Bolstered mattress

Abstract

A medical bed having a frame with a mattress support surface. A mattress having a central portion, which has an upper surface adapted to support a patient's body, and a lower surface to interface with the support surface of the frame. The mattress has a right and a left side bolster disposed on opposite sides of the central portion, each bolster extending above the upper surface. Each bolster defines a recess of reduced bolster height in relation to the upper surface of the central portion of the mattress. The mattress has a mattress cover extending about the central portion and both bolsters, such that the mattress and cover together form a single mattress assembly.

1 . A medical bed comprising:
 a frame having a mattress support surface; and   a mattress supported on the support surface, the mattress comprising:   a central portion having an upper surface adapted to support a patient's body, and a lower surface interfacing with the support surface of the frame;   a right and left side bolster disposed on opposite sides of the central portion, each bolster extending above the upper surface, wherein each bolster defines a recess of reduced bolster height in relation to the upper surface of the central portion of the mattress;   a plurality of channels in the upper surface extending between the opposite sides of the central portion;   a mattress cover extending about the central portion and both bolsters, such that the mattress and cover together form a single mattress assembly;   a side rail mounted on the frame; and   a control panel mounted on the side rail;   wherein the recess is positioned to enable the patient to access the control panel.   
     
     
         2 . The medical bed according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 a side rail mounted on the frame; and   a control panel mounted on the side rail;   
       wherein the recess is positioned to enable the patient to access the control panel. 
     
     
         3 . The medical bed according to  claim 1 , wherein the recess is sized and positioned to enable patient ingress and egress to and from the upper surface. 
     
     
         4 . The medical bed according to  claim 1 , wherein the central portion and the bolsters are formed of foam, and wherein the channels are approximately 0.25 inches wide and 0.75 inches high. 
     
     
         5 . The medical bed according to  claim 4 , wherein the central portion comprises a head section, a body section, a foot section, and a top section that covers the head, body and foot sections. 
     
     
         6 . The medical bed according to  claim 5 , wherein the foam for each section has a shape, a density, and an ILD selected to inhibit formation of pressure sores on the skin of the patient. 
     
     
         7 . The medical bed according to  claim 4 , wherein the foam for each bolster has a shape, a density, and an ILD selected to provide a passive reminder to the patient of a lateral edge of the mattress. 
     
     
         8 . The medical bed according to  claim 7 , wherein the density of the foam bolsters is 1.8 PCF and the ILD is 50. 
     
     
         9 . The medical bed according to  claim 5 , wherein the foot section has a thickness that decreases with distance from the body section. 
     
     
         10 . The medical bed according to  claim 1 , wherein the left and right bolsters have upper surfaces flush with the upper surface of the central portion at the recesses. 
     
     
         11 . A mattress designed for use in conjunction with a medical/surgical bed frame having a surface for receiving the mattress and having one or more side rails containing a bed control panel, the mattress comprising:
 a central portion having a upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface is adapted to support a patient's body and the lower surface is adapted to interface with the mattress receiving surface of the bed frame;   a plurality of channels in the upper surface extending between the opposite sides of the central portion;   a right and left side bolster disposed on opposite sides of the central portion, each bolster extending above the upper surface, wherein each bolster defines a recess of reduced bolster height and wherein the recess is positioned to enable the patient to access the control panel; and   a mattress cover extending about the central portion and both bolsters, such that the mattress and cover together form a single mattress assembly.   
     
     
         12 . The mattress according to  claim 11 , wherein the recess is positioned to enable the patient to access the control panel. 
     
     
         13 . The mattress according to  claim 11 , wherein the recess is sized and positioned to enable patient ingress and egress to and from the upper surface. 
     
     
         14 . The mattress according to  claim 11 , wherein the central portion and bolsters are formed of foam, and wherein the channels are approximately 0.25 inches wide and 0.75 inches high. 
     
     
         15 . The mattress according to  claim 11 , wherein the central portion comprises a head section, a body section, a foot section and a top section that covers the head, body, and foot sections. 
     
     
         16 . The mattress according to  claim 15 , wherein the foam for each section has a shape, a density, and an ILD selected to inhibit formation of pressure sores on the skin of the patient. 
     
     
         17 . The mattress according to  claim 11 , wherein the foam for each bolster has a shape, a density, and an ILD selected to provide a passive reminder to the patient of the lateral edge of the mattress. 
     
     
         18 . The mattress according to  claim 17 , wherein the density of the foam bolsters is 1.8 PCF and the ILD is 50. 
     
     
         19 . The mattress according to  claim 15 , wherein the foot section has a height that decreases as the distance from the body section increases. 
     
     
         20 . A method of supporting a patient, the method comprising:
 equipping a hospital bed with a mattress comprising:   a central portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface resting on a mattress receiving surface of a frame of the bed;   a right and a left side bolster disposed on opposite sides of the central portion between side rails of the bed, each bolster extending above the top surface, each bolster defining a recess of reduced bolster height, at least one of the recesses positioned to provide access to a side rail-mounted bed control panel from the mattress;   a plurality of channels in the upper surface extending between the opposite sides of the central portion; and   a mattress cover extending about the central portion and both bolsters, such that the mattress and cover together form a single mattress assembly; and   placing a patient on the central portion of the mattress, between the bolsters.