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Mattress cover for convalescing patient

Mattress cover for convalescing patient description/claims

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mattress and mattress coverlet for convalescing patients who need to stay in bed for a long period of time. More specifically, the present invention includes a mattress coverlet that provides air to a convalescing patient, wicks away moisture from the patient thereby preventing decubitus ulcers.

2. Description of Related Art

A decubitus ulcer is a pressure sore or the commonly called “bed sore”. Hence the decubitus ulcer normally forms from prolong pressure to an area of tissue that lies just over a bone, such as the spine, coccyx, hips, elbows and the like. Individuals, typically the elderly, who are unable to avoid long periods of uninterrupted pressure over the bony areas, are at increased risk for the development of ulcers. One method of prevention is to consciously change positions; however, this is not always possible even with extensive help.

Various devices have been developed to reduce or eliminate the pressure on such patients. For example, specialized support surfaces are available for bedding and wheelchairs, which can maintain tissue at reduced pressures. These specialized surfaces include foam devices, air-filled deices, low-airloss beds, and air-fluidized beds. Low-airloss beds support the patient on multiple inflatable air-permeable pillows. Air-fluidized beds suspend the patient as air is pumped into an air-permeable mattress containing microspheric uniformly sized beads.

It is known that providing air to the pressure areas of patients requiring treatment or prevention of pressure ulcers is a known benefit. One method of supplying air to such a patient is by small holes in the cushion supporting the patient. These holes are intended to provide air flow to the bottom of a moisture vapor permeable top cover. However, sometimes the top cover can block these holes and stop or reduce air flow.

One such example is the air distribution device described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,884 wherein there is disclosed a pad or coverlet for use on a bed or chair and having a plurality of sheets adapted to prevent and treat decubitus ulcers. The top sheet has an undercoat of polyurethane, a center sheet and a bottom of quilted synthetic material. The top sheet of the coverlet is made of low friction nylon with an undercoating of a waterproof yet vapor permeable polyurethane. The top sheet has a plurality of apertures punched through the material. The central sheet is made out of identical material as the top sheet except there are no tiny apertures. The central sheet is a diffuser sheet in that no air passes through it but it spreads the air throughout the air tight portion of the coverlet allowing air to escape through the apertures in the top sheet directly to the patient. The bottom sheet is preferably a quilted synthetic material such as nylon to provide a space for the vapor molecules once they have passed through the coated nylon to travel into and disburse. The coverlet works by providing a low friction surface against the patient's skin by absorbing vapor and moisture coming from the patient and by circulating an amount of air beyond normal ambient air convection to keep wounds dry, to promote healing, and to regulate body temperature.

A device that provides heated air to patients is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,596,018 and includes a mattress having a cushion body having air permeability, an air discharger provided below the cushion body, the air discharger having flexibility for discharging air into the cushion body and a heat source being provided below the cushion body for performing far infrared radiation into the cushion body to dry the patient's skin, facilitate circulation of the patient's blood; thus preventing thus, treating lumbago and arthralgia.

Frequently when bedridden patients are convalescing body fluid in addition to fluid from the sweating patient intrudes into the mattress through sewn seams of the top ticking. When fluids are permitted to enter the interior of a mattress, it can become an infection control problem. At present, this problem is resolved in the upper support surface industry by heat seal taping of sewn seams and/or heat seal welding coated fabrics to prevent fluid intrusion through the seams and or zippers. However, heat seal tape often breaks down with age and laundry cycles. This changes the appearance of the mattress cover and causes it to lose integrity. None of the heretofore described devices has been shown to provide superior care to convalescing patients.

It is therefore the general object of the present invention to provide a mattress and mattress coverlet for use by convalescing patients to reduce and treat decubitus ulcers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mattress and coverlet which can prevent and reduce afflictions of patients who need to lie in bed for a long period of time.

There is provided a coverlet used to reduce and treat decubitus ulcers. The coverlet is preferably used in combination with an air inflatable mattress and is particularly adapted for use on a bed in a hospital, nursing home, health care facility or the like. The air inflatable mattress may have a series of apertures on the top allowing small amounts of air to pass through to the underside of the coverlet. According to the invention the coverlet is placed over the top of air inflatable mattress between the head of the bed and the foot of the bed. The coverlet has as a first layer a moisture wicking fabric, such as a polyester, and on one side of the moisture wicking fabric there is attached a microporous polymeric member which allows air from the mattress to pass through the coverlet to the patient. Adjacent the polymeric member is another layer comprising a spacer fabric. When used in combination with a mattress, the side edges of the coverlet are formed to provide a drip edge without external seams. In the preferred embodiment the coverlet is attached to the bottom cover or other portion of a mattress by a zipper but, may be attached to the mattress by suitable means.

Having described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view, with parts broken away, illustrating a bed having an inflatable mattress according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view with the central portion thereof broken away taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the construction of the coverlet of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2 showing the edge of the coverlet of the present invention attached to a bed; and

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