Patent Publication Number: US-7591029-B2

Title: Patient transfer mattress having garment-type patient engagement portion

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 10/143,139, filed May 10, 2002, which claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 60/290,413, filed May 11, 2001. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to inflatable air mattresses used to transfer patients between support surfaces. 
   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 patient transfer device includes an inflatable pad and a flap attached to an end of the inflatable pad along an edge of the flap. The flap is adapted to engage a patient such that the flap is worn by the patient. 
   According to one embodiment of the invention, the flap is attached to a front end of the inflatable pad and includes a pair of spaced notches in the end edge of the flap for receiving the legs of a patient. Preferably, the flap is also attached along side edges of the flap to a top sheet of the inflatable pad for receipt of a patient between the flap and the top sheet of the inflatable pad whereby the transfer device is worn by the patient as a pair of shorts. 
   According to another embodiment of the invention, the flap is attached to a back end of the inflatable pad along a bottom edge of the flap and includes an upper portion having a pair of spaced openings for receipt of the arms of a patient. Preferably, the flap also includes a pair of opposite side panels for encircling the torso of a patient whereby the flap is worn by the patient as a vest. 
   According to another embodiment of the invention, the patient transfer device includes an accessory attached to the inflatable pad. According to one presently preferred embodiment, the accessory is a cushion adapted for receipt on the seat portion of a chair. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a patient transfer device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a patient transfer device comprising a body litter attached to a top surface of a transfer mattress adapted for transferring a patient from one surface to another, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2A  is a partial view of the patient transfer device shown in  FIG. 2  wherein at a corner of the device the body litter is partially removed, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of a patient transfer device comprising a body litter having flaps, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 3  is an elevation view of a patient transfer device comprising a transfer mattress adapted for transferring a patient from one surface to another with an inflatable mattress attached to the transfer mattress, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a patient transfer device wherein a transfer mattress is adapted to assist in centrally locating a patient on the mattress and showing an interior partition to prevent the mattress from hot-dogging, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are a patient transfer device comprising a sectioned mattress formed with two inflatable pads, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  are a wearable patient transfer device comprising a transfer mattress and a garment, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a wearable patient transfer device comprising a transfer mattress and a vest, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  are a patient transfer device comprising a mattress having a recessed portion for receiving a patient transfer device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 10  shows a bottom sheet of an inflatable pad including a plurality of small holes. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
   Referring now to the figures, there is shown in  FIG. 1  one embodiment of patient transfer device  10 . The patient transfer device  10  comprises at least one transfer mattress  12  and a plurality of fasteners  14  for attaching an accessory across a top surface of the mattress  12 . The mattress  12  may include a generally rectangular array of transverse air chambers  16  supported at each longitudinal side thereof by a longitudinally-extending side air chamber  18 . The transition between the transverse chambers  16  and side chambers  18  defining a seam  20  at each longitudinal side of the array. 
   The fasteners may be any type of fastener capable of attaching an accessory to the mattress  12  and the type of fastener may vary depending on the type of accessory. The fasteners may also be located anywhere on the mattress  12  or attached to the mattress  12  in any manner suitable in light of the accessory. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the fasteners are mounted on tabs attached to the longitudinally-extending side air chambers. 
   In  FIG. 1 , an inlet  22  for inflating the mattress  12  may be a closable opening wherein an air supply hose  24  is inserted and the inlet is snapped shut or otherwise closed to hold the hose in place while the mattress is being inflated. The inlet  22  may also include a valve biased to be normally closed to prevent air from exiting through the inlet and opened when the hose  24  is inserted into the inlet  22 . Other arrangements known to those skilled in the art may be used to inflate the mattress  12 . 
   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 to  FIG. 2 , the patient transfer device  10  is shown with an accessory attached. The accessory is a body litter  30  having carry handles  32 . The carry handles are a loop of fabric sewn to the litter  30  as shown by the stitching  34  running between each pair of handles  32 . 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 handles  32 , two at the sides and one at each end. 
   The body litter  30 , or any other accessory, may be attached to the transfer mattress  12  using 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. In  FIG. 2A , the fastener is a snap fastener. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the tabs  14  have snaps which can attach to snaps located at corresponding positions on the body litter  30 , or any accessory. The fasteners  14  may 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 in  FIG. 1 . 
   A preferred body litter  31  is shown in  FIG. 2B . The body litter  31  depicted in  FIG. 2B  includes flaps  33 ,  35  that extend outward from each side of the body litter  31 . When not in use, flap  33  may be folded over the litter&#39;s center panel  37  along line  39   a . Similarly, flap  35  may be folded over the litter&#39;s center panel along line  39   b . If a patient laying on the transfer device is pronounced dead or if a body needs to be transferred, the flaps  33 ,  35  may be opened as shown in  FIG. 2B  allowing the body to be covered and transported using one or more pair of carry handles that are preferably attached to the litter&#39;s center panel  37 . The flaps  33 ,  35  may 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. In  FIG. 3 , an embodiment is shown in which the accessory is an inflatable mattress  40 , which may have a pressure control valve or pulsating pressure control. The inflatable mattress  40  may 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 mattresses  12 ,  40  may be releasably attached as shown with snaps. The mattresses  12 ,  40  may 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 in  FIG. 3 , it should be understood that the second mattress  40  is 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&#39;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 mattress  12 . For example, any type of therapeutic pad, such as for example a gel pad, may be attached to the transfer mattress  12  to ensure patient comfort and reduce the risk of capillary closure. Where the mattress  40  is 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 mattress  40  may be inflated using a lower degree of pressure than the transfer mattress  12 . 
   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. 4  shows 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 chamber  52  of 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 partition  54  may be adjusted, as desired. 
   Moving to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , an embodiment of the patient transfer device may include a sectional mattress  60  having a plurality of inflatable pads  62 ,  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 mattress  60  for 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. In  FIG. 5 , the sectioned mattress  60  is shown as comprising two inflatable pads  62 ,  64 , each less than about half the size of a typical hospital bed. The embodiment is useful because a patient laying on a hospital bed  66  will 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 mattress  60  comprising one or more inflatable pads  62 ,  64  as shown in  FIG. 5  allows the patient to be re-positioned more effectively and safely, as described below. 
   In  FIG. 5 , the patient is shown partially slid downward on a hospital bed  66 . The sectioned mattress  60  of the present invention is between the bed  66  and the patient. The patient can be repositioned slightly so that his upper body will be completely supported by the lower inflatable pad  64  once it is inflated. (Note, the more pads used to form the mattress  60 , the less likely the patient will have to be repositioned prior to inflating the pads.) 
   Once the patient is in place on pad  64 , the top pad  62  may be removed. The pad  64  supporting the patient&#39;s torso is then inflated and slid upward so the patient is again properly positioned in the bed. The pad  62  is then reattached at the bottom of pad  64 . The process may be repeated as necessary. Alternatively, if appropriate, after the top pad  62  is removed, it may be reattached and then inflated so that both pads  62  and  64  are used to reposition the patient as desired. Of course, the pads  62 ,  64  may also be inflated to move the patient from the bed to another supporting surface. 
   The embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  and 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 pads  62 ,  64  being 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 pads  62 ,  64  may 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&#39;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&#39;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 &#39;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 to  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B, and  8 , embodiments of a patient transfer device  68  that patients can be attached to or worn by a patient are shown. In  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the patient transfer device  68  comprises a transfer mattress  70  having a body garment  72  which allows the device  68  to be worn like a pair of shorts. The garment  72  may be any accessory capable of causing the patient to move together with the mattress  70 . By way of example, a suitable accessory  68  may 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 mattress  70  may be inflated and the patient slid upward, safely and easily. The transfer mattress  70  has a bottom sheet  73  ( FIG. 10 ) including a plurality of small holes  75  to create a cushion of escaping air to facilitate sliding of the mattress with respect to an underlying support surface. The transfer mattress  70  preferably includes an opening  77  to allow an attendant to position a bed pan beneath the patient, if necessary or desired. The transfer mattress  70  also includes fasteners  79  for releasable attachment of an accessory to the top surface of the mattress  70  in a similar fashion as described above for the fasteners  14  on mattress  12 . 
   The patient transfer device  68  is shown open is  FIG. 7A  and closed in  FIG. 7B . As shown in  FIG. 7A , the garment  72  is secured to the mattress  70  at an end of the garment  72  adjacent the bedpan opening  77  of the mattress. The accessory  72  also includes fasteners  81 , such as strips of hook and loop material for example, engageable with fasteners  83  on transfer mattress  70  for releasably attaching opposite side edges of the garment  72  to the transfer mattress  70 . Depending on the condition and preference of the patient, the device  68  may be arranged in  FIG. 7A  underneath a patient and attached to the patient, as desired. Alternatively, the device may be arranged as shown in  FIG. 7B  allowing a patient to wear the device  68  like a pair of shorts. The device  68  may be attached to a patient mattress to assist in preventing the patient from sliding down in bed. 
   In  FIG. 8 , a second wearable embodiment of patient transfer device  100  is shown. Here, the device  100  comprises a transfer mattress  104  having a wrap  110  for moving the patient together with the mattress  104 . When a patient is transferred, the wrap  110  may be worn as shown, the mattress  104  inflated, and the patient transferred from the bed to, for example, a chair. The wrap  110  is attached to the mattress  104  and, in the depicted embodiment, includes openings for the arms as shown. Arm movement may be restricted, if necessary, by leaving the patient&#39;s arms inside the wrap  110  or using a wrap  110  made without arm holes. For convenience, an air supply  120  may be attached directly to a chair  112  or any object into or onto which a patient will be transferred. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , there is shown an embodiment of patient transfer device  148  comprising a patient mattress  150  having a recessed portion. In the depicted embodiment, the device includes a transfer mattress  152  with an inflatable mattress  154  attached to it. In  FIG. 9A , the inflatable mattress  152  is deflated. The height of the inflatable mattress  154  is preferably approximately equivalent to the height of the recess. To transfer a patient, the transfer mattress  152  may be inflated as shown in  FIG. 9B  and transferred to another supporting surface. The width of the recessed portion may be equal to or less than the width of the patient mattress  150 . Where the width of the recessed portion is less, the longitudinal edges of the mattress  150  may be removable or hingedly attached. 
   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.