Method and apparatus for treating or preventing bed sores

• US 5,526,543 A
• Filed: 12/30/1993
• Issued: 06/18/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Connecticut Innovations, Inc. (State of Connecticut)
• Original Assignee: Nova Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: DiMatteo, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): TRETTEL, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/175,441
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 5/615, 5/81.1, 5/464, 5/465, 5/660, 5/935, 5/937, 5/453, 5/455, 5/903, 5/915
• US Class Current: 5/727
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/32 lying
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/34 sitting
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1002 with toilet facilities room closets, night chairs A47K11/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/001 with means for turning-over the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/005 tiltable around transverse horizontal axis, e.g. for Trendelenburg position rocking beds for physical therapy A61H1/003; hanging patient inclined downwardly for drawing him out A61H2203/0493
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/053 Aids for getting into, or out of, bed, e.g. steps, chairs, cane-like supports
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0573 with mattress frames having alternately movable parts adjustable mattress frames A61G7/015
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1021 Inflatable cushions
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1032 Endless belts
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1098 Ankle or foot

Abstract

A method and apparatus for preventing or treating bed sores is disclosed which includes a mattress arrangement having a mattress and depressing means for depressing from underneath the mattress at least one area in the mattress to relieve pressure on at least one bed sore area of a patient. The depressing means includes at least one depression pad connected to a cable threaded through the mattress and attached to a pulling means. Further, a plurality of depression pads can be used to alternatively tilt the patient to relieve pressure from a bed sore area and may be used in conjunction with a mattress raising means to further tilt the patient. An optional conveyor sheet is provided for positioning the patient over the various depressed areas and/or for transferring the patient off the mattress to a wheelchair or other support area.

Claims

1. A method for preventing or treating bed sore areas of a person lying on a mattress, wherein bed sore areas include areas which have bed sores, areas which are at risk of developing bed sores, or both, comprising the steps of:

a) pulling on a member from underneath the mattress to create a depression in the mattress; and

b) positioning at least one bed sore area over the depressed area of the mattress to relieve pressure on the at least one bed sore area.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the positioning step is accomplished by using a conveyor sheet.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the depression is created by pulling down on a depression pad.

4. A method as according to claim 3 wherein the depression pad is pulled down by the following steps:

a) attaching the depression pad to at least one cable;

b) pulling the at least one cable from underneath the mattress.

5. A method for preventing or treating bed sore areas of a person lying on a mattress having a surface, wherein bed sore areas include areas which have bed sores, areas which are at risk of developing bed sores, or both, comprising the steps of:

a) raising one side of the mattress to deform the mattress surface to tilt the person to the other side of the mattress to relieve pressure from at least one bed sore area; and

b) depressing the other side of the mattress to deform the mattress surface to further tilt the person.

6. A method according to claim 5 further comprising the step of untilting the person after a selected period of time to relieve pressure caused by tilting.

7. A method according to claim 6 further comprising the step of tilting the person to the other side on the mattress to relieve pressure from the at least one bed sore area.

8. A method according to claim 5 wherein the mattress raising step and mattress depressing step are performed simultaneously.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the mattress depressing step includes the step of pulling down on at least one depression pad.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the mattress raising step is performed by inflating an air bag underneath the mattress.

11. A mattress arrangement for preventing or treating bed sore areas of a person lying on a mattress, wherein bed sore areas include areas which have bed sores, areas which are at risk of developing bed sores, or both, comprising:

a) a mattress;

b) depressing means for depressing from underneath the mattress at least one area in the mattress to relieve pressure on at least one bed sore area.

12. A mattress arrangement according to claim 11 where the depressing means includes at least one depression pad.

13. A mattress arrangement according to claim 12 wherein the at least one depression pad is connected to at least one cable.

14. A mattress arrangement according to claim 13 wherein the at least one cable is threaded through the mattress and attached to a pulling means for pulling the at least one cable and the at least one depression pad.

15. A mattress arrangement according to claim 14 wherein the pulling means includes a shaft for winding and pulling the at least one cable.

16. A mattress arrangement according to claim 14 wherein the amount of depression is set by controlling the pulling means.

17. A mattress arrangement according to claim 11 wherein the depressing means can create a depression sufficient to tilt the person to one side of the mattress so as to relieve pressure from the at least one bed sore area.

18. A mattress arrangement according to claim 17 further comprising a mattress raising means to help tilt the person to relieve pressure from the at least one bed sore area.

19. A mattress arrangement according to claim 18 further comprising a control means for periodically causing the depressing means and raising means to tilt and untilt the person.

20. A mattress arrangement for treating or preventing bed sore areas on a person lying on a mattress and for transferring the person to a sitting position on a seat positioned at an end of the bed comprising:

a) a mattress;

b) means for depressing at least one area in the mattress from underneath the mattress to relieve pressure on at least one bed sore area;

c) a sheet extending over the mattress and means for moving the sheet to transport a person across the mattress and partially onto the seat; and

d) means for raising the mattress to lift the person to a sitting position on the seat.