Anti-decubitus mattress pad

• US 5,511,260 A
• Filed: 04/18/1994
• Issued: 04/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company), Alden B. Hanson, Alden Laboratories, Inc., Chris A. Hanson, Eric C. Jay, Flowfit Medical, LLC, JAY Medical, Ltd., Pressure Relief Technologies, Inc., Quickie Designs, Inc., Sunrise Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: RIK Medical LLC (3M Company)
• Inventors: Runkles, Richard R., Denton, Grant C., Dinsmoor, John C. III, Jay, Eric C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grosz, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US08/229,369
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 5/451, 5/449, 5/481, 5/470, 5/471, 5/455, 5/654, 5/926
• US Class Current: 5/676
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/144 inside the mattress or cushion
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/148 of different resilience
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05715 with modular blocks, or inserts, with layers of different material
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05738 with fluid-like particles, e.g. sand, mud, seeds, gel, beads
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 5/909 Flowable viscous, e.g. gel material containing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 5/922 with hook and loop type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 5/926 Low friction, e.g. slippery material

Abstract

A mattress pad primarily intended for use with a standard hospital bed frame to reduce the development of decubitus ulcers or bed sores in patients using the pad. The pad is multi-layered and includes a cover or casing containing interior strata of a plastic film layer atop a fluid bladder layer supported on an underlying layer of foam. The pad is specially designed to reduce lateral and normal pressures and forces on the patient which can lead to the development of such ulcers. The reduction of the lateral shearing forces is accomplished in a number of ways including by oversizing the plastic film layer and fluid bladder layer on the underlying layer of foam and by positioning microbeads between the plastic film layer and fluid bladder layer to dramatically reduce the frictional drag or lateral shearing forces between the layers. Similarly, the normal pressures and forces are reduced and controlled in a number of manners including oversizing, modifying the configuration, filling, and size of the discrete fluid pouches of the fluid bladder layer, and varying the spring characteristics of the support columns in the underlying foam layer by hollowing them out to differing degrees, adjusting their spacing, and selectively tying adjacent columns together.

Claims

1. A multi-layered pad primarily intended for use to reduce development of decubitus ulcers in a patient using the pad minimizing development of lateral shear forces on the patient as the patient moves over the pad, said multi-layered pad including:

first and second layers, said first layer being positioned atop said second layer, said second layer including a bladder containing fluid and said first layer being a lateral shear reducing layer and including means for creating fold backs in said first, shear reducing layer wherein portions of said first layer fold back on and overlap one another above said second, fluid bladder layer and wherein said first and second layers have respective boundaries bounding respective areas and said pad further includes means for attaching said first and second layers to each other at at least one location within said respective boundaries of said first and second layers to limit any relative sliding movement between said first and second layers.

2. The multi-layered pad of claim 1 wherein said first, shear reducing layer is a plastic film.

3. The multi-layered pad of claim 1 wherein said fluid in said bladder has a viscosity greater than the viscosity of water.

4. The multi-layered pad of claim 3 wherein said fluid is a highly viscous liquid.

5. The multi-layered pad of claim 1 wherein said bladder includes a plurality of discrete pouches containing said fluid.

6. The multi-layered pad of claim 1 wherein said attaching means includes a seam.

7. The multi-layered pad of claim 6 wherein said seam extends substantially linearly.

8. The multi-layered pad of claim 1 wherein said attaching means attaches said first and second layers to each other at at least one spot within said respective boundaries of said first and second layers.

9. A multi-layered pad primarily intended for use to reduce development of decubitus ulcers in a patient using the pad by minimizing development of lateral shear forces on the patient as the patient moves over the pad, said multi-layered pad including:

first and second layers, said first layer being positioned atop said second layer, said second layer including a bladder containing fluid and said first layer being a lateral shear reducing layer and including means for creating fold backs in said first, shear reducing layer wherein portions of said first layer fold back on and overlap one another above said second, fluid bladder layer and further including lubricant between said first and second layers to enhance relative sliding movement between the first and second layers.

10. The multi-layered pad of claim 9 wherein said lubricant is a substantially dry lubricant.

11. The multi-layered pad of claim 9 wherein said first, shear reducing layer is a plastic film.

12. The multi-layered pad of claim 9 wherein said fluid in said bladder has a viscosity greater than the viscosity of water.

13. The multi-layered pad of claim 12 wherein said fluid is a highly viscous liquid.

14. The multi-layered pad of claim 9 wherein said bladder includes a plurality of discrete pouches containing said fluid.

15. A multi-layered pad primarily intended for use to reduce development of decubitus ulcers in a patient using the pad by minimizing development of lateral shear forces on the patient as the patient moves over the pad, said multi-layered pad including:

first and second layers, said first layer being positioned atop said second layer, said second layer including a bladder containing fluid and said first layer being a lateral shear reducing layer and including means for creating fold backs in said first, shear reducing layer wherein portions of said first layer fold back on and overlap one another above said second, fluid bladder layer and wherein said first and second layers have respective boundaries bounding respective areas and said pad further includes means for sealingly securing said first layer to said second layer substantially about and adjacent the respective boundaries thereof.

16. The multi-layered pad of claim 15 wherein said first, shear reducing layer is a plastic film.

17. The multi-layered pad of claim 15 wherein said fluid in said bladder has a viscosity greater than the viscosity of water.

18. The multi-layered pad of claim 17 wherein said fluid is a highly viscous liquid.

19. The multi-layered pad of claim 15 wherein said bladder includes a plurality of discrete pouches containing said fluid.

20. A multi-layered pad primarily intended for use to reduce development of decubitus ulcers in a patient using the pad by minimizing development of lateral shear forces on the patient as the patient moves over the pad, said multi-layered pad including:

first and second layers, said first layer being positioned atop said second layer, said second layer including a bladder containing fluid and said first layer being a lateral shear reducing layer and including means for creating fold backs in said first, shear reducing layer wherein portions of said first layer fold back on and overlap one another above said second, fluid bladder layer and further including a third layer of non-rigid, soft material, said first and second layers being positioned atop said third layer wherein said first and third layers have respective boundaries bounding respective areas and said pad further includes means for securing said first and third layers substantially about and adjacent the boundaries thereof wherein the bounded area of said first layer is oversized relative to the bounded area of said third layer.

21. The multi-layered pad of claim 20 wherein said third layer is made of non-rigid, soft foam.

22. The multi-layered pad of claim 20 wherein said second layer has a boundary and the areas bounded by the boundaries of said first and second layers are substantially the same.

23. The multi-layered pad of claim 20 wherein said first, shear reducing layer is a plastic film.

24. The multi-layered pad of claim 20 wherein said fluid in said bladder has a viscosity greater than the viscosity of water.

25. The multi-layered pad of claim 24 wherein said fluid is a highly viscous liquid.

26. The multi-layered pad of claim 20 wherein said bladder includes a plurality of discrete pouches containing said fluid.

27. A multi-layered mattress pad primarily intended to reduce development of decubitus ulcers in a patient using the mattress pad and to control relative movement of the patient over different sections of the mattress pad, said mattress pad including:

head, foot, and middle sections,

said middle section being intended to support the patient'"'"'s buttocks and having first and second layers with said first layer being positioned atop said second layer and being slidably movable relative to and over said second layer,

at least one of said head and foot sections having first and second layers with said first layer being positioned atop said second layer and being slidably movable relative to and over said second layer, and

said mattress pad further includes means for limiting the relative sliding movement between the first and second layers of said middle section supporting the patient'"'"'s buttocks wherein the relative sliding movement of the first and second layers of said middle section is substantially more limited than the relative sliding movement between the first and second layers of the one of said head and foot sections.

28. The multi-layered mattress pad of claim 27 wherein said second layer of said one of said head and foot sections is a bladder containing fluid.

29. The multi-layered mattress pad of claim 28 wherein said first layer of said one of said head and foot sections is a plastic film.

30. The multi-layered mattress pad of claim 27 wherein one of said first and second layers of said middle section is a bladder containing fluid.

31. The multi-layered mattress pad of claim 30 wherein said fluid in said bladder has a viscosity greater than the viscosity of water.

32. The multi-layered mattress pad of claim 31 wherein said fluid is a highly viscous liquid.

33. The multi-layered mattress pad of claim 30 wherein said bladder includes a plurality of discrete pouches containing said fluid.

34. The multi-layered mattress pad of claim 27 further including means for elevating at least the one of said head and foot sections above said middle section wherein the more limited relative movement of the first and second layers of said middle section helps to limit the overall movement of the patient over the mattress pad.

35. The multi-layered mattress pad of claim 34 further including means for elevating the other of said head and foot sections above said middle section.

36. The multi-layered mattress pad of claim 27 wherein the other of said head and foot sections has first and second layers with said first layer being positioned atop said second layer and being slidably movable relative to and over said second layer.

37. The multi-layered mattress pad of claim 36 wherein said limiting means of said middle section substantially more limits the relative sliding movement of the first and second layers of said middle section compared to the relative sliding movement between the first and second layers of the respective head and foot sections.

38. The multi-layered mattress pad of claim 27 wherein said first and second layers of said middle section have respective boundaries bounding respective areas and said limiting means further includes means for attaching said first and second layers of said middle section to each other at at least one location within said respective boundaries of said first and second layers to limit the relative lateral sliding movement between said first and second layers.

39. The multi-layered mattress pad of claim 38 wherein said attaching means includes a seam.

40. The multi-layered mattress pad of claim 39 wherein said seam extends substantially linearly.

41. The multi-layered mattress pad of claim 38 wherein said attaching means attaches said first and second layers to each other at at least one spot within said respective boundaries of said first and second layers.

42. The multi-layered mattress pad of claim 27 wherein each of said middle section and said one of said head and foot section further includes a third layer of non-rigid, soft material, said first and second layers being positioned atop said third layer.

43. The multi-layered mattress pad of claim 42 wherein said third layer is made of non-rigid, soft foam.

44. The multi-layered mattress pad of claim 42 wherein said first and third layers of said middle section have respective boundaries bounding respective areas and said mattress pad further includes means for securing said first and third layers substantially about and adjacent the boundaries thereof wherein the bounded area of said first layer is oversized relative to the bounded area of said third layer.

45. The multi-layered mattress pad of claim 44 wherein said second layer of said middle section has a boundary and the areas bounded by the boundaries of said first and second layers are substantially the same.

46. A multi-layered pad primarily intended for use to reduce development of decubitus ulcers in a patient using the pad by minimizing development of lateral shear forces on the patient as the patient moves over the pad, said multi-layered pad including:

first and second layers, said first layer being positioned atop said second layer and being a lateral shear reducing layer,

said first and second layers having respective boundaries bounding respective areas wherein the area bounded by the first layer is about two to about four times the area bounded by the second layer wherein said first layer is substantially oversized relative to the second layer, and

means for securing said first and second layers relative to each other substantially about and adjacent said boundaries of said first and second layers wherein portions of said oversized first layer within the boundary thereof can move significantly relative to overlain portions of said second layer with said first and second layers remaining secured relative to each other substantially about and adjacent said boundaries.

47. The multi-layered pad of claim 46 wherein said first layer is a plastic film.

48. The multi-layered pad of claim 47 wherein said second layer is non-rigid, soft foam.

49. The multi-layered pad of claim 46 wherein the area bounded by the boundary of said first layer is substantially larger in substantially all directions than the area bounded by the boundary of said second layer.

50. The multi-layered pad of claim 46 further including an additional layer positioned between said first and second layers, said additional layer being a bladder containing fluid.

51. The multi-layered pad of claim 50 wherein said fluid in said bladder has a viscosity greater than the viscosity of water.

52. The multi-layered pad of claim 51 wherein said fluid is a highly viscous liquid.

53. The multi-layered pad of claim 50 wherein said bladder includes a plurality of discrete pouches containing said fluid.

54. The multi-layered pad of claim 50 further including lubricant between said first and additional layers to enhance relative sliding movement between the first and additional layers.

55. The multi-layered pad of claim 54 wherein said lubricant is a substantially dry lubricant.

56. The multi-layered pad of claim 50 wherein said first and additional layers have respective boundaries bounding respective areas and said pad further includes means for sealingly securing said first layer to said additional layer substantially about and adjacent the respective boundaries thereof.

57. The multi-layered pad of claim 50 wherein said first and additional layers have respective boundaries and the areas bounded by the boundaries of said first and additional layers are substantially the same.