CA1276321C - Patient support apparatus - Google Patents
Patient support apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1276321C CA1276321C CA000523433A CA523433A CA1276321C CA 1276321 C CA1276321 C CA 1276321C CA 000523433 A CA000523433 A CA 000523433A CA 523433 A CA523433 A CA 523433A CA 1276321 C CA1276321 C CA 1276321C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fluid
- support
- patient
- detector
- envelope
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
- A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
- A61G7/057—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor
- A61G7/05769—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor with inflatable chambers
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- G05D16/00—Control of fluid pressure
- G05D16/20—Control of fluid pressure characterised by the use of electric means
- G05D16/2006—Control of fluid pressure characterised by the use of electric means with direct action of electric energy on controlling means
- G05D16/2066—Control of fluid pressure characterised by the use of electric means with direct action of electric energy on controlling means using controlling means acting on the pressure source
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G2203/00—General characteristics of devices
- A61G2203/30—General characteristics of devices characterised by sensor means
- A61G2203/34—General characteristics of devices characterised by sensor means for pressure
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S5/00—Beds
- Y10S5/94—Beds with alarm means
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure An improved patient support system including a fluid inflatable support for receiving a patient thereon; a fluid supply source in communication with said fluid support, a detector associated with said fluid support means for monitoring the degree of inflation of said support, and control valving, switching or the like operatively associated with said fluid supply and said detector to actuate said fluid supply responsive to predetermined input from said detector.
Description
7~
ATTORNEY DOCKET
NO. SSI-31 IMPROVED PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS
Backqround of the Invention This invention relates to an improved fluidized patient support system that is of particular advantage to burn patient~, as well as other patients who are immobilized for ~xtended recuperative periods.
Historically, hospital beds for patients have in general been conventional where, though adjustable as to height and attitude, a ~attress-springs arrangement has been provided for receiving the patient thereon covered, of course, with appropriate bed clothingO Particular problems have developed in use of the conventional hospital beds where the patients, due to prolonged contact with the ~upport surface in generally immobile conditions, have developed decubitus ulcers or bed sores, as a result of pre~sure points between the support surface and cer~ain portions of the patient's body. Additionally, in the case of burn patient3 where the severity of the injury or wound was such that the patient was afected over a significant portion of his body, the conventional bed presented problems not only with the healing process due to contact between raw areas of the human body and the suppoxt, but also due to fluids exuding from the patient's body. In like fashion, other types of injuries and reason~ for confinement have pre~ented problem~ with the conventional hospital bed.
In order to obviate ~ome of the problems inherent with the conventional hospital bed, fluidized patient ~upport structures have been developed a~
exemplified in ~he ~argest U. S. Patant 3,428 t 973 in which a tank lg provided, partially ~illed w~th a ma~s 2 ~
of granular material which i8 received atop a diffuser surface and is covered with a loose fitting flexible patient contact sheet or ~urface. Fluid, such a~ alr, is provided in a plenum chamber beneath the diffuser ~urface and is forced through the diffuser ~urface for fluidization of the granular material, preferably ceramic spheres, with adequate force that a patient received on the fle~ible sheet is ~uspended on the fluidized bedO In this fashion, ~ery gentle forces are impar~ed to the affected body portions of the patient, whereby the incidence of development of decubitus ulcers is reduced and whereby an individual experiencing trauma, such a~ produced by severe burns may rest comfortably.
In similar fashion, a further fluidized patient support structure is disclosed in the ~argest U. S. Patent No. 3,866,606 which structure ha~ the same basic elements of that mentioned above with the addition of control mean~ ta cyclically fluidize the granular material, alco preferably ceramic spheres.
In a non-fluidized state, the patien~ s~ttles into the mass of granular materials which becomes a rigid, body contoured, structure against which the patient's body may be placed in traction. In lika fa~hion, the cyclic ef~ect of fluidizing-rigidifying the mass of granular material permits variation in patient attitude, again towards variance of constant pressures on affPcted body portions and thu~ reduction of the incidence o development of decubitus ulcers.
In both of the fluidized patient support systems described above, there i~, for an adult patient, generally a minimum depth of about 12 ~nches oE fluidized granular material located abo~e the diffuser baard to preclude any contact between the body of the patient and the diffu~er board when the patient iY in a ~itting po~ition on the bed.
63~
In other support system~, fluid support means may be provided a~ exemplified by air filled structures These other fluid filled support ~tructures though an improvement over the conventional mattre~s ~upports, are not considered to be as effective as the fluidized support systems noted above, are generally much lecs e~pensive, and thu~
more available for general use. In all of the structures mentioned abovel it i~ important from a standpoint of comfort and effectivene~s of support, that the patient have adequate support beneath the body to hold the body above an underside of the support structure. In other words, it is highly desirable that the patient not ~bottom out" against an underlying rigid surface of the support system.
Obviously, in any fluid supported system, a number of problems may evolve resulting in inadequate fluid ~upport of a patienta Such problem~ can result from inadequate fluid supply, leakage of fluid from the structure and the like. The support system of the present invention provides an arrangement for sensing such inadequate patiant support and, depending on the fault, corrects same or alerts attending personnel to the problem which is not simply correctable by introduction of further fluid, reinflation or the like.
There i9 no ~nown prior art that anticipates or suggests the lnvention of the present invention.
Summarv of the Invention It i~ an object of the present invention to provide an improved fluid patient support ~ystem.
Another object ~f the present invention is to provide an imp~oved fluid patient support sy~tem whlch includes prov1sion for ensuring adequate fluid ~or proper patient ~upport.
4 ~ Z~6~2~
Still further another object of the present invention provides a fluid patient support ~ystem that is provided with means to detect inad~quate patient support and to initiate correction of same.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid patient ~upport system having means thereon to sense a patient settling too deeply into the support and effecting the supply of further fluid thereto ade~uate to for return the patient to a properly supported position.
Generally speaking, the patient support system according to the present invention comprises a support frame; a fluid patient support means s~pported by said frame; mean~ for supplying fluid to said fluid support means for support of a patient in a supine position thereon; detector means associated with said fluid ~upport means for determining inadequate support o a patient residing thereon; and control means operatively associated with said fluid supply maans and said detector means for receiving input from said detector means that support of the patient is inadequate and initiating further fluid supply to sa~d support mean~ responsive to said input for at least a predetermined period of time.
More speciically, in a preferred arrangement, the detector means ~ pres~ure sensitive, wheraby should a pa~ient settle into the fluid support means adequate to directly or indirectly apply a predetermined pressure on the detector mean~, the fluid supply means will be actuated by the control means to supply further fluid to the support means.
In a fluid envelope env~ronment, the detector means may simply be located therebeneath~
Employing an air campressor a~ a fluid supply means, the detector means is operatively as~ociated with a ~ontrol means for the compresRor to ~;~76;3;~
actuate or deactuate same. The compressor control mean~ may take many forms, but preferably is operative in conjunction with the detector means to continue to supply air to the ~upport until the patient is properly supported whereby the detector mean3 is deactuated. Simultaneously~ timer means may also be employed therewith, preset to actuate an alarm after a predetermined period of compre~sor operation; set to operate for a predetermined period of time after deactuation of the detector means, or the like. The preset time for actuation of an alarm would be greater than that normally required for reinfla ion or refluidization, and would be indicative of malfunction of the support mean~.
Brief Description of the Drawings The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereo.
The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment of a patient support system according to the presesnt lnvention demonstrating proper patient support;
Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the embodiment of Figure 1 demonstrating improper patient support;
Figure 3 is an electrical schematic diagram of a control syatem for a patient support system according to the present inventlon; and Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a timing chart for the controls arxangement a3 illu~trated in Figure 3.
6 ~.2t~63~
_ n of the Preerred Embod~ments Making reference to the figure~, preferred embodiments of the pre~ent invention will now be described in detail.
As illustrated in Figure~ 1 and 2, a support ~y3tem for a ~upine patient is shown to be an air inflatable mattre~ 140, with mattress 140 being manufactured of a f1e~ible material such that upon inadequate inflation of same the weight of a patient residing thereon will collapse the mattress structure.
Mattress 140 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2~ rests on a suitable base or frame 120, and is in operative association ~ia a tubular conduit 144 with a fluid ~upply ~ystem generally 150, which preferably includes an air compres~or 152.
In general, according to the embodiments shown in Figure~ 1 and 2, once mattre~s 140 is inflated, air compressor 152 i~ deactuated and the degree oE inflation may be maintained by appropriate valving, not ~hown. Addit~onally, in certain embodiments, mattress 140 could be provided with a plurality of small vent openings which could dictate continuous operation of air compre3sor 152. Should, however, adequate deflation of mattre~ 140 result~
removing the nece~sary patient ~upport, the patient will ~ettle into mattres~ 140 and defeat the purpose of the ~y3tem ~ee Figure 2). In order to monitor such an occurrence, a ~en~or mean~ 170 is located beneath or within ~attres~ 140 and i5 operatively connected to ~luid ~upply means 150. Sensor means 170 may be pres~ure sen~itive, or any other type sen~ing means that would lndicate the inadequacy of in~lation o~ mattre~s 140 a~ repre~entad by proximity o~ ~
pat~ent thereto. ~lence, 3hould the patient settle into mattre~s 140 adequately to actuate sen~or 170, sensor 170 will provide ~nput to a control mean~ 180 7 ~.2~76~
associated with fluid supply means 150 in an arrangemellt as, for example, is ~llu~trated in Figures 3 and 4, to cause actuation of compre~sor 152 ade~uat~
to return mattre~s 140 to a proper degree of inflation.
In a mo~t preferred embodiment, a~
schematically illustrated in Figure 3 a timer mean~
185 could be as~ociated wlth ~ensor means 170 and control means 180 to permit air compressor 152 to continue to operate for a predetermined period of time after removal of actuation pres~ure from sensor means 170. A full return to proper fluidization would thus be achieved. A further timer means 175 may also be employed in conjunction with senssr means 170 to become actuated simultaneously with control maans 180 such that should air compre~sor 152 continue to operate for the full preset time of the timer means, ~uch would indicate serious malfunction of the ~ystem and actuate an alarm 190 operatively associated with timer 175. Attending personnel would then become alerted to a malfunction of the ~y~tem requiring corrective action beyond normal refluidization.
Figures 3 and 4, illu~trate one preferred arrangement for an overall control system according to the preqent invention. Once sensor 170 i8 actuated by pressure above a present threshold valve, output from same to a sample and hold circuit :L72 cau~es circuit 172 to move to a higher valve to provide output to a control valve 180 for actuation of same. Sample and hold circuit circuit 172 thereafter continues to sample lnput from sensor 170, and 80 long as input i3 detected, circuit 172 holds at the higher value.
~old circuit 172 may urther inrlude a variable holding period eature whlch main~ains the high value or a predetermined period of time a~ter deactuation o~ sen~or 170~ Such time allows contlnued 8 ~2~;3~
fluidization adequate to return to a normal suppor~
~tate and would be utilized in lieu of a timer 1~5 as mentioned above. Such variable tlme is indicated on line B of the timin~ chart of Figure 4.
Simultanouesly with actuation of control valve 180, a preset timer mean~ 175 is actuated.
Timer means 175 i8 operatively associated with an alarm means 190 which may be Yi sual and/or aural, and if the preset time lap~es before re~etting of timer means 175, such will indicate abnormal malfunction of the system and alarm 190 will be actuated to signal attending personnel. Timer mean~ 175 i~ indicated on line E of the timing chart o~ Figure 4.
In an embodiment as mentioned above where vent openings are included in the inflatable support, control means 180 may not be an of~on valve or switch means since continuou~ fluid may be required to replenish that escapin~ through the vent openings.
Instead, control means 180 would be located between compres~or 152 and mattres3 140 ~shown in phantom in Figure 3), and would be further opened to permit greater fluid flow therethrough, or conversely, though not shown could be a potentiometer that increases or decreases the voltage of a motor associated with air compressor lS~ In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, con~rol means 180 would preferably be an ~n-off control means since under normal operations once the envelope i~ inflated, no further fluid would be admitted unle~ deflation occurs.
In Figure 4, a ~uitable timing chart i~
illustrated. Lina A represent~ sensor means 170, line B represents sample and hold cir~uit 172, line C
repre~ents a switching amplifier 173, 11na D
represents the control means 180, line E represents the timer means 175 and line F the alarm 190. At level 0, each of the element~ is in a deactivated ~.~7~
~tate while at level 1 each is in an excited or actuated ~tate. ~ence as can be seen, once ~ensor 170 is actuated, all of the elements in the system are activated with the exception of alarm 190.
Circuit 172 then remain~ at level 1 ~o long as sensor 170 i8 actuated and for a predetermined holding period thereafter, adequate to continue fluid supply for support of the patient well above sensor 170 Switching amplifier 173 remains on coincident with hold circuit 172 for amplification of the output signal therefrom. Control means 180 remains actuated (open, further open, higher fan speed, etc.) during the period of output from amplifier 173. As mentioned hereinabove, timer 175 is preset for a period of time ~hat should be more than adequate to return the fluid support means to a proper supporting function, wherefore, ~hould ~he time set on timer 175 lapse, such would indicate a more ~erious malfunction in the sy~tem. Alarm 190 would then be actuated to alert attending personnel.
While mattress 140 is chematically illustrated as a ~ingle element, a plurality of individual air bag~ may be utili~ed as now appear in certain commercial systems and a~ illustrated in phantom as 140', 140 " in Figure 1. In such syctems, a number o~ air bags, 10 to 15 for example may be employed along the length of a bed or frame. Also, pressures maintained in the plurality of bags may be the same in all bags or may vary along the length of the overall unit depending upon the anatomical body section in contact therewith. With the plural bag arrangement, one or more ~en~or~ 170 may be employed.
It ~ill be understood, of course, that while the forms oE the invention herein deqcribed constltute pre~erred embodiment~ oE the invention, it is not intended to illu~trate all po~sible form~ of the 10 ~ 32~L
invention. It will al~o be under~tood that the words used are words of descriptlon rather than o limitation and that various change-~ may be made without departing from the spirit ~nd ~cope of the invention herein disclosed.
ATTORNEY DOCKET
NO. SSI-31 IMPROVED PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS
Backqround of the Invention This invention relates to an improved fluidized patient support system that is of particular advantage to burn patient~, as well as other patients who are immobilized for ~xtended recuperative periods.
Historically, hospital beds for patients have in general been conventional where, though adjustable as to height and attitude, a ~attress-springs arrangement has been provided for receiving the patient thereon covered, of course, with appropriate bed clothingO Particular problems have developed in use of the conventional hospital beds where the patients, due to prolonged contact with the ~upport surface in generally immobile conditions, have developed decubitus ulcers or bed sores, as a result of pre~sure points between the support surface and cer~ain portions of the patient's body. Additionally, in the case of burn patient3 where the severity of the injury or wound was such that the patient was afected over a significant portion of his body, the conventional bed presented problems not only with the healing process due to contact between raw areas of the human body and the suppoxt, but also due to fluids exuding from the patient's body. In like fashion, other types of injuries and reason~ for confinement have pre~ented problem~ with the conventional hospital bed.
In order to obviate ~ome of the problems inherent with the conventional hospital bed, fluidized patient ~upport structures have been developed a~
exemplified in ~he ~argest U. S. Patant 3,428 t 973 in which a tank lg provided, partially ~illed w~th a ma~s 2 ~
of granular material which i8 received atop a diffuser surface and is covered with a loose fitting flexible patient contact sheet or ~urface. Fluid, such a~ alr, is provided in a plenum chamber beneath the diffuser ~urface and is forced through the diffuser ~urface for fluidization of the granular material, preferably ceramic spheres, with adequate force that a patient received on the fle~ible sheet is ~uspended on the fluidized bedO In this fashion, ~ery gentle forces are impar~ed to the affected body portions of the patient, whereby the incidence of development of decubitus ulcers is reduced and whereby an individual experiencing trauma, such a~ produced by severe burns may rest comfortably.
In similar fashion, a further fluidized patient support structure is disclosed in the ~argest U. S. Patent No. 3,866,606 which structure ha~ the same basic elements of that mentioned above with the addition of control mean~ ta cyclically fluidize the granular material, alco preferably ceramic spheres.
In a non-fluidized state, the patien~ s~ttles into the mass of granular materials which becomes a rigid, body contoured, structure against which the patient's body may be placed in traction. In lika fa~hion, the cyclic ef~ect of fluidizing-rigidifying the mass of granular material permits variation in patient attitude, again towards variance of constant pressures on affPcted body portions and thu~ reduction of the incidence o development of decubitus ulcers.
In both of the fluidized patient support systems described above, there i~, for an adult patient, generally a minimum depth of about 12 ~nches oE fluidized granular material located abo~e the diffuser baard to preclude any contact between the body of the patient and the diffu~er board when the patient iY in a ~itting po~ition on the bed.
63~
In other support system~, fluid support means may be provided a~ exemplified by air filled structures These other fluid filled support ~tructures though an improvement over the conventional mattre~s ~upports, are not considered to be as effective as the fluidized support systems noted above, are generally much lecs e~pensive, and thu~
more available for general use. In all of the structures mentioned abovel it i~ important from a standpoint of comfort and effectivene~s of support, that the patient have adequate support beneath the body to hold the body above an underside of the support structure. In other words, it is highly desirable that the patient not ~bottom out" against an underlying rigid surface of the support system.
Obviously, in any fluid supported system, a number of problems may evolve resulting in inadequate fluid ~upport of a patienta Such problem~ can result from inadequate fluid supply, leakage of fluid from the structure and the like. The support system of the present invention provides an arrangement for sensing such inadequate patiant support and, depending on the fault, corrects same or alerts attending personnel to the problem which is not simply correctable by introduction of further fluid, reinflation or the like.
There i9 no ~nown prior art that anticipates or suggests the lnvention of the present invention.
Summarv of the Invention It i~ an object of the present invention to provide an improved fluid patient support ~ystem.
Another object ~f the present invention is to provide an imp~oved fluid patient support sy~tem whlch includes prov1sion for ensuring adequate fluid ~or proper patient ~upport.
4 ~ Z~6~2~
Still further another object of the present invention provides a fluid patient support ~ystem that is provided with means to detect inad~quate patient support and to initiate correction of same.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid patient ~upport system having means thereon to sense a patient settling too deeply into the support and effecting the supply of further fluid thereto ade~uate to for return the patient to a properly supported position.
Generally speaking, the patient support system according to the present invention comprises a support frame; a fluid patient support means s~pported by said frame; mean~ for supplying fluid to said fluid support means for support of a patient in a supine position thereon; detector means associated with said fluid ~upport means for determining inadequate support o a patient residing thereon; and control means operatively associated with said fluid supply maans and said detector means for receiving input from said detector means that support of the patient is inadequate and initiating further fluid supply to sa~d support mean~ responsive to said input for at least a predetermined period of time.
More speciically, in a preferred arrangement, the detector means ~ pres~ure sensitive, wheraby should a pa~ient settle into the fluid support means adequate to directly or indirectly apply a predetermined pressure on the detector mean~, the fluid supply means will be actuated by the control means to supply further fluid to the support means.
In a fluid envelope env~ronment, the detector means may simply be located therebeneath~
Employing an air campressor a~ a fluid supply means, the detector means is operatively as~ociated with a ~ontrol means for the compresRor to ~;~76;3;~
actuate or deactuate same. The compressor control mean~ may take many forms, but preferably is operative in conjunction with the detector means to continue to supply air to the ~upport until the patient is properly supported whereby the detector mean3 is deactuated. Simultaneously~ timer means may also be employed therewith, preset to actuate an alarm after a predetermined period of compre~sor operation; set to operate for a predetermined period of time after deactuation of the detector means, or the like. The preset time for actuation of an alarm would be greater than that normally required for reinfla ion or refluidization, and would be indicative of malfunction of the support mean~.
Brief Description of the Drawings The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereo.
The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment of a patient support system according to the presesnt lnvention demonstrating proper patient support;
Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the embodiment of Figure 1 demonstrating improper patient support;
Figure 3 is an electrical schematic diagram of a control syatem for a patient support system according to the present inventlon; and Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a timing chart for the controls arxangement a3 illu~trated in Figure 3.
6 ~.2t~63~
_ n of the Preerred Embod~ments Making reference to the figure~, preferred embodiments of the pre~ent invention will now be described in detail.
As illustrated in Figure~ 1 and 2, a support ~y3tem for a ~upine patient is shown to be an air inflatable mattre~ 140, with mattress 140 being manufactured of a f1e~ible material such that upon inadequate inflation of same the weight of a patient residing thereon will collapse the mattress structure.
Mattress 140 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2~ rests on a suitable base or frame 120, and is in operative association ~ia a tubular conduit 144 with a fluid ~upply ~ystem generally 150, which preferably includes an air compres~or 152.
In general, according to the embodiments shown in Figure~ 1 and 2, once mattre~s 140 is inflated, air compressor 152 i~ deactuated and the degree oE inflation may be maintained by appropriate valving, not ~hown. Addit~onally, in certain embodiments, mattress 140 could be provided with a plurality of small vent openings which could dictate continuous operation of air compre3sor 152. Should, however, adequate deflation of mattre~ 140 result~
removing the nece~sary patient ~upport, the patient will ~ettle into mattres~ 140 and defeat the purpose of the ~y3tem ~ee Figure 2). In order to monitor such an occurrence, a ~en~or mean~ 170 is located beneath or within ~attres~ 140 and i5 operatively connected to ~luid ~upply means 150. Sensor means 170 may be pres~ure sen~itive, or any other type sen~ing means that would lndicate the inadequacy of in~lation o~ mattre~s 140 a~ repre~entad by proximity o~ ~
pat~ent thereto. ~lence, 3hould the patient settle into mattre~s 140 adequately to actuate sen~or 170, sensor 170 will provide ~nput to a control mean~ 180 7 ~.2~76~
associated with fluid supply means 150 in an arrangemellt as, for example, is ~llu~trated in Figures 3 and 4, to cause actuation of compre~sor 152 ade~uat~
to return mattre~s 140 to a proper degree of inflation.
In a mo~t preferred embodiment, a~
schematically illustrated in Figure 3 a timer mean~
185 could be as~ociated wlth ~ensor means 170 and control means 180 to permit air compressor 152 to continue to operate for a predetermined period of time after removal of actuation pres~ure from sensor means 170. A full return to proper fluidization would thus be achieved. A further timer means 175 may also be employed in conjunction with senssr means 170 to become actuated simultaneously with control maans 180 such that should air compre~sor 152 continue to operate for the full preset time of the timer means, ~uch would indicate serious malfunction of the ~ystem and actuate an alarm 190 operatively associated with timer 175. Attending personnel would then become alerted to a malfunction of the ~y~tem requiring corrective action beyond normal refluidization.
Figures 3 and 4, illu~trate one preferred arrangement for an overall control system according to the preqent invention. Once sensor 170 i8 actuated by pressure above a present threshold valve, output from same to a sample and hold circuit :L72 cau~es circuit 172 to move to a higher valve to provide output to a control valve 180 for actuation of same. Sample and hold circuit circuit 172 thereafter continues to sample lnput from sensor 170, and 80 long as input i3 detected, circuit 172 holds at the higher value.
~old circuit 172 may urther inrlude a variable holding period eature whlch main~ains the high value or a predetermined period of time a~ter deactuation o~ sen~or 170~ Such time allows contlnued 8 ~2~;3~
fluidization adequate to return to a normal suppor~
~tate and would be utilized in lieu of a timer 1~5 as mentioned above. Such variable tlme is indicated on line B of the timin~ chart of Figure 4.
Simultanouesly with actuation of control valve 180, a preset timer mean~ 175 is actuated.
Timer means 175 i8 operatively associated with an alarm means 190 which may be Yi sual and/or aural, and if the preset time lap~es before re~etting of timer means 175, such will indicate abnormal malfunction of the system and alarm 190 will be actuated to signal attending personnel. Timer mean~ 175 i~ indicated on line E of the timing chart o~ Figure 4.
In an embodiment as mentioned above where vent openings are included in the inflatable support, control means 180 may not be an of~on valve or switch means since continuou~ fluid may be required to replenish that escapin~ through the vent openings.
Instead, control means 180 would be located between compres~or 152 and mattres3 140 ~shown in phantom in Figure 3), and would be further opened to permit greater fluid flow therethrough, or conversely, though not shown could be a potentiometer that increases or decreases the voltage of a motor associated with air compressor lS~ In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, con~rol means 180 would preferably be an ~n-off control means since under normal operations once the envelope i~ inflated, no further fluid would be admitted unle~ deflation occurs.
In Figure 4, a ~uitable timing chart i~
illustrated. Lina A represent~ sensor means 170, line B represents sample and hold cir~uit 172, line C
repre~ents a switching amplifier 173, 11na D
represents the control means 180, line E represents the timer means 175 and line F the alarm 190. At level 0, each of the element~ is in a deactivated ~.~7~
~tate while at level 1 each is in an excited or actuated ~tate. ~ence as can be seen, once ~ensor 170 is actuated, all of the elements in the system are activated with the exception of alarm 190.
Circuit 172 then remain~ at level 1 ~o long as sensor 170 i8 actuated and for a predetermined holding period thereafter, adequate to continue fluid supply for support of the patient well above sensor 170 Switching amplifier 173 remains on coincident with hold circuit 172 for amplification of the output signal therefrom. Control means 180 remains actuated (open, further open, higher fan speed, etc.) during the period of output from amplifier 173. As mentioned hereinabove, timer 175 is preset for a period of time ~hat should be more than adequate to return the fluid support means to a proper supporting function, wherefore, ~hould ~he time set on timer 175 lapse, such would indicate a more ~erious malfunction in the sy~tem. Alarm 190 would then be actuated to alert attending personnel.
While mattress 140 is chematically illustrated as a ~ingle element, a plurality of individual air bag~ may be utili~ed as now appear in certain commercial systems and a~ illustrated in phantom as 140', 140 " in Figure 1. In such syctems, a number o~ air bags, 10 to 15 for example may be employed along the length of a bed or frame. Also, pressures maintained in the plurality of bags may be the same in all bags or may vary along the length of the overall unit depending upon the anatomical body section in contact therewith. With the plural bag arrangement, one or more ~en~or~ 170 may be employed.
It ~ill be understood, of course, that while the forms oE the invention herein deqcribed constltute pre~erred embodiment~ oE the invention, it is not intended to illu~trate all po~sible form~ of the 10 ~ 32~L
invention. It will al~o be under~tood that the words used are words of descriptlon rather than o limitation and that various change-~ may be made without departing from the spirit ~nd ~cope of the invention herein disclosed.
Claims (9)
1. An improved fluid support system comprising:
a) a support frame;
b) an inflatable patient support means supported by said frame:
c) means for supplying fluid to said inflatable support means for support of a patient in a supine position thereon;
d) detector means associated with said support means for determining inadequate inflation of said support means when a patient is residing thereon;
and e) control means operatively associated with said fluid supply means and said detector means for receiving input from said detector means that said support means is inadequately inflated and admitting fluid supply to said support means responsive to said input.
a) a support frame;
b) an inflatable patient support means supported by said frame:
c) means for supplying fluid to said inflatable support means for support of a patient in a supine position thereon;
d) detector means associated with said support means for determining inadequate inflation of said support means when a patient is residing thereon;
and e) control means operatively associated with said fluid supply means and said detector means for receiving input from said detector means that said support means is inadequately inflated and admitting fluid supply to said support means responsive to said input.
2. An improved fluid support system as defined in claim 1 wherein the inflatable patient support means is an inflatable envelope.
3. An improved fluid support system as defined in claim 2 wherein said detector means is a pressure sensor.
4. An improved fluid support system as defined in claim 2 comprising further timer means operatively associated with said detector means and alarm means operatively associated with said timer means whereby said timer means is actuated simultaneously with said detector means and is deactuated upon cessation of operation of said fluid supply means, said timer means actuating said alarm after a predetermined period of operation of said fluid supply means.
5. An improved fluid patient support as defined in claim 1 wherein said inflatable patient support means comprises a plurality of juxtaposed inflatable air bags.
6. An improved fluid support system for a patient comprising:
a) a support frame;
b) an inflatable support envelope;
c) fluid supply means in communication with said envelope;
d) control means operatively associated with said fluid supply means for actuation and deactuatiaon of said supply of fluid to said envelope;
e) detector means operatively associated with said envelope for determination of inadequate fluid within said envelope and operatively associated with said fluid supply control means, whereby upon detection of inadequate fluid within said envelope, said control means actuates said fluid supply means to cause fluid to be supplied to said envelope for a predetermined period of time.
a) a support frame;
b) an inflatable support envelope;
c) fluid supply means in communication with said envelope;
d) control means operatively associated with said fluid supply means for actuation and deactuatiaon of said supply of fluid to said envelope;
e) detector means operatively associated with said envelope for determination of inadequate fluid within said envelope and operatively associated with said fluid supply control means, whereby upon detection of inadequate fluid within said envelope, said control means actuates said fluid supply means to cause fluid to be supplied to said envelope for a predetermined period of time.
7. An improved fluid patient support as defined in claim 5 wherein said control means maintains said supply means in a state of actuation so long as said detector means remains actuated.
8. An improved fluid patient support system as defined in claim 6 further comprising timer means operatively associated with said detector means and said control means, said timer means causing continued actuation of said fluid supply means for a predetermined period of time following deactuation of said detector means.
9. An improved fluid patient support system as defined in claim 6 comprising further alarm means operatively associated with said control means, said alarm means becoming actuated after a predetermined period of time.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US06/819,119 US4694520A (en) | 1986-01-15 | 1986-01-15 | Patient support apparatus |
| US819,119 | 1986-01-15 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1276321C true CA1276321C (en) | 1990-11-13 |
Family
ID=25227252
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000523433A Expired - Lifetime CA1276321C (en) | 1986-01-15 | 1986-11-20 | Patient support apparatus |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4694520A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0230148B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS62217963A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE68955T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1276321C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3682267D1 (en) |
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- 1986-01-15 US US06/819,119 patent/US4694520A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1986-11-20 CA CA000523433A patent/CA1276321C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1986-12-31 AT AT86310220T patent/ATE68955T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1986-12-31 DE DE8686310220T patent/DE3682267D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1986-12-31 EP EP86310220A patent/EP0230148B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1987
- 1987-01-13 JP JP62004233A patent/JPS62217963A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0230148A2 (en) | 1987-07-29 |
| US4694520A (en) | 1987-09-22 |
| JPS62217963A (en) | 1987-09-25 |
| EP0230148B1 (en) | 1991-10-30 |
| ATE68955T1 (en) | 1991-11-15 |
| EP0230148A3 (en) | 1988-05-11 |
| DE3682267D1 (en) | 1991-12-05 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKLA | Lapsed |