WO1998013004A1

WO1998013004A1 - Mattresses

Info

Publication number: WO1998013004A1
Application number: PCT/NZ1996/000101
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric Winston Andrews
Original assignee: Van Niekerk, Wessel, Johannes; Piper, James, William
Priority date: 1993-12-28
Filing date: 1996-09-24
Publication date: 1998-04-02
Also published as: ZA949634B

Abstract

A mattress having particular application to hospital beds, includes an upper surface which is waterproof and which includes passages (51) for fluid located in at least a zone or zones which are lower than other zones when a body is resting thereon; the passages (51) leading to a collection station (94) for the fluids. This finds further application in that a patient may be bathed thereon with the aid of a hand shower (61) and returned to a conventional bed with minimal disruption.

Description

Title Mattresses

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to mattresses for hospital beds in particular as well as seats or seat cushions for chairs, wheelchairs or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hospital patients are often in the position of being unable to move sufficiently to enable them to relieve themselves. This creates problems both for the patient and for hospital staff.

In the first instance, bed pans are generally used. These are however awkward to use and may cause considerable embarrassment to the patient as well as resulting in soiling of the sheets and bed.

In some patients, incontinence is a problem and in these cases even bed pans are not useful.

A further problem arises with the bathing of bed ridden patients in that they must be washed by the nursing staff, also an awkward operation which often leaves the bed somewhat moist and the patient uncomfortable.

Yet another problem is the occurrence of bed sores which are caused by patients lying in one position for too long. The constant pressure on the bed-contacting surfaces of the body and concomitant lack of air circulation there-around result in sores which cause considerable discomfort and malodours.

It is an object of this invention to largely overcome these problems by providing a mattress which is waterproof, easily cleaned and adapted to overcome problems associated with incontinence and washing of bed-ridden patients.

THE INVENTION

In this specification the term mattress is intended to include seat cushions.

According to the invention a mattress includes an upper surface which is waterproof and which includes passages for fluid located in at least a zone or zones which are lower than other zones when a body is resting thereon; the passages leading to a collection station for the fluids.

In one form of the invention the mattress is provided in sections, at least the middle section (transverse and/or longitudinal) being releasably secured to the adjacent sections. The middle section/s are those that are proximate the patient's buttocks and which will be required to be cleaned from time to time. Three sections may be provided with the central section being removable for washing. Alternatively the central section may be disposable.

- ? - The middle section/s may have orifices therethrough, the sides of the orifices being waterproofed - for example by use of plastic bellows or other collapsible elements which not only serve to waterproof the orifices but also take up the deformations of the mattress so that the patient has maximum comfort. These bellows may have flanges top and bottom which may be located beneath a waterproof covering of the top and bottom surfaces. In this way there is no chance of fluids being absorbed by the mattress with concomitant odour problems.

The collection station/s may take the form of trays with raised formations to elevate the undersurface of the mattress and provide a space thereunder for the fluids to collect and flow to an outlet from which the collected fluids may be led to a container. The tray/s are preferably removable for cleaning purposes.

In the three-sectioned mattress arrangement, a bedsheet may be located over the first section, under the middle section and then over the last section. Λ draw sheet can then be located over the middle section so that it can be changed from time to time.

In another form of the invention the mattress comprises a plurality of blocks which are waterproofed and which are arranged with spaces therebetween for drainage of fluids. Some of the blocks may be removable for cleaning. The blocks are interconnected in such a way as to allow drainage but at the same time to provide comfort. The top surface may be held together by a perforated sheet of non-absorbent material which permits passage of fluid without becoming wet. Λ tray or trays may bo located b^pneath at least the central zone of the mattress as before.

It will be appreciated that the mattress of the invention may also be used as a support for washing a patient by using a hand shower, for example. Thus, a patient need not necessarily be moved, or only minimally moved in order to be washed, the wash water draining away through the mattress to the collection station. It is preferred to locate the entire mattress in a large tray so that the whole body can be washed. In such a case the entir^p mattress, or all of the sections have drainage orifices or spaces for drainage.

It has been found that although it is possible to link the hand shower to the main water supply system, it is more convenient and efficient to link the shower to a refi liable container located in a raised position relative to the mattress.

In this situation the mattress is supported on a trolley which serves as a mobile washing station. The trolley is wheeled to the patient's bedside, the patient moved across onto the washing station and then moved back to bed once washing is complete¹.

The container is preferably located at the head of the mattress on a support provided for this purpose. The collection tray/s av include a slopinq floor so that the fluids may be directed to an outlef for transfer In a container for removal.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of a mattress according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional side view of an alternative form;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a drainage tray; Figure 4 is a side view of an alternative form of a tray;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a third form of a tray;

Figure 6 and 7 are similar views of alternative forms of mattresses;

Figure 8 is a side view of a mattress for using in bathing situations; and Figure 9 is a similar view of another form of drainage tray.

In Figure 1 a mattress comprising three sections which are releasably attachable to one another is shown. The middle section 50 is removable and includes orifices 51 therein for drainage of liquids down into drainage tray 70 on which the mattress is supported. The tray rests on the normal base of a bed. At least the upper surfaces of the three sections are waterproofed, as well as the sides of the orifices.

In the preferred form, the sides of the orifices include plastic bellows 52 which waterproof the orifices as well as taking up deformations caused by the patient's mass ensuring maximum comfort. These bellows are clearly shown in Figures 2 and 8.

The material of construction of the mattress is foam or a similar substance well known in the art.

In an alternative form, the central section 51 is disposable in which case it would comprise an absorbent material at least in the interior.

The mattress is provided with a collection station for liquids thereunder as shown in Figures 1,2, 6 and 8, where the collection station takes the form of a tray 90. The tray includes raised formations to support the mattress over a series of channels 91 which collect waste liquid and congregate it at a common drainage point 92 which is fitted with a drainage pipe 93. The waste is then piped to a collection bottle 94. Figures 3 and 5 show two possible configurations for drainage trays. In Figure 4 a drainage tray is provided which is inclined at an angle with the waste liquid running down the incline to a drainaqe point at the bottom thereof. Obviously a means of supporting the mattress at 80 and 82 would be provided.

In an alternative form of the invention (Figure 9) particularly applicable to the mattress of Figure 1, the mattress is supported on a drainage tray 90 which is in turn supported on rolling or sliding mechanism 40 above a second tray or inner casing 42. In operation, the waste liquid drains through the orifices in the mattress into the tray, and the tray and mattress together are slided out to be cleaned.

Figures 6 and 7 show alternative forms of mattress. In Figure 6, the mattress comprises a plurality of sealed blocks 44 of foam or the like separated by drainage channels while in Figure 7 the mattress incorporated a number of fairly large holes 46 for drainage. A perforated sheet (not shown) is provided over the blocks or holes to hold them in position. The sheet is of a non-absorbent material to ensure that it permits passage of water without becoming wet.

In Figure 8 a mattress is shown which can be used to support a patient while being washed. The mattress and tray are supported on a trolley 60 which is adapted to include a hand shower 61 and a warm water container 62 connected to the shower. The container is supported on a shelf 63 above the patient's head. Provision may also be made for a connection to the running water supply.

The advantages here is that the patient need not be moved at all or only moved minimally to be washed. The wash water drains through the mattress into the tray, out at the drainage point 64 to the waste container 65.

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM I S :

1 .

A mattress including an upper surface which is waterproof and which includes passages for fluid located in at least a zone or zones which are lower than other zones when a body is resting thereon; the passages leading to a collection station for the fluids.

2.

A mattress according to claim 1 in whicti the mattress is provided in sections, at least the middle section (transverse and/or longitudinal) being releasably secured to the adjacent sections.

3.

A mattress according to claim 2 in which thr^pe sections may be provided with the central section being removable for washing.

4. A mattress according to claim 3 in whicti the central section is disposable.

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5.

A mattress according to claim 2 in which the middle section/s may have orifices therethrough, the sides of the orifices being waterproofed - for example by use of plastic bellows or other collapsible elements which not only serve to waterproof the orifices but also take up the deformations of the mattress so that the patient has maximum comfort.

6.

A mattress according to claim 5 in which the bellows may have flanges top and bottom which may be located beneath a waterproof covering of the top and bottom surfaces.

7.

A mattress according to any of the above claims in which the collection station/s may take the form of trays with raised formations to elevate the undersurface of the mattress and provide a space thereunder for the fluids to collec and flow to an outlet from which the collected fluids may be led to a container.

8.

A mattress according to claim 7 in which the trays are removable for cleaning purposes.

9 .

A mattress according to claim 3 in which a bedsheet may lie located over the first section, under the middle section and then over the last section with a draw sheet being located over the middle section so that it can be changed from time to time.

10.

A mattress according to claim 1 in which the mattress comprises a plurality of blocks which are waterproofed and which are arranged with spaces therebetween for drainage of fluids.

11.

A mattress according to claim 10 in which the top surface of the blocks is held together by a perforated sheet of non-absorbent material which permits passage of fluid without becoming wet.

12. A mattress according to any of the above claims which is used as a support for washing a patient by using an hand shower or the like.

13.

A mattress according to claim 12 in which the entire mattress is located in a large tray, the entire mattress including drainage

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SUBSTΓΓUTE SHEET (RULE 26) orifices or spaces for drainage, and the tray being in communication with a container for disposable of the waste water.

14.

A mattress according to claim 12 in which the mattress is supported on a trolley adapted further to support a water container in a raised condition relative to the mattress, the container being in communication with a hand shower or the like.

15.

A mattress according to claims 7 to 14 in which the collection tray/s include a sloping floor directed to an outlet for transfer of fluids to a container for removal.

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