Span-america Medical Systems, Inc.

Other

Richard W Raburn

Thomas S Hargest

John W Wilkinson

Russell James Weston

Edmund K Maier

Joseph A Benedict

Fred T Wickis, Jr

James Richard O'Reagan

Wanda C McKnight

Wanda J Totton

Mark D Chastain

Daniel J Schaefer

Robert E Ackley

Stephen H Sprigle

James R O'reagan

Russell J Weston

An air inflatable mattress and mattress coverlet are provided for the prevention and treatment of decubitus ulcers (i.e., pressure sores or bedsores). The mattress incorporates a user selectable static or alternating air powered support surface for more uniformly redistributing pressure exerted on a patient's skin. The mattress coverlet encompasses a low air loss feature independent of the mattress's user selectable air powered support surface. Such low air loss feature provides a patient contact surface exhibiting a high moisture vapor transfer ratio in conjunction with a forced air flow to aid in reducing the moisture and heat near the patient's body. Both the mattress and mattress coverlet are driven by an external control system which houses the user controls, as well as the necessary pumps, regulators, and valving.

Method for the treatment and prevention of decubitus ulcers for a patient due to interface of the patient with an air-powered low interface pressure overlay

Air-powered low interface pressure overlay

A mattress cover is disclosed for redirecting shear on a patient's skin away from the areas of the body relatively more likely to develop decubitus ulcers. The mattress cover includes an upper portion designed to cover the topside of a mattress, and at least one shear transfer zone attached to an underside of the upper portion of the mattress cover. The shear transfer zone(s) may be made of a low shear material so as to create a low friction interface between the mattress and the mattress cover to reduce shear forces exerted by the mattress. Additionally, the shear transfer zone(s) may be arranged such that a large portion of the shear forces exerted by the mattress can be redirected to areas of the body that are relatively less likely to develop decubitus ulcers.

Shear reducing mattress cover

Air-powered low interface pressure support surface

Multiple varieties of patient support surfaces are presented with a common modular assembly primarily including a perimeter chassis and integrated upper support element. Perimeter bolsters provide relatively firmer support for gently prompting a patient towards the center of the bed, without obstructing regular entry and egress. The added stability facilitates safer transfers and better sitting at the edge of the bed. Pressure redistribution air cylinders (turned either longitudinally or laterally) are captured by shaped, slotted inner bolsters and underside arches of an integral foam topper. Each foam topper integrally incorporated may include a sloping heel pressure relief section for redistributing load to relatively more pressure-tolerant lower legs and calves.

Patient support surfaces

A foam cushion suitable for use such as with a wheelchair provides a combination of general pressure relief and positioning control over legs of a patient possibly otherwise having reduced or impaired motor control skills. A desired leg position is achieved by separating the legs and supporting them in a generally parallel position. Two base pieces have predetermined upper profiles and are glued to an upper support element having integrated cubic elements for pressure relief. Channels between adjacent cubic elements facilitate flexure of the upper element to conform to the contours of the two base pieces. Relatively high ILD foam characteristics and relatively high foam densities combined with the subject structure give good results for support and for product life, including compression fatigue considerations.

Multi-section positioning wheelchair cushion

Multiple varieties of patient support surfaces are presented with a common modular assembly primarily including a perimeter chassis and integrated upper support element. Perimeter bolsters provide relatively firmer support for gently prompting a patient towards the center of the bed, without obstructing regular entry and egress. The added stability facilitates safer transfers and better sitting at the edge of the bed. Pressure redistribution air cylinders (turned either longitudinally or laterally) are captured by shaped, slotted inner bolsters aid underside arches of an integral foam topper. All such features work collectively to cradle and surround the air cylinders. The resulting interlocking, integrated design provides flexible progressive support while maximizing structural integrity. Different arrangements of air cylinders and static or dynamic performance thereof, either non-powered or powered, permit different embodiments to be created using the same modular assembly approach. Each foam topper integrally incorporated may include a sloping heel pressure relief section for redistributing load to relatively more pressure-tolerant lower legs and calves. At external valving arrangement for a static non-powered embodiment permits practice of a &ldquo;recharging&rdquo; technique using an air pump and self-calibrated valve, to return the air pressure in static air cylinders to their original manufactured specifications.

A seating system is designed for self-adjusting pressure relief for use with wheelchairs and other generally confined seating arrangements. One or more support chambers filled with resilient foam and a fluid such as air are arranged on an upper support surface. A self-adjusting reservoir is provided and arranged in fluid communication with the chamber. A constant force spring cooperates with a pivoting plate arrangement and acts on the reservoir so as to balance fluid pressure between the reservoir and the support chamber with a patient received thereon. In some embodiments, three fluid/resilient foam chambers may be provided for independent operation with three respective adjustable reservoirs. In other embodiments, fluid filled chambers may be operatively associated with respective reservoirs and pivoting actuation plates specially adapted to fit below a wheelchair seat without interfering with the wheelchair support structure, or specially adapted to be carried in a pack on the wheelchair seat back. Present arrangements may be modified for use with other seating conditions, such as geriatric chairs and seats for vehicles of all types.

Self-adjusting pressure relief seating system and methodology

A seating system is designed for self-adjusting pressure relief for use with wheelchairs and other generally confined seating arrangements. One or more support chambers filled with resilient foam and a fluid such as air are arranged on an upper support surface. Respective self-adjusting reservoirs are provided and arranged in fluid communication (such as through plastic tubing) with various of the chambers. As elastic band or similar is placed surrounding each respective reservoir, to compensate for, and reach equilibrium with, air pressure differences caused therein by the amount of force or loading received on the corresponding respective support chamber. The physical placement of the reservoir arrangements may be accommodated within an enclosing cover, so that an integrally formed self-contained wheelchair cushion or similar is provided with self-adjusting features, operative in respective zones of the support surface.

Wheelchair cushion with protectively encased self-adjusting reservoir

Wheelchair cushion

Head cradle

Foot support cushion

A pressure relief valve vent line mattress system utilizes a self-adjusting approach with a single air source to obtain in combination a low air loss feature for beneficial cooling and drying of a patient's skin. A single air supply source outputs a predetermined positive flow of air into one or more patient air support bladders. An air distribution manifold received within a mattress body receives and disperses overflow pressure routed thereto from the patient air support bladders via an air passageway having a first pressure relief valve with an established set point. A second pressure relief valve is associated with a pump return line adjunct to the constant air flow pump. The net effect is to disperse overflow pressure from the mattress bladders (tending to keep such bladders at a constant pressure) while providing low air loss through the mattress for patient cooling and drying effects, all utilizing a single air flow source.

Growing community of inventors

Simpsonville, SC, United States of America

Richard W Raburn