Pressure redistribution mattress

Abstract

There is described a pressure redistribution mattress comprising an inner support structure housing a pressure redistribution assembly including a plurality of air cells connected by means of a pressure redistribution system. The air cells are spaced apart from one another to form gaps between the air cells and the gaps are filled with supporting spacers formed of an open-structured, non-foam supportive material consisting of a three-dimensional elastic arrangement of polymer filaments allowing circulation of air and moisture.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A pressure redistribution mattress comprising an inner support structure housing a pressure redistribution assembly including a plurality of air cells connected by means of a pressure redistribution system,
 wherein the air cells are spaced apart from one another to form gaps between the air cells, and wherein the gaps are filled with supporting spacers formed of an open-structured, non-foam supportive material consisting of a three-dimensional elastic arrangement of polymer filaments allowing circulation of air and moisture.   
     
     
         24 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 23 , wherein the supporting spacers are separate from the air cells and interposed between the air cells. 
     
     
         25 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 23 , wherein the inner support structure comprises a flexible supporting frame member with a longitudinal space configured and dimensioned to receive the pressure redistribution assembly and supporting spacers. 
     
     
         26 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 25 , wherein the flexible supporting frame member includes a pair of longitudinal sidewalls encasing the pressure redistribution assembly and supporting spacers,
 and wherein a central portion of each longitudinal sidewall is provided with at least one transversal aperture that ensures circulation of air and moisture between the longitudinal space and lateral sides of the mattress.   
     
     
         27 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 26 , wherein each transversal aperture consists of a transversal cut-out formed in an upper side of each longitudinal sidewall. 
     
     
         28 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 25 , wherein the flexible supporting frame member is made of a foam material. 
     
     
         29 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 28 , wherein the foam material is a polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         30 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 23 , wherein the inner support structure comprises a supporting layer overlying the pressure redistribution assembly and supporting spacers. 
     
     
         31 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 30 , wherein the supporting layer is likewise made of an open-structured, non-foam supportive material consisting of a three-dimensional elastic arrangement of polymer filaments allowing circulation of air and moisture. 
     
     
         32 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 30 , wherein the supporting layer extends in the mattress apart from a head section and a foot section of the mattress. 
     
     
         33 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 32 , wherein the supporting layer extends, in the width direction, all the way between the lateral sides of the mattress. 
     
     
         34 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 23 , wherein the polymer filaments are made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). 
     
     
         35 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 23 , wherein the inner support structure comprises a heel zone supporting element provided in a foot section of the mattress. 
     
     
         36 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 35 , wherein the heel zone supporting element includes an upper supporting element made of spacer fabrics. 
     
     
         37 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 23 , wherein the inner support structure comprises a soft top layer provided in a top portion of the inner support structure. 
     
     
         38 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 37 , wherein the soft top layer extends over the entire top portion of the inner support structure apart from a head section of the mattress. 
     
     
         39 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 23 , wherein the inner support structure comprises a head zone supporting element provided in a head section of the mattress. 
     
     
         40 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 39 , wherein the head zone supporting element is made of a foam material and includes a castellated upper surface. 
     
     
         41 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 40 , wherein the foam material is a polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         42 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 23 , wherein the air cells are transverse air cells extending in a width direction of the mattress and wherein the supporting spacers are transverse supporting spacers filling the gaps between the air cells. 
     
     
         43 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 23 , further comprising a removable cover housing the inner support structure. 
     
     
         44 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 43 , wherein the removable cover is made of an air-permeable, multi-directional stretch fabric reducing shear and friction. 
     
     
         45 . The pressure redistribution mattress according to  claim 44 , wherein the air-permeable, multi-directional stretch fabric is a polyurethane coated nylon fabric.