Shear reducing mattress cover
AssigneeSpan-America Medical Systems, Inc.
InventorsJames R. O'Reagan, Richard W. Raburn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mattress cover is disclosed for redirecting shear on a patient's skin away from the areas of the body relatively more likely to develop decubitus ulcers. The mattress cover includes an upper portion designed to cover the topside of a mattress, and at least one shear transfer zone attached to an underside of the upper portion of the mattress cover. The shear transfer zone(s) may be made of a low shear material so as to create a low friction interface between the mattress and the mattress cover to reduce shear forces exerted by the mattress. Additionally, the shear transfer zone(s) may be arranged such that a large portion of the shear forces exerted by the mattress can be redirected to areas of the body that are relatively less likely to develop decubitus ulcers.
Claims24
A shear reducing mattress cover for redirecting shear on a patient's skin away from areas of a patient's body more likely to develop decubitus ulcers, comprising:
- an upper portion covering the topside of an associated mattress and in direct contact therewith;
- and
- a plurality of shear transfer zones formed on an underside of said upper portion, said shear transfer zones comprising a relatively low shear material so as to create a low friction interface between an associated mattress and said mattress cover in said shear transfer zones to reduce shear forces exerted by the associated mattress;
- wherein said shear transfer zones are arranged in a predetermined pattern such that shear forces exerted by an associated mattress directly to said mattress cover upper portion are redistributed to areas of a patient's body that are relatively less likely to develop decubitus ulcers.
Apparatus for redirecting shear on the skin of a patient supported on an associated mattress, comprising:
- a mattress cover for covering an associated mattress, and having an upper portion generally facing and making direct contact with the topside of the associated mattress;
- a plurality of shear transfer zones formed on an underside of said upper portion, comprising relatively low shear material arranged in at least three respective areas at least generally aligned with a supported patient's heel, the ischial, and shoulder blade areas, respectively, so as to create a low friction interface between the associated mattress and said mattress cover in said shear transfer zones to reduce shear forces exerted by the associated mattress;
- and
- a plurality of shear support areas defined by said underside of said upper portion between adjacent of said shear transfer zones and in direct contact with the topside of the associated mattress;
- wherein said shear support areas include at least an area corresponding for support of a patient's thigh area, so that shear forces exerted by the associated mattress are redistributed to areas of a patient's body that are relatively less likely to develop decubitus ulcers.
Methodology for redirecting shear on a patient's skin away from areas of a patient's body more likely to develop decubitus ulcers, comprising:
- covering a patient support mattress with a mattress cover having an upper portion generally facing and making direct contact with the topside of such associated mattress;
- forming a plurality of shear transfer zones on the underside of such upper portion, comprising relatively low shear material arranged in at least three respective areas at least generally aligned with a supported patient's heel, the ischial, and shoulder blade areas, respectively, so as to create a low friction interface between the associated mattress and such mattress cover in such shear transfer zones to reduce shear forces exerted by the associated mattress;
- and
- forming a plurality of shear support areas defined by such underside of such upper portion between adjacent of such shear transfer zones and in direct contact with the topside of the associated mattress, and including at least an area corresponding for support of a patient's thigh area, so that shear forces exerted by the associated mattress are redistributed to areas of a patient's body that are relatively less likely to develop decubitus ulcers while otherwise preventing a patient from sliding the length of such mattress when used on an adjustable bed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.