The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 11, 1990
Filed:
Jun. 28, 1989
Keith Gilroy, Upland, CA (US);
Gary T Limon, San Dimas, CA (US);
David F Buchicchio, Glendora, CA (US);
Bio Clinic Corporation, Rancho Cucamonga, CA (US);
Abstract
A foam pad containing slits in its upper surface is disclosed. In its preferred embodiment the pad is adapted to be positioned on a bed in a supporting relationship to a patient. The pad has head and foot supporting sections, each in the form of a convoluted checkerboard pattern of rows of peaks separated by depressions. A torso supporting section is located between the head and foot supporting sections comprising substantially parallel ribs separated by substantially parallel valleys. The slits are located on the torso supporting section, transverse to the ribs, forming a diamond-shaped area. Each slit varies in depth decreasing from the center of the pad towards the sides of the pad. Additionally, the overall depth of the slits is progressively shallower towards the head and foot supporting sections of the pad. In another embodiment, slits of the same configuration are used with a pad having a smooth upper surface which supports at least a portion of a body. The configuration of the slits cause the pad to be softer permitting the bony prominences of the body in contact with the slits, to sink deeper into the pad than other portions of the body. This substantially reduces the pressure placed on the skin covering these bony prominences thereby helping to prevent the formation of decubitus ulcers.