Therapy and Low Air Loss Universal Coverlet

Abstract

A low air loss universal coverlet includes a perforated top layer formed with a breathable waterproof material, a middle air permeable layer underlying the lop layer, and a bottom plenum layer underlying the middle air permeable layer. The bottom plenum layer includes air tunnels and air pockets. An air source is connected to the bottom plenum layer and supplies pressurized air to the air tunnels and the air pockets, where air flows from the air pockets, through the middle air permeable later, and through the top layer. The air pockets define tufts when filled with air that support a patient on the surface and prevent blocking of air flow.

1 . A low air loss universal coverlet comprising:
 a top layer formed with a breathable material;   a middle air permeable layer underlying the lop layer;   a bottom plenum layer underlying the middle air permeable layer, wherein the top layer, the middle air permeable layer and the bottom plenum layer define a coverlet support surface; and   sides extending from the coverlet support surface, the sides being shaped to fit over and around an existing mattress to thereby secure the coverlet support surface to the mattress,   wherein the bottom plenum layer comprises a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer underlying the first sub-layer, the first sub-layer being connected with the second sub-layer to define a pattern of air pockets that are expandable into air tufts when filled with air.   
     
     
         2 . A low air loss universal coverlet according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pump connected to the bottom layer, the pump supplying the air pockets with air. 
     
     
         3 . A low air loss universal coverlet according to  claim 1 , wherein the top layer is perforated. 
     
     
         4 . A low air loss universal coverlet according to  claim 1 , wherein the top layer is formed of nylon with laminated urethane. 
     
     
         5 . A low air loss universal coverlet according to  claim 1 , wherein the middle air permeable layer comprises an air permeable foam material. 
     
     
         6 . A low air loss universal coverlet according to  claim 1 , wherein the middle air permeable layer comprises one of open cell foams, reticulated foams, fiber batting, and 3D spacer fabric. 
     
     
         7 . A low air loss universal coverlet according to  claim 1 , wherein the first sub-layer and the second sub-layer of the bottom plenum layer are selectively welded to each other to define the pattern of air pockets. 
     
     
         8 . A low air loss universal coverlet according to  claim 7 , wherein the first sub-layer is perforated. 
     
     
         9 . A low air loss universal coverlet according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom plenum layer comprises a plurality of sections including at least a foot section and a center section,
 wherein the foot section comprises an air channel defined via a connection between the first sub-layer and the second sub-layer, the air channel being attachable to an air source, and   wherein the center section comprises the pattern of air pockets, an opposite end of the air channel being attached to the pattern of air pockets and supplying air to the pattern of air pockets.   
     
     
         10 . A low air loss universal coverlet according to  claim 9 , wherein the bottom layer comprises three sections including the foot section, the center section and a head section. 
     
     
         11 . A low air loss universal coverlet according to  claim 10 , wherein the head section is attached to the center section, and wherein all sides of the first sub-layer and the second sub-layer in head section are attached to one another. 
     
     
         12 . A low air loss universal coverlet comprising:
 a top layer formed with a breathable waterproof material, wherein the top layer is perforated;   a middle air permeable layer underlying the lop layer;   a bottom plenum layer underlying the middle air permeable layer, the bottom plenum layer comprising air tunnels and air pockets, wherein at least the air pockets are perforated; and   an air source connected to the bottom plenum layer, the air source supplying pressurized air to the air tunnels and the air pockets, wherein air flows from the air pockets, through the middle air permeable later, and through the top layer.   
     
     
         13 . A low air loss universal coverlet according to  claim 12 , wherein the middle air permeable layer comprises an air permeable foam material. 
     
     
         14 . A low air loss universal coverlet according to  claim 12 , wherein the middle air permeable layer comprises one of open cell foams, reticulated foams, fiber batting, and 3D spacer fabric. 
     
     
         15 . A low air loss universal coverlet according to  claim 12 , wherein the bottom plenum layer comprises a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer underlying the first sub-layer, the first sub-layer being connected with the second sub-layer to define the air pockets when filled with air. 
     
     
         16 . A low air loss universal coverlet according to  claim 12 , wherein the bottom plenum layer comprises a plurality of sections including at least a foot section and a center section,
 wherein the foot section comprises an air channel defined via a connection between the first sub-layer and the second sub-layer, the air channel being attachable to the air source, and   wherein the center section comprises the air pockets, an opposite end of the air channel being attached to the air pockets and supplying air to the air pockets.   
     
     
         17 . A low air loss universal coverlet according to  claim 16 , wherein the bottom layer comprises three sections including the foot section, the center section and a head section. 
     
     
         18 . A low air loss universal coverlet according to  claim 17 , wherein the head section is attached to the center section, and wherein all sides of the first sub-layer and the second sub-layer in head section are attached to one another. 
     
     
         19 . A low air loss universal coverlet according to  claim 12 , wherein the top layer, the middle air permeable layer and the bottom plenum layer define a coverlet support surface, the low air loss universal coverlet further comprising sides extending from the coverlet support surface, the sides being shaped to fit over and around an existing mattress to thereby secure the coverlet support surface to the mattress.