US 6,560,804 B2 · System and methods for mattress control in relation to patient distance

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and a method for detecting and monitoring the distance between a patient and a reference point on an inflatable air mattress and for controlling the air supply to that mattress in relation to such distance. The patient distance sensing system includes a rigid support frame such as a bed frame, an inflatable air mattress positioned atop the bed frame with the upper surface of the inflatable air mattress forming a patient support surface, an air supply operable to provide controlled variations in air supply, and a series of patient distance sensing devices. Such devices including a heterodyning proximation detector, a force responsive distance sensing device, and a light responsive sensing device. Each device is operable to act separately or cooperatively in maintaining a therapeutically beneficial patient support surface through variable control of the delivery of inflation pressure to the air mattress. The heterodyning proximation detector is further operable to initiate inflation by way of a through space sensing of an approaching patient. The present invention further provides a preferred method for regulating the inflation of a therapeutic air mattress through operation of the described patient distance sensing system.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A therapeutic mattress for controlled support of a patient, the mattress comprising:

at least one inflatable chamber having:
a pouch;
a first translucent portion for the introduction thereto of light energy;
and
a second translucent portion for the passage therethrough of light energy;
a source of light energy adapted to introduce light energy through the first translucent portion into the interior of the inflatable chamber;
and
a receiver of light energy adapted to receive light energy through the second translucent portion from the interior of the inflatable chamber, the receiver being adapted to generate a signal indicative of the quantity of light so received;
wherein the pouch secures at least one of the group consisting of the source and the receiver to the chamber.

6 more elements

A therapeutic mattress for controlled support of a patient, the mattress comprising:

a plurality of inflatable chambers;
a first of the inflatable chambers having a first light emitter and a first light detector;
a second of the inflatable chambers having a second light emitter and a second light detector;
first and second pouches adjacent opposite sides of each of the first and second inflatable chambers;
wherein the first light emitter is disposed within the first pouch of the first chamber and is adapted to introduce light energy into the interior of the first chamber, and the first light detector is disposed within the second pouch of the first chamber and is adapted to receive light energy from the interior of the first chamber and generate a signal indicative of the quantity of light energy received;
wherein the second light emitter is disposed within the first pouch of the second chamber and is adapted to introduce light energy into the interior of the second chamber, and the second light detector is disposed within the second pouch of the second chamber and is adapted to receive light energy from the interior of the second chamber and generate a signal indicative of the quantity of light energy received;
and
a source of pressurized fluid in communication with the first and second inflatable chambers, the source being adapted to control inflation of the first chamber according to the signal generated by the first light detector, the source being further adapted to control inflation of the second chamber according to the signal generated by the second light detector;
wherein inflation of the first and second inflatable chambers is controlled to minimize interface pressures between the therapeutic mattress and a patient lying on the mattress while simultaneously maintaining sufficient air pressure to prevent the inflatable chambers from bottoming out.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and methods for mattress control in relation to patient distance

Life of this patent

System and methods for mattress control in relation to patient distance

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15