[0001] This disclosure relates generally to person support surfaces. More particularly,
but not exclusively, one illustrative embodiment relates to person-support surfaces
including a non-powered mattress with temperature and moisture regulating topper coupled
thereto.
[0002] Patients lying on non-powered person support surfaces for extended periods of time
can be susceptible to the development of pressure ulcers. While various non-powered
person-support surfaces have been developed, there is still room for improvement.
Thus, a need persists for further contributions in this area of technology.
[0003] One illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure includes a person support surface
with a non-powered mattress and a coverlet coupled to the non-powered mattress having
a vapor permeable and air impermeable person contacting surface and mattress contacting
surface configured to exhaust heat and moisture communicated through the person contacting
surface out an outlet in the coverlet. Another illustrative embodiment includes a
fluid supply assembly with conduit and a fluid supply configured to be activated/deactivated
when the conduit is coupled to a person-support surface.
[0004] The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective side view of a person-support system with a person-support
surface supported on a person-support apparatus and a fluid supply assembly in fluid
communication with the person-support surface;
Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the person support surface of Fig. 1 showing
the components of the non-powered mattress and the coverlet;
Fig. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the person support surface of Fig. 1 showing
the core of the non-powered mattress having varying support characteristics;
Fig. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the person-support surface of Fig. 1 having
a sloped foot section according to one illustrative embodiment;
Fig. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the coverlet of Fig. 1 showing the communication
of heat and moisture through the top and bottom layers of the coverlet and the flow
of air thorough the coverlet;
Fig. 6 is a perspective bottom view of the fluid supply assembly of Fig. 1 showing
the conduit coupled to the coverlet, the fluid supply housing, and the controller;
and
Fig. 7 is a block diagram of the fluid supply assembly of Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 is a front view of the conduit connector of the conduit of Fig. 6 showing the
connection sensor.
[0005] One illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure includes a person support surface
with a non-powered mattress and a coverlet coupled to the non-powered mattress having
a vapor permeable and air impermeable person contacting surface and mattress contacting
surface configured to exhaust heat and moisture communicated through the person contacting
surface out an outlet in the coverlet. Another illustrative embodiment includes a
fluid supply assembly with conduit and a fluid supply configured to be activated/deactivated
when the conduit is coupled to a person-support surface.
[0006] A person-support system 10 according to one illustrative embodiment of the current
disclosure is shown in Figs. 1-8. The person-support system 10 includes person-support
apparatus 12, a person-support surface 14 supported on the person-support apparatus
12, and a fluid supply assembly 16 in communication with the person-support surface
14. In one illustrative embodiment, the fluid supply assembly 16 and the person-support
surface 14 are part of a mattress replacement system.
[0007] The person-support apparatus 12 includes a lower frame 18, supports 20 or lift mechanisms
20 coupled to the lower frame 18, and an upper frame 22 movably supported above the
lower frame 18 by the supports 20 as shown in Fig. 1. In one illustrative embodiment,
the person-support apparatus 12 is a hospital bed frame with a first section F1 or
head support section F1, where the head of a person (not shown) can be positioned
and a second section S1 or a foot support section S1, where the feet of the person
(not shown) can be positioned. The person-support apparatus 12 can also be a stretcher,
an operating room table, a wheel chair, or other person supporting structure.
[0008] The person-support surface 14 includes a non-powered mattress 24 and a coverlet 26
positioned on the mattress 24 as shown in Figs. 1-4. The non-powered mattress 24 includes
a mattress core 28 and a mattress cover 30. In one illustrative embodiment, the non-powered
mattress 24 is or is similar to at least one of the following mattresses sold by Hill-Rom®
at 1069 State Route 46 East in Batesville, Indiana: the NP50 Prevention Surface, the
NP100 Prevention Surface, the Tempur-Pedic® Mattress, the AccuMax Quantum™ VPC Therapy
Surface, and/or the NP200 Wound Surface. In another illustrative embodiment, the foot
section S1 of the non-powered mattress 24 includes a slight gradient to help reduce
interface pressure on a person's heel. In one example, the foot section S1 of the
non-powered mattress 24 is negatively sloped with respect to a reference plane RP1
as shown in Fig. 4.
[0009] The mattress core 28 can be composed of a single type of material or a combination
of materials and/or devices. In one illustrative embodiment, the mattress core 28
is composed of single density foam as shown in Fig. 2. In another illustrative embodiment,
the mattress core 28 includes multiple zones of high-density foam configured to enhance
pressure redistribution as a function of a person's body's proportional differences
as shown in Figs. 1 and 3-4. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the mattress
core 28 can include static air bladders and/or static air bladders with foam contained
therewithin.
[0010] The cover 30 can enclose the mattress core 28 and includes a fire barrier 32, a bottom
ticking 34 or durable layer 34, and a top ticking 36 as shown in Figs. 2-4. In one
illustrative embodiment, the fire barrier 32 is the innermost layer of the cover 30,
the top ticking 36 is the outermost layer, and the bottom ticking 34 is positioned
between the fire barrier 32 and the top ticking 36 and is not coupled to the top ticking
36. The bottom ticking 34 and the top ticking 36 are vapor and air impermeable. In
one illustrative embodiment, the top ticking 36 and the bottom ticking 34 are composed
of polyurethane coated nylon and the bottom ticking 34 is configured to facilitate
movement of the top ticking 36 with respect to the fire barrier 32.
[0011] The top ticking 36 includes a person-support apparatus engaging surface 38 with a
person-support apparatus coupler (not shown), and a coverlet contacting surface 40
with a coverlet coupler 42 as shown in Figs. 2-4. In one illustrative embodiment,
the coverlet coupler 42 is a zipper and the person-support apparatus coupler is a
hook and loop fastener with one portion coupled to the person-support apparatus 12
and the other coupled to the coverlet 26. In other embodiments, the coverlet coupler
42 can be a hook and loop fastener, snaps, and/or buttons. In still other embodiments,
the coverlet coupler 42 can be elastic loops configured to engage the corners of the
mattress 12.
[0012] The coverlet 26 is configured to regulate the amount of heat and moisture present
on the surface of the coverlet 26 by flowing a fluid through the coverlet. The coverlet
includes a top layer 44, a bottom layer 46, an inlet 48, an outlet 50, and a 3-dimensionally
engineered spacer 52 as shown in Figs. 2-5. The top layer 44 and the bottom layer
46 are coupled together along their edges to form an inner chamber 54 therebetween.
In one illustrative embodiment, the edges of the top layer 44 and the bottom layer
46 are coupled together using RF welding technology. The top layer 44 and the bottom
layer 46 are both configured to be vapor permeable and air impermeable. This configuration
prevents air passing through the coverlet from impinging on the skin of a person positioned
on the coverlet 26 while allowing the moisture produced by the person to pass through
the top layer 44 and be exhausted with the air passing through the coverlet out the
outlet 50.
[0013] The 3-dimensionally engineered spacer 52 is positioned in the inner chamber 54 and
is configured to be air and moisture permeable as shown in Figs. 2-5. The 3-dimensionally
engineered spacer 52 is configured to maintain a path for the air to flow through
when a person is supported on the coverlet 26. In one illustrative embodiment, the
3-dimensionally engineered spacer 52 is Spacenet®.
[0014] The inlet 48 and the outlet 50 are generally located on opposite ends of the coverlet
26 and allow a fluid, such as, air, to be communicated into the inner chamber 54 of
the coverlet 26, and to be exhausted from the coverlet 26, respectively, as shown
in Figs. 2-5. In one illustrative embodiment, the inlet 48 is located along the second
section S1 of the coverlet 26 and the outlet 50 is located along the first section
F1 of the coverlet 26. The inlet 48 includes an inlet connector 56 configured to couple
to and receive fluid from the fluid supply assembly 16 as shown in Fig. 6.
