Support PAD for a patient transfer mattress

A support pad includes a recess in an upper surface for receiving an inflatable transfer mattress. The recess may extend to a depth such that an upper surface of the transfer mattress is flush with the upper surface of the support pad when the transfer mattress is deflated. Alternatively, the recess may be adapted for receipt of a transfer mattress having an accessory on an upper surface of the mattress such that an upper surface of the accessory is flush with the upper surface of the pad. The support pad may include side and end portions to form an overlay adapted for placement on an underlying support member having larger dimensions than the transfer mattress. The support pad may also be sectioned to include one or more detachably connected portions to facilitate sliding removal of a transfer mattress from the recess of the support pad.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to inflatable air mattresses used for medical purposes. More particularly, the present invention relates to an inflatable patient transfer mattress including small holes in a bottom sheet to form a cushion of air beneath the mattress to facilitate sliding of the mattress along an underlying support surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The most prevalently produced transfer mattresses at the current time have an array of laterally extending chambers arranged in a generally rectangular pattern in the center of the mattress, with a continuous, rectangular outer chamber extending around the periphery of the mattress. Several embodiments of this type are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,873. The top sheet of these transfer mattresses is usually a twill weave nylon fabric coated on one side with urethane to make it vapor permeable but waterproof.

Although these mattresses can be cleaned and disinfected after use with various germicidal cleaning solutions, it is preferable to keep the mattress surfaces protected from contact with infectious or contaminating body fluids. This has been accomplished in prior art air mattresses by providing a sanitary sheet, essentially identical to the top sheet of the mattress, which is folded and inserted in a pouch at the foot end of the mattress. This sheet, referred to as a “sani-liner”, is intended to be removed from the pouch and laid over the top sheet of the deflated mattress before the patient is placed upon the mattress. When the mattress is then inflated, the sani-liner sheet protects the top surface of the mattress from potentially infectious material. The sani-liner can later be cleaned and disinfected, folded and returned to the pouch.

In practice, however, when hospital workers sometimes need to use the transfer mattress quickly, they do not always take time to remove the sani-liner from the pouch and cover the top sheet. Furthermore, when the sani-liner is removed or otherwise comes detached, it is often lost and not replaced. Thus, it would helpful to have a removable sanitary cover that is already in place over the top sheet when the mattress is deflated and stored, and that can be removed and cleaned or replaced with another cover after use. Consistent with the above, it would be useful to have a transfer mattress that includes fasteners for attaching various accessories, including sanitary covers, to the mattress.

It would also be useful to have a sectional air mattress comprising at least one inflatable transfer pad, with accessories to facilitate convenient repositioning of a patient in a bed, or to improve the ease of transferring a patient from a bed to a chair and vice versa.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a support pad for an inflatable transfer mattress includes a recess in an upper surface of the support pad for receiving the transfer mattress.

According to one embodiment, the recess of the support pad extends into the support pad from the upper surface of the support pad to a depth such that an upper surface of an inflatable transfer mattress received in the recess of the support pad is substantially flush with the upper surface of the support pad when the transfer mattress is in a deflated condition.

According to another embodiment, the recess of the support pad is adapted for receiving an inflatable transfer mattress having an accessory located on an upper surface of the transfer mattress. The recess extends into the support pad from the upper surface of the support pad such that an upper surface of the accessory on the transfer mattress is substantially flush with the upper surface of the support pad.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an overlay for supporting a substantially rectangular patient transfer mattress on an underlying support member having longitudinal and transverse dimensions that exceed those of the patient transfer mattress. The overlay comprises a pad body including upper and lower surfaces defining a thickness therebetween and opposite sides and ends respectively defining a transverse width and a longitudinal length. The overlay also comprises a substantially rectangular recess in the upper surface of the pad body for receiving a transfer mattress. The recess in the pad body of the overlay has a transverse width and longitudinal length with respect to the pad body that are less than the width and length of the pad body such that the pad body includes side and end portions extending outwardly from a periphery of the recess. Preferably, the recess in the overlay pad body is substantially centrally located with respect to both the width and length of the pad body.

According to another aspect of the invention, the support pad is sectioned and comprises a pad body having at least one pad portion detachably connected to the pad body. The pad portion forms part of a periphery defined by the recess when the pad portion is connected to the pad body to facilitate sliding removal of a patient transfer mattress from the recess of pad body when the pad portion is detached from the pad body.

According to one embodiment, the pad body is substantially rectangular defining opposite sides and ends and the support pad includes side and end portions respectively located along the opposite sides and ends of the recess. Each of the end portions may be detachably connected to the pad body to facilitate lengthwise removal of a transfer mattress from either end of the recess. Alternatively, each of the side portions may be detachably connected to the pad body for sidewise removal of transfer mattress from either side of the recess.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the figures, there is shown inFIG. 1one embodiment of patient transfer device10. The patient transfer device10comprises at least one transfer mattress12and a plurality of fasteners14for attaching an accessory across a top surface of the mattress12. The mattress12may include a generally rectangular array of transverse air chambers16supported at each longitudinal side thereof by a longitudinally-extending side air chamber18. The transition between the transverse chambers16and side chambers18defining a seam20at each longitudinal side of the array.

The fasteners may be any type of fastener capable of attaching an accessory to the mattress12and the type of fastener may vary depending on the type of accessory. The fasteners may also be located anywhere on the mattress12or attached to the mattress12in any manner suitable in light of the accessory. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1, the fasteners are mounted on tabs attached to the longitudinally-extending side air chambers.

InFIG. 1, an inlet22for inflating the mattress12may be a closable opening wherein an air supply hose24is inserted and the inlet is snapped shut or otherwise closed to hold the hose in place while the mattress is being inflated. The inlet22may also include a valve biased to be normally closed to prevent air from exiting through the inlet and opened when the hose24is inserted into the inlet22. Other arrangements known to those skilled in the art may be used to inflate the mattress12.

The various types of accessories that may be attached to a transfer mattress are generally unlimited. By way of example, some preferred accessories include various types of covers, such as a non-absorbent sanitary cover, a washable absorbent cover or a disposable cover. Another useful accessory is a flexible body litter with carry handles. Other possible accessories include a wrap for wrapping around a patient or a garment worn by the patient to assist in moving the patient together with the transfer device; a cushion; an inflatable air mattress with a pressure control valve; an inflatable air mattress with pulsating pressure control; a non-inflatable mattress; and a therapeutic pad.

In an embodiment where the selected accessory is a cushion, the cushion may be releasably attached to the inflatable mattress or the cushion and mattress may be constructed as a single unit.

In embodiments where there is an inflatable air mattress, a top surface of the inflatable mattress may be inclined so that the head of a patient lying horizontally on the mattress is at a higher point with respect to a supporting surface than the feet.

Referring now toFIG. 2, the patient transfer device10is shown with an accessory attached. The accessory is a body litter30having carry handles32. The carry handles are a loop of fabric sewn to the litter30as shown by the stitching34running between each pair of handles32. The loop is preferably continuous as shown. In a preferred embodiment, at least two pair of carry-handles extend outward from the mattress. In the depicted embodiment, there are three pairs of carry handles32, two at the sides and one at each end.

The body litter30, or any other accessory, may be attached to the transfer mattress12using any type of fastener or suitable means of fastening. The selected accessory and mattress may alternatively be fixedly attached or otherwise constructed as a single unit. InFIG. 2A, the fastener is a snap fastener. As shown inFIG. 2A, the tabs14have snaps which can attach to snaps located at corresponding positions on the body litter30, or any accessory. The fasteners14may be located outboard of the seams defined by the transition between the transverse chambers and the side chambers. The fasteners may also be mounted on tabs attached to the longitudinally-extending side air chambers, as shown inFIG. 1.

