Patent Publication Number: US-5522099-A

Title: Wash water draining device for washing patients in bed

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a wash water draining device for washing patients in bed. In particular, a wash water draining device for washing patients in bed for a waterproof bed mattress which can be deformed in the shape of a basin. 
     The washing and care of bedridden and frequently incontinent older persons requires a high degree of time and energy both in nursing homes and also when nursing at home. Here a wash water draining device for conventional bed mattresses represents significant help. 
     It is already known to fabricate such devices from inflatable pad-mouldings that are made of one piece (EP 509 292 A1). Furthermore, it is also known to equip deformable mattresses specifically with a drain (Patent Abstracts of Japan C-943, May 22, 1992, Vol. 16/No. 219). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In contrast, the present invention is based on the problem of overcoming the problem of the wash water draining device for conventional mattresses (i.e. with specially manufactured mattresses) by means of a waterproof pad. 
     This problem is solved by using a wash water draining device for washing patients in bed for a waterproof bed mattress which can be deformed in the shape of basin, the device comprising mattress bases which slop or deform the conventional bed mattress from the side to the center and from the head to the foot. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a bed showing a mattress and the device of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic end elevational view of the combination shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic end elevational view showing another embodiment of the device of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a traverse cross-sectional view of the mattress compressing device used in the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the mattress compressing device of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing another aspect of the mattress compressing device; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the device of the instant invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 7; and 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line A--A of FIG. 8. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The device comprises mattress bases (MU), which are laid in such a manner under the conventional bed mattress that said bed mattress slopes in the direction of both the central axis (FIGS. 2, 3 and 7) and the foot end (FIG. 1 ). The structure of these lateral bases can be analogous to that of an air mattress (LM), whose inflatable chambers (K) are designed in such a manner that they produce the aforementioned gradient of the bed mattress (BM) (FIGS. 1 and 2). The bases can also be foam pieces (ST), which are shaped in such a manner that the aforementioned gradient is produced on the conventional bed mattress (BM) (FIG. 3). 
     A slatted base (LR) (FIGS. 7 and 8) represents another variation of the base; both sides of said slatted base can be folded up and stopped electrically or manually in such a manner that the conventional bed mattress (BM) slopes from the sides to the center and from the head to the foot piece. Folding up the side piece (LS) of a slatted base causes a lever (H) to be moved by means of a cord (SE), run over an anchored deflecting roller (U); said lever lifts the slatted base center piece (LM) in the head region (KO) (FIG. 9), in order to create in this manner an additionally stabilized gradient in the direction of the foot end even in the center region of the mattress. 
     The inflatable chambers (K) can remain permanently lying under the bed mattress (BM). As soon as the air is drawn off via valves, this device lies, analogous to a mattress protector, under the bed mattress (BM); only the tube valves (SV) remain accessible for the next washing of the patient. 
     The optionally usable foam pieces (ST) are usually removed after the patient has been washed. However, they can also be regarded as a guarantee that the patient cannot roll out and remain at least intermittently under the bed mattress (BM). The same applies to the folded-up slatted base (LR). 
     In the same manner that a new bed sheet is put on, a waterproof mattress pad (MA) is spread over the bed mattress (BM). A drainage socket (AS) is integrated in the center of the foot region of this mattress pad (MA). A highly flexible drainage tube is slipped--either bent at right angles or straight depending on the design of the bed-- on this drainage socket (AS) (FIG. 6). 
     To be able to impart to the drainage socket (AS) and tube fitting a constant gradient to the waterproof mattress pad (MA), it is necessary to produce a depression (V) in the conventional bed mattress (BM). This depression (V) should be designed so as to be protective and eliminatable (FIG. 5). For this purpose, an important part of the invention--the so-called mattress compressing device (MPV)--is suitable. This pad element is constructed in such a manner that an angular, large-area submattress plate (UB) holds a small-area mattress compressing element (MZ) and pulls it toward itself by rotating a vertical threaded rod (GS), so that a depression (V) is produced in the center of the foot end on the upper surface of the mattress (FIG. 5). The threaded rod (GS) can be operated by means of a small handcrank that can be mounted. 
     This mattress compressing device (MPV) can remain at the foot end of the bed mattress (BM), when frequent washings are necessary.