[0015] The fluid supply assembly 16 is configured to cooperate with the coverlet 26 to regulate
the amount of heat and moisture on at least a portion of the top layer 44 in contact,
directly or indirectly, with the skin of a person supported on the person-support
surface 14. Regulation of the heat and moisture levels can help prevent and/or heal
undesirable skin conditions, such as, pressure ulcers. In one illustrative embodiment,
the fluid supply 16 and coverlet 26 can cooperate to maintain at least one of a surface
temperature, a relative surface humidity, and a heat withdrawal capacity of at least
a portion of the surface which is in contact, directly or indirectly, with the person
within a predefined range, for example, between about 90 °F and about 95.5 °F; between
about 55% relative humidity and about 95% relative humidity; and/or between about
60 W/m
2 and about 125 W/m
2, as disclosed in,
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/937,306, which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0016] The fluid supply assembly 16 includes a fluid supply 58 enclosed within a housing
60, a controller 62, and a conduit 64 as shown in Figs. 6-8. In one illustrative embodiment,
the fluid supply 58 is an air blower and the housing 60 is coupled to the underside
of the second section S1 of the upper frame 22. In another illustrative embodiment,
the housing 60 is integrated into a footboard (not shown) coupled to the person-support
apparatus 12.
[0017] The controller 62 is configured to control the operation of the fluid supply 58.
In one illustrative embodiment, the controller 62 activates and/or deactivates the
fluid supply 58 when the conduit 64 is coupled/uncoupled to/from the coverlet 26.
The controller 62 can also cause the fluid supply 58 to supply fluid at a predetermined
rate and/or adjust the temperature and humidity of the fluid supplied by the fluid
supply 58. In other illustrative embodiments, the controller 62 can activate/deactivate
the fluid supply 58 when the conduit 64 is coupled/uncoupled to/from a therapy device,
powered mattress, or other pneumatic device or instrument.
[0018] The conduit 64 is configured to facilitate communication of fluid between the fluid
supply 58 and the coverlet 26 as shown in Fig. 6. In one illustrative embodiment,
the conduit 64 is configured to be coupled to an outlet (not shown) of the fluid supply
58 and configured to be removably coupled to the inlet connector 56. The conduit 64
includes a conduit connector 66 with a fluid outlet port 68 and a connection sensor
70 as shown in Fig. 8. The connection sensor 70 is configured to sense when the conduit
connector 66 is coupled to the inlet connector 56. In one illustrative embodiment,
the connection sensor 70 is a pair of conductive strips configured to engage a conductive
strip (not shown) on the inlet connector 56 that electrically connects the pair conductive
strips to complete the circuit. This embodiment would not necessarily require a controller
to activate/deactivate the fluid supply 58. In another illustrative embodiment, the
sensor 70 is a switch (not shown).
[0019] In operation, the conduit connector 66 is not connected from the inlet connector
56. When a user desires for the temperature and moisture on the coverlet to be regulated,
the user connects the conduit connector 66 to the inlet connector 56. The connection
sensor 70 senses when the conduit connector 66 and the inlet connector 56 are connected
and the controller 62 activates the fluid supply 58. The fluid supply 58 communicates
fluid through the conduit 64 to the inlet 48 of the coverlet 26. The fluid flows from
the inlet 48 through the inner chamber 54 of the coverlet 26 and is exhausted out
the outlet 50. As the fluid passes through the coverlet 26, heat and moisture communicated
through the upper layer 44 and/or bottom layer 56 is absorbed by the fluid flow and
exhausted with the fluid out the outlet 50.
[0020] Many other embodiments of the present disclosure are also envisioned. For example,
a person-support surface comprises a non powered mattress and a coverlet positionable
on the non powered mattress. The coverlet includes an entry positioned at a first
end of the coverlet, an exit positioned at a second end of the coverlet, an upper
air impermeable layer, and a lower air impermeable layer coupled to the upper air
impermeable layer to form an air flow path along the coverlet between the entry and
the exit. The upper air impermeable layer is a vapor permeable and water resistant
fabric and the lower air impermeable layer is a vapor permeable and water resistant
fabric.
[0021] In another example, a person-support surface comprises a non powered mattress, a
topper, and an air supply. The non powered mattress includes a mattress core substantially
enclosed within an air and vapor impermeable mattress cover. The topper is removably
coupled to the non-powered mattress and includes an occupant interfacing surface and
a non-powered mattress interfacing surface coupled together to define a chamber therebetween.
The occupant interfacing surface and the non-powered mattress interfacing surface
are vapor permeable and air impermeable. The topper has a first opening into the chamber
along a first side and a second opening into the chamber along a second side. The
air supply is in fluid communication with the topper through a conduit. The air enters
the chamber through the first opening in the topper, flows through the chamber, and
exits the chamber through the second opening. The air flow though the topper is configured
to exhaust heat and moisture communicated into the chamber through the occupant interfacing
surface out through the second opening.
[0022] In another example, a fluid supply system comprises a gas blower and a conduit coupled
to the gas blower and configured to communicate gas therethrough. The conduit includes
a connector configured to be removably coupled to a medical device. The gas blower
is configured to be activated when the conduit is coupled to the medical device.
[0023] While embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described in detail
in the drawings and foregoing description, the same are to be considered as illustrative
and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms
disclosed. Additional alternatives, modifications and variations can be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Also, while multiple inventive aspects and principles can
have been presented, they need not be utilized in combination, and various combinations
of inventive aspects and principles are possible in light of the various embodiments
provided above.
[0024] Embodiments of the invention can be described with reference to the following numbered
clauses, with preferred features laid out in the dependent clauses:
- 1. A person-support surface comprising:
a non powered mattress; and
a coverlet positionable on the non powered mattress and including
an entry positioned at a first end of the coverlet,
an exit positioned at a second end of the coverlet,
an upper air impermeable layer, and
a lower air impermeable layer coupled to the upper air impermeable layer to form an
airflow path along the coverlet between the entry and the exit, wherein the upper
air impermeable layer is vapor permeable , the lower air impermeable layer is vapor
permeable .
- 2. The person-support system of clause 1 further comprising an air supply configured
to provide air to the coverlet, the air supply and the coverlet cooperating to maintain
at least one of a surface temperature, a relative humidity, and a heat withdrawal
capacity of at least a portion of a surface of the coverlet within a predefined range.
- 3. The person-support system of clause 1, wherein the non powered mattress includes
a mattress core and an air impermeable and vapor impermeable cover enclosing the mattress
core.
- 4. The person-support system of clause 3, wherein the mattress core is composed of
foam.
- 5. The person-support system of clause 1, wherein the non-powered mattress includes
multiple zones, at least one of the zones is configured to have a different interface
pressure characteristic than the other zones.
- 6. The person-support system of clause 1, wherein the non-powered mattress includes
an array of gas filled bladders in fluid communication with each other, the gas filled
bladders configured to communicate gas therebetween as a function of the pressure
being applied to the array of gas filled bladders.
- 7. The person-support system of clause 6, wherein the gas filled bladders include
foam positioned therein.
- 8. The person-support system of clause 1, wherein the non-powered mattress includes
foot section where an occupant's feet can be positioned, the foot section being negatively
sloped with respect to a reference plane.
- 9. The person-support system of clause 1 further comprising a three dimensionally
engineered spacer interposed between the upper and lower layers to facilitate airflow
through the coverlet.
- 10. A person-support surface, comprising:
a non powered mattress including a mattress core substantially enclosed within an
air and vapor impermeable mattress cover; and
a topper removably coupled to the non-powered mattress and including an occupant interfacing
surface and a non-powered mattress interfacing surface coupled together to define
a chamber therebetween, the occupant interfacing surface and the non-powered mattress
interfacing surface being vapor permeable and air impermeable, the topper having a
first opening into the chamber along one side of the enclosure and a second opening
along another side of the enclosure; and
a dedicated air supply in fluid communication with the topper through a conduit, the
air entering the chamber though the first opening in the topper, flowing through the
chamber, and exiting the chamber through the second opening, the air flow though the
topper being configured to exhaust heat and moisture communicated into the chamber
through the occupant interfacing surface out through the second opening.
- 11. The person-support surface of clause 10, wherein the mattress core includes at
least one air bladder.
- 12. The person-support surface of clause 10, wherein the mattress core is composed
of foam.
- 13. The person-support surface of clause 10, wherein the conduit is removably couplable
to at least one of the air supply and the topper, the air supply being activated when
the conduit is connected to the air supply and the topper.
- 14. The person-support surface of clause 10, wherein the air supply is deactivated
when the conduit is disconnected from at least one of the air supply and the topper.
- 15. A fluid supply system, comprising:
a gas blower; and
a conduit coupled to the gas blower and configured to communicate gas therethrough,
the conduit including a connector configured to be removably coupled to a medical
device, the gas blower configured to be activated when the conduit is coupled to the
medical device.
- 16. The fluid supply system of clause 15, wherein the gas blower is positioned under
a foot section of a bed frame.
- 17. The fluid supply system of clause 15, wherein the gas blower is included in a
mattress replacement system.
- 18. The fluid supply system of clause 15, wherein the medical device is a temperature
and moisture regulating coverlet.
- 19. The fluid supply system of clause 18, wherein the gas blower cooperates with the
temperature and moisture regulating coverlet to maintain at least one of a surface
temperature of at least a portion of a surface of the coverlet between about 90 °F
and about 95.5 °F, a relative humidity of at least a portion of a surface of the coverlet
between about 55% relative humidity and about 95% relative humidity, and a heat withdrawal
capacity of at least a portion of a surface of the coverlet between about 60 W/m2 and about 125 W/m2.
- 20. The fluid supply system of clause 15, wherein the medical device is a powered
mattress including a gas bladder.
- 21. The fluid supply system of clause 15, wherein the medical device is a therapy
garment.
1. A person-support surface comprising:
a non powered mattress; and
a coverlet positionable on the non powered mattress and including
an entry positioned at a first end of the coverlet,
an exit positioned at a second end of the coverlet,
an upper air impermeable layer, and
a lower air impermeable layer coupled to the upper air impermeable layer to form an
airflow path along the coverlet between the entry and the exit, wherein the upper
air impermeable layer is vapor permeable , the lower air impermeable layer is vapor
permeable .
2. The person-support system of claim 1 further comprising an air supply configured to
provide air to the coverlet, the air supply and the coverlet cooperating to maintain
at least one of a surface temperature, a relative humidity, and a heat withdrawal
capacity of at least a portion of a surface of the coverlet within a predefined range.
3. The person-support system of claim 1, wherein the non powered mattress includes a
mattress core and an air impermeable and vapor impermeable cover enclosing the mattress
core.
4. The person-support system of claim 3, wherein the mattress core is composed of foam.
5. The person-support system of claim 1, wherein the non-powered mattress includes multiple
zones, at least one of the zones is configured to have a different interface pressure
characteristic than the other zones.
6. The person-support system of claim 1, wherein the non-powered mattress includes an
array of gas filled bladders in fluid communication with each other, the gas filled
bladders configured to communicate gas therebetween as a function of the pressure
being applied to the array of gas filled bladders.
7. The person-support system of claim 6, wherein the gas filled bladders include foam
positioned therein.
8. The person-support system of claim 1, wherein the non-powered mattress includes foot
section where an occupant's feet can be positioned, the foot section being negatively
sloped with respect to a reference plane.
9. The person-support system of claim 1 further comprising a three dimensionally engineered
spacer interposed between the upper and lower layers to facilitate air flow through
the coverlet.