Modular medical-bed mattress with underlying bed pan

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the general art of bedding, and to the particular field of therapeutic mattresses for medical beds.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Bed-ridden patients often encounter problems, especially if the patient is bed-ridden for long periods. One common problem includes the development of pressure ulcers, localized areas of tissue necrosis that occur when soft tissue is pressed between bony prominence and external surface for an extended period of time. Skin is broken down due to friction, moisture, pressure, or shearing forces. Blood flow to underlying tissue is interrupted. Some mattresses and bed units can cause some part of a pressure-ulcer related problem. In such instances, an entire mattress may have to be replaced.

While some therapeutic mattresses relieve some of the pressure-ulcer related problems by preventing bedding from having undisturbed contact with a patient, these units do not completely solve the problem, and they can be heavy and expensive. The caregiver may have to periodically move the patient, but this may require a health care worker who is able to lift the patient. This may be difficult and awkward for the health care worker, and uncomfortable and inconvenient for the patient, and costly for the patient's loved ones.

Therefore, there is a need for a bed unit that can reduce the possibility of a patient developing and exacerbating bed sores on the areas of his or her body that contact the mattress or a covering on a mattress.

Many health care facilities suffer from a significant shortage of help, and help that is on duty is often rushed and harried. This help must place priorities on many tasks. For example, changing a mattress or bedding may have to wait until other tasks are completed. This procedure may make efficient use of health care worker time, but it may place a hardship on some patients.

Still further, if a patient soils his or her bed, the bed must be changed. Again, if a hospital is short staffed, a soiled bed may not be cleaned or replaced as quickly as needed. This is especially so if the entire mattress unit must be replaced. Replacing an entire mattress unit may take more than one worker thus requiring a patient to wait until multiple workers are available. This not only inconveniences the patient, it adds further work for the staff.

Simply making up beds in a health care facility can be a major undertaking. A short-staffed health care facility may not make or re-make beds as often as it would like due to a need to efficiently allocate staff resources. In some cases, the difficulty in changing a bed causes the staff to delay changing a bed for as long as possible. Thus, some beds may not be remade as often as they should be. An easily changed bed may encourage staff to change a bed more often. Often, a bed with a patient is made and re-made. Unmaking and then remaking a bed with a patient still in it is often difficult for both the patient and for the worker.

Therefore, there is a need for a bed unit that can be efficiently cared for. Still further, there is a need for a bed unit in which the bed can be unmade and then remade in an efficient manner and with the least amount of disturbance to the patient.

Still further, if a patient needs a bedpan, that patient must request the bedpan, be lifted to permit the bedpan to be placed in position, and then again request assistance to remove the bedpan and be lifted again to allow removal of the bedpan. The health care staff is thus required to accomplish several tasks each time a patient requires a bedpan. This problem is particularly severe if the patient is suffering from diarrhea. A bedpan may also be very uncomfortable to use, and may not be left in place. This requires many trips to the patient's bedside by the health care staff, who also risk back injuries during the repeated lifting of the patients. The staff also risks dropping patients on the floor if they must take them to the bathroom, or lift them into a potty chair, which may result in patient injuries.

Therefore, there is a need for a bed unit which can accommodate a bedpan in a manner that is comfortable for the patient and convenient and efficient for the health care staff.

Many patients require a periodic change in mattresses. Changing a bed, and especially a mattress, may require the services of several health care workers. Furthermore, changing a mattress may be inconvenient and uncomfortable for a patient.

Therefore, there is a need for a bed unit that permits efficient changing of a mattress and keeps a patient comfortable while the mattress is being changed.

Many mattresses become worn after prolonged use. Such mattresses must be replaced. However, the inventor has noticed that many mattresses do not become totally worn before they must be entirely replaced. That is, a mattress may become worn near a central area of the mattress but not become worn at the sides and ends of the mattress. However, present mattresses, while still relatively unworn in most areas must be entirely replaced because a small area of the mattress has become worn. This is expensive and time consuming.

Therefore, there is a need for a mattress that need not be entirely replaced if only a selected portion thereof is worn and the remaining parts of the mattress are not worn.

Not all patients are alike. Some are short, some are tall, some are heavy, some are light, and so forth. Even a single patient may have needs for different mattress characteristics for different sections of his or her body. However, presently available non-therapeutic hospital mattresses are generally quite uniform in design. Presently available mattresses cannot meet particular needs of an individual patient because the mattresses are generally uniformly produced and designed for the way patients are expected to be and not necessarily for the way a particular patient actually is. Therefore, there is a need for a mattress unit that can be customized for a particular patient's size, shape, and needs.

Some patients require application of heat or cold to portions of their body. Presently, a patient requiring a cold pack has such a pack attached to his body. This may be uncomfortable, especially if the patient is required to lie in a particular position for a long period of time and cannot move due to the pack attached to his body.

Therefore, there is a need for a mattress unit that can apply heat or cold to a patient in a comfortable and convenient manner.

Some hospital beds can move to allow a patient to sit up. Any mattress used on such beds must be able to accommodate such bed movement. In some cases, the mattress may be expensive and difficult to move.

Therefore, there is a need for a mattress that can be used in conjunction with a movable hospital bed that is easily moved and is inexpensive as compared to presently available mattresses.

Still further, the laundering of bedding used on hospital beds can be an expensive and difficult process because the sheets may be large and cumbersome. Therefore, there is a need for a mattress system in which bedding is easily and efficiently launderable.

PRINCIPAL OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

It is a main object of the present invention to provide a mattress unit that is versatile.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mattress unit that can be customized for a particular patient's needs.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mattress unit that can reduce the possibility of a patient developing and exacerbating pressure ulcers on the areas of his or her body that contact the mattress or a covering on a mattress.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mattress unit that can be efficiently cared for.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mattress unit which can accommodate a bedpan in a manner that is comfortable and dignified for the patient and convenient and efficient for the health care staff.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mattress unit that permits efficient changing of a mattress and keeps a patient comfortable while the mattress is being changed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mattress unit that need not be entirely replaced if only a selected portion thereof is worn and the remaining parts of the mattress are not worn.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mattress unit that can apply heat or cold to a patient in a comfortable manner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mattress unit that can be used in conjunction with a movable hospital bed that is easily moved and inexpensive as compared to presently available mattresses.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mattress unit in which any bedding associated with the mattress unit is easily launderable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objectives are achieved by a mattress system that contains a multiplicity of separate self-contained mattress modules which can be moved, removed and replaced as required to customize or service the mattress.

For example, if a patient needs more support in one area than in other areas, the module supporting the area needing more support can be replaced with a less worn module, and so forth. Further, if a patient needs a bedpan, a module can be removed to make accessible the bedpan, directly underneath, without removing the patient from the bed. Still further, mattress modules may be removed in an effort to either prevent pressure ulcers or to allow pressure ulcers to heal.

The mattress can thus be serviced in only the areas necessary and the entire mattress need not be replaced every time service is needed. If the patient soils a mattress, only the soiled portions of the mattress need be replaced making it much easier on both the patient and the health care staff or home caregiver.

If a patient develops a need for the application of heat or cold, a module of the mattress can be removed and a flat, rectangular hot or cold gel pack placed onto the mattress section, beneath its fitted sheet. As the gel pack heats or cools, a new gel pack can simply replace the previous pack thereby keeping the patient comfortable.

Still further, the mattress modules of the present invention are much smaller than presently available mattresses. Thus, any sheets used on the mattress modules will be small as compared to presently available sheets. Laundering small sheets would be easier than laundering the large sheets presently used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is a perspective view of the modular medical-bed mattress of the present invention which includes a plurality of self-contained mattress modules, showing a frame unit and mattress modules with the center mattress module removed to permit bedpan access.

FIG. 2

is a bottom view of the frame and mattress modules of the mattress unit of the mattress and bedpan system of the present invention, shown without a bedpan support enclosure.

FIG. 3

is a perspective view of the mattress and frame units of the present invention showing the center mattress module removed, and showing the frame unit and bedpan support enclosure, and also showing the latex bedpan hole-accommodating stain shield in place.

FIG. 4

is a top view of the frame unit of the present invention, shown without the mattress modules but shown with the bedpan in place on top of the bedpan support enclosure.

FIG. 5

is a perspective view of a mattress module of the mattress system of the present invention.

FIG. 6

is a cross-sectional view taken along line

6

—

6

of

FIG. 5

showing the self-contained nature of the mattress module.

FIG. 7

is a perspective view of a fitted sheet used with the mattress module shown in FIG.

5

.

FIG. 8

is a side view of the support enclosure, for supporting a bedpan which is situated beneath the opening created when the center mattress module is removed and also beneath the modules adjacent thereto, across the width of the mattress. The bedpan is also shown, within the support enclosure.

FIG. 9

is a perspective view of a bedpan used with the mattress system of the present invention.

FIG. 10

is a bottom view of a mattress module with a fitted sheet, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

The mattress construction of the present invention permits a mattress to be customized and individualized for each patient and is easy to care for. In general, the mattress of the present invention is used in combination with an electric bed such as used in hospitals, and includes a multiplicity of individual, self-contained modules. The term self-contained will be understood from the following disclosure, but in general is intended to mean that each individual module includes all of the elements of a unit whereby a module can be removed from the overall mattress and replaced without disturbing any of the other modules in the mattress.

The mattress and bedpan system of the present invention is shown in

FIGS. 1-4

, and reference is now made to those figures. As shown, in

FIG. 1

, mattress

10

is used in combination with an electric bed unit. Electric bed mattress frame unit includes a portion

12

having two ends

14

and

16

, two sides

18

and

20

, and the electric bed unit includes equipment usual to electric beds to elevate portions of the bed relative to other portions of the bed. This equipment is not shown here since it is usual to such bed units.

Electric bed and mattress frame unit portion

12

includes a side guard, such as side guard

21

, on each of the two sides

18

and

20

, of electric bed mattress frame unit portion

12

, an end guard, such as end guard

22

, on each of the two ends

14

and

16

of electric bed mattress frame unit portion

12

. Electric bed mattress frame unit portion

12

includes a length LB measured between the two ends

14

and

16

of electric bed mattress frame unit portion

12

, and a width WB measured between the two sides

18

and

20

of electric bed mattress frame unit

12

. Electric bed mattress frame unit portion

12

has a perimeter defined by the end guards and the side guards of electric bed and mattress frame unit portion

12

.

As best shown in

FIG. 3

, the mattress system of the present invention also includes a frame unit

30

which includes two sides

32

and

34

and two ends

36

and

38

connected to sides

32

and

34

. Frame unit

30

has a width dimension WF measured between the two sides

32

and

34

of frame unit

30

, with width dimension WF of frame unit

30

being slightly less than width WB of electric bed unit portion

12

. Frame unit

30

further includes a length dimension LF measured between the two ends

36

and

38

of frame unit

30

, with length dimension LF of frame unit

30

being slightly less than the length LB of electric bed unit portion

12

. The purpose of this relative dimensioning of frame unit

30

with respect to electric bed mattress frame unit portion

12

will be understood from the following disclosure.

As can be seen in

FIG. 2

, frame unit

30

further includes a plurality of transverse slats, such as transverse slat

40

, extending along width dimension WF of frame unit

30

from side

32

to side

34

of frame unit

30

. Each of the plurality of transverse slats is spaced from an adjacent transverse slat by a lengthwise spacing LS measured along length dimension LF of the frame unit. Frame unit

30

further includes a vertical side lip

42

on each side

32

and

34

of the frame unit, a vertical end lip

44

on each end

36

and

38

of the frame unit, a horizontal side lip

46

on each side

32

and

34

of the frame unit, and a horizontal end lip

48

on each end of the frame unit. A plurality of hinges, such as hinges

50

and

52

are located on each side

32

and

34

of frame unit

30

. Frame unit

30

further includes a plurality of legs, such as leg

56

and leg

58

supported by the electric bed mattress frame unit

12

at spaced-apart locations.

Width dimension WF of frame unit

30

is slightly less than width WB of electric bed mattress frame unit portion

12

and sized with respect to width WB of electric bed mattress frame unit portion

12

and length dimension LF of frame unit

30

is slightly less than length LB of electric bed mattress frame unit portion

12

to be sized with respect to length dimension LB of electric bed mattress frame unit portion

12

so legs

56

and

58

of frame unit

30

fit within the perimeter of electric bed mattress frame unit portion

12

with legs

56

and

58

of frame unit

30

being supported by the side and end guards of electric bed mattress frame unit portion

12

whereby frame unit

30

is supported on and accommodated by electric bed mattress frame unit

12

.

As shown in

FIGS. 1 and 3

, mattress unit

10

includes a plurality of mattress modules

60

. Each mattress module

60

is self-contained, that is, each mattress module

60

is an entity unto itself and can be moved, removed, and/or replaced in the overall mattress unit

10

without requiring any modification of adjacent mattress modules

60

. That is, as will be understood from the teaching of the present disclosure, one mattress module, such as mattress module

60

′ can be removed and/or replaced without any modification of an adjacent mattress module

60

″. Mattress modules

60

′ and

60

″ are also interchangeable. The self-contained nature of the mattress modules will be further appreciated from the following description. As shown in

FIGS. 5 and 6

, each self-contained mattress module

60

includes a base section

62

having two sides

64

and

66

, two ends

68

and

69

connected to sides

62

and

64

of base section

62

of each mattress module

60

. Each mattress module

60

further includes a width dimension WM measured between two sides

64

and

66

of each mattress module

60

of the plurality of mattress modules

60

. Each mattress module

60

further includes a length dimension LM measured between the two ends

68

and

69

of each mattress module

60

. Length dimension LM of each mattress module

60

is greater than the lengthwise spacing LS between adjacent transverse slats

40

whereby a mattress module

60

resting on two adjacent transverse slats

40

of frame unit

30

will be supported on and by the adjacent transverse slats

40

.

Base section

62

of each mattress module

60

is formed of foam material or other suitable material resting on a steel platform, so a mattress module

60

is, in effect, a “mini-mattress” which will support a patient in the manner of a mattress. In some cases, base section

62

may even contain springs.

Each mattress module

60

further includes a top surface

70

of base

62

and a bottom surface

72

of base

62

, and a structure foam mattress topper

74

on each mattress module

60

. Each mattress topper

74

includes two sides

76

and

78

, two ends, each located to be co-incident with an associated one of the ends

68

or

70

of base section

62

, a width dimension TW measured between the two sides

76

and

78

of each mattress topper

74

, and a length dimension measured between the two ends of each mattress topper

74

which equals length dimension LM of the mattress module. As can be seen in

FIG. 6

, width dimension TW of each mattress topper

74

is essentially equal to the width dimension WM of base

62

of each mattress module

60

. Each mattress topper

74

further includes a top face

80

and a bottom face

82

which rests on top surface

70

of a mattress module

60

associated therewith. The perimeters of the mattress topper

74

and the base of each associated mattress module

60

are thus co-incident.

Each mattress module

60

further includes a plastic cover

90

which covers top face

80

of the mattress topper

74

on each mattress module

60

. Each cover

90

includes two sides

92

and

94

and two ends which are co-incident with ends

68

and

70

of the base

62

associated therewith. A width dimension of each plastic cover is measured between the two sides

92

and

94

of each plastic cover

90

and is essentially equal to width dimension WM of the base section

62

associated therewith. A length dimension of each plastic cover

90

is measured between the two ends of each plastic cover

90

and is essentially equal to the length dimension LM of the base section

62

associated therewith. The plastic cover

90

thus has dimensions which make it co-incident with the base section

62

and the mattress topper

74

associated therewith.

The various mattress modules

60

can be located and positioned on the frame unit

30

in any location or position that is necessary for patient care. The self-contained nature of the modules

60

permits them to be moved around to customize a bed unit for the particular needs of a specific patient. As can be understood, the gel pad

95

can be moved into any location that is most needed for a patient. The self-contained nature of the mattress modules

60

permits this movement and rearranging of the mattress modules

60

.

Frame unit

30

includes a bedpan unit

100

which is shown

FIGS. 3

,

4

,

8

and

9

to include a bedpan support enclosure

102

which is shown in

FIGS. 3

,

4

, and

8

and which has two sides

103

and

104

, two ends

106

and

108

, and a length measured BPL between the two ends

106

and

108

of bedpan support enclosure

102

which is essentially equal to width dimension WF of bed frame unit

30

, and a width dimension BPW measured between the two sides

103

and

104

of bedpan support enclosure

102

which is the same as the lengthwise spacing LS between two adjacent transverse slats

40

with each of the sides

103

and

104

of the bedpan support enclosure

102

attached to, and extending below the top of, the two central transverse slats

40

of frame unit

30

and with a height measured between the top

129

and bottom

130

edges which is less than the height of legs

56

and

58

of frame unit

30

. Bedpan support enclosure

102

extends beneath the center mattress module and its adjacent sections when bedpan unit

100

is in place on frame unit

30

, and beneath the mattress unit.

A bedpan

100

is supported on bedpan support plate

132

beneath the opening

60

B created when the center mattress module is removed, when the bedpan

100

is in place. The bedpan

100

will be located beneath the plane of the bottom surface of the mattress unit

10

on which a patient lies so the bedpan

100

will be out of the way and the patient need not elevate his or her hips to use the bedpan

100

. This makes it more comfortable for a patient to have a bedpan in place ready for use at all times if necessary. Bedpan

100

is shown in

FIGS. 4 and 9

and includes a base

112

, two sides

114

and

116

, two ends

118

and

120

, an upper rim

122

and

124

on ends

118

and

120

respectively of bedpan

100

. The upper rim

122

,

124

has a curved lip

126

and

128

. The curved lips

126

,

128

are used to carry the bedpan

100

or to support it as necessary.

As shown in

FIG. 3

, mattress unit

10

further includes a bedpan hole-accommodating cover

134

, a stain shield made of latex which extends into the hole left by the removed mattress module

60

B in the center of the mattress. Bedpan hole-accommodating cover

134

has a hole

136

defined therethrough which is aligned with the hole left by the removed center mattress module

60

B when bedpan hole-accommodating cover

134

is in place.

As shown in

FIG. 7

, mattress unit

10

further includes a fitted sheet

140

on each mattress module

60

of the plurality of mattress modules

60

. Each fitted sheet

140

includes a top

142

, a bottom

144

, two sides

146

and

148

, and two ends

150

and

152

. Elastic

154

and

156

.is located in the two sides

146

and

148

of fitted sheet

140

and in the two ends

150

,

152

of fitted sheet

140

. Fitted sheet

140

snugly fits around a mattress module

60

associated therewith when in place on the associated mattress module

60

, so that the elastic is beneath mattress module

60

, as shown in FIG.

10

.

The form of the mattress system

10

shown in

FIG. 1

includes twenty-five identical mattress modules.

It is understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown.