EP2029080B1 - Cushion for supporting patients and for preventing pressure sores - Google Patents

Abstract

The cushion according to the invention is made up of several layers of pneumatic elements (3) which each form a matrix (2). These pneumatic elements (3) each have a multiplicity of holes (5a) into which elastic spring elements, for example foam cylinders (1), are inserted. The pneumatic elements (3) are all substantially congruent, such that the holes (5a) of superposed pneumatic elements (3) are in each case located at the same places. An individual pneumatic element (3) is produced from two superposed sheets of an elastic plastic. The two sheets are welded sealingly to each other at the edges of the cushion and at the edges of the holes (5a). The holes (5a) are cut out after the welding. Each pneumatic element (3) has at least one connection for compressed gas. While supporting a patient, the pneumatic elements (3) are alternately supplied with compressed gas and then relaxed again. This has the effect of changing the load of the patient from more on the pneumatic elements to more on the spring elements, and vice versa.

Description

The present invention relates to a cushion and / or a bed pad, for use in and on wheelchairs and, if designed as a bed support, as a pad for short or long-term patients or as an operating table, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Decubitus occurs as a result of undersupply, especially in the tissue, where the weight of the patient predominantly on individual bones, such as sacrum, seat legs, trochanter, affecting the circulation of the affected tissue over a long period of time. Recognized therapy of choice is either recapture of the recumbent patient or by means of equipment to ensure that the resting points of the recumbent or seated body change.

From this requirement, many apparatus solutions have emerged. Many of these solutions work with transverse and / or longitudinally segmented patient bed mattresses. The individual segments are alternately or rhythmically alternating with a pressure medium - water or air - filled, and thus cause changes and displacements of the Aufliege- or ride-on places. Such a bed is described as an example of this group of solutions US 5,267,364 (D1). D1 discloses a hospital bed which carries an air mattress on a foam mattress. This is segmented into a plurality of individual, transverse air pockets, which each have an individual air connection and are filled in a controllable sequence with compressed air. The segmentation is relatively coarse compared to the possible extension of decubitus wounds and occurs only in the longitudinal dimension of the bed. For preferably sedentary patients, such as paraplegics or tetraplegics, the solution disclosed in D1 is inappropriate.

From EP 0 261 830 (D2) known solution shows a better than D1 segmentation of the air mattress. The total expenditure on equipment is large and therefore expensive.

In US 6,592,533 (D3) is described a massage table, also relatively coarse segmented, although not a patient lying bedsores should be treated or treated preventively, however, a changing edition of the patient on air pillows and a padding filling with elastic fibers is envisaged.

EP 1 307 169 (D4) also describes a massage chair with a number of mechanically driven massage elements, which are each surrounded by an annular cushion. The pads are pressurized by a pressurized fluid at controlled pressure. The device is preferably designed as a massage chair with massage elements in the thoracic vertebrae area. The equipment is large and could hardly be integrated into a wheelchair.

Out WO 2004/037 148 (D5) Finally, a cushion is known for the relief of bedsores, with a foam pad on which a fluid mattress is placed. This fluid mattress is divided into mutually fluid-tight strips. Several fluid pumps control the pressure and pressure swing frequencies.

document DE10122209 discloses a mattress system for use in bedsores with a combination of inflatable areas and areas formed by a solid having defined elasticity

The object of the present invention is to provide a cushion, as a reclining cushion - which can effectively prevent the processes leading to decubitus, and can contribute to the alleviation and healing of decubitus ulcer and which is also useful for numerous other medical applications such as e.g. can be used for pain therapy or microstimulation; In addition, the problem to be solved is to solve the technical design with low weight, low air flow and good lateral stability without "swimming" and little effort cost.

The solution of the problem is reflected in the characterizing part of claim 1 in terms of their essential features in the following claims with respect to further advantageous embodiments.

Fig. 1

eine Isometrie eines ersten Ausführungsbei- spiels

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf und einen Querschnitt durch ein Pneumatikelement.

Fig. 3a,b,c,

Querschnitt durch eine Anordnung gemäss Fig. 1.

Fig. 4

Ausschnitt durch einen Teil eines Ausführungs- beispiels mit einer Ergänzung,

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht auf ein zweites Ausführungs- beispiel.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the invention will be described on the basis of several embodiments. Show it

Fig. 1

an isometric view of a first embodiment

Fig. 2

a plan view and a cross section through a pneumatic element.

3a, b, c,

Cross section through an arrangement according to Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 4

Section through a part of an embodiment with a supplement,

Fig. 5

a plan view of a second embodiment example.

In isometry according to Fig. 1 is the interior of the inventive pad or a part of a bed mattress, such as a mattress, exemplified. A group of foam cylinders 1 is held by a multi-layer matrix 2 of pneumatic elements 3. The hardness of the foam used can be selected and adapted to the resting or seated body site. If the cushion according to the invention is used as a seat cushion, for example in a wheelchair, the seatbone bumps of the patient with a different hardness than, for example, the thighs, are to be underlayed, in particular. One of the pneumatic elements 3 is in Fig. 2a, b shown.

Fig. 2a shows a plan view, Fig. 2b a section AA. Two elastic films 4, for example of polyurethane or other suitable plastic, are stacked and welded together by annular (rings 5) contours, then cut out holes 5a, so that the foam cylinder optionally with play in the holes 5a fit. The welding of the films 4 can be done for a cushion with a single tool. Instead of welding the foils 4, they can also be glued with a suitable adhesive.

Several congruent pneumatic elements 3 can thus be stacked on one another and together form a planar linear pneumatic actuator 6. Per pneumatic element 3, at least one connection for inflow and outflow is provided for a pressure medium. When filling the pneumatic element 3, the cavities formed between the foils 4 form bubbles 7. If such a pressurized medium-loaded cushion is now loaded, the shapes of the bubbles 7 change, as in FIG Fig. 3c shown.

In Fig. 3 a section of such an actuator 6 is shown in the loaded state.

Fig. 3a shows a foam cylinder 1 with the surrounding part of the matrix 2 - here three - pneumatic elements 3 in the empty state.

In Fig. 3b the same arrangement is shown with the pneumatic air-filled pneumatic elements 3, but in the unloaded state.

The loaded condition is in Fig. 3c represented with a schematically drawn area load 8. The foam cylinder 1 and - consisting of the three pneumatic elements 3 - pneumatic actuators 6 each carry their part corresponding to their compliance of the load eighth

Both the matrix 2, as well as according to number, size and hardness of the foam cylinder 1 can be adapted to the specific requirements for position, weight and size of the patient to be stored in a wide range.

The idea underlying the operation of such a pillow described so far is as follows: The pneumatic elements 3 combined in the matrix 2 are pressurized by controllable air pressure or another medium having a medically established amplitude and frequency and, preferably, partially relieved. Thus, the locally superimposed load of the patient alternately distributed once more on the foam cylinder 1, once again on the pneumatic elements 3. By this changing load of the seated or resting tissue supply of this tissue and the embedded nerve with blood and lymph is greatly improved. Such controls in amplitude and frequency the supplying compressed air are known and not the subject of this invention.

In Fig. 4 is an inventive supplement to in Fig. 3 partially shown pillows shown. The arrangement of foam cylinder 1 and pneumatic element 3 on a base 9 is covered by a spacer fabric 10, mainly made of monofilament fibers and suitably attached. Such spacer fabrics 10 are known and commercially available. They have the property not to collapse even at high surface loads, have a compared to the occupied by the monofilament fibers cross-sectional area to have a large lumen, are flexible and easily cut to size. The spacer fabric 10 is covered by a suitable cushion material 11. Because of the large lumen, a transverse flow can be built up in this spacer fabric 10; in Fig. 4 indicated by a horizontal arrow. The air used for such a cross flow can be processed in a small air conditioning system - for example with Peltier elements. The air can flow in an open system and / or be recycled. Such air conditioning systems are known from the use of automobiles. Additionally or alternatively, the possibly conditioned air can also be blown or sucked from below and pass upwards or downwards through the annular gaps around the foam cylinders 1. Of course, it is also possible to provide one or more pneumatic elements 3 at suitable locations with small air holes such that the air conditioning can be achieved through these air holes, of course, at the same time only so much air escape or flow through it, that the pneumatic elements their function for load absorption can continue to fulfill.

In the Fig. 1 . 3, 4 are each three pneumatic elements 3 superimposed. Of course, another, smaller or larger number can be selected. Also, the diameter of the foam cylinder 1 by no means necessarily all the same. For various purposes - whether for a bed or a seat - come larger or smaller foam cylinder 1 or elastic solid body of suitable Materials considered, also different sizes in one and the same matrix 2 embedded.

The preparation of the pneumatic elements 3 of two foils 4 is relatively simple; Single welding stamps can be easily exchanged and arranged in a different pattern. In addition, any pneumatic element on the cushion can of course be adapted to the anatomical and medical requirements and wishes, for example by the shape, size and number of elements. In particular, the pneumatic elements can be grouped together or formed individually as separate air chambers and depending on the application also controlled separately, filled and vented.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a section of a matrix of a second embodiment. Here are the holes 5a partly round, partly polygonal (with rounded corners), partly oblong and rounded. The production of such a matrix proceeds as well as Fig. 2a, b executed. Instead of foam cylinders 1, naturally shaped foam bodies 1a are inserted into the non-round holes 5a analogously to the holes 5a. For all embodiments, it is also true that in place of foam and viscoelastic or viscoplastic volume body 1b can be used according to the invention, as well as solid body 1c on a textile basis. It is essential to the invention that the elements denoted by 1, 1a, 1b are passively yielding or elastic. They are summarized under the term spring elements 15, which include viscoplastic bodies are calculated, provided that they assume the original shape when the load is removed. The flexibility of these spring elements 15 can be selected and adjusted for the individual needs and the individual application.

Similarly, the matrix in the sense of the invention described here is not only a rectangle, which is divided into areas and elements in a regular and symmetrical way, but the matrix means in a comprehensive sense all regular and irregular and symmetrical as well as non-symmetrical arrangements on a limited area of holes 5a and thus of spring elements 15th

The amount of air required for the operation of the pneumatic elements 3 is small and allows, in comparison with known pneumatic mattresses and pillows, a rapid and short-term reaction to the condition of patients.

Claims (15)

1. A cushion for supporting patients comprising pneumatic elements (3), characterised in that

   - the pneumatic elements (3) each form a matrix (2) which can be filled with a pressure medium and which has a plurality of holes (5a) and tightly welded contours (5)

   - a plurality of spring elements (15) are provided and inserted into a plurality of, or all of, the holes (5a),

   - two or more substantially congruent matrices (2) are provided with pneumatic elements (3) and placed one upon the other such that on filling the pneumatic elements (3) with the pressure medium, the cushion bears the resting weight of the patient more at the points where the patient stresses the pneumatic elements (3), whilst at least partially discharging the pressure medium more with the spring elements (15).
2. The cushion according to any one of the preceding patent claims, characterised in that the holes (5a) are substantially circular.
3. The cushion according to any one of the preceding patent claims, characterised in that the spring elements (15) consist of foam or of viscoelastic or viscoplastic elements or an elastic textile.
4. The cushion according to any one of the preceding patent claims, characterised in that the number of holes (5a) is equal to the number of spring elements (15).
5. The cushion according to patent claim 1, characterised in that the pneumatic elements (3) in the matrices (2) can be filled with air and emptied combined in groups or individually or divided in chambers.
6. The cushion according to any one of the preceding patent claims, characterised in that the holes (5a) are arranged regularly in the matrix (2).
7. The cushion according to any one of the preceding patent claims, characterised in that the hardness and elasticity of the spring elements (15) is selected differently.
8. The cushion according to patent claim 1, characterised in that the arrangement of the holes (5a) refers to their size so that the active area of the matrices (2) substantially coincides with the area of the spring elements (15).
9. The cushion according to patent claims 1 and 4, characterised in that the individual pneumatic element (3) is produced from two elastic sheets (4) of a plastic or rubber and which are connected tightly with each other in such a manner that bubbles (7), communicating with each other are produced between the linear connection points and a connection point in the form of a ring (5) is produced around respectively one hole (5a).
10. The cushion according to patent claim 9, characterised in that the sheets (4) are joined to each other by gluing.
11. The cushion according to patent claim 9, characterised in that the sheets (4) are joined to each other by welding.
12. The cushion according to patent claim 1, characterised in that a spacer fabric (10) is provided and is laid onto the uppermost matrix (2) and/or onto the spring elements (15).
13. The cushion according to patent claim 12, characterised in that an air-conditioning system is provided by which conditioned air can be blown in and/or used air can be sucked out through the spacer fabric (10) and this air flows through in the transverse direction to the load of the patient.
14. The cushion according to patent claim 12, characterised in that an air-conditioning system is provided by which conditioned air can be blown in from below into the cushion or sucked out and the air flows through the cushion against the load or in the direction of the load of the patient in a vertical direction.
15. The cushion according to any one of the preceding patent claims, characterised in that at least one connection for the pressure medium is provided per matrix (2).

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