Reversed air mattress

• US 6,868,569 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2003
• Issued: 03/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Allen Medical Systems, Inc. (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Allen Medical Systems, Inc. (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: VanSteenburg, Kip
• Primary Examiner(s): Trettel, Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/348,474
• Publication Number:
  US 20040003471A1
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 570/9, 574/0, 5/9, 5 1/0, 572/7, 571/3
• US Class Current: 5/709
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/081 of pneumatic type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/088 incorporating elastic bodies, e.g. foam
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/144 inside the mattress or cushion
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/15 consisting of two or more layers A47C27/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/18 in combination with inflatable bodies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 5/91 with suction means

Abstract

A person-support apparatus for use with a suction source comprises a core having a one or more foam elements and a cover having an interior region in which the core is situated. The cover is in fluid communication with the suction source and the suction source operates to evacuate a portion of air from the interior region so that at least one of the foam elements is partially compressed within the interior region of the cover due to the evacuation of the portion of air.

Claims

1. A person-support apparatus for use with a suction source, the person-support apparatus comprising

a core having a first foam element, the first foam element having a vertical thickness, a horizontal length, and a horizontal width, the vertical thickness being smaller than both the horizontal length and the horizontal width when the first foam element is in an uncompressed state,

a cover having an interior region in which the core is situated, the first foam element filling at least a majority of the interior region, the cover having an opening in fluid communication with the suction source, the suction source operating to evacuate a portion of air from the interior region so that the first foam element is partially compressed within the interior region of the cover due to the evacuation of the portion of air, the interior region of the cover having a first volume and the first foam element, when in the uncompressed state, occupying a second volume that is larger than the first volume, and

a pressure regulator spaced from the cover, the pressure regulator being in fluid communication with the suction source and with the interior region.

2. The person-support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure regulator operates to establish a preset negative pressure in the interior region when suction is applied by the suction source to the pressure regulator.

3. The person-support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising

a second foam element outside the interior region and underlying the first foam element, the first foam element having a first indentation load deflection (ILD) value, and the second foam element having a second ILD value that is higher than the first ILD value.

4. The person-support apparatus of claim 3, wherein the second foam element has a vertical thickness that is smaller than the vertical thickness of the first foam element.

5. The person-support apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second foam element has a horizontal length that is longer than the horizontal length of the first foam element and the second foam element has a horizontal width that is wider than the horizontal width of the first foam element.

6. The person-support apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a foam frame having an opening in which at least a portion of the first foam element is situated.

7. The person-support apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first foam element has a first top surface, the foam frame has a second top surface, the first top surface is higher in elevation than the second top surface when the first foam element is in an uncompressed state, and the first top surface is substantially coplanar with the second top surface when a predetermined amount of suction is applied to the interior region by the suction source.

8. The person-support apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an outer casing encapsulating the core, the cover, the second foam element, and the foam frame.

9. The person-support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising

a foam frame having an opening in which at least a portion of the first foam element is situated.

10. The person-support apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first foam element has a first top surface, the foam frame has a second top surface, the first top surface is higher in elevation than the second top surface when the first foam element is in an uncompressed state, and the first top surface is substantially coplanar with the second top surface when a predetermined amount of suction is applied to the interior region by the suction source.

11. The person-support apparatus of claim 10, wherein the foam frame is situated outside the interior region.

12. The person-support apparatus of claim 10, further comprising an outer casing encapsulating the core, the cover, and the foam frame.

13. A person-support apparatus for use with a suction source, the person-support apparatus comprising

a core having a first foam element, the first foam element having a vertical thickness, a horizontal length, and a horizontal width, the vertical thickness being smaller than both the horizontal length and the horizontal width when the first foam element is in an uncompressed state,

a cover having an interior region in which the core is situated, the first foam element filling at least a majority of the interior region, the cover having an opening in fluid communication with the suction source, the suction source operating to evacuate a portion of air from the interior region so that the first foam element is partially compressed within the interior region of the cover due to the evacuation of the portion of air, the interior region of the cover having a first volume and the first foam element, when in the uncompressed state, occupying a second volume that is larger than the first volume, and

a pressure regulator in fluid communication with the suction source and with the interior region, the pressure regulator operating to establish a preset negative pressure in the interior region when suction is applied by the suction source, the pressure regulator being configured to permit adjustment of the preset negative pressure between at least first and second pressure values.

14. A person-support apparatus for use with a suction source, the person-support apparatus comprising

a core having a first foam element, the first foam element having a vertical thickness, a horizontal length, and a horizontal width, the vertical thickness being smaller than both the horizontal length and the horizontal width when the first foam element is in an uncompressed state,

a cover having an interior region in which the core is situated, the first foam element filling at least a majority of the interior region, the cover having an opening in fluid communication with the suction source, the suction source operating to evacuate a portion of air from the interior region so that the first foam element is partially compressed within the interior region of the cover due to the evacuation of the portion of air, the interior region of the cover having a first volume and the first foam element, when in the uncompressed state, occupying a second volume that is larger than the first volume,

a pressure regulator in fluid communication with the suction source and with the interior region, the pressure regulator operating to establish a preset negative pressure in the interior region when suction is applied by the suction source, and

a first conduit fluidly coupling the interior region to the pressure regulator and a second conduit fluidly coupling the pressure regulator to the suction source.

15. A person-support apparatus for use with a suction source, the person-support apparatus comprising

a core having a first foam element, the first foam element having a vertical thickness, a horizontal length, and a horizontal width, the vertical thickness being smaller than both the horizontal length and the horizontal width when the first foam element is in an uncompressed state,

a cover having an interior region in which the core is situated, the first foam element filling at least a majority of the interior region, the cover having an opening in fluid communication with the suction source, the suction source operating to evacuate a portion of air from the interior region so that the first foam element is partially compressed within the interior region of the cover due to the evacuation of the portion of air,

a pressure regulator in fluid communication with the suction source and with the interior region, the pressure regulator operating to establish a preset negative pressure in the interior region when suction is applied by the suction source,

a first conduit fluidly coupling the interior region to the pressure regulator, and

a second conduit fluidly coupling the pressure regulator to the suction source, wherein the second conduit comprises a hose and a quick-connect coupler mounted to the hose, the quick-connect coupler being attachable to and detachable from the suction source, the quick-connect coupler automatically opening when coupled to the suction source to permit application of suction to the interior region, and the quick-connect coupler automatically closing when decoupled from the suction source to prevent ambient air from flowing toward the interior region through the quick-connect coupler.

16. A person-support apparatus for use with a suction source, the person-support apparatus comprising

a core having a first foam element, the first foam element having a vertical thickness, a horizontal length, and a horizontal width, the vertical thickness being smaller than both the horizontal length and the horizontal width when the first foam element is in an uncompressed state, and

a cover having an interior region in which the core is situated, the first foam element filling at least a majority of the interior region, the cover having an opening in fluid communication with the suction source, the suction source operating to evacuate a portion of air from the interior region so that the first foam element is partially compressed within the interior region of the cover due to the evacuation of the portion of air, the interior region of the cover having a first volume and the first foam element, when in the uncompressed state, occupying a second volume that is larger than the first volume,

wherein the core includes a second foam element underlying the first foam element, the first foam element is characterized by a first indentation load deflection (ILD) value, and the second foam element is characterized by a second ILD value that is higher than the first ILD value.

17. The person-support apparatus of claim 16, wherein the second foam element has a vertical thickness that is smaller than the vertical thickness of the first foam element.

18. The person-support apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second foam element has a horizontal length that is substantially equivalent to the horizontal length of the first foam element and the second foam element has a horizontal width that is substantially equivalent to the horizontal width of the first foam element.

19. A person-support apparatus for use with a suction source, the person-support apparatus comprising

a core having a first foam element, the first foam element having a vertical thickness, a horizontal length, and a horizontal width, the vertical thickness being smaller than both the horizontal length and the horizontal width when the first foam element is in an uncompressed state,

a cover having an interior region in which the core is situated, the first foam element filling at least a majority of the interior region, the cover having an opening in fluid communication with the suction source, the suction source operating to evacuate a portion of air from the interior region so that the first foam element is partially compressed within the interior region of the cover due to the evacuation of the portion of air, and

a second foam element outside the interior region and underlying the first foam element, the first foam element having a first indentation load deflection (ILD) value, and the second foam element having a second ILD value that is higher than the first ILD value,

a foam frame having an opening in which at least a portion of the first foam element is situated, and

a conduit coupled to the cover in fluid communication with the interior region through the opening and a portion of the conduit being situated between the foam frame and the second foam element.

20. A person-support apparatus for use with a suction source, the person-support apparatus comprising

a core having a first foam element, the first foam element having a vertical thickness, a horizontal length, and a horizontal width, the vertical thickness being smaller than both the horizontal length and the horizontal width when the first foam element is in an uncompressed state,

a cover having an interior region in which the core is situated, the first foam element filling at least a majority of the interior region, the cover having an opening in fluid communication with the suction source, the suction source operating to evacuate a portion of air from the interior region so that the first foam element is partially compressed within the interior region of the cover due to the evacuation of the portion of air, the cover having a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart ends, the cover having a pair of transversely spaced-apart sides, and

a plurality of stabilizing members coupled to the sides and the ends of the cover.

21. The person-support apparatus of claim 20, wherein each stabilizing member is elongated and is arranged to extend substantially horizontally.

22. The person-support apparatus of claim 20, wherein the plurality of stabilizing members are grouped into a first set arranged to lie in a first horizontal plane and a second set arranged to lie in a second horizontal plane beneath the first horizontal plane.

23. The person-support apparatus of claim 22, wherein the first set of stabilizing members moves closer to the second set of stabilizing members when the portion of air is evacuated from the interior region.

24. The person-support apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a first set of spacers beneath the first set of stabilizing members and a second set of spacers above the second set of stabilizing members, the first set of spacers contacting the second set of spacers when the portion of air is evacuated from the interior region.

25. The person-support apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a plurality of flexible tie members and tying associated pairs of the plurality of flexible tie members together retains portions of the sides and the ends of the cover adjacent the core when the portion of air is evacuated from the interior region.

26. A person-support apparatus for use with a suction source, the person-support apparatus comprising

a core having a first foam element,

a cover having an interior region in which the core is situated, the interior region of the cover having a first volume and the first foam element, when in an uncompressed state, occupying a second volume that is larger than the first volume,

a first conduit coupled to the cover, the first conduit being in fluid communication with the interior region, and

a pressure regulator spaced from the cover, the pressure regulator being coupled to the conduit and coupled to the suction source, the suction source operating through the pressure regulator to evacuate a portion of air from the interior region so that the at least one foam element is partially compressed within the interior region due to the evacuation of the portion of air, the pressure regulator being configured to establish a preset negative pressure in the interior region.

27. A person-support apparatus for use with a suction source, the person-support apparatus comprising

a core having a first foam element,

a cover having an interior region in which the first foam element of the core is situated, the interior region of the cover having a first volume and the first foam element, when in an uncompressed state, occupying a second volume that is larger than the first volume,

a first conduit coupled to the cover, the first conduit being in fluid communication with the interior region, and

a pressure regulator coupled to the conduit and coupled to the suction source, the suction source operating through the pressure regulator to evacuate a portion of air from the interior region so that the at least one foam element is partially compressed within the interior region due to the evacuation of the portion of air, the pressure regulator being configured to establish a preset negative pressure in the interior region, the pressure regulator being configured to permit adjustment of the preset negative pressure between at least first and second pressure values.

28. The person-support apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a second conduit fluidly coupling the pressure regulator to the suction source.

29. A person-support apparatus for use with a suction source, the person-support apparatus comprising

a core having a first foam element,

a cover having an interior region in which the core is situated,

a first conduit coupled to the cover, the first conduit being in fluid communication with the interior region,

a pressure regulator coupled to the conduit and coupled to the suction source, the suction source operating through the pressure regulator to evacuate a portion of air from the interior region so that the at least one foam element is partially compressed within the interior region due to the evacuation of the portion of air, the pressure regulator being configured to establish a preset negative pressure in the interior region, wherein the pressure regulator is configured to permit adjustment of the preset negative pressure between at least first and second pressure values, and

a second conduit fluidly coupling the pressure regulator to the suction source, wherein the second conduit comprises a hose and a quick-connect coupler mounted to the hose, the quick-connect coupler being attachable to and detachable from the suction source, the quick-connect coupler automatically opening when coupled to the suction source to permit application of suction to the interior region, and the quick-connect coupler automatically closing when decoupled from the suction source to prevent ambient air from flowing toward the interior region through the quick-connect coupler.

30. A person-support apparatus for use with a suction source, the person-support apparatus comprising

a core having a first foam element,

a cover having an interior region in which the core is situated,

a first conduit coupled to the cover, the first conduit being in fluid communication with the interior region, and

a pressure regulator coupled to the conduit and coupled to the suction source, the suction source operating through the pressure regulator to evacuate a portion of air from the interior region so that the at least one foam element is partially compressed within the interior region due to the evacuation of the portion of air, the pressure regulator being configured to establish a preset negative pressure in the interior region,

wherein the core includes a second foam element underlying the first foam element, the first foam element is characterized by a first indentation load deflection (ILD) value, and the second foam element is characterized by a second ILD value that is higher than the first ILD value.

31. The person-support apparatus of claim 30, wherein the second foam element has a vertical thickness that is smaller than the vertical thickness of the first foam element.

32. The person-support apparatus of claim 31, wherein the second foam element has a horizontal length that is substantially equivalent to a horizontal length of the first foam element and the second foam element has a horizontal width that is substantially equivalent to a horizontal width of the first foam element.

33. A person-support apparatus for use with a suction source, the person-support apparatus comprising

a core having a first foam element,

a cover having an interior region in which the core is situated,

a first conduit coupled to the cover, the first conduit being in fluid communication with the interior region,

a pressure regulator spaced from the cover, the pressure regulator being coupled to the conduit and coupled to the suction source, the suction source operating through the pressure regulator to evacuate a portion of air from the interior region so that the at least one foam element is partially compressed within the interior region due to the evacuation of the portion of air, the pressure regulator being configured to establish a preset negative pressure in the interior region, and

a second foam element outside the interior region and underlying the first foam element, the first foam element having a first indentation load deflection (ILD) value, and the second foam element having a second ILD value that is higher than the first ILD value.

34. The person-support apparatus of claim 33, wherein the second foam element has a vertical thickness that is smaller than a vertical thickness of the first foam element.

35. The person-support apparatus of claim 34, wherein the second foam element has a horizontal length that is longer than a horizontal length of the first foam element and the second foam element has a horizontal width that is wider than a horizontal width of the first foam element.

36. The person-support apparatus of claim 33, further comprising a foam frame having an opening in which at least a portion of the first foam element is situated.

37. The person-support apparatus of claim 36, wherein the first foam element has a first top surface, the foam frame has a second top surface, the first top surface is higher in elevation than the second top surface when the first foam element is in an uncompressed state, and the first top surface is substantially coplanar with the second top surface when a predetermined amount of suction is applied to the interior region by the suction source.

38. The person-support apparatus of claim 36, further comprising an outer casing encapsulating the core, the cover, the second foam element, and the foam frame.

39. A person-support apparatus for use with a suction source, the person-support apparatus comprising

a core having a first foam element,

a cover having an interior region in which the core is situated,

a first conduit coupled to the cover, the first conduit being in fluid communication with the interior region,

a pressure regulator coupled to the conduit and coupled to the suction source, the suction source operating through the pressure regulator to evacuate a portion of air from the interior region so that the at least one foam element is partially compressed within the interior region due to the evacuation of the portion of air, the pressure regulator being configured to establish a preset negative pressure in the interior region,

a second foam element outside the interior region and underlying the first foam element, the first foam element having a first indentation load deflection (ILD) value, and the second foam element having a second ILD value that is higher than the first ILD value, and

a foam frame having an opening in which at least a portion of the first foam element is situated, the first conduit has a portion situated between the foam frame and the second foam element.

40. A person-support apparatus for use with a suction source, the person-support apparatus comprising

a core having a first foam element,

a cover having an interior region in which the core is situated,

a first conduit coupled to the cover, the first conduit being in fluid communication with the interior region,

a pressure regulator spaced from the cover, the pressure regulator being coupled to the conduit and coupled to the suction source, the suction source operating through the pressure regulator to evacuate a portion of air from the interior region so that the at least one foam element is partially compressed within the interior region due to the evacuation of the portion of air, the pressure regulator being configured to establish a preset negative pressure in the interior region, and

a foam frame having an opening in which at least a portion the first foam element is situated.

41. The person-support apparatus of claim 40, wherein the first foam element has a first top surface, the foam frame has a second top surface, the first top surface is higher in elevation than the second top surface when the first foam element is in an uncompressed state, and the first top surface is substantially coplanar with the second top surface when a predetermined amount of suction is applied to the interior region by the suction source.

42. The person-support apparatus of claim 41, wherein the foam frame is situated outside the interior region.

43. The person-support apparatus of claim 41, further comprising an outer casing encapsulating the core, the cover, and the foam frame.

44. A person-support apparatus for use with a suction source, the person-support apparatus comprising

a core having a first foam element,

a cover having an interior region in which the core is situated,

a first conduit coupled to the cover, the first conduit being in fluid communication with the interior region, and

a pressure regulator coupled to the conduit and coupled to the suction source, the suction source operating through the pressure regulator to evacuate a portion of air from the interior region so that the at least one foam element is partially compressed within the interior region due to the evacuation of the portion of air, the pressure regulator being configured to establish a preset negative pressure in the interior region,

wherein the cover has a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart ends, the cover has a pair of transversely spaced-apart sides, and further comprising a plurality of stabilizing members coupled to the sides and the ends of the cover.

45. The person-support apparatus of claim 44, wherein each stabilizing member is elongated and is arranged to extend substantially horizontally.

46. The person-support apparatus of claim 44, wherein the plurality of stabilizing members are grouped into a first set arranged to lie in a first horizontal plane and a second set arranged to lie in a second horizontal plane beneath the first horizontal plane.

47. The person-support apparatus of claim 46, wherein the first set of stabilizing members moves closer to the second set of stabilizing members when the portion of air is evacuated from the interior region.

48. The person-support apparatus of claim 46, further comprising a first set of spacers beneath the first set of stabilizing members and a second set of spacers above the second set of stabilizing members, the first set of spacers contacting the second set of spacers when the portion of air is evacuated from the interior region.

49. The person-support apparatus of claim 46, further comprising a plurality of flexible tie members and tying associated pairs of the plurality of flexible tie members together retains portions of the sides and the ends of the cover adjacent the core when the portion of air is evacuated from the interior region.

50. A person-support apparatus for supporting a patient in a hospital room having an outlet that is coupled to a suction source, the person-support apparatus comprising

a core having a first foam element,

a cover having an interior region in which the core is situated,

a first conduit coupled to the cover, the first conduit being in fluid communication with the interior region,

a pressure regulator coupled to the first conduit, and

a second conduit coupled to the pressure regulator and adapted to couple to the outlet in the hospital room, wherein when the second conduit is coupled to the outlet, a negative pressure having a magnitude established by the pressure regulator is created in the interior region of the cover to evacuate a portion of air from the interior region to partially compress the foam in the interior region.

51. The person-support apparatus of claim 50, wherein the pressure regulator is configured to permit adjustment of the magnitude of the negative pressure between at least first and second pressure values.

52. The person-support apparatus of claim 50, wherein the second conduit comprises a hose and a quick-connect coupler mounted to the hose, the quick-connect coupler being attachable to and detachable from the outlet, the quick-connect coupler automatically opening when coupled to the outlet to permit application of suction to the interior region, and the quick-connect coupler automatically closing when decoupled from the outlet to prevent ambient air from flowing toward the interior region through the quick-connect coupler.

53. The person-support apparatus of claim 50, wherein the core includes a second foam element underlying the first foam element, the first foam element is characterized by a first indentation load deflection (ILD) value, and the second foam element is characterized by a second ILD value that is higher than the first ILD value.

54. The person-support apparatus of claim 53, wherein the first foam element has a first vertical thickness, the second foam element has a second vertical thickness, and the second vertical thickness is smaller than the first vertical thickness.

55. The person-support apparatus of claim 54, wherein the first foam element has a first horizontal length and a first horizontal width, the second foam element has a second horizontal length that is substantially equivalent to the first horizontal length, and the second foam element has a second horizontal width that is substantially equivalent to the first horizontal width.

56. The person-support apparatus of claim 50, further comprising a second foam element outside the interior region and underlying the first foam element, the first foam element having a first indentation load deflection (ILD) value, and the second foam element having a second ILD value that is higher than the first ILD value.

57. The person-support apparatus of claim 56, wherein the first foam element has a first vertical thickness, the second foam element has a second vertical thickness, and the second vertical thickness is smaller than the first vertical thickness.

58. The person-support apparatus of claim 57, wherein the first foam element has a first horizontal length and a first horizontal width, the second foam element has a second horizontal length that is longer than the first horizontal length, and the second foam element has a second horizontal width that is wider than the first horizontal width.

59. The person-support apparatus of claim 56, further comprising a foam frame having an opening in which at least a portion of the first foam element is situated.

60. The person-support apparatus of claim 59, wherein the first foam element has a first top surface, the foam frame has a second top surface, the first top surface is higher in elevation than the second top surface when the first foam element is in an uncompressed state, and the first top surface is substantially coplanar with the second top surface when a predetermined amount of suction is applied to the interior region.

61. The person-support apparatus of claim 59, wherein the first conduit has a portion situated between the foam frame and the second foam element.

62. The person-support apparatus of claim 59, further comprising an outer casing encapsulating the core, the cover, the second foam element, and the foam frame.

63. The person-support apparatus of claim 50, further comprising a foam frame having an opening in which at least a portion of the first foam element is situated.

64. The person-support apparatus of claim 63, wherein the first foam element has a first top surface, the foam frame has a second top surface, the first top surface is higher in elevation than the second top surface when the first foam element is in an uncompressed state, and the first top surface is substantially coplanar with the second top surface when a predetermined amount of suction is applied to the interior region.

65. The person-support apparatus of claim 64, wherein the foam frame is situated outside the interior region.

66. The person-support apparatus of claim 64, further comprising an outer casing encapsulating the core, the cover, and the foam frame.

67. The person-support apparatus of claim 50, wherein the cover has a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart ends, the cover has a pair of transversely spaced-apart sides, and further comprising a plurality of stabilizing members coupled to the sides and the ends of the cover.

68. The person-support apparatus of claim 67, wherein each stabilizing member is elongated and is arranged to extend substantially horizontally.

69. The person-support apparatus of claim 67, wherein the plurality of stabilizing members are grouped into a first set arranged to lie in a first horizontal plane and a second set arranged to lie in a second horizontal plane beneath the first horizontal plane.

70. The person-support apparatus of claim 69, wherein the first set of stabilizing members moves closer to the second set of stabilizing members when the portion of air is evacuated from the interior region.

71. The person-support apparatus of claim 69, further comprising a first set of spacers beneath the first set of stabilizing members and a second set of spacers above the second set of stabilizing members, the first set of spacers contacting the second set of spacers when the portion of air is evacuated from the interior region.

72. The person-support apparatus of claim 69, further comprising a plurality of flexible tie members and tying associated pairs of the plurality of flexible tie members together retains portions of the sides and the ends of the cover adjacent the core when the portion of air is evacuated from the interior region.