Patent · US Expired

Mattress assembly for the prevention and treatment of decubitus ulcers

US4944060A · kind A · utility

147Cited by
16References
45Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 3, 1989
Grant dateJul 31, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 3, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61G2203/34
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A mattress assembly for the treatment and prevention of decubitus ulcers and for the treatment of other conditions of the skin and/or underlying tissue. The assembly includes a base support, mattress core disposed on the support and defining a plurality of discrete, air permeable, hydrophobic air cells, and a pair of lateral bolsters disposed adjacent the sides of the mattress core. A top sheet formed of an air and liquid permeable, highly elastic, low friction water wicking material is disposed over the core and bolsters to provide a planar support surface which readily conforms to the irregularities in the topography of the body of a person resting thereon without wrinkling so as to minimize the shear forces acting on the skin and draw moisture away from the skin. A pump or other suitable means is provided for directing air flow through a plurality of controllable valves to and through the cells of the mattress core and top sheet to inflate the cells for supporting a person thereon and maintaining the skin in a properly hydrated condition. A control assembly regulates the air pressure within individual or groups of cells to maintain the contact pressure of the mattress assembly a…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.