US20110314611A1

US20110314611A1 - Evolution bed

Info

Publication number: US20110314611A1
Application number: US13/134,861
Authority: US
Inventors: Nardia Thomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-06-18
Filing date: 2011-06-20
Publication date: 2011-12-29

Abstract

The Evolution Bed is a specially designed hospital mattress, with the surface of the mattress boasting a series of inflatable air bladders which are programmed to periodically release, thus alleviating pressure to various points of the body. The Evolution Bed is offered in a wide variety of comfort choices from soft pillow top versions to extra firm, back supporting models. This mattress is manufactured of durable foam material and covered in all-cotton batting, and in another embodiment, produced as an innerspring mattress containing a series of stainless steel coils which are covered in dual insulators and fiber padding and secured in place via durable steel border rods. The novel feature of the Evolution Bed is found in the inclusion of a system of air bladders which encompass the top of the mattress. Configured in a series of undulating rows which run horizontally across the surface of the mattress, these air bladders are inflated and released via an internal motor which disperses air through the individual bladders at timed intervals allowing the individual sections of the mattress expand and contract, thus serving to vastly reduce pressure to specific areas of the body.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/397,964 filed Jun. 18, 2010, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Evolution Bed.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of air bed devices, and more specifically to the field of multi-chambered air bed devices with automatic pressure variation capability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art has put forth several designs for multi-chambered air bed devices with automatic pressure variation. Among these are:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,394,784 to Gerald R. Swenson, et al describes a bed or mattress structure having at least one pneumatic bladder confined within an outer perimeter of resilient but relatively firm edging material, wherein air flow tubes are coupled into the pneumatic bladder and are connected to an electrically driven blower assembly being controllable by at least one hand held control unit.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,266,833 to Joenne Lin describes an air bed structure capable of alternate aerating and lying thereon on one's side, wherein, the air bed is divided into a right and left part each being comprised of a plurality of elongate air bladders in several sets or groups.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,798 to Chi-An Chang describes an air cushion bed which includes a massaging device comprising an air cushion, vibrating motor, motor casing, massaging plate and adhesive strip. The air cushion bed utilizes a microcomputer to activate the vibrating motor so that a patient resting on the massaging device can be massaged on the back portion through the vibration of the massaging plate.
None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-chambered air bed device with automatic pressure variation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational angled perspective view of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a close-up elevational angled perspective view of a portion of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an elevational angled perspective view of a cross section of the device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Millions of people visit doctors' offices, clinics and hospitals every year. For those who must undergo surgical procedures or embark on an overnight or extended hospital stay, the patient is typically assigned a hospital bed on which to recuperate and rest during their time in the hospital. Usually boasting various settings with which to raise the head or foot of the bed, these beds are designed with patient comfort in mind and are a crucial element in any patient ward or room. For those patients who suffer serious illness, paralysis or other types of limited mobility brought on by medical conditions or age, the vast majority of time is spent confined to a bed.
Unfortunately, because the vast majority of a day is spent in a one position, patients confined to continual bed rest are at serious risk of developing bed sores. Bedsores, more properly known as pressure ulcers or “decubitus” ulcers are painful lesions caused by many factors such as unrelieved pressure, friction, humidity, temperature, age, continence and medication. While bed sores can occur on any part of the body, these lesions are particularly prevalent over bony or cartilaginous areas such as the sacrum, elbows, knees and ankles. Although preventable and completely treatable if found early, bedsores can lead to dangerous infections and are often fatal, even under the auspices of medical care.
The present invention, hereinafter referred as the Evolution Bed, provides a practical way of preventing bed sores from developing in bedridden patients. Simply stated, the Evolution Bed is a specially designed hospital mattress, with the surface of the mattress boasting a series of inflatable air bladders which are programmed to periodically release, thus alleviating pressure to various points of the body. Similar in function to a traditional hospital mattress, the Evolution Bed is offered in a wide variety of comfort choices from soft pillow top versions to extra firm, back supporting models. This mattress is manufactured of durable foam material and covered in all-cotton batting, and in another embodiment, produced as an innerspring mattress containing a series of stainless steel coils which are covered in dual insulators and fiber padding and secured in place via durable steel border rods. The novel feature of the Evolution Bed is the inclusion of a system of air bladders which encompass the top of the mattress. Configured in a series of undulating rows which run horizontally across the surface of the mattress, these air bladders are inflated and released via an internal motor which disperses air through the individual bladders at timed intervals allowing the individual sections of the mattress expand and contract, thus serving to vastly reduce pressure to specific areas of the body, in turn greatly reducing the risk of bed sores.
The Evolution Bed is a practical product invention which offers consumers a number of significant benefits and advantages. Foremost, the Evolution Bed provides medical professionals a practical way in which to prevent bed sores from occurring in bedridden patients. A specially designed mattress featuring a series of inflatable air bladders which serve to alleviate pressure to specific points of the body, the Evolution Bed reduces the strain and stress placed on bony or cartilaginous areas that occur as a result of long hours spent bed bound. With air periodically released from the bladders, pressure to specific points of the body is reduced, in turn preventing pressure sores from occurring in the first place. With painful bedsores effectively eliminated, the dangerous associated infections are also eradicated, thus resulting in a healthier and happier patient. Eliminating the need to continuously turn and reposition the patient, simply in order to alleviate pressure points, the Evolution Bed is a practical product which enables caregivers to focus on other, more important aspects of care. Bed bound patients especially appreciate the Evolution Bed. Extremely comfortable, this unique mattress provides optimal support during long hours confined to a bed. Ideal for use in hospitals, nursing homes and other long term care facilities, the Evolution Bed also prove an invaluable commodity to those who depend on home health care services. Durably constructed, the Evolution Bed withstands years of use, with ease.
The Evolution Bed is a unique product invention which offers medical care providers a simple means of reducing the risk of bed sores in bed bound patients. Ergonomic in design, this unique mattress is supremely comfortable to use. Reasonably priced, the Evolution Bed is well received by health care professionals and their patients.
Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A multi-chambered air bed device with automatic pressure variations, comprising a hospital mattress, wherein the surface of the mattress comprises a series of inflatable air bladders which are programmed to periodically release, thus alleviating pressure to various points of the body.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is manufactured of durable foam material and covered in all-cotton batting.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the mattress comprises an innerspring mattress containing a series of stainless steel coils which are covered in dual insulators and fiber padding and secured in place via durable steel border rods.

4. The device of claim wherein the inflatable air bladders encompass the top of the mattress and are configured in a series of undulating rows which run horizontally across the surface of the mattress.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the air bladders are inflated and released by means of an internal motor which disperses air through the individual bladders at timed intervals, allowing the individual sections of the mattress to expand and contract, thus serving to vastly reduce pressure to specific areas of the body.