disposed to have a base facing the patient.

10. The mattress of claim 8 wherein the trapezoidal prism shaped layer is formed from foam material having a first density.

11. The mattress of claim 10 wherein the first and third zones are formed from foam material having at least a second density, and wherein the first density is different than the second density.

12. The mattress of claim 11 wherein the first density is greater than the second density.

13. The mattress of claim 7 wherein the third zone includes a calf zone formed from foam material having a third density greater than the first density.

14. A method of preventing and treating pressure ulcers in bedfast patients, the method comprising:

providing a non-powered mattress having a first zone adapted to conform to a first body part and a second zone adapted to provide support to a second body part; and

off-loading interface pressure on the first body part to the second body part by dynamically increasing the support provided to the second body part by the second zone based on a weight of the first body part on the first zone,

wherein the off-loading of interface pressure from the first body part to the second body part equalizes blood oxygen saturation in tissue of the first and second body parts.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the first body part includes the sacrum.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the second body part includes an area adjacent the sacrum.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein off-loading interface pressure includes applying the weight of the first body part to compress the mattress in the second zone.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein dynamically increasing the support provided to the second body part by the second zone includes compressing the second zone to increase the density of the second zone.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the second zone is compressed an amount based on the weight of the first body part on the first zone.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein compressing the second zone includes providing a mattress component adapted to translate force from the weight of the first body part on the first zone to force on the second zone.