Abstract:
A system to cause instability for a person supported by a person support surface is disclosed. The system is configured to cause the person supported by the person support surface to compensate for the instability caused by the system in order to exercise their core or trunk region.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    While several systems have been developed to help a patient supported by a patient support apparatus to exercise, a need exists for continued development in this area. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0002]    The present disclosure includes one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter. 
         [0003]    One embodiment of the current disclosure of the system includes a person support surface comprising a ticking layer with an outer facing surface and an inner facing surface, the inner facing surface defining an internal core region. An instability apparatus is mounted to the person support surface. 
         [0004]    Another embodiment of the current disclosure of the system includes a person support apparatus. A fluid supply unit is mounted to the person support apparatus. An instability apparatus is in fluidic communication with the fluid supply unit. 
         [0005]    Another embodiment of the current disclosure of an instability apparatus for use on a person support apparatus comprising a controller and a source of pressurized fluid, the instability apparatus comprising at least one bladder in fluidic communication with the source of pressurized fluid and a connector in the fluidic path between the bladder and the source of pressurized fluid. 
         [0006]    Yet another embodiment of the current disclosure of an instability apparatus for a person support surface includes at least two bladders. A fluid supply unit is in fluidic communication with at least one bladder. At least one valve is fluidly connected to at least one bladder. A controller in communication with at least one of the fluid supply unit and the valve to vary the volume of fluid in at least one bladder. Thereby, varying the inclination of the person support surface to cause instability. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the claimed subject matter and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the claimed subject matter. In the drawings: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1A  is an illustration of a system to exercise a person&#39;s core region, wherein an instability apparatus includes a section of a cylinder and is incorporated with the head support section of a person support surface, constructed according to principles of the teachings herein; 
           [0009]      FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of the system of  FIG. 1A , wherein an instability apparatus is positioned under a ticking layer of a person support surface. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1C  is a cross-sectional view of the system of  FIG. 1A , wherein an instability apparatus is positioned over a ticking layer of a person support surface. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of a person supported by the system of  FIG. 1  configured to exercise the person&#39;s core region, constructed according to the teachings herein; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of a system to exercise a person&#39;s core region, wherein an instability apparatus is a section of a sphere and incorporated with the head support section of a person support surface, constructed according to principles of the teachings herein; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4A  is an illustration of a system to exercise a person&#39;s core region, wherein an instability apparatus is a section of a cylinder integral with the seat support section of a person support surface, constructed according to principles of the teachings herein; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4B  is an illustration of a modular system to exercise a person&#39;s core region, wherein an instability apparatus is a section of a cylinder mounted on top of a person support surface, constructed according to principles of the teachings herein; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of a system to exercise a person&#39;s core region, wherein an instability apparatus is a section of a sphere and incorporated with the seat support section of a person support surface, constructed according to principles of the teachings herein; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6A  is an illustration of a system to exercise a person&#39;s core region, wherein pressure within at least one bladder is varied to vary inclination of a person support surface, constructed according to principles of the teachings herein. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6B  is an illustration of a person supported by the system of  FIG. 6A  configured to exercise the person&#39;s core region, constructed according to the teachings herein. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7A  is a schematic of one embodiment of a system to exercise a person&#39;s core region. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7B  is a schematic of another embodiment of a system to exercise a person&#39;s core region. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    The embodiments of the claimed subject mater and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be briefly mentioned or omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the claimed subject matter described. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the claimed subject matter may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the claimed subject matter described herein. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
         [0021]    It is understood that the subject matter claimed is not limited to the particular methodology, protocols, devices, apparatus, materials, applications, etc., described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0022]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0023]    A person-support apparatus  10  according to one illustrative embodiment of the current disclosure is shown in  FIG. 1A . In one embodiment, the person-support apparatus  10  is a hospital bed. The person-support apparatus  10  includes a lower frame or base  38 , a plurality of supports coupled with the lower frame  38 , and an upper frame  42  supported on the plurality of supports above the lower frame  38 . The person-support apparatus  10  also includes a deck  44  supported on the upper frame. The person-support apparatus  10  may be a stretcher or an operating table in another embodiment. A person support surface  12  comprising an outer ticking layer  26  which envelopes an inner core region is mounted on at least a portion of the deck  44  of the person-support apparatus  10 . The person support surface  12  has a head support section HP, a seat support section SP and a foot support section FP as shown in  FIG. 1A . An instability apparatus  14  is positioned in the head support section HP in one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1A ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . The instability apparatus  14  includes at least one bladder filled with air. In another embodiment, the bladder is filled with a gel substance, in yet another embodiment the bladder is filled with beads. The bladder in the instability apparatus  14  could be filled with any other medium. The instability apparatus  14  is made of foam, rubber, wood, composite or plastic materials and in one embodiment may not have a bladder, the structural strength of the instability apparatus  14  provided by the stiffness of the materials and structural design. As seen in  FIG. 1A , the instability apparatus  14  is positioned along the length of the head support section HP of the person support surface  14  and is a cylindrical cap in shape. The instability apparatus  14  may alternatively be in the shape of a spherical cap as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 . In another embodiment, the instability apparatus  14  may be of any other shape with at least one convex surface, where the convex surface is in contact with the patient.  FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4B ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  are illustrative embodiments wherein the instability apparatus  14  is positioned in the seat support section SP. 
         [0024]    An illustrative embodiment of the current disclosure as seen in  FIG. 1B  shows a cross-sectional view of a person support surface  14  comprising an outer ticking layer  26  which envelopes an inner core region. In one embodiment, the ticking layer  26  is integral to the person support surface  14 , while in another embodiment, the ticking layer  26  maybe a mattress cover or a bed sheet. The instability apparatus  14  as shown in  FIG. 1B  comprises a bladder positioned under the ticking layer  26 . A fluid supply unit  20  is fluidly connected to the bladder, and inflates or deflates the bladder. Operation of the fluid supply unit  20  is controlled by the controller  22 . 
         [0025]    An illustrative embodiment of the current disclosure as seen in  FIG. 1C  shows a cross-sectional view of a person support surface  14  which comprises an outer ticking layer  26  which envelopes an inner core region. The instability apparatus  14  as shown in  FIG. 1C  comprises a bladder positioned over the ticking layer  26 . A fluid supply unit  20  is fluidly connected to the bladder, and inflates or deflates the bladder via connectors  28 . Operation of the fluid supply unit  20  is controlled by the controller  22 . In one embodiment the instability apparatus  14  is removably mounted on the person support surface  12 , and the connectors  28  serve as a quick disconnect connection allowing the instability apparatus  14  to be easily connected to or detached from the fluid supply unit  20 . In yet another embodiment, the bladder of the instability apparatus  14  may be integral to the ticking layer  26 . 
         [0026]    An illustrative embodiment of the current disclosure as seen in  FIG. 2  shows the instability apparatus  14  in use. The instability apparatus  14  has its convex surface supporting the patient and which causes the patient to tend to fall to one side or the other of the instability apparatus  14 . The patient&#39;s attempt to maintain an upright position causes the patient to use and thereby exercise their core or trunk region. Targeted use of muscles in the core or trunk region aspires to prevent muscle atrophy and increase muscle strength, thereby enhancing patient mobility in and out of bed. 
         [0027]    In an illustrative embodiment of the current disclosure as seen in  FIG. 4A , the instability apparatus  14  comprises at least one bladder which is variably inflated by a fluid supply unit  20 . The instability apparatus  14  is mounted on the outer surface of an outer ticking layer  26  of a person support surface  12  in one embodiment. The instability apparatus is mounted between the outer ticking layer  26  and the inner core region in another embodiment, or is integral to the outer ticking layer  26  of the person support surface  12  in yet another embodiment. The instability apparatus  14  is supplied fluid by the fluid supply unit  20  integral to the person-support apparatus  10  which may be used for other operations such as inflating or deflating the person support surface  12 . In another embodiment, the instability apparatus  14  has a dedicated fluid supply unit  20 . A valve  16  regulates fluid flow out of the instability apparatus in one embodiment while in another embodiment; the valve  16  regulates fluid flow both in to and out of the instability apparatus  14 . The valve  16  is manually operated or a controller  22  may control the operation of the valve  16  in another embodiment. The controller  22  controls the fluid supply unit  20  and therefore controls the volume and pressure inside the bladder of the instability apparatus  14 . The controller  22  is integral to the person-support apparatus  10  in one embodiment and responsible for controlling other functions of the person-support apparatus  10  while in another embodiment the instability apparatus  14  has a dedicated controller  22 . A pressure sensor  18  is mounted in the bladder and sends signals indicative of the pressure inside the bladder to the controller  22 . In another embodiment, the pressure sensor  18  may be mounted external to the bladder. In the illustrative embodiment as seen in  FIG. 4A , the instability apparatus  14  is positioned in the seat section and allows for core strengthening while the patient is seated in the bed ingress-egress position. The controller  22  may be any programmable or pre-programmed device capable of providing or acquiring control signals. 
         [0028]    In an illustrative embodiment of the current disclosure as seen in  FIG. 4B , the instability apparatus  14  comprises at least one bladder which is variably inflated by a blower  24 . The instability apparatus  14  is a modular self contained unit and is mounted on the person support surface  12  in the seat support section SP. In another embodiment, the instability apparatus  14  may be mounted in either the head support section HP or the foot support section FP. The modular instability apparatus  14  as shown in  FIG. 4B  is mounted to the person support surface  12  by a hook and loop connection in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the modular instability apparatus  14  may be mounted to the person-support surface  12  by an adhesive connection, zippered connection, buttoned connection, frictional connection, snap connection or a threaded connection. As seen in  FIG. 4B , the instability apparatus  14  further comprises a controller  22  which controls the operation of the blower  24 . A valve  16  regulates fluid flow out of the instability apparatus  14  while in another embodiment; the valve  16  regulates fluid flow both in to and out of the instability apparatus  14 . The valve  16  is a manually operated device in one embodiment while in another embodiment; the controller  22  controls the operation of the valve  16 . 
         [0029]    In one illustrative embodiment of the disclosure as seen in  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B , the seat support section SP of the person support surface  12  comprises at least two bladders. A pressure sensor  18  is mounted in at least one bladder and sends signals indicative of the pressure inside the bladder to the controller  22 . In another embodiment, the pressure sensor  18  may be mounted external to the bladder. The instability apparatus  14  is supplied fluid by the fluid supply unit  20  integral to the person-support apparatus  10  which may be used for other operations such as inflating or deflating the person support surface  12  in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the instability apparatus  14  has a dedicated fluid supply unit  20 . A valve  16  regulates fluid flow out of the instability apparatus; in another embodiment the valve  16  regulates fluid flow both in to and out of the instability apparatus  14 . The valve  16  is a manually operated device in one embodiment and in another embodiment, a controller  22  controls the operation of the valve  16 . The controller  22  controls the fluid supply unit  20  and therefore controls the volume and pressure inside the bladder of the instability apparatus  14 . The controller is integral to the person-support apparatus  10  in one embodiment while in another embodiment, the instability apparatus  14  has a dedicated controller  22 . The controller  22  may be any programmable or pre-programmed device capable of providing or acquiring control signals. The instability apparatus  14  as shown in  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  is configured so that at least one of the bladders is differentially filled with fluid with respect to one other bladder in the seat support section SP. This differential volume of the bladders results in tilting of at least a portion of the seat support section SP as shown in  FIG. 6B . 
         [0030]    In one illustrative embodiment of the current disclosure as seen in  FIG. 7A , an instability apparatus  14  comprises at least one bladder which is variably inflated and deflated by a fluid supply unit  20 . A controller  22  communicates with and controls the operation of the fluid supply unit  20 .The controller  22  is in communication with a communication network  32 . The communication network  32  may be of any type, including but not limited to Wide Area Network (WAN), Local Area Network (LAN), Virtual Private Network (VPN), telephone lines, optical communications, internet communications or telex. The communication network  32  is in communication with at least one Electronic Medical Record (EMR)  30 , a hospital communication station  36  and a nurse call system  34 . The communication station  36  is a centralized location wherein one or more patients may be monitored by a caregiver. In one embodiment the communication station  36  may be stationary, while in another embodiment, it may be a mobile unit to accommodate prompt deployment. 
         [0031]    In another illustrative embodiment of the current disclosure as seen in  FIG. 7B  an instability apparatus  14  comprises at least one bladder which is variably inflated by a fluid supply unit  20 . A controller  22  communicates with and controls the operation of the fluid supply unit  20 . A pressure sensor  18  is mounted in the bladder and sends signals indicative of the pressure inside the bladder to the controller  22 . In another embodiment, the pressure sensor  18  may be mounted external to the bladder. At least one valve  16  allows for variable deflation of the bladder in this embodiment. The controller  22  controls operation of the valve  16 . Controller  22  is also in communication with a communication network  32 . Communication network  32  may be of any type, including but not limited to Wide Area Network (WAN), Local Area Network (LAN), Virtual Private Network (VPN), telephone lines, optical communications, internet communications or telex. The communication network  32  is in communication with at least one Electronic Medical Record (EMR)  30 , a hospital communication station  36  and a nurse call system  34 . 
         [0032]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the subject matter (particularly in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation, as the scope of protection sought is defined by the claims as set forth hereinafter together with any equivalents thereof entitled to. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illustrate the subject matter and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the subject matter unless otherwise claimed. The use of the term “based on” and other like phrases indicating a condition for bringing about a result, both in the claims and in the written description, is not intended to foreclose any other conditions that bring about that result. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention as claimed. 
         [0033]    Preferred embodiments are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventor for carrying out the claimed subject matter. Of course, variations of those preferred embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the claimed subject matter to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this claimed subject matter includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 
         [0034]    The disclosures of any references and publications cited above are expressly incorporated by reference in their entireties to the same extent as if each were incorporated by reference individually.