Temperature and moisture regulating topper for non-powered person-support surfaces

0001This disclosure relates generally to person support surfaces. More particularly, but not exclusively, one illustrative embodiment relates to person-support surfaces including a non-powered mattress with temperature and moisture regulating topper coupled thereto.

0002Patients lying on non-powered person support surfaces for extended periods of time can be susceptible to the development of pressure ulcers. While various non-powered person-support surfaces have been developed, there is still room for improvement. Thus, a need persists for further contributions in this area of technology.

0003One illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure includes a person support surface with a non-powered mattress and a coverlet coupled to the non-powered mattress having a vapor permeable and air impermeable person contacting surface and mattress contacting surface configured to exhaust heat and moisture communicated through the person contacting surface out an outlet in the coverlet. Another illustrative embodiment includes a fluid supply assembly with conduit and a fluid supply configured to be activated/deactivated when the conduit is coupled to a person-support surface.

0004The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is a perspective side view of a person-support system with a person-support surface supported on a person-support apparatus and a fluid supply assembly in fluid communication with the person-support surface;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> is a side cross-sectional view of the person support surface of <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> showing the components of the non-powered mattress and the coverlet;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> is a side cross-sectional view of the person support surface of <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> showing the core of the non-powered mattress having varying support characteristics;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4</figref> is a side cross-sectional view of the person-support surface of <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> having a sloped foot section according to one illustrative embodiment;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref> is a side cross-sectional view of the coverlet of <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> showing the communication of heat and moisture through the top and bottom layers of the coverlet and the flow of air thorough the coverlet;</li><li><figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref> is a perspective bottom view of the fluid supply assembly of <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> showing the conduit coupled to the coverlet, the fluid supply housing, and the controller; and</li><li><figref idref="f0007">Fig. 7</figref> is a block diagram of the fluid supply assembly of <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0008">Fig. 8</figref> is a front view of the conduit connector of the conduit of <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref> showing the connection sensor.</li></ul>

0005One illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure includes a person support surface with a non-powered mattress and a coverlet coupled to the non-powered mattress having a vapor permeable and air impermeable person contacting surface and mattress contacting surface configured to exhaust heat and moisture communicated through the person contacting surface out an outlet in the coverlet. Another illustrative embodiment includes a fluid supply assembly with conduit and a fluid supply configured to be activated/deactivated when the conduit is coupled to a person-support surface.

0006A person-support system 10 according to one illustrative embodiment of the current disclosure is shown in <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007 f0008">Figs. 1-8</figref>. The person-support system 10 includes person-support apparatus 12, a person-support surface 14 supported on the person-support apparatus 12, and a fluid supply assembly 16 in communication with the person-support surface 14. In one illustrative embodiment, the fluid supply assembly 16 and the person-support surface 14 are part of a mattress replacement system.

0007The person-support apparatus 12 includes a lower frame 18, supports 20 or lift mechanisms 20 coupled to the lower frame 18, and an upper frame 22 movably supported above the lower frame 18 by the supports 20 as shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>. In one illustrative embodiment, the person-support apparatus 12 is a hospital bed frame with a first section F1 or head support section F1, where the head of a person (not shown) can be positioned and a second section S1 or a foot support section S1, where the feet of the person (not shown) can be positioned. The person-support apparatus 12 can also be a stretcher, an operating room table, a wheel chair, or other person supporting structure.

0008The person-support surface 14 includes a non-powered mattress 24 and a coverlet 26 positioned on the mattress 24 as shown in <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004">Figs. 1-4</figref>. The non-powered mattress 24 includes a mattress core 28 and a mattress cover 30. In one illustrative embodiment, the non-powered mattress 24 is or is similar to at least one of the following mattresses sold by Hill-Rom® at 1069 State Route 46 East in Batesville, Indiana: the NP50 Prevention Surface, the NP100 Prevention Surface, the Tempur-Pedic® Mattress, the AccuMax Quantum™ VPC Therapy Surface, and/or the NP200 Wound Surface. In another illustrative embodiment, the foot section S1 of the non-powered mattress 24 includes a slight gradient to help reduce interface pressure on a person's heel. In one example, the foot section S1 of the non-powered mattress 24 is negatively sloped with respect to a reference plane RP1 as shown in <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4</figref>.

0009The mattress core 28 can be composed of a single type of material or a combination of materials and/or devices. In one illustrative embodiment, the mattress core 28 is composed of single density foam as shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>. In another illustrative embodiment, the mattress core 28 includes multiple zones of high-density foam configured to enhance pressure redistribution as a function of a person's body's proportional differences as shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figs. 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0003 f0004">3-4</figref>. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the mattress core 28 can include static air bladders and/or static air bladders with foam contained therewithin.

0010The cover 30 can enclose the mattress core 28 and includes a fire barrier 32, a bottom ticking 34 or durable layer 34, and a top ticking 36 as shown in <figref idref="f0002 f0003 f0004">Figs. 2-4</figref>. In one illustrative embodiment, the fire barrier 32 is the innermost layer of the cover 30, the top ticking 36 is the outermost layer, and the bottom ticking 34 is positioned between the fire barrier 32 and the top ticking 36 and is not coupled to the top ticking 36. The bottom ticking 34 and the top ticking 36 are vapor and air impermeable. In one illustrative embodiment, the top ticking 36 and the bottom ticking 34 are composed of polyurethane coated nylon and the bottom ticking 34 is configured to facilitate movement of the top ticking 36 with respect to the fire barrier 32.

0011The top ticking 36 includes a person-support apparatus engaging surface 38 with a person-support apparatus coupler (not shown), and a coverlet contacting surface 40 with a coverlet coupler 42 as shown in <figref idref="f0002 f0003 f0004">Figs. 2-4</figref>. In one illustrative embodiment, the coverlet coupler 42 is a zipper and the person-support apparatus coupler is a hook and loop fastener with one portion coupled to the person-support apparatus 12 and the other coupled to the coverlet 26. In other embodiments, the coverlet coupler 42 can be a hook and loop fastener, snaps, and/or buttons. In still other embodiments, the coverlet coupler 42 can be elastic loops configured to engage the corners of the mattress 12.

0012The coverlet 26 is configured to regulate the amount of heat and moisture present on the surface of the coverlet 26 by flowing a fluid through the coverlet. The coverlet includes a top layer 44, a bottom layer 46, an inlet 48, an outlet 50, and a 3-dimensionally engineered spacer 52 as shown in <figref idref="f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005">Figs. 2-5</figref>. The top layer 44 and the bottom layer 46 are coupled together along their edges to form an inner chamber 54 therebetween. In one illustrative embodiment, the edges of the top layer 44 and the bottom layer 46 are coupled together using RF welding technology. The top layer 44 and the bottom layer 46 are both configured to be vapor permeable and air impermeable. This configuration prevents air passing through the coverlet from impinging on the skin of a person positioned on the coverlet 26 while allowing the moisture produced by the person to pass through the top layer 44 and be exhausted with the air passing through the coverlet out the outlet 50.

0013The 3-dimensionally engineered spacer 52 is positioned in the inner chamber 54 and is configured to be air and moisture permeable as shown in <figref idref="f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005">Figs. 2-5</figref>. The 3-dimensionally engineered spacer 52 is configured to maintain a path for the air to flow through when a person is supported on the coverlet 26. In one illustrative embodiment, the 3-dimensionally engineered spacer 52 is Spacenet®.

0014The inlet 48 and the outlet 50 are generally located on opposite ends of the coverlet 26 and allow a fluid, such as, air, to be communicated into the inner chamber 54 of the coverlet 26, and to be exhausted from the coverlet 26, respectively, as shown in <figref idref="f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005">Figs. 2-5</figref>. In one illustrative embodiment, the inlet 48 is located along the second section S1 of the coverlet 26 and the outlet 50 is located along the first section F1 of the coverlet 26. The inlet 48 includes an inlet connector 56 configured to couple to and receive fluid from the fluid supply assembly 16 as shown in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref>.

0015The fluid supply assembly 16 is configured to cooperate with the coverlet 26 to regulate the amount of heat and moisture on at least a portion of the top layer 44 in contact, directly or indirectly, with the skin of a person supported on the person-support surface 14. Regulation of the heat and moisture levels can help prevent and/or heal undesirable skin conditions, such as, pressure ulcers. In one illustrative embodiment, the fluid supply 16 and coverlet 26 can cooperate to maintain at least one of a surface temperature, a relative surface humidity, and a heat withdrawal capacity of at least a portion of the surface which is in contact, directly or indirectly, with the person within a predefined range, for example, between about 90 °F and about 95.5 °F; between about 55% relative humidity and about 95% relative humidity; and/or between about 60 W/m² and about 125 W/m², as disclosed in, <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US937306"><text>U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/937,306</text></patcit>, which is incorporated herein by reference.

0016The fluid supply assembly 16 includes a fluid supply 58 enclosed within a housing 60, a controller 62, and a conduit 64 as shown in <figref idref="f0006 f0007 f0008">Figs. 6-8</figref>. In one illustrative embodiment, the fluid supply 58 is an air blower and the housing 60 is coupled to the underside of the second section S1 of the upper frame 22. In another illustrative embodiment, the housing 60 is integrated into a footboard (not shown) coupled to the person-support apparatus 12.

0017The controller 62 is configured to control the operation of the fluid supply 58. In one illustrative embodiment, the controller 62 activates and/or deactivates the fluid supply 58 when the conduit 64 is coupled/uncoupled to/from the coverlet 26. The controller 62 can also cause the fluid supply 58 to supply fluid at a predetermined rate and/or adjust the temperature and humidity of the fluid supplied by the fluid supply 58. In other illustrative embodiments, the controller 62 can activate/deactivate the fluid supply 58 when the conduit 64 is coupled/uncoupled to/from a therapy device, powered mattress, or other pneumatic device or instrument.

0018The conduit 64 is configured to facilitate communication of fluid between the fluid supply 58 and the coverlet 26 as shown in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref>. In one illustrative embodiment, the conduit 64 is configured to be coupled to an outlet (not shown) of the fluid supply 58 and configured to be removably coupled to the inlet connector 56. The conduit 64 includes a conduit connector 66 with a fluid outlet port 68 and a connection sensor 70 as shown in <figref idref="f0008">Fig. 8</figref>. The connection sensor 70 is configured to sense when the conduit connector 66 is coupled to the inlet connector 56. In one illustrative embodiment, the connection sensor 70 is a pair of conductive strips configured to engage a conductive strip (not shown) on the inlet connector 56 that electrically connects the pair conductive strips to complete the circuit. This embodiment would not necessarily require a controller to activate/deactivate the fluid supply 58. In another illustrative embodiment, the sensor 70 is a switch (not shown).

0019In operation, the conduit connector 66 is not connected from the inlet connector 56. When a user desires for the temperature and moisture on the coverlet to be regulated, the user connects the conduit connector 66 to the inlet connector 56. The connection sensor 70 senses when the conduit connector 66 and the inlet connector 56 are connected and the controller 62 activates the fluid supply 58. The fluid supply 58 communicates fluid through the conduit 64 to the inlet 48 of the coverlet 26. The fluid flows from the inlet 48 through the inner chamber 54 of the coverlet 26 and is exhausted out the outlet 50. As the fluid passes through the coverlet 26, heat and moisture communicated through the upper layer 44 and/or bottom layer 56 is absorbed by the fluid flow and exhausted with the fluid out the outlet 50.

0020Many other embodiments of the present disclosure are also envisioned. For example, a person-support surface comprises a non powered mattress and a coverlet positionable on the non powered mattress. The coverlet includes an entry positioned at a first end of the coverlet, an exit positioned at a second end of the coverlet, an upper air impermeable layer, and a lower air impermeable layer coupled to the upper air impermeable layer to form an air flow path along the coverlet between the entry and the exit. The upper air impermeable layer is a vapor permeable and water resistant fabric and the lower air impermeable layer is a vapor permeable and water resistant fabric.

0021In another example, a person-support surface comprises a non powered mattress, a topper, and an air supply. The non powered mattress includes a mattress core substantially enclosed within an air and vapor impermeable mattress cover. The topper is removably coupled to the non-powered mattress and includes an occupant interfacing surface and a non-powered mattress interfacing surface coupled together to define a chamber therebetween. The occupant interfacing surface and the non-powered mattress interfacing surface are vapor permeable and air impermeable. The topper has a first opening into the chamber along a first side and a second opening into the chamber along a second side. The air supply is in fluid communication with the topper through a conduit. The air enters the chamber through the first opening in the topper, flows through the chamber, and exits the chamber through the second opening. The air flow though the topper is configured to exhaust heat and moisture communicated into the chamber through the occupant interfacing surface out through the second opening.

0022In another example, a fluid supply system comprises a gas blower and a conduit coupled to the gas blower and configured to communicate gas therethrough. The conduit includes a connector configured to be removably coupled to a medical device. The gas blower is configured to be activated when the conduit is coupled to the medical device.

0023While embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same are to be considered as illustrative and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Additional alternatives, modifications and variations can be apparent to those skilled in the art. Also, while multiple inventive aspects and principles can have been presented, they need not be utilized in combination, and various combinations of inventive aspects and principles are possible in light of the various embodiments provided above.

0024Embodiments of the invention can be described with reference to the following numbered clauses, with preferred features laid out in the dependent clauses: <ol id="ol0001" compact="compact"><li>1. A person-support surface comprising: <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a non powered mattress; and</li><li>a coverlet positionable on the non powered mattress and including <ul id="ul0003" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>an entry positioned at a first end of the coverlet,</li><li>an exit positioned at a second end of the coverlet,</li><li>an upper air impermeable layer, and</li><li>a lower air impermeable layer coupled to the upper air impermeable layer to form an airflow path along the coverlet between the entry and the exit, wherein the upper air impermeable layer is vapor permeable , the lower air impermeable layer is vapor permeable .</li></ul></li></ul></li><li>2. The person-support system of clause 1 further comprising an air supply configured to provide air to the coverlet, the air supply and the coverlet cooperating to maintain at least one of a surface temperature, a relative humidity, and a heat withdrawal capacity of at least a portion of a surface of the coverlet within a predefined range.</li><li>3. The person-support system of clause 1, wherein the non powered mattress includes a mattress core and an air impermeable and vapor impermeable cover enclosing the mattress core.</li><li>4. The person-support system of clause 3, wherein the mattress core is composed of foam.</li><li>5. The person-support system of clause 1, wherein the non-powered mattress includes multiple zones, at least one of the zones is configured to have a different interface pressure characteristic than the other zones.</li><li>6. The person-support system of clause 1, wherein the non-powered mattress includes an array of gas filled bladders in fluid communication with each other, the gas filled bladders configured to communicate gas therebetween as a function of the pressure being applied to the array of gas filled bladders.</li><li>7. The person-support system of clause 6, wherein the gas filled bladders include foam positioned therein.</li><li>8. The person-support system of clause 1, wherein the non-powered mattress includes foot section where an occupant's feet can be positioned, the foot section being negatively sloped with respect to a reference plane.</li><li>9. The person-support system of clause 1 further comprising a three dimensionally engineered spacer interposed between the upper and lower layers to facilitate airflow through the coverlet.</li><li>10. A person-support surface, comprising: <ul id="ul0004" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a non powered mattress including a mattress core substantially enclosed within an air and vapor impermeable mattress cover; and</li><li>a topper removably coupled to the non-powered mattress and including an occupant interfacing surface and a non-powered mattress interfacing surface coupled together to define a chamber therebetween, the occupant interfacing surface and the non-powered mattress interfacing surface being vapor permeable and air impermeable, the topper having a first opening into the chamber along one side of the enclosure and a second opening along another side of the enclosure; and</li><li>a dedicated air supply in fluid communication with the topper through a conduit, the air entering the chamber though the first opening in the topper, flowing through the chamber, and exiting the chamber through the second opening, the air flow though the topper being configured to exhaust heat and moisture communicated into the chamber through the occupant interfacing surface out through the second opening.</li></ul></li><li>11. The person-support surface of clause 10, wherein the mattress core includes at least one air bladder.</li><li>12. The person-support surface of clause 10, wherein the mattress core is composed of foam.</li><li>13. The person-support surface of clause 10, wherein the conduit is removably couplable to at least one of the air supply and the topper, the air supply being activated when the conduit is connected to the air supply and the topper.</li><li>14. The person-support surface of clause 10, wherein the air supply is deactivated when the conduit is disconnected from at least one of the air supply and the topper.</li><li>15. A fluid supply system, comprising: <ul id="ul0005" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a gas blower; and</li><li>a conduit coupled to the gas blower and configured to communicate gas therethrough, the conduit including a connector configured to be removably coupled to a medical device, the gas blower configured to be activated when the conduit is coupled to the medical device.</li></ul></li><li>16. The fluid supply system of clause 15, wherein the gas blower is positioned under a foot section of a bed frame.</li><li>17. The fluid supply system of clause 15, wherein the gas blower is included in a mattress replacement system.</li><li>18. The fluid supply system of clause 15, wherein the medical device is a temperature and moisture regulating coverlet.</li><li>19. The fluid supply system of clause 18, wherein the gas blower cooperates with the temperature and moisture regulating coverlet to maintain at least one of a surface temperature of at least a portion of a surface of the coverlet between about 90 °F and about 95.5 °F, a relative humidity of at least a portion of a surface of the coverlet between about 55% relative humidity and about 95% relative humidity, and a heat withdrawal capacity of at least a portion of a surface of the coverlet between about 60 W/m² and about 125 W/m².</li><li>20. The fluid supply system of clause 15, wherein the medical device is a powered mattress including a gas bladder.</li><li>21. The fluid supply system of clause 15, wherein the medical device is a therapy garment.</li></ol>