Composite material with failure detection properties
AssigneeStryker Corporation
InventorsKevin M. Patmore, Andrew M. Bentz, Brett M. Fulton, Sarah E. Mynhier
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Abstract
A multiple layer composite material having fluid breach detection features provides indication of a failure in a fluid barrier. The indication of breach of fluid is provided before failure of a final layer of the composite material. The multiple layer composite material includes more than one fluid impermeable layer with an intermediate layer sealed between the fluid impermeable layers. Failure of one of the fluid impermeable layers is detected by fluid contact in the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer includes a reagent and/or detection device to indicate that the fluid has reached the intermediate layer.
Claims20
A method of making a mattress component, the method comprising:
- providing a first fluid impermeable layer having a flexible fabric;
- providing a second fluid impermeable layer having a flexible fabric, at least one of the impermeable layers forming an outer surface of the mattress component;
- sealing the first and second fluid impermeable layers together;
- and
- providing a breach detection component between the first and second fluid impermeable layers, wherein the breach detection component is configured to indicate when either of the first fluid impermeable layer or the second fluid impermeable layer has become fluid permeable and has allowed fluid to pass there through, and therefore breached, to thereby detect a breach status of either of the first and second fluid impermeable layers.
A method of detecting whether a breach occurs in a mattress component, the method comprising the steps of:
- forming a composite material comprising:
- providing a first fluid impermeable layer;
- providing a second fluid impermeable layer;
- sealing the first and second fluid impermeable layers together;
- and
- providing a breach detection component between the first and second fluid impermeable layers, wherein the breach detection component is configured to indicate when either of the first fluid impermeable layer or the second fluid impermeable layer has become fluid permeable and has allowed fluid to pass there through;
- forming the mattress component from the composite material;
- and
- detecting a breach in at least one of the impermeable layers by detecting when a change in the breach detection component occurs.
A method of detecting wear or age of a mattress cover, the method comprising the steps of:
- forming a composite material comprising:
- providing a first layer;
- providing a second layer;
- and
- providing a sensor between the first and second layers, wherein the sensor is configured to detect (1) time of use or (2) level of usage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.