Patent US5010608A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5010608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Support system for reducing formation of decubitus ulcers
Assignee: Queen's University
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Filing: 1989-10-11
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Granted: 1991-04-30
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Expires: 2009-10-11
Abstract
Abstract A support system that reduces the likelihood of breakdown of human skin, and hence formation of decubitus ulcers, is disclosed. The system comprises two sheets of flexible material bonded together to provide a plurality of separate cells that are capable of being alternately and repeatedly inflated and deflated by means of a fluid contained in the cells. The flexible material is impermeable to the fluid. The cells are of a size and shape and with an intercellular spacing such that in at least one of the width and length of the system, the distance between centers of adjacent inflated cells is less than the human two-point discrimination threshold and the support system is capable of supporting a human body with bottoming out either of or between the inflated cells. In particular embodiments, the support system is in the form of a mattress. The support system may be used with persons who are confined to bed, wheelchairs or the like for periods of time or who are otherwise fully or partially immobilized, including for therapeutic reasons.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard I. Barnett
- 👤 William C. Knapp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61G; A61G7/00; A61G7/05; A61G7/057; A61G7/05769; A61G7/05776; A61G2210/00; A61G2210/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A support system comprising: a plurality of separate cells of selected size of shape in a monolayer, said cells being formed from flexible material; said material being sufficiently impermeable to a fluid contained in said cells so that each cell may be alternately (with respect to the adjacent cell) and repeatedly inflated and deflated; said cells being of such size and shape and having such intercellular spacing so that, in at least one of the width and length of said support system, the distance between centres of adjacent inflated cells (including the distance across a deflated cell) is less than approximately 25 millimeters; and said support system is capable of supporting a human body without bottoming out either of or between said inflated cells.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A support system comprising: a plurality of separate cells of selected size of shape in a monolayer, said cells being formed from flexible material; said material being sufficiently impermeable to a fluid contained in said cells so that each cell may be alternately (with respect to the adjacent cell) and repeatedly inflated and deflated; said cells being of such size and shape and having such intercellular spacing so that, in at least one of the width and length of said support system, the distance between centres of adjacent inflated cells (including the distance across a deflated cell) is less than approximately 25 millimeters; and said support system is capable of supporting a human body without bottoming out either of or between said inflated cells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The support system of claim 1 in which, when the support system is supporting a human body, a deflated cell exerts a pressure of less than the human internal capillary threshold on the body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The support system of claim 1 in which said cells are of a shape and size such that a weight of 2.5 kg and having a spherical surface with a diameter of 2.67 cm placed on the support system will not cause bottoming out of the support system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The support system of claim 1 in which cells are capable of being inflated and deflated independently.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The support system of claim 1 in which the fluid is a fluorocarbon or a mixture of fluorocarbons.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The support system of claim 1 in which the fluid is an environmentally acceptable replacement for a fluorocarbon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
155 words
A support system comprising: (a) a system comprising: a plurality of separate cells of selected size and shape in a monolayer, said cells being formed from flexible material; said material being sufficiently impermeable to a fluid contained in said cells so that each cell may be alternately (with respect to the adjacent cell) and repeatedly inflated and deflated; said cells being of such size and shape and having such intercellular spacing so that, in at least one of the width and length of said system, the distance between centres of adjacent inflated cells (including the distance across a deflated cell) is less than approximately 25 millimeters; and said system is capable of supporting a human body without bottoming out either of or between said inflated cells; and (b) means to inflate and deflate the cells, said means having a cycle time that promotes restoration of normal microcirculation of human skin while the cells are deflated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
155 words
A support system comprising: (a) a system comprising: a plurality of separate cells of selected size and shape in a monolayer, said cells being formed from flexible material; said material being sufficiently impermeable to a fluid contained in said cells so that each cell may be alternately (with respect to the adjacent cell) and repeatedly inflated and deflated; said cells being of such size and shape and having such intercellular spacing so that, in at least one of the width and length of said system, the distance between centres of adjacent inflated cells (including the distance across a deflated cell) is less than approximately 25 millimeters; and said system is capable of supporting a human body without bottoming out either of or between said inflated cells; and (b) means to inflate and deflate the cells, said means having a cycle time that promotes restoration of normal microcirculation of human skin while the cells are deflated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The support system of claim 7 in which, when the system is supporting a human body, a deflated cell exerts a pressure of less than the human internal capillary threshold on the body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The support system of claim 7 in which said cells are of a shape and size such that a weight of 2.5 kg and having a spherical surface with a diameter of 2.67 cm placed on the system will not cause bottoming out of the system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The support system of claim 7 in which cells are capable of being inflated and deflated independently.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The support system of claim 7 in which the fluid is a liquid that is capable of being vaporized to inflate the cells.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The support system of claim 11 in which the means to inflate and deflate the cells is heating and cooling means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The support system of claim 7 in which the fluid is a gas.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The support system of claim 7 in which the fluid is a liquid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The support system of claim 13 in which the means to inflate the cells is a compressor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The support system of claim 14 in which the means to inflate and deflate the cells is hydraulic means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The support system of claim 12 including electrical heating means or thermoelectric means and in which the liquid is adapted to be vaporized by means of such electrical heating means or thermoelectric means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The support system of claim 7 in which each cell is of a geometry that precludes complete collapse of the cell when deflated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The support system of claim 18 in which the means to inflate the cells is controlled so that when one cell is inflated, an adjacent cell is deflated.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The support system of claim 14 in which the liquid is adapted to be both heated and cooled.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The support system of claim 14 in which the liquid is adapted to be either heated or cooled.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The support system of claim 7 in which the cells are adapted to be inflated and deflacted over a cycle time of less than two hours.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The support system of claim 7 in which the distance between adjacent inflated cells is less than 30 mm.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The support system of claim 7 in which the cells are inflated and deflated using a simulated wave motion over the support system.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The support system of claim 7 in which the cells are inflated and deflated using a simulated peristaltic motion over the support system.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
174 words
A support system comprising, in sequence, (a) a system comprising a plurality of separate cells of selected size and shape in a monolayer, said cells being formed from flexible material; said material being sufficiently impermeable to a fluid contained in said cells so that each cell may be alternately (with respect to the adjacent cell) and repeatedly inflated and deflated; said cells being of such size and shape and having such intercullular spacing so that, in at least one of the width and length of said system, the distance between centres of adjacent inflated cells (including the distance across a deflated cell) is less than approximately 25 millimeters and said system is capable of supporting a human body without bottoming out either of or between said inflated cells; (b) means to inflate and deflate the cells, said means having a cycle time that promotes restoration of normal microcirculation of human skin while the cells are deflated, (c) a layer of cushioning material; and (d) a layer of material having a high coefficient of friction.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
174 words
A support system comprising, in sequence, (a) a system comprising a plurality of separate cells of selected size and shape in a monolayer, said cells being formed from flexible material; said material being sufficiently impermeable to a fluid contained in said cells so that each cell may be alternately (with respect to the adjacent cell) and repeatedly inflated and deflated; said cells being of such size and shape and having such intercullular spacing so that, in at least one of the width and length of said system, the distance between centres of adjacent inflated cells (including the distance across a deflated cell) is less than approximately 25 millimeters and said system is capable of supporting a human body without bottoming out either of or between said inflated cells; (b) means to inflate and deflate the cells, said means having a cycle time that promotes restoration of normal microcirculation of human skin while the cells are deflated, (c) a layer of cushioning material; and (d) a layer of material having a high coefficient of friction.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
The support system of claim 26 in which, when the system is supporting a human body, a deflated cell exerts a pressure of less than the human internal capillary threshold on the body.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
48 words
The support system of claim 26 in which said cells are of a shape and size such that a weight of 2.5 kg and having a spherical surface with a diameter of 2.67 cm placed on the system will not cause bottoming out of the clinical support system.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
The support system of claim 26 in which a fabric layer is located above the layer of flexible material, said fabric layer being between a moisture absorption layer and the layer of flexible material.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The support system of claim 29 in which the fabric layer is a removable fabric layer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The support system of claim 29 in which the moisture absorption layer is a microporous film layer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The support system of claim 29 in which the moisture absorption layer is a disposable layer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The support system of claim 26 in which the fluid is a fluorocarbon or a mixture of fluorocarbons.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The support system of claim 26 in which the fluid is an environmentally acceptable replacement for a fluorocarbon.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
The support system of claim 26 in which the fluid is a gas.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
13 words
The support system of claim 26 in which the fluid is a liquid.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-04-29 | 1994-10-29 | 1995-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-29 | 1998-10-29 | 1999-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-29 | 2002-10-29 | 2003-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |