Two-mode therapeutic mattress system

Abstract

A two-mode therapeutic mattress system is provided, including a non-powered air mattress, a pressure dispersion cushion, and a selectively operable air diffusion coverlet in a common modular assembly for improved medical management of skin care. The non-powered air mattress includes longitudinal air cylinders providing a static air support system inflated to predetermined pressure. The longitudinal air cylinders are in pressure communication with elasticized reservoirs, in that the air level in the elasticized reservoirs dynamically reacts to changes in pressure in the longitudinal air cylinders, for example upon receipt of a patient upon the mattress system. The pressure dispersion cushion facilitates pressure relief with a number of lateral and longitudinal cuts resulting in a plurality of separate upright support cells, the size and construction of which may vary over the surface of the pressure dispersion cushion so as to provide selective support characteristics. The air diffusion coverlet contains a plurality of air pockets. The air diffusion coverlet operates in two modes: a “therapy mode” such that compressed air from an air compressor is pumped to the air diffusion coverlet, and an “off” mode in which the air pockets collapse to provide a suitable and relatively smooth bedding component to the therapeutic mattress system. The non-powered air mattress, pressure dispersion cushion, and selectively operable air diffusion coverlet cooperate to provide a single product that addresses localized pressure, maceration, shear stress, and dynamic changes in a patient's condition during the course of time.

1 . A therapeutic mattress system, comprising: 
 a plurality of pressurized air bladders;    at least one resiliently activated reservoir, said at least one reservoir in pressure communication with said bladders, such that air is transferable between said bladders and said reservoir;    a first perimeter bolster lateral to said bladders and a second perimeter bolster opposite said first perimeter bolster and lateral to said bladders;    a pressure dispersion cushion, said pressure dispersion cushion covering said bladders and said first and second perimeter bolsters;    a cover, said cover residing upon said pressure dispersion cushion opposite said bladders, said cover including plural air pockets, said air pockets being air permeable.    
     
     
         2 . The therapeutic mattress system of  claim 1 , wherein said pockets are interoperative one to another such that air is transferable between adjacent said pockets.  
     
     
         3 . The therapeutic mattress system of  claim 2 , wherein said pockets are configured to inflate upon receipt of pressurized air.  
     
     
         4 . The therapeutic mattress system of  claim 3 , wherein said cover includes means to release pressurized air through said cover.  
     
     
         5 . The therapeutic mattress system of  claim 3 , wherein said pockets are relatively flat when uninflated.  
     
     
         6 . The therapeutic mattress system of  claim 1 , wherein said cover is fluid impermeable.  
     
     
         7 . The therapeutic mattress system of  claim 1 , said press dispersion cushion further including means for providing preselected support characteristics.  
     
     
         8 . The therapeutic mattress system of  claim 1 , wherein said pressure dispersion cushion defines a support surface opposite said cylinders, further including lateral cuts of predetermined depth into said support surface.  
     
     
         9 . The therapeutic mattress system of  claim 8 , wherein said pressure dispersion cushion further includes longitudinal cuts.  
     
     
         10 . The therapeutic mattress system of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second perimeter bolsters define a first compressibility, said pressure dispersion cushion defines a second compressibility, said second compressibility greater than said first compressibility.  
     
     
         11 . A therapeutic mattress system, comprising: 
 a plurality of pressurized cylinders;    at least one resiliently activated reservoir, said at least one reservoir interoperative with said cylinders, such that air is transferable between said cylinders and said reservoir;    a first perimeter bolster lateral to said cylinders and a second perimeter bolster opposite said first perimeter bolster and lateral to said cylinders;    a pressure dispersion cushion, said pressure dispersion cushion topping said cylinders and said first and second perimeter bolsters;    a cover, said cover residing upon said pressure dispersion cushion opposite said cylinders, said cover including plural air pockets, said pockets air permeable at a predetermined rate.    
     
     
         12 . The therapeutic mattress system of  claim 11 , wherein said pockets are interoperative one to another such that air is transferable between adjacent said pockets.  
     
     
         13 . The therapeutic mattress system of  claim 12 , wherein said pockets are adapted for receipt of pressurized air, said pockets inflatable upon said receipt of pressurized air.  
     
     
         14 . The therapeutic mattress system of  claim 13 , wherein said pockets are relatively flat when uninflated.  
     
     
         15 . The therapeutic mattress system of  claim 11 , wherein said cover is fluid impermeable.  
     
     
         16 . The therapeutic mattress system of  claim 11 , said press dispersion cushion further including means for providing preselected support characteristics.  
     
     
         17 . The therapeutic mattress system of  claim 11 , wherein said pressure dispersion cushion defines a support surface opposite said cylinders, further including lateral cuts of predetermined depth into said support surface.  
     
     
         18 . The therapeutic mattress system of  claim 17 , wherein said pressure dispersion cushion further includes longitudinal cuts normal to said lateral cuts.  
     
     
         19 . The therapeutic mattress system of  claim 11 , wherein said first and second perimeter bolsters define a first compressibility, said pressure dispersion cushion defines a second compressibility, said second compressibility greater than said first compressibility.  
     
     
         20 . A therapeutic mattress system, comprising: 
 a plurality of pressurized air cylinders;    at least one resiliently activated reservoir, said at least one reservoir in pressure communication with said cylinders, such that air is transferable between said cylinders and said reservoir;    a first perimeter bolster lateral to said cylinders and a second perimeter bolster opposite said first perimeter bolster and lateral to said cylinders, said first and second perimeter bolsters defining a first compressibility;    a pressure dispersion cushion, said pressure dispersion cushion over said cylinders and said first and second perimeter bolsters, said pressure dispersion cushion defining a second compressibility, said second compressibility greater than said first compressibility, said pressure dispersion cushion including a support surface opposite said cylinders, said support surface including plural lateral and longitudinal cuts therein to provide predetermined selective support characteristics;    a cover, said cover residing upon said pressure dispersion cushion opposite said cylinders, said cover including a first and second substrate layer, said cover including plural inflatable pockets defined between said first and second substrate layers, said inflatable pockets being air permeable;    said inflatable pockets configured to inflate upon receipt of pressurized air, to define a first mode;    said inflatable pockets configured to collapse relatively flat absent pressurized air therein, to define a second mode; and    wherein said cover is selectively operable in either said first mode or said second mode.    
     
     
         21 . The therapeutic mattress system of  claim 20 , wherein said inflatable pockets are in air communication one with another.  
     
     
         22 . The therapeutic mattress system of  claim 21 , wherein said cover is fluid impermeable.  
     
     
         23 . The therapeutic mattress system of  claim 22 , wherein said pressure dispersion cushion further includes a heel relief portion.