M 10500-WO / DB/AO

MEDIZINISCHE UNIVERSITAT GRAZ

Auenbruggerplatz 2, A-8036 Graz

ORTHO AKTIV ORTHOPADIEHANDELSGES.m.b.H.

Prankergasse 12, A-8020 Graz

Bed adapted for a patient with burn injuries

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to measures for improved wound healing and drainage of wound secretions in the field of burn injuries of human beings. In particular, the present invention relates to a bed adapted for a patient with a burn injury, a bed insert for adapting a bed for a patient with a burn injury and a method of adapting a bed for an improved supