Cushioning device including a restraint structure

• US 6,739,001 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2002
• Issued: 05/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gaymar Industries Incorporated (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Pepe, Gregory J., Flick, Roland E.
• Primary Examiner(s): LUU, TUYET PHUONG PHAM
• Application Number:
  US10/134,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20020170117A1
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 569/1, 571/4, 571/2, 570/6, 570/7, 570/9, 542/4, 542/5
• US Class Current: 5/425
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/32 lying
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/001 with means for turning-over the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0507 Side-rails
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0513 covering particular sections of the bed, e.g. one or more partial side-rail sections along the bed
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0525 Side-bolsters rests specially adapted for beds A61G7/065; non-medical devices for prevention against falling-out A47C21/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05707 with integral, body-bearing projections or protuberances
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05769 with inflatable chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1021 Inflatable cushions

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cushioning device including an inflatable cushion having at least one side and first and second opposing surfaces, and at least one restraint structure attached to at least a portion of the at least one side of the inflatable cushion.

Claims

1. A cushioning device comprising:

an inflatable cushion having at least one side and first and second opposing surfaces, and

at least one inflatable restraint structure attached to at least a portion of the at least one side of the inflatable cushion and is in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion;

wherein the pressure provided by the at least one restraint structure is greater than the pressure provided by the inflatable cushion.

2. The cushioning device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one non-inflatable restraint structure comprised of a foam material, foam beads, gel, or batting.

3. The cushioning device according to claim 1 comprising up to four restraint structures.

4. The cushioning device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure provided by the at least one restraint structure is from about 10 to about 20 mmHg greater than the pressure provided by the inflatable cushion.

5. The cushioning device according to claim 1, wherein at least one restraint structure extends beyond the first surface of the inflatable cushion.

6. The cushioning device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one restraint structure extends beyond the first and second opposing surfaces of the inflatable cushion.

7. The cushioning device according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable cushion comprises at least one inflatable bladder.

8. The cushioning device according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable cushion further comprises:

a plurality of micro-vents in the first surface of the inflatable cushion.

9. The cushioning device according to claim 1 further comprising:

a pressure sensing device operably connected to the inflatable cushion.

10. A cushioning system comprising:

an inflatable cushion having at least one side and first and second opposing surfaces;

at least one inflatable restraint structure attached to at least a portion of the at least one side of the inflatable cushion and is in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion; and

an inflation device operably connected to the inflatable cushion

wherein the pressure provided by the at least one restraint surface is greater than the pressure provided by the inflatable cushion.

11. The cushioning system according to claim 10, further comprising at least one non-inflatable restraint structure comprised of a foam material, foam beads, gel, or batting.

12. The cushioning system according to claim 10 comprising up to four restraint structures.

13. The cushioning system according to claim 10, wherein the pressure provided by the at least one restraint structure is from about 10 to about 20 mmHg greater than the pressure provided by the inflatable cushion.

14. The cushioning system according to claim 10, wherein the pressure provided by the at least one restraint structure extends beyond the first surface of the inflatable cushion.

15. The cushioning system according to claim 10, wherein the pressure provided by the at least one restraint structure extends beyond the first and second opposing surfaces of the inflatable cushion.

16. The cushioning system according to claim 10, wherein the inflatable cushion comprises at least one inflatable bladder.

17. The cushioning system according to claim 10, wherein the inflatable cushion comprises:

a plurality of micro-vents in the first surface of the inflatable cushion.

18. The cushioning system according to claim 10 further comprising:

a pressure sensing device operably connected to the inflatable cushion.

19. The cushioning system according to claim 10, wherein the inflation device is a pump.

20. The cushioning system according to claim 10 further comprising:

a support structure positioned adjacent and in contact with the second surface of the inflatable cushion.

21. A method for restraining a user on a cushioning device comprising:

positioning a cushioning device on a supporting structure, the cushioning device comprising an inflatable cushion having at least one side and first and second opposing surfaces, and at least one inflatable restraint structure attached to at least a portion of the at least on side of the inflatable cushion; and

inflating the inflatable cushion and the at least one inflatable restraint structure is in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion and wherein the pressure provided by the at least one restraint surface is greater than the pressure provided by the inflatable cushion.