Low air loss absorbent pad

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe low air loss absorbent pad apparatuses and systems for use thereof in conjunction with contact pressure-mitigation support apparatuses and/or for use as a standalone devices. In some embodiments, the low air loss apparatuses disclosed herein can include a porous (e.g., perforated) absorbent pad with air loss functionality. One or more layers of the low air loss apparatus can be constructed of absorbent materials to function as a low air loss incontinence pad. The low air loss apparatus can be connectable to an air supply source that provides a high flow, low stream of air resulting in the low air loss features. In some embodiments, the pad is designed as a cover for a polyurethane alternating pressure support apparatus that provides pressure relief via inflatable air cells that are high-pressure, low-flow.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An alternating pressure relief fluid absorbent system with low air loss features, the alternating pressure relief fluid absorbent system comprising:
 a low air loss absorbent protective cover apparatus including a non-porous base portion constructed of an air impermeable, liquid impervious material, a porous user contact portion constructed of an air permeable, liquid pervious, fluid absorbent material, and an air intake port configured to provide a flow of air to the cavity formed between the non-porous base portion and the porous user contact portion,
 wherein the porous user contact portion is bonded to the non-porous base portion around a perimeter of the porous user contact portion such that a cavity is formed between the non-porous base portion and the porous user contact portion; and 
   an air supply providing a high-flow, low-pressure stream of air to the cavity formed between the non-porous base portion and the porous user contact portion, wherein the stream of air causes the cavity formed between the non-porous base portion and the porous user contact portion to inflate providing low air loss functionality;   a contact pressure-mitigation support apparatus including:
 a base material, 
 a pressure-mitigating contact portion having multiple independently pressurized relief chambers interconnected on the base material and configured to mitigate contact pressure between a support surface and a user when pressure in the independently pressurized relief chambers is alternated in a pre-determined manner, and 
 multiple elevated side support portions interconnected on the base material; and 
   a second air supply providing a low-flow, high-pressure stream of air to pressurize each of the independently pressurized relief chambers.   
     
     
         2 . The pressure relief fluid absorbent system of  claim 1 , wherein the low air loss fluid absorbent protective cover apparatus is removably attachable to the contact pressure-mitigation support apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The pressure relief fluid absorbent system of  claim 2 , wherein the low air loss fluid absorbent protective cover apparatus is sterilizable and reusable. 
     
     
         4 . The pressure relief fluid absorbent system of  claim 2 , wherein the low air loss fluid absorbent protective cover apparatus is disposable. 
     
     
         5 . A low air loss absorbent apparatus comprising:
 a non-porous base portion constructed of an air impermeable, liquid impervious material;   a porous user contact portion constructed of an air permeable, liquid pervious, fluid absorbent material,
 wherein the porous user contact portion is bonded to the non-porous base portion around a perimeter of the porous user contact portion such that a cavity is formed between the non-porous base portion and the porous user contact portion; 
   an air intake port bonded to one or more of the non-porous base layer and the porous user contact layer, the air intake port configured to facilitate an air flow to the cavity formed between the non-porous base portion and the porous user contact portion,
 wherein the air flow causes the cavity formed between the non-porous base portion and the porous user contact portion to inflate providing low air loss functionality through the porous user contact portion. 
   
     
     
         6 . The low air loss absorbent pad of  claim 5 , wherein the air loss functionality circulates air between a user in contact with the porous user contact portion and the low air loss absorbent pad. 
     
     
         7 . The low air loss absorbent pad of  claim 5 , wherein the low air loss absorbent pad comprises a protective cover for another apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The low air loss absorbent pad of  claim 7 , wherein the another apparatus comprises a pressure-mitigation support apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The low air loss absorbent pad of  claim 7 , wherein the cover is removably attachable to the another apparatus and washable. 
     
     
         10 . The low air loss absorbent pad of  claim 7 , wherein the cover is removably attachable to the another apparatus and disposable. 
     
     
         11 . The low air loss absorbent pad of  claim 7 , wherein the cover is removably attachable to the another apparatus via Velcro striping bonded to the non-porous base portion. 
     
     
         12 . The low air loss absorbent pad of  claim 7 , wherein the cover is removably attachable to the another apparatus via adhesive tape. 
     
     
         13 . The low air loss absorbent pad of  claim 5 , wherein the air flow comprises a high-flow, low-pressure stream of air. 
     
     
         14 . The low air loss absorbent pad of  claim 5 , wherein the air intake port is configured to provide a high-flow, low-pressure stream of air. 
     
     
         15 . The low air loss absorbent pad of  claim 5 , wherein the porous user contact portion comprises a surface layer including multiple small orifices. 
     
     
         16 . The low air loss absorbent pad of  claim 15 , wherein porous user contact portion comprises one or more absorbent layers in the cavity formed between the non-porous base portion and the porous user contact portion. 
     
     
         17 . The low air loss absorbent pad of  claim 5 , wherein the porous user contact portion comprises a surface layer including multiple perforations. 
     
     
         18 . The low air loss absorbent pad of  claim 5 , wherein the air impermeable, liquid impervious material comprises a polyurethane or polyurethane-like material. 
     
     
         19 . A low air loss pressure relief system, comprising:
 a low air loss absorbent protective cover apparatus including a non-porous base portion constructed of an air impermeable, liquid impervious material, a porous user contact portion constructed of an air permeable, liquid pervious, fluid absorbent material, and an air intake port configured to provide a flow of air to the cavity formed between the non-porous base portion and the porous user contact portion, wherein the porous user contact portion is bonded to the non-porous base portion around a perimeter of the porous user contact portion such that a cavity is formed between the non-porous base portion and the porous user contact portion; and   an air supply providing a high-flow, low-pressure stream of air to the cavity formed between the non-porous base portion and the porous user contact portion, wherein the stream of air causes the cavity formed between the non-porous base portion and the porous user contact portion to inflate providing low air loss functionality.   
     
     
         20 . The pressure relief system of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a contact pressure-mitigation support apparatus including:
 a base material, 
 a pressure-mitigating contact portion having multiple independently pressurized relief chambers interconnected on the base material and configured to mitigate contact pressure between a support surface and a user when pressure in the independently pressurized relief chambers is alternated, and 
 multiple elevated side support portions interconnected on the base material. 
   
     
     
         21 . The pressure relief system of  claim 20 , wherein the side support portions are configured to actively orient a specific anatomic region of the user's body over the epicenter of a geometric pattern, and wherein the independently pressurized relief chambers are configured in a geometric pattern that mitigates contact pressure between a support surface and a specific anatomic region of a user's body when pressure in the independently pressurized relief chambers is alternated and the specific anatomic region of the user's body is oriented over an epicenter of the geometric pattern. 
     
     
         22 . The pressure relief system of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a second air supply providing a low-flow, high-pressure stream of air to pressurize each of the independently pressurized relief chambers.   
     
     
         23 . The pressure relief system of  claim 20 , wherein the low air loss absorbent protective cover apparatus is removably attachable to the contact pressure-mitigation support apparatus. 
     
     
         24 . The pressure relief system of  claim 23 , wherein the non-porous base portion includes multiple envelopes configured to secure the removably attachable low air loss absorbent protective cover apparatus to the contact pressure-mitigation support apparatus when the multiple elevated side support portions are inflated in the multiple envelopes. 
     
     
         25 . The pressure relief system of  claim 23 , wherein the non-porous base portion includes adhesive tape configured to secure the removably attachable low air loss absorbent protective cover apparatus to the contact pressure-mitigation support apparatus. 
     
     
         26 . A low air loss system, comprising:
 a low air loss cover apparatus including:
 a porous base portion constructed of an air impermeable, liquid impervious material, 
 a porous user contact portion constructed of an air permeable, liquid impervious material, wherein the porous user contact portion is bonded to the porous base portion around a perimeter of the porous user contact portion such that a cavity is formed between the non-porous base portion and the porous user contact portion, 
 an air intake port bonded to one or more of the porous base layer and the porous user contact layer, the air intake port configured to facilitate an air flow to the cavity formed between the porous base portion and the porous user contact portion, 
 wherein the air flow causes the cavity formed between the non-porous base portion and the porous user contact portion to inflate providing low air loss functionality. 
   
     
     
         27 . The low air loss system of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 an absorbent pad constructed of a fluid absorbent material.   
     
     
         28 . The low air loss system of  claim 27 , wherein the absorbent pad is configured beneath the porous base portion of the low air loss cover. 
     
     
         29 . The low air loss system of  claim 27 , wherein the absorbent pad is bonded to the porous base portion of the low air loss cover. 
     
     
         30 . The low air loss system of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 a contact pressure-mitigation support apparatus including:
 a base material, 
 a pressure-mitigating contact portion having multiple independently pressurized relief chambers interconnected on the base material and configured to mitigate contact pressure between a support surface and a user when pressure in the independently pressurized relief chambers is alternated in a pre-determined manner, and 
 multiple elevated side support portions interconnected on the base material; 
   wherein the absorbent pad is configured between the porous base portion of the low air loss cover and the pressure-mitigating contact portion of the contact pressure-mitigation support apparatus.