US 4,947,500 AGranted

Therapeutic mattress, in particular for preventing or curing decubitus ulcers

AssigneeOBA AG and Hans Vollmin

InventorWalter O. Seiler

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Abstract

The therapeutic mattress comprises an elastic but hard base layer of foam material. Over this base layer is applied a frame composed of a hard part and a soft part. On its upper side the mattress is bounded by a soft cover layer. Between or inside the aforementioned parts is disposed a core comprising essentially two groups of three air-cushions each and an insert. Each of the two air-cushion groups has its own connection to a pumping station equipped with a programmable control device. Using this control device it is possible to set up the most varied programs and cycles for moving a patient and positioning him, or repositioning him, as often as needed. In this way, decubitus ulcers may be prevented from developing, but in addition, conditions may be created to enable ulcers already developed to be healed.

Claims6

Dependent claims

Therapeutic mattress, in particular for preventing or curing decubitus ulcers, the mattress having a longitudinal direction and a plane extending in the longitudinal direction and defining an upper surface of said mattress comprising an elastic base layer of hard foam material, a cover layer that is soft as compared to the base layer, said cover layer spaced upwardly from said base layer, a frame layer of elastic material located between the base and cover layers, and a core disposed within said frame layer and extending between said base and cover layers, the core comprises two groups of air-cushions disposed mirror-inverted to one another in relation to a central plane extending in the longitudinal direction of the mattress but perpendicular to the plane thereof, each group comprising three inflatable and deflatable cushions rotatable or pivotable relative to one another, in an inflated state, through an angle of at least 90.degree., and transversely of the longitudinal direction said cushions taper downwardly toward said base layer and inwardly toward said central plane, the two groups of air-cushions being operatively connected with a pumping or compressor station, to enable the air-cushions of one group to be inflated and deflated independently of the air-cushions of the other group.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.