Patent Publication Number: US-7904979-B2

Title: Mattress with patient transport apparatus incorporated therein

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/765,562, filed Feb. 6, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to mattresses and, more specifically, to apparatus that facilitate the transport or evacuation of a person on a mattress particularly when the mattress must be separated or removed from the bed frame that normally supports it. 
     Many facilities, such as healthcare and long-term care facilities, have a significant number of non-ambulatory patients or residents. Such individuals often spend a significant amount of time positioned on a mattress supported on a bed frame. Transport of non-ambulatory individuals can be problematic, particularly when it is not possible to use a wheeled bed frame, stretcher, or wheelchair to transport such individuals. Such may occur, for example in emergency situations in which elevators may not be available to transport the wheeled bed frames or conditions otherwise impede the mobility of the bed frame. Such situations may include for example, a weather-related emergency (such as a tornado or hurricane warning), natural disaster, or other emergency requiring the rapid evacuation of people from an area or a facility. An apparatus that assists in the transport of a person located on a mattress would be beneficial particularly in such events. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the present invention provides a patient support. The patient support includes a cover defining an interior region. The interior region includes at least one support member adapted to support a patient, and a receptacle located in the interior region. The receptacle is sized to store a patient restraint when the patient restraint is not in use. 
     The patient support may further include a patient restraint deployable to secure a patient to the patient support. The patient support may include a handle coupled to the cover. The support member may include at least one air bladder adaptable to be used as a flotation device. The support member may include a bendable section disposed at a location to facilitate transport. The patient support may include a slide member coupled to the bendable section. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention provides a mattress for use with a patient. The mattress includes a mattress structure having a lower surface and a support surface disposed opposite the lower surface, the support surface defining an outer perimeter; at least one storage compartment defined by the mattress structure; and a patient restraint disposable within the at least one storage compartment when not in use and engageable with the patient and the mattress structure to secure the patient to the mattress structure when deployed. 
     The at least one storage compartment may be disposed within a volume bounded by the lower surface, the support surface, and a set of planes intersecting the outer perimeter and oriented substantially transverse to the support surface. The mattress may include a grip member affixed to the mattress structure, whereby the mattress structure can be grasped and used to move a patient secured thereto. The mattress may include at least one seat stiffener situated near the longitudinal midpoint of the mattress structure. The mattress may include at least one grip member affixed to the mattress structure adjacent to the at least one seat stiffener. The patient restraint may include a first member securable to a second member. The second member may be affixed to the lower surface of the mattress structure. The mattress may include at least one slide member engageable with a floor when the patient restraint is deployed to facilitate sliding of the mattress structure. The at least one slide member may be comprised of a material with a low coefficient of friction, and at least one slide member may be comprised of a material with a high coefficient of friction. At least one slide member may be comprised of a material with a high coefficient of friction and may be placed nearer the outer perimeter of the support surface than the at least one slide member comprised of a material with a low coefficient of friction. The patient restraint may comprise a fabric wrap, the patient being securable between the fabric wrap and the support surface. The fabric wrap may comprise a disengageable latching mechanism for securing the fabric wrap in a deployed position wherein the patient is secured between the fabric wrap and the support surface. The disengageable latching mechanism may be disengageably securable to a second latching mechanism affixed to the lower surface of the mattress structure. The fabric wrap may include an adjustable strap which is tightenable to secure the patient to the mattress structure. The at least one storage compartment may include a first storage compartment at a head end of the mattress structure and a second storage compartment at a foot end of the mattress structure. The patient restraint may be affixed to the mattress structure, the patient restraint and the grip member each being disposable in the at least one storage compartment. The mattress may include a second patient restraint and a second grip member, the patient restraint and grip member being disposable in the first storage compartment and the second patient restraint and second grip member being disposable in the second storage compartment. The mattress may include a foam structure, the at least one storage compartment being at least partially defined by the foam structure. The mattress may include at least one fluid filled bladder disposed within the mattress; and a pressure regulating apparatus operably coupled to said bladder. The mattress may include at least two articulating longitudinal sections. 
     Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a mattress for use with a person. The mattress includes a mattress structure having a lower surface and a support surface disposed opposite the lower surface, the support surface adapted to support a person, the support surface having a head end and a foot end spaced apart from the head end, the mattress structure including a foam member and at least one fluid filled bladder, the mattress structure defining a first volume bounded by the lower surface, the support surface and the head and foot ends; at least one storage compartment disposed within the first volume; at least one patient restraint affixed to the mattress structure and disposable in the at least one storage compartment when not in use and engageable with the patient and the mattress to secure the patient to the mattress when deployed; and a grip member affixed to the mattress, the grip member being graspable by an individual when relocating the mattress with the patient secured thereto by the patient restraint. 
     Additional features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above mentioned and other features of the present invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the present invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mattress including a storage compartment for a patient restraint; 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view showing the mattress of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view of the mattress showing the patient restraint in a deployed position; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view of the mattress showing the upper torso longitudinal section in an upright position; 
         FIG. 3   c  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the mattress; 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of the mattress showing the patient restraint in a deployed position; 
         FIG. 5   a  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary mattress in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 5   b  is an exploded perspective view of another exemplary mattress in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 6   a  is a perspective detail view showing a portion of an exemplary mattress assembly; 
         FIG. 6   b  is a perspective view showing a portion of another exemplary mattress assembly; 
         FIG. 7  is a view of latching mechanisms; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of an adjustable strap for securing a patient; 
         FIG. 9   a  is a bottom view of an embodiment having slide members; 
         FIG. 9   b  is a bottom view of an embodiment including high friction slide members; and 
         FIG. 9   c  is a bottom view of an embodiment having slide members and joints. 
     
    
    
     The embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention to the precise form disclosed. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A mattress structure  20  which is adapted to assist in the evacuation of a patient  22  located on the mattress is depicted in  FIGS. 1-5 . Mattress structure  20  includes an upper support surface  24  on which a person such as patient  22  can rest. Mattress  20  also includes a lower surface  26  which can be placed in engagement with a supporting bed frame (not shown). The supporting bed frame may be a hospital bed frame. The hospital bed frame may include one or more articulatable deck sections. Such deck sections may be articulatable to position a patient in a horizontal position or a “chair” position. 
     As seen in  FIG. 1 , upper surface  24  defines a generally rectilinear outer perimeter  28 . A volume is bounded by said support surface  24 , said lower surface  26  and planes  32  intersecting said outer perimeter  28  and oriented substantially transverse to said upper surface  24 . Pockets or storage compartments  34 ,  36  are located within the volume and are used to store patient restraints  38 ,  40  and handles or grip members  42 ,  44 . As discussed in greater detail below restraints  38 ,  40  are used to secure patient  22  to mattress  20  and grip members  42 ,  44  facilitate the movement of mattress  20  with patient  22  secured thereto during an evacuation event. Storage compartments  34 ,  36  are located at the foot end and head end of mattress  20  respectively. 
     The general construction of mattress structure  20  is best understood with reference to the exploded views of  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , which illustrate exemplary mattress structures suitable for use in connection with the present invention. Except for storage compartments  34 ,  36 , patient restraints  38 ,  40  and grip members  42 ,  44 , mattress structure  20  is made of conventional materials and components similar to mattress structures commercially available from Hill-Rom Company, Inc. having a place of business in Batesville, Ind. Mattress structure  20  may include all of the components shown in  FIG. 5   b , or may not include all of such components, as shown in  FIG. 5   a.    
     In the illustrated embodiment, mattress structure  20  includes a foam portion or bucket  46  formed out of open cell urethane foam. Foam bucket  46  has a large recess  48  for receiving rigid substrate  50  which functions as a mounting assembly. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5   b , turning bladders  52  are positioned above substrate  50 . Bladders  52  are deflated during normal usage of mattress  20 . Inflating one of bladders  52  is useful when a caregiver must turnover patient  22 . Located above turning bladders  52  are upper torso bladders  54 . Bladders  54  are inflated with a fluid and are useful in spreading the weight of patient  22  over a larger support area and thereby inhibiting the formation of decubitus ulcers on patient  22 . Pressure regulating apparatus  56  including fluid conduits and sensors are coupled with bladders  52 ,  54  to regulate the fluid pressure within bladders  52 ,  54 . Pressure regulating apparatus  56  is also coupled to foot bladders  58 . External equipment (not shown) is coupled with apparatus  56  to introduce and regulate either gaseous or liquid fluids within bladders  52 ,  54 ,  58 . One or more of bladders  52 ,  54 ,  58  and/or additional bladders, such as perimeter bladders (not shown) may be configured to be inflated to provide a flotation device. Such additional perimeter bladders may be stored within the mattress structure  20  when not inflated. As such, the bladders may be used to support a patient during transport over water. 
     In the exemplary mattress structure  20  of  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , foot bladders  58  are located in a recess  60  at the foot end of mattress structure  20 . Located between recesses  48  and  60  is a foam section  62 . One or more foam sections  62  or other bendable sections facilitates the bending of mattress structure  20  when mattress  20  is placed on an articulating hospital bed frame. Such bendable sections  62  may also be disposed at particular locations in the mattress to facilitate transport of a patient on the mattress, or for other reasons. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6   a , foam section  62  may include perforations to help facilitate adjustment of the length of the foot section. Hospital beds that are capable of assuming a chair position may have an adjustable length (i.e., expandable and/or retractable) foot section.  FIG. 6   b  shows another embodiment wherein foam section  62  does not include perforations. 
     Seat stiffeners  47  are attached to the sides of foam bucket  46  near the longitudinal midpoint of mattress structure  20  to reinforce the area of mattress  20  which often supports the pelvic region of the patient. Alternative or additional handles or grips  43  and  45  may be located near seat stiffeners  47  as shown in  FIG. 3   c . Overlying bladders  54 , perforated foam section  62  and bladders  58  is a foam overlay  64 . A polyurethane film sheet  66  is wrapped about the foam bucket and overlaying support members to shield the foam structures and bladders from liquids and bodily fluids. A fire barrier fabric  68  is located outside film sheet  66  and a layer of ticking  70  provides the outermost layer of the mattress structure  20 . In the exploded views of  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , ticking  70  is depicted off to the side and, in the final assembly, all of the other parts depicted in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  are located within ticking  70 . 
     Further in the exemplary mattress structure  20  of  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , an upper torso anchor plate  72  is secured to the bottom side of foam bucket  46  with tape  74 . An anchor strip  76 , located exterior of ticking  70 , is secured to anchor plate  72  with threaded fasteners. Similarly, at the foot end of mattress  20 , a foot anchor plate  78  is secured to the bottom of foam bucket  46  with tape  80 . Anchor strip  82 , located exterior of ticking  70 , is secured to anchor plate  78  with threaded fasteners. Attachment straps  84  are secured to anchor plate  78  and wrap around into recess  60  where foot bladders  58  are secured to straps  84 . 
     The lower surface  26  of mattress  20  is shown in  FIG. 2 . Anchor strips  76  and  82  function as frame securement members and are used to respectively secure the upper torso longitudinal section  49  and foot longitudinal section  61  of mattress  20  to an articulating bed frame in a manner known in the art. The upper torso section  49  and foot section  61  are separated by a longitudinal section  63  formed by perforated foam  62  or other bendable or compressible material. Securing the upper and lower longitudinal sections  49 ,  61  to the bed frame inhibits the displacement of mattress  20  on the bed frame due to the articulating movement of the supporting bed frame and mattress  20 . 
     Storage compartments  34 ,  36  are formed by providing one or more pockets or recesses in the foot and head ends, respectively, of mattress  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, storage compartments  34 ,  36  are formed by cutting generally rectilinear recesses into foam bucket  46 . The recesses cut into foam bucket  46  to form storage compartments  34 ,  36  are lined with polyurethane film sheet  66  and fire barrier fabric  68 . Although the foam bucket  46  does not form the actual surface of the storage compartments  34 ,  36  due to this double layered lining, the recesses cut into foam bucket  46  do define the shape of storage compartments  34 ,  36 . A freely hanging flap  71  of ticking  70  is used to close the storage compartments  34 ,  36 . Flaps  71  may be secured in a closed position by the use of interlocking hook and loop fastening strips such as Velcro® strips. 
     When not in use, patient restraint  38  and grip member  42  are positioned within storage compartment  34  at the foot end of mattress  20  and flap  71  is closed. Similarly, patient restraint  40  and grip member  44  are positioned within storage compartment  36  at the head end of mattress  20  and covered by a ticking flap  71  when not in use. Patient restraints  38 ,  40  each include a fabric wrap  86  that has a generally T-shaped outline. The stem base of the “T” of each of these wraps  86  is permanently secured to mattress  20  within storage compartments  34 ,  36 . 
     Any suitable fabric material may be used to form wraps  86 . The use of a stretchable fabric to form wraps  86  may be useful when attempting to secure odd shaped articles to mattress  20  together with patient  22  during transport, or, to assist in securing patient  22  to mattress  20 . Suitable stretchable fabrics that can be used to form wraps  86  are fabrics formed of material manufactured with Lycra® brand spandex fibers which is commercially available from Invista, a subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc. having a place of business in Wichita, Kans. Spandex fibers are elastic, segmented polyurethane fibers that can typically be stretched to more than about 500% of their original length without breaking. Fibers that are fire-resistant or fire-proof, or which may be treated for fire-resistance or fire-proofing are also included in the illustrated embodiment. 
     Grip members  42 ,  44  are generally U-shaped flat nylon cords or similar materials that are secured to mattress  20  at each of their ends within storage compartments  34 ,  36 . Wraps  86  and members  42 ,  44  are affixed within storage compartments  34 ,  36  to anchor plates  72  and  78  respectively. Wraps  86  and members  42 ,  44  may be secured using threaded fasteners. Alternatively, rigid polymeric bosses may be secured to anchor plates  72  and  78  and project into storage compartments  34 ,  36  where wraps  86  and grip members  42 ,  44  can be secured to the polymeric bosses using any suitable fasteners, adhesives or other means. 
     In alternative embodiments, it may be desirable to form grip members  42 ,  44  from a single elongated loop of material instead of two U-shaped segments. This elongated loop would extend the full longitudinal length of mattress  20  and project outwardly from the ends to form grip members  42 ,  44 . This single loop of material could be secured to mattress  20  at various locations along the longitudinal length of mattress  20 . The loop of material could be secured either inside ticking  70  (and project out the opening formed in ticking  70  at storage compartments  34 ,  36 ) or on the exterior of ticking  70 . The projecting ends forming grips  42 ,  44  would still be stored within compartments  34 ,  36  when not in use. The use of an elongated loop of material extending the full longitudinal length of mattress  20  could be beneficial particularly when mattress  20  is intended for use with bariatric patients. 
     When deployed, as can be seen in  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c , patient restraints  38 ,  40  overlay patient  22  and the outwardly extending arms of the “T” shaped wraps  86  are secured to mattress  20  to thereby secure patient  22  between wraps  86  and support surface  24  of mattress  20 . Restraints  38 ,  40  each include securement members  88  in the form of flat nylon straps are affixed to wraps  86 , e.g., by sewing a central portion of straps  88  to wraps  86 . Straps  88  illustrated in  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c  also include disengageable latching mechanisms  90  at their ends for securing restraints  38 ,  40  to mattress  20 . Alternatively, wraps  86  may include a sleeve through which straps  88  are inserted. Alternative embodiments may also provide an elastic section in straps  88  or attach latching mechanisms  90  directly to wraps  86  to provide a more elastically stretchable patient securement system. 
       FIG. 3   b  illustrates an articulatable mattress embodiment wherein the head section may be rotated upwardly to raise the head of the patient. In such embodiment, straps  88  and wraps  86  are configured to keep the patient secure during head section articulation. 
     In  FIG. 3   c , an embodiment including straps or handles  43 ,  45  at about the midsection of the mattress structure  20  is shown. Particularly in combination with the seat bucket or stiffeners  47  or plates (i.e.,  72 ,  76 ,  78 ), such positioning of straps  43 ,  45  may reduce the need for additional carriers to transport a patient, for example, making it possible to accomplish patient transport with only two carriers, one carrier at each handle  43 ,  45 . 
     A second nylon strapping member  92  is secured at the lower surface  26  of mattress  20  and includes latching members  94  that are releasably securable to latching mechanisms  90 . A strap  92  with latching members  94  on each of its ends is provided for each of restraints  38 ,  40 . In the illustrated embodiment straps  92  have a middle section, positioned below ticking  70 , that is secured to substrate  50  through foam layer  46 . Various other methods of securing straps  92  to mattress  20 , however, may alternatively be employed. As can also be seen in  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c , wrap  86  which is attached at the head end of mattress  20  has a cutout portion  87  through which the head of patient  22  may project. 
     Latching mechanisms  90 ,  94  are shown in  FIG. 8  and are formed out of a suitably resilient polymeric material. Latching mechanisms  90 ,  94  are well known in the art and can be interchanged. Alternative forms of securing straps  88  relative to mattress structure  20  may also be employed. 
     Straps  88  may take the form of an adjustable strap that can be adjustably tightened about patient  22  after securing latching mechanisms  90 ,  94  together. For example, instead of being fixed with stitching as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the end of strap  88  engaged with latching mechanism  90  could be threaded through mechanism  90  in a manner that allows the length of strap  88  to be adjusted at latching mechanism  90  by pulling on a loosely hanging free end of strap  88  in a manner commonly employed with latching mechanisms  90 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an alternative method of securing the end of strap  88  to mattress  20  which allows for the tightening of strap  88  against patient  22 . In this embodiment, strap  88  does not have a latching mechanism at its free end  89 , instead free end  89  is threaded through a locking mechanism  95  located on the end of strap  92 . Free end  89  is then pulled tight and locking mechanism  95  secures strap  88  in its tightened position. Locking mechanism  95  could also be placed in the center of strap  88  to provide adjustability while still employing latching mechanisms  90 ,  94  to secure the ends of strap  88  to strap  92 . 
     When restraints  38 ,  40  are deployed for patient transport, for example in an evacuation event, a caregiver or other individual can grasp one of grip members  42 ,  44  and pull mattress  20 , with patient  22  secured thereto, to thereby move the patient to another location. 
       FIGS. 9   a ,  9   b ,  9   c  illustrates modified versions of mattress  20  which include one or more slide members  96  for facilitating the sliding of mattress  20 , for example along a floor or other surface, down stairs, or into or out of an a transport vehicle. Slide members  96 ,  98  generally have dimensions that are less than the dimensions of the bottom side of the mattress. Slide members  96  include a low friction material. Slide members  96  may take the form of polymeric blocks attached to the lower surface  26  of mattress  20  which are formed out of a low friction material such as those used to form lubricant free bearing surfaces. These slide blocks may be secured to substrate  50  with countersunk fasteners and are positioned so that they are engageable with the floor surface when restraints  38 ,  40  are in their deployed positions. Alternatively, if restraints  38 ,  40  are configured to cover a significant portion of the lower surface  26  when in a deployed position, wraps  86  may have slides  96  disposed thereon. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9   b , slides  98  including a relatively high friction material, such as rubber, may also be provided in order to provide stability during movement or for other reasons. Such slides  96  could be formed out of a low friction tape material, e.g., Teflon® tape, applied in locations where the low-friction tape would engage the floor surface when restraints  38 ,  40  are deployed. Slides  96  and slides of relatively high friction material  98  may have varying degrees of stiffness or varying coefficients of friction, for example to facilitate transport of the mattress with a patient thereon and/or provide protection to a patient during transport. As shown in  FIG. 9   b , slides  96  and  98  may be arranged in various patterns for improved steering or handling of the mattress or for other reasons. 
     As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 9   c , slides  100 ,  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  may be arranged to correspond with certain of the bendable sections  62  of the mattress, seen as joints  112  and  114  from the underside of the mattress. For example, a first pattern of slides  100 ,  102 ,  104  may be provided prior to or adjacent joint  112 ; and a second pattern of slides  106 ,  108 ,  110  may be provided between joints  112  and  114 . Slides  100 ,  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  may be comprised of low and/or high friction material as noted above. Furthermore, the size and arrangement of the slides may be modified to improve steerability, slidability or handling of the mattress or for other reasons. 
     While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles.