Mattress assembly

#The present invention relates to a mattress assembly for use on a bed. More particularly, the present invention relates to a therapy surface which provides pressure reduction for patients at risk of development of pressure ulcers.

#The mattress assembly of the present invention provides a support surface that automatically adjusts to the weight distribution of the patient. A foot end section of the mattress provides a significantly lower pressure than a body section of the mattress to address pressure reduction requirements adjacent the heels of a patient.

#The mattress assembly of the present invention includes a two-zoned air mattress configured to reduce the likelihood of development of pressure ulcers for low to moderate risk patients. A first zone of the mattress extends from a head of the bed to a calf section. A second zone extends from the calf section to a foot of the bed. The bladder located under the patient's heels has an extremely low pressure setting and the bladder under the body portion of the patient has a higher range pressure setting. The height of the mattress when the bladder is fully inflated is about 7 inches. The combination of bladders of the mattress are designed to support a 300 pound patient.

#The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

#FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the mattress assembly of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a mattress support subassembly of the present invention;

#Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a mattress assembly 10 of the present invention. The mattress assembly 10 includes a bottom encasement or cover 12 having a bottom surface 14 and a side wall 16. Four pockets 18 are formed on the bottom surface 14 for receiving magnets 20. The magnets 20 help hold the mattress 10 in place on a deck of a bed and provide improved sheet retention.

#A support subassembly 22 is discussed in detail below. The support subassembly 22 is located on the bottom surface 14 of the bottom cover 12. A shear force reducing inner liner 24 made from a low friction material is located over the support subassembly 22. A top coverlet 26 includes a top surface 28 for supporting a patient and a sidewall 30 which extends downwardly over the sidewall 16 and under bottom surface 14 of the bottom cover 12 is discussed in detail below. Shear liner 24 permits the top coverlet 26 to slide easily relative to the mattress subassembly 22 to reduce shear forces on the patient. Tabs 32 of the support subassembly 22 are coupled to the side wall 16 of bottom cover 12 by snaps 34 or other suitable fasteners such as ties, Velcro® fasteners, buckles or the like.

#The support subassembly 22 is further illustrated in FIG. 2. Support subassembly 22 includes a foam base 36 having a bottom foam surface 38, first and second foam side bolsters 40 and 42, and a foam head bolster 44. Base 36 is best illustrated in FIG. 3. The bolsters 40, 42, and 44 are coupled together and to the bottom surface 38 by a suitable adhesive. Bottom surface 38 includes a recessed portion 46 configured to receive a mounting plate 48. A notched portion 50 formed in bottom surface 38 cooperates with a notched portion 52 in plate 48 to provide an opening to permit air supply lines to be routed into the support subassembly 22.