SUPPORT DEVICE IN FORM OF A PAD, MAINLY FOR USE ONTO A MEDICAL BED

Abstract

A support device for use on a fixed or mobile medical bed is disclosed. The device includes: a mattress element, configured to receive on it the body of a subject in a lying position and for this purpose presenting a flat conformation with a longitudinal dimension (L) prevalent with respect to a transversal dimension (T); fixing means of the mattress element to the support structure, arranged in correspondence with a portion of the longitudinal margin of said mattress element and connected or connectable to the latter. The fixing means have a continuously or discreetly adjustable position (P) along the longitudinal margin portion of the mattress element.

Claims

1. Support device for use upon fixed or mobile medical bed underlying it, which support device comprises: a mattress element, configured to receive upon it the body of a subject in a lying position and presenting a flat conformation with a longitudinal dimension prevalent with respect to a transversal dimension; fixing means of the mattress element to the support structure; a first and a second adjustment element, each constrained, in use at a respective portion of a longitudinal margin of said mattress element by means of a continuous junction area and configured to allow a connection of said fixing means to said mattress element with a continuously adjustable position along said portion of the longitudinal margin, wherein each of said first and second adjustment element is configured in the form of a strip or a longitudinal band or a slide element, rail or longitudinal guide.

2. The support device according to claim 1, wherein said fixing means comprises one or more oblong fixing elements, each in the form of a band or strip.

3. The support device according to claim 1, wherein one or each adjustment elements has first Velcro® type connection means and said fixing means comprise second Velcro® connection means complementary to said first means.

4. The support device according to claim 1, wherein one or each adjustment elements has first connection means of the slot type and said fixing means comprise second bracket connection means configured to engage said first means.

5. The support device according to claim 1, wherein one or each adjustment elements comprises a slide, rail or longitudinal guide element and said fixing means comprises corresponding pin connection means configured to slidably engage said slide, rail or guide element.

6. The support device according to claim 1, wherein, each adjustment elements is connected to the respective portion of the longitudinal margin of said mattress element at its own first portion longitudinal and protrudes externally with respect to said mattress element with its own second longitudinal portion at which said fixing means are connected or connectable.

7. The support device according to claim 1, wherein said continuous junction area corresponds substantially to the whole longitudinal extension of the respective portion of the longitudinal margin of the mattress element.

8. The support device according to claim 1, wherein, in use, each adjustment element is constrained to said mattress element by one or more of the following techniques: gluing; welding, by ultrasound or heat sealing; melting using solvents; seam.

9. The support device according to claim 1, wherein said fixing means comprise at least one fixing element configured to form, in use, a ring, or loop, connecting it to the support structure.

10. The support device according to claim 1, wherein said fixing means comprise at least one fixing element carrying Velcro®, slot, clip and/or button type closure means configured for connection to the support structure.

11. The support device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second adjustment elements allow independent control of the position longitudinal fixing means arranged at opposite transverse ends of the mattress element.

12. The support device according to claim 1, which is supplied in the form of a kit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0043] Reference will be made to the figures of the attached drawings, in which:

[0044] FIG. 1 refers to a first embodiment of a support device according to the invention, showing an exploded perspective view thereof;

[0045] FIGS. 2 e 2A refer to a support device according to another embodiment of the invention, showing respectively an exploded perspective view and an enlarged detail of the latter;

[0046] FIGS. 3, 3A e 3B refer to a support device according to a further embodiment of the invention, showing respectively an exploded perspective view and a first and second enlarged detail of the latter.

[0047] In the figures introduced above, the dimensions are intended as purely illustrative and not necessarily with components shown in proportion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0048] The following will describe different embodiments and variants of the invention and its parts, based on different aspects of it that can be used separately or in combination and this with reference to the figures introduced above.

[0049] Similar components are denoted in the various figures with the same or corresponding numerical reference. In particular, in the embodiments of FIGS. 2, 2A and 3, 3A, 3B numerical references corresponding to those of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with numbering starting from 100 and 200, respectively, are used.

[0050] In the detailed description that follows, further embodiments and variants with respect to embodiments and variants already treated in the same description will be illustrated limitedly to the differences with what has already been disclosed.

[0051] Furthermore, as mentioned, the various embodiments and variants described below are capable of being used in combination, where compatible.

[0052] With reference initially to FIG. 1, a support device according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention is generally denoted with 1.

[0053] The support device 1 is intended mainly for use on a support structure, in particular a fixed or mobile medical bed, subjected to the device itself.

[0054] The support device 1 comprises a mattress element, or pad, 2, configured to receive the body of a subject in a lying position on it. To this end, the mattress element 2 generally has a planar or flat conformation, in particular quadrangular, with a longitudinal dimension in the L direction prevalent with respect to a dimension in the transverse direction T, and both prevailing with respect to the thickness in the s direction.

[0055] In preferred embodiments, the mattress element 2 is configured to support the subject, preventing it from slipping even when placed in longitudinally and/or transversely inclined postures.

[0056] The mattress element 2 advantageously has a viscoelastic behavior to effect a more uniform distribution of loads on the patient, avoiding concentrated stresses.

[0057] Preferably, the mattress element is made entirely in part in Polyurethane (PU), in particular expanded polyurethane, or in a material with similar mechanical characteristics of elasticity and/or deformability.

[0058] The support device 1 also comprises fixing means 3 of the mattress element 2 to the support structure. In the present example, these fixing means 3 comprise a plurality of oblong fixing elements, each preferably in the form of a strip, band or strap, arranged bilaterally at a first and a second longitudinal margin portion of the mattress element 2, the latter denoted respectively with 20 and 21. For simplicity, in FIG. 1 only three fixing elements are represented, denoted respectively with 31, 32 and 33, associated with the first portion of the longitudinal margin 20 of the mattress element 2.

[0059] In some embodiments, each fixing element 31, 32, 33 has stiffness of the same order of magnitude, in particular with a percentage difference ≤20%, of the mattress element 2 and/or of the longitudinal margin portions 20, 21 of this ‘last.

[0060] Each fixing element introduced above, for example the element denoted by 31, has a first portion 34 equipped with first coupling elements, for example of the Velcro® type, also denoted by 34. This first portion 34 is arranged, in use, proximal to the mattress element 2. A second portion 35 of the fixing element 31, integral and/or united with the first portion 34, is disposed, in use, in a distal position with respect to the mattress element 2 and it is equipped with its own further first and second coupling means, for example of the Velcro® type, so as to be able to fold back on itself forming a ring or loop 30 for locking with a bar or other component of the support structure.

[0061] The support device 1 then comprises a first and a second element for adjusting the longitudinal position of the fixing elements 3 introduced above, denoted respectively by 10 and 10′ and each arranged in correspondence with a respective portion of the longitudinal margin 20, 21 of the mattress element 2. Each adjustment element 10, 10′ is substantially configured in the form of a strip or longitudinal band.

[0062] Each adjustment element 10, 10′ is arranged, in use, interposed between the mattress element 2 and the fixing means 3 to connect one to the other. To this end, each adjustment element 10, 10′ carries second coupling means 11, for example of the Velcro® type, complementary to those provided on the portion 34 of the fixing element 31, 32 and/or 33. In this way, it is possible to connect each of the fixing elements, for example the one denoted by 31, in any longitudinal position, or coordinate, P along the adjustment element 10. A continuous step position adjustment of the aforesaid position is therefore allowed.

[0063] Each adjustment element 10, 10′ is connected to the respective portion of the longitudinal margin 20, 21 of the mattress element 2 preferably at a lower face of the element 2 itself. In particular, each adjustment element can be completely or partially superimposed transversely to the mattress element 2, in the second case protruding laterally towards the outside with respect to it.

[0064] In one embodiment, each adjustment element 10, 10′ has stiffness of the same order of magnitude, in particular with a percentage difference 20%, of the mattress element 2 and/or of the longitudinal margin portions 20, 21 of this' last.

[0065] Each fixing element 31, 32, 33 can have, in cross section, a multilayer structure, in particular a sandwich structure, which comprises an intermediate layer of polyurethane foam and two external layers of polyester.

[0066] The same structure can also be provided for each of the adjustment elements 10 and 10′.

[0067] FIGS. 2 and 2A refer to a second embodiment of the support device of the invention, here globally denoted with 100. As mentioned, only the components different from those of the first embodiment and related variants illustrated above will be described. The components are denoted with numerical references corresponding to those of FIG. 1, in this case on the basis of numbering starting from 100.

[0068] In the present embodiment, the coupling between adjustment elements, here denoted by 110 and 110′, and fixing elements, some of which denoted by 131, 132 and 133, is obtained in discrete positions, by means of a reversible coupling between a proximal bracket portion 134 of each fixing element and any slot 111, 111′ of a plurality formed in the adjustment element 110, 110′. In FIG. 2, all the slots 111 of the adjustment element 110 are represented as being engaged by a corresponding fixing element 131, 132, 133, while it is understood that the position of a plurality of slots 111 along the element 110 allows a choice of the discrete position P, more suitable for fixing elements with fewer than the same slots.

[0069] The distal portion 135 of each fixing element also has a slot configuration to allow fixing to the support structure by means of a loop or ring 130.

[0070] FIGS. 3, 3A and 3B refer to a third preferred embodiment of the support device of the invention, here globally denoted by 200. As mentioned, only the components different from those of the first embodiment and relative variants will be described. illustrated above. Also in this case, the components are denoted with numerical references corresponding to those of FIG. 1, on the basis of numbering starting from 200.

[0071] In the present embodiment, the adjustment elements, denoted here with 210 and 210′, consist or include a slide, guide or rail having a substantially inverted “U” or “C” section, or a prismatic conformation with an open side for sliding engagement by one or more pins 236.

[0072] Each guide 210, 210′ can be received in a special longitudinal seat, or cavity 240 of the mattress element 202.

[0073] Each pin 236 is associated with a fixing element, denoted for example with 231, 232 or 233. Each pin 236 is received, in a removable or fixed way, within a seat, in particular through, 237, obtained in correspondence with a proximal portion 234 of the respective fixing element, for example the one denoted by 231.

[0074] The coupling described allows a continuous adjustment of the longitudinal position P of each fixing element.

[0075] The distal portion 235 of each fixing element also bears a construction with multiple slots 238, with a pin 239 receivable in pairs of slots obtained by folding said portion 235 on itself so as to form a ring or loop 230. Also in this case, the pin 239 can be permanently locked in one of the slots or removably received therein. The arrangement of multiple slots, in particular in a number greater than two, on the end portion 235 of each fixing element allows an adjustment of the width of the ring or loop 230.

[0076] The present invention has been described up to now with reference to preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that there may be other embodiments that pertain to the same inventive core, as defined by the scope of the claims set out below.