A preferred body litter31is shown inFIG. 2B. The body litter31depicted inFIG. 2Bincludes flaps33,35that extend outward from each side of the body litter31. When not in use, flap33may be folded over the litter's center panel37along line39a. Similarly, flap35may be folded over the litter's center panel along line39b. If a patient laying on the transfer device is pronounced dead or if a body needs to be transferred, the flaps33,35may be opened as shown inFIG. 2Ballowing the body to be covered and transported using one or more pair of carry handles that are preferably attached to the litter's center panel37. The flaps33,35may also be thermally coated and used to warm patients in shock or who otherwise need to be warmed.

In a transfer device, the transfer mattress has a bottom sheet with a pattern of tiny holes to allow the escape of air supplied into the mattress by a low-pressure air supply. The air supplied to the transfer mattress escapes through the holes, providing a weight-bearing cushion to facilitate sliding the mattress along a surface as well as from one surface to another. InFIG. 3, an embodiment is shown in which the accessory is an inflatable mattress40, which may have a pressure control valve or pulsating pressure control. The inflatable mattress40may include a top surface that is inclined so that the head of a patient lying horizontally on the mattress is at a higher point with respect to a supporting surface than the feet. The mattresses12,40may be releasably attached as shown with snaps. The mattresses12,40may also include at least one sheet, either top or bottom or both, that is rigid or substantially rigid to cause a surface to remain relatively level while the mattress is inflated.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 3, it should be understood that the second mattress40is not limited to being an air mattress, but may be any type of mattress or pad depending on the needs of the patient. For instance, it is very common for closure of a patient's capillaries to be a concern for patients that are confined to a bed for an extended period. In such situations, any type of accessory that will prevent capillary closure may be attached to the transfer mattress12. For example, any type of therapeutic pad, such as for example a gel pad, may be attached to the transfer mattress12to ensure patient comfort and reduce the risk of capillary closure. Where the mattress40is inflatable, however, a variable pressure air supply may be used so appropriate pressure levels may be delivered to each mattress, as desired. For example, the inflatable mattress40may be inflated using a lower degree of pressure than the transfer mattress12.

The transfer and inflatable mattresses may be constructed in any shape or size. For example, the transfer mattress may be constructed so that the apex distance between top and bottom sheets, when the pads are inflated, is greater outboard of the seam than in the array of transverse chambers to bias the patient towards the center of the pad by creating the effect of an inverted pontoon at each longitudinal side of the array.FIG. 4shows a cross-sectional view of a transfer mattress or pad constructed in that shape. This shape is especially useful for helping to center a patient on the mattress and providing additional security for the patient. The transfer mattress can also be constructed such that the plenum chamber52of the pontoon extend downward. Adjusting the distance of transverse partition members between top and bottom sheets causes variations in the shape of a mattress. To adjust the distance between sheets, the height of the partition54may be adjusted, as desired.

Moving toFIGS. 5 and 6, an embodiment of the patient transfer device may include a sectional mattress60having a plurality of inflatable pads62,64, at least one being a transfer pad having a bottom sheet with a pattern of tiny holes to allow the escape of air to facilitate sliding the pad from one surface to another. In this embodiment, each pad may have means for attaching to another pad to form a complete mattress60for a patient. The attachment means may be a snap, belt, or hook and loop fastener, for example. There may be any number of pads but the overall collective size of the pads when attached together will generally be similar in size to a typical hospital bed. InFIG. 5, the sectioned mattress60is shown as comprising two inflatable pads62,64, each less than about half the size of a typical hospital bed. The embodiment is useful because a patient laying on a hospital bed66will often slide down toward the foot end of the bed. In such situations, staff members typically physically pull the patient back towards the headboard. This process is often painful for the patient and a major cause of muscular skeletal disability for staff members. Having a sectioned inflatable mattress60comprising one or more inflatable pads62,64as shown inFIG. 5allows the patient to be repositioned more effectively and safely, as described below.

InFIG. 5, the patient is shown partially slid downward on a hospital bed66. The sectioned mattress60of the present invention is between the bed66and the patient. The patient can be repositioned slightly so that his upper body will be completely supported by the lower inflatable pad64once it is inflated. (Note, the more pads used to form the mattress60, the less likely the patient will have to be repositioned prior to inflating the pads.)

Once the patient is in-place on pad64, the top pad62may be removed. The pad64supporting the patient's torso is then inflated and slid upward so the patient is again properly positioned in the bed. The pad62is then reattached at the bottom of pad64. The process may be repeated as necessary. Alternatively, if appropriate, after the top pad62is removed, it may be reattached and then inflated so that both pads62and64are used to reposition the patient as desired. Of course, the pads62,64may also be inflated to move the patient from the bed to another supporting surface.

The embodiment of the invention shown inFIGS. 5 and 6and described above, may, like other embodiments, include fasteners for attaching any type of accessory, as desired. More specifically, each pad may further include a plurality of fasteners for attaching an accessory across a top surface of a sectioned mattress formed by pads62,64being attached together. The pads also include fasteners for attaching one pad to another pad and may be located on tabs that are attached to the pads at various locations, as desired.

The pads62,64may include a top sheet and a bottom sheet, the top and bottom sheets being attached to each other by internal fabric strips forming a generally rectangular array of transverse air chambers supported at each longitudinal side thereof by a longitudinally-extending side air chamber. In such cases, the fasteners may generally be located outboard of the seams defined by the transition between the transverse chambers and the side chambers.

A transfer mattress, inflatable mattress, sectioned mattress, and inflatable pads, may be constructed to keep a patient level with respect to a supporting surface. When a patient is laying horizontally, the patient's torso typically imposes the greatest load on a mattress. This is of particular significance for air mattresses. If an air mattress is not constructed to properly support the patient's torso with respect to his feet and head, a patient may be forced to lay on the mattress with his feet and/or head above his torso, which is uncomfortable and could result in potentially harmful spinal flex. Therefore, it is desirable to construct the interior of an air mattress similar to what is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,873. In the '873 patent, the interior of an air mattress is constructed so that the amount of air pressure provided at various parts of the mattress correspond to the load to keep the patent substantially horizontal with respect to an underlying surface.

Referring now toFIGS. 7A,7B, and8, embodiments of a patient transfer device68that patients can be attached to or worn by a patient are shown. InFIGS. 7A and 7B, the patient transfer device68comprises a transfer mattress70having a body garment72which allows the device68to be worn like a pair of shorts. The garment72may be any accessory capable of causing the patient to move together with the mattress70. By way of example, a suitable accessory68may be a typical three-point harness used in baby products. If a patient wearing the device slides down in bed or otherwise needs to be repositioned, the mattress70may be inflated and the patient slid upward, safely and easily. The transfer mattress70preferably includes an opening to allow an attendant to position a bed pan beneath the patient, if necessary or desired.

The patient transfer device68is shown open isFIG. 7Aand closed inFIG. 7B. Depending on the condition and preference of the patient, the device68may be arranged inFIG. 7Aunderneath a patient and attached to the patient, as desired. Alternatively, the device may be arranged as shown inFIG. 7Ballowing a patient to wear the device68like a pair of shorts. The device68may be attached to a patient mattress to assist in preventing the patient from sliding down in bed.

InFIG. 8, a second wearable embodiment of patient transfer device100is shown. Here, the device100comprises a transfer mattress104having a wrap110for moving the patient together with the mattress104. When a patient is transferred, the wrap110may be worn as shown, the mattress104inflated, and the patient transferred from the bed to, for example, a chair. The wrap110is attached to the mattress104and, in the depicted embodiment, includes openings for the arms as shown. Arm movement may be restricted, if necessary, by leaving the patient's arms inside the wrap110or using a wrap110made without arm holes. For convenience, an air supply120may be attached directly to a chair112or any object into or onto which a patient will be transferred.

Referring now toFIGS. 9A and 9B, there is shown an embodiment of patient transfer device148comprising a patient transfer mattress150having a recessed portion. In the depicted embodiment, the device includes a transfer mattress152with an inflatable mattress154attached to it. InFIG. 9A, the inflatable mattress152is deflated. Referring toFIG. 10, the transfer device148, in similar manner as the above-described transfer devices, preferably includes a bottom sheet153having a plurality of small holes155providing a weight-bearing cushion of escaping air to facilitate sliding of the mattress along an underlying support surface. The height of the inflatable mattress154is preferably approximately equivalent to the height of the recess. To transfer a patient, the transfer mattress152may be inflated as shown inFIG. 9Band transferred to another supporting surface. The width of the recessed portion may be equal to or less than the width of the patient mattress150. Where the width of the recessed portion is less, the longitudinal edges of the mattress150may be removable or hingedly attached.

Referring toFIGS. 10 and 11, a patient transfer device160includes a support pad162defining a recess164in an upper surface166of the pad. As shown in the top plan view ofFIG. 10, the recess164has a rectangular periphery that is dimensioned for receipt of a correspondingly rectangular patient transfer mattress168. Referring to the sectional view ofFIG. 11, the depth that the recess164extends into the support pad162provides for receipt of the transfer mattress168such that the transfer mattress168is substantially flush with the upper surface166of the support pad162when the transfer mattress is in a deflated condition, as shown.

As shown inFIG. 10, the support pad162extends outwardly beyond the periphery of the recess164into side and end portions170,172. Constructed in this manner, the support pad162forms an overlay adapted for receipt on a supporting surface, such as that of a bed for example, having dimensions that exceed those of the transfer mattress168. As shown in broken line inFIG. 10, the support pad162preferably includes straps173located on a bottom surface of the support pad162and extending across each of the corners of the bottom surface. The corner straps173are preferably made from an elastic material to facilitate engagement between the straps173and an underlying member such as a bed for limited movement between the support pad162and the underlying member. The overlay support pad162, receiving a transfer mattress in a substantially flush manner, provides for a substantially uniform upper surface covering the underlying supporting surface in its entirety. The uniform surface provided by the overlay eliminates discomfort that might otherwise be presented because of edge transitions between the transfer mattress and the larger underlying bed surface.

The support pad162is shown comprising a solid interior, which could be any material such as a cotton-fill or a gel, for example. It is not a requirement, however, that the interior of support pad162comprise a solid material. It is within the scope of the invention that the interior of the support pad could comprise an inflatable chamber, or chambers.

Referring toFIG. 12A, a support pad174includes a recess176in an upper surface for receiving a patient transfer mattress (not shown). The support pad174includes side and end portions178,180, that similar to those of support pad162extend beyond the periphery of the recess176to provide a substantially flush upper surface with a deflated transfer mattress received in the recess176when the pad is placed on an underlying support member, such as a bed, that is larger than the transfer mattress. The support pad174is sectioned, as indicated by sections lines182. The section lines182extend laterally across the support pad174at the ends of the recess176to provide for detachment of the end portions180from the rest of the support pad174as shown inFIG. 12B. The detachment of one of the end portions180from the rest of the support pad174exposes the end of the recess176thereby facilitating sliding removal of a transfer mattress in endwise manner from the recess176of support pad174as illustrated inFIG. 12Bby arrow184. Any suitable means of releasably attaching the end portions180to the support pad174along section lines could be used including, for example, snaps, belts and hook and loop fasteners.

Referring toFIG. 12C, a support pad186includes a recess188for receiving a transfer mattress on an upper surface of the support pad186. The support pad186includes side and end portions190,192extending outwardly from the periphery of the recess188. The support pad186is sectioned as indicated by section lines194. As shown, the section lines194extend lengthwise with respect to the support pad186between the ends of the pad to provide for detachment of the side portions190from the support pad186. The section lines194are located at the sides of the recess188such that detachment of one of the side portions190from the support pad186exposes the recess188, thereby facilitating sliding removal of a transfer mattress in sidewise fashion from the recess188as indicated inFIG. 12Cby arrows196.

The foregoing describes the invention in terms of embodiments foreseen by the inventor for which an enabling description was available, notwithstanding that insubstantial modifications of the invention, not presently foreseen, may nonetheless represent equivalents thereto.