Patent Publication Number: US-2022211189-A1

Title: Barrier for mattress and bed deck

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/811,095, filed Mar. 6, 2020, entitled Barrier for Mattress and Bed Deck which claims priority of U.S. provisional Patent App. Ser. No. 62/815,662, entitled Barrier for Mattress and Bed Deck, filed Mar. 8, 2019, and hereby incorporates each of these patent applications by reference herein in their respective entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The apparatus and methods disclosed herein relate to a barrier for a mattress and bed deck. More particularly, the apparatus and methods relate to a mattress and bed deck barrier for an adjustable bed that reduces the exposure of the mattress and bed deck to unsanitary conditions. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Healthcare mattresses have integrated covers that enclose the mattress components and are designed to protect the internal mattress components from staining, soiling, bodily fluids, and infectious microorganisms. Mattress covers must be cleaned and disinfected between each patient use to maintain a sanitary environment for the patient. Most integrated covers are inherently difficult to clean and disinfect. They may not be removable, or if so, are not designed for regular removal. Thus, they are intended for cleaning by manual wiping, which requires a substantial amount of time, effort, and consistency to achieve adequate disinfection. Many integrated covers have exposed woven fabric, which further diminishes the potential for effective disinfection. Zippers are usually used to attach integrated mattress covers and if the flap covering the zipper is displaced by bed linens, the zippers will permit bodily fluids to enter the mattress. These covers may also have sewn seams where each stitch hole is a location for bodily fluids to enter the mattress. Finally, integrated covers are prone to failure and fluid leakage due to use of strong chemicals required to achieve disinfection. Failures are difficult to detect before fluid leakage occurs and require time consuming inspection between each patient use. A barrier between the mattress and patient that eliminates all aforementioned issues and provides a highly disinfected and intact resting surface for the patient is desirable. 
     Mattresses are supported by bed decks. Bed decks come into contact with the same unsanitary conditions as mattresses. For example, waste produced by a patient may flow off the mattress or mattress barrier and accumulate on the supporting bed deck. Under current techniques, the mattress must be manually raised from the bed deck, the bed deck cleaned by hand using a germicidal solution, and the mattress replaced atop the bed deck which can be cumbersome and time consuming. However, hospital workers may neglect to clean the bed deck, or may not fully clean the entire surface of the bed deck. Furthermore, manual cleaning may not be sufficient to eliminate bacteria embedded in the bed deck or to kill fungal spores. Any remaining contamination may be passed from the bed deck to the mattress or bed sheets, from which the contaminants may contact a patient. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded side view depicting a barrier in association with a mattress and an adjustable bed; 
         FIG. 2  is an assembled side view depicting the barrier, the mattress, and the adjustable bed of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view depicting a button attached to the adjustable bed of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom elevational view of the barrier of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged side view depicting the barrier, the mattress, and the adjustable bed barrier of  FIG. 2 , but with the mattress shown in a tilted position; 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the barrier of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged elevational view of a front corner of the barrier of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view of the barrier of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged elevational view of a rear corner of the barrier of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments are hereinafter described in detail in connection with the views and examples of  FIGS. 1-9 , wherein like numbers indicate the same or corresponding elements throughout the views. An adjustable bed  20 , a mattress  22 , and a combination mattress/bed deck barrier  24  (hereinafter “the barrier”) are generally depicted in  FIG. 1 . The adjustable bed  20  can include a bed deck  26  that includes a front frame portion  28  and a rear frame portion  30 . The front and rear frame portions  28 ,  30  can support and underlie a head end  29  and a foot end  31 , respectively, of the mattress  22 . The front frame portion  28  can be pivotable (e.g., vertically) with respect to the rear frame portion  30  about an axis A 1  to allow for selective vertical adjustment of the head end  29  of the mattress  22  relative to the foot end  31  (e.g., to facilitate adjustment of a user&#39;s head relative to their feet). 
     The mattress  22  can include a top  32 , a plurality of sides  34 , and a bottom  36 . The barrier  24  can include a mattress cover portion  38  and a skirt  40  that extends beneath the mattress cover portion  38 . The skirt  40  can include an upper panel  42  and a lower panel  44 . The lower panel  44  can include a lower edge  46 . The upper panel  42  can be coupled with the mattress cover portion  38  along a perimeter P 1  of the barrier  24  and the lower panel  44  can be coupled with the upper panel  42  along a perimeter P 2  of the barrier  24 . In one embodiment, the mattress cover portion  38  and the upper panel  42  can be attached together (e.g., sewn, bonded or welded) along a longitudinal seam  48  that defines the perimeter P 1 , and the upper panel  42  and the lower panel  44  can be attached together (e.g., sewn, bonded or welded) along a longitudinal seam  50  that defines the perimeter P 2 . In another embodiment, the mattress cover portion  38 , the upper panel  42 , and the lower panel  44  can be formed together as a one-piece construction such that the perimeter P 1  is defined by the transition between the mattress cover portion  38  and the upper panel  42  and the perimeter P 2  is defined by the transition between the upper panel  42  and the lower panel  44 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , when the barrier  24  is installed on the mattress  22  ( FIG. 2 ), the mattress cover portion  38  can fit over the top  32  and sides  34  of the mattress  22  and the skirt  40  can extend beneath the mattress  22 . The lower panel  44  of the skirt  40  can extend to the bed deck  26  and can be coupled thereto by a plurality of buttons  52  ( FIG. 1 ) that are provided through respective apertures  54  (e.g.,  FIG. 1 ) that are disposed along the lower edge  46  of the lower panel  44 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , one of the buttons  52  is illustrated as a representative example of each of the buttons  52  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The button  52  can include a tip portion  56  that extends downwardly such that the button  52  has an inverted teardrop shape. When the button  52  is inserted into one of the apertures  54 , the tip portion  56  can interface with the lower panel  44  to prevent the lower panel  44  from being inadvertently disconnected from the button  52 . The button  52  can be attached to the bed deck  26  by an adhesive layer  58 . In one embodiment, the adhesive layer  58  can be a “peel and stick” adhesive layer such that the button  52  can be selectively attached to the bed deck  26  to enable retrofitting of the barrier  24  to an existing adjustable bed. It is to be appreciated that, although a plurality of buttons  52  are described, any of a variety of suitable alternative attachment members are contemplated for selectively attaching the lower panel  44  to the bed deck  26 , such as, for example, hooks, snaps, threaded fasteners, magnets, and hook and loop attachments. It is also to be appreciated that the lower panel  44  can have a variety of suitable alternative configurations that facilitate attachment of the lower panel  44  to a bed deck (e.g.,  26 ). 
     When the barrier  24  is installed over the mattress  22  and attached to the bed deck  26  (e.g., via the buttons  52 ), as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the barrier  24  can extend over each of the mattress  22 , the area beneath the mattress  22 , and the bed deck  26  to provide a continuous barrier therebetween. When the front frame portion  28  is pivoted (e.g., about axis A 1 ), the barrier  24  can move together with the mattress  22  and the front frame portion  28  to maintain effective coverage over the mattress  22  and the bed deck  26 . When the front frame portion  28  is pivoted upwardly, the mattress cover portion  38  can be configured to accommodate any sliding of the foot end  31  of the mattress  22  beyond the rear frame portion  30  to prevent the barrier  24  from being inadvertently dislodged from the mattress  22  and/or the bed deck  26 . The barrier  24  therefore can provide more thorough and consistent coverage over a mattress and bed frame than conventional mattress covers (e.g., retail mattress covers that are only configured to cover a mattress). 
     It is to be appreciated that when the barrier  24  needs to be replaced (e.g., when it is dirty), the skirt  40  can first be detached from the bed deck  26  by manually disengaging the buttons  52  from the apertures  54  and the mattress cover portion  38  can then be slid off of the mattress  22  to completely remove the barrier  24  from the mattress  22 . A clean barrier (e.g.,  24 ) can then be installed by simply slipping the mattress cover portion  38  over the mattress  22  and attaching the skirt  40  to the buttons  52 . The construction of the barrier  24  and the buttons  52  cooperate to enable easier and less cumbersome removal and installation than conventional mattress covers. 
     The barrier  24  can be formed of an impermeable material (e.g., the barrier material) that withstands hydrostatic pressure, can prevent penetration by microorganisms in accordance with medical device barrier standards, and meets biocompatibility requirements for limited contact with human skin. When the barrier  24  is installed on the mattress  22  and attached to the bed deck  26 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the mattress cover portion  38  and the skirt  40  can cooperate to prevent the mattress  22  and the area beneath the mattress  22  from being exposed to any contaminants that may be present on the barrier  24 , such as bodily fluids, infectious microorganisms, and dirt. The barrier  24  can accordingly provide a more effective and comprehensive bed barrier solution. 
     In one embodiment, the barrier material can comprise a multi-directional stretch polyester fabric with welded or sealed seams and/or corners. The barrier material can be coated with a film coating that enhances the disinfecting properties of the barrier  24 . In one embodiment, the film coating can be a polyurethane and can incorporate an antimicrobial and/or antifungal agent such as, for example, antimicrobial metal or borophosphosilicate glass carriers containing silver ions. In some embodiments, the film coating can have non-leaching properties. The barrier material can also include flame retardants and thus can be resistant to burning. The barrier material can also be configured to define various multi-directional stretch characteristics that permit the mattress  22  to distribute the patient load as intended without causing the barrier  24  to tear or fail. The barrier material can be configured to provide some level of moisture vapor transfer such that microclimate management features incorporated in some healthcare mattresses are still able to reach the patient. 
     The barrier material can be configured to withstand conventional healthcare laundering techniques, such as, for example, a process with chemicals and temperatures that provide a 99.9999% reduction (log  6 ) in common pathogenic microorganisms. As such, the barrier  24  can be repeatedly washed and reused which can be more cost effective and less wasteful than certain conventional mattress covers. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the perimeter P 2  that is at least partially defined by the intersection of the upper panel  42  and the lower panel  44  can be smaller than the perimeter P 1  that is at least partially defined by the intersection of the mattress cover portion  38  and the upper panel  42 . The perimeter P 2  can be smaller than a perimeter P 3  that is defined by the lower edge  46  of the lower panel  44 . As a result, when the barrier  24  is installed on the mattress  22  and bed deck  26 , the skirt  40  can be gathered under the mattress  22  while also extending to the bed deck  26 . In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the barrier  24  can include an elastic band  60  that is routed along the perimeter P 2 . The elastic band  60  can facilitate drawing or cinching of the skirt  40  under the mattress  22  such that at least a portion of the skirt  40  is provided between the mattress  22  and the bed deck  26 . In another embodiment, the barrier  24  can include a drawstring or other feature that facilitates selective collection (e.g., drawing) of the barrier  24  under the mattress  22 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the mattress  22  can be selectively tilted relative to the bed deck  26  between a flat position ( FIG. 2 ) and a tilted position ( FIG. 5 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , when the mattress  22  is in the tilted position, one side of the mattress  22  (e.g., a left side) can be elevated relative to the bed deck  26  which can aid a caregiver in positioning or turning a patient. It is to be appreciated that although  FIG. 5  shows only the head end  29  of the mattress  22  elevated, the foot end (e.g.,  31 ) can be additionally or alternatively elevated during tilting of the mattress  22 . When the mattress  22  is tilted, the skirt  40  can be laterally expanded to accommodate such tilting while remaining attached to the bed deck  26  to prevent contaminants from being introduced underneath the mattress  22  and along the bed deck  26  during such tilting. It is to be appreciated that the upper panel  42  and the lower panel  44  can include enough excess material to allow the barrier  24  to be gathered under the mattress  22  when flat (as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ), as well as to accommodate tilting of the mattress  22  (as illustrated in  FIG. 5 ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the skirt  40  can include a front panel portion  62  that is joined together with the upper and lower panels  42 ,  44  at front corners  64 . One of the front corners  64  is illustrated in  FIG. 7  and can be understood to be representative of both of the front corners  64 . The upper panel  42  can be coupled with the mattress cover portion  38  along a lateral seam  66  that extends laterally from the longitudinal seam  48  (e.g., from the perimeter P 1 ). 
     The lower panel  44  can be coupled with the front panel portion  62  along a lateral seam  68  that extends laterally from the longitudinal seam  50  (e.g., from the perimeter P 2 ) to the lower edge  46 . The lateral seams  66 ,  68  can be laterally offset from each other along the longitudinal seam  50  (e.g., spaced from each other) such that a portion of the longitudinal seam  50  extends between the lateral seams  66 ,  68  (e.g., the lateral seams  66 ,  68  are not collinear). This arrangement of the seams  50 ,  66 ,  68  can be stronger and less prone to failure than the conventional X-shaped or T-shaped seams that are commonly found in conventional bed barrier arrangements. The barrier  24  can also include an inlet port  71  that allows for routing of a mattress component or accessory through the barrier  24  (e.g., an air hose when the mattress  22  is inflatable or a strap used to activate a CPR function within the mattress  22 ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the skirt  40  can include a rear panel portion  72  that is joined together with the upper and lower panels  42 ,  44  at rear corners  74 . One of the rear corners  74  is illustrated in  FIG. 9  and can be understood to be representative of both of the rear corners  74 . The upper panel  42  can be coupled with the mattress cover portion  38  along a lateral seam  76  that extends laterally from the longitudinal seam  48  (e.g., from the perimeter P 1 ). The lower panel  44  can be coupled with the rear panel portion  72  along a lateral seam  78  that extends laterally from the longitudinal seam  50  (e.g., from the perimeter P 2 ) to the lower edge  46 . The lateral seams  76 ,  78  can be laterally offset from each other along the longitudinal seam  50  (e.g., spaced from each other) such that a portion of the longitudinal seam  50  extends between the lateral seams  76 ,  78  (e.g., the lateral seams  76 ,  78  are not collinear). This arrangement of the seams  50 ,  66 ,  68  can be stronger and less prone to failure than the conventional X-shaped or T-shaped seams that are commonly found in conventional bed barrier arrangements. 
     The foregoing description of embodiments and examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described for illustration of various embodiments. The scope is, of course, not limited to the examples or embodiments set forth herein, but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art. Rather, it is hereby intended that the scope be defined by the claims appended hereto. Also, for any methods claimed and/or described, regardless of whether the method is described in conjunction with a flow diagram, it should be understood that unless otherwise specified or required by context, any explicit or implicit ordering of steps performed in the execution of a method does not imply that those steps must be performed in the order presented and may be performed in a different order or in parallel.