Heel pressure management apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A support surface apparatus comprising:
- a mattress including a plurality of heel support bladders located adjacent a foot end, the bladders each being independently adjustable to regulate pressure therein; and
a heel pressure user control interface configured to allow an operator to reduce the pressure in at least one selected heel support bladder to a pressure of about zero psi independently from the remaining heel support bladders adapted to provide pressure relief on heels of a patient lying on the mattress when the heels are located above the at least one selected heel support bladder.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sleep support surface includes a mattress having at least two bladders located adjacent a foot end. The bladders each have a predetermined, adjustable internal pressure. The pressure in at least one of the bladders is selectively and independently reduced to provide pressure relief on the heels of the patient lying on the mattress. The pressure in a bladder located toward the head end of the mattress and adjacent the at least one bladder is increased. This pressure increase advantageously provides the lifting force under the calves of the patient to reduce further pressure on the patient'"'"'s heels. A visual indication of the location each of the at least two bladders in the mattress is provided to facilitate selection of the at least one bladder in which to reduce pressure during the pressure reducing step, thereby providing pressure relief on the heels of the patient lying on the mattress. The at least one bladder in which to reduce the pressure is selected based on a position of the patient'"'"'s heels on the mattress relative to the visual indication of the location of each of the bladders.
71 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A support surface apparatus comprising:
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a mattress including a plurality of heel support bladders located adjacent a foot end, the bladders each being independently adjustable to regulate pressure therein; and a heel pressure user control interface configured to allow an operator to reduce the pressure in at least one selected heel support bladder to a pressure of about zero psi independently from the remaining heel support bladders adapted to provide pressure relief on heels of a patient lying on the mattress when the heels are located above the at least one selected heel support bladder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for providing pressure relief on heels of a patient lying on a support surface, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a mattress including a plurality of heel support bladders located adjacent a foot end, the bladders being independently adjustable to regulate pressure therein; and reducing the pressure in at least one selected bladder to a pressure of about zero psi independently from the remaining bladders to provide pressure relief on heels of a patient lying on the mattress when the heels are located above the at least one selected bladder. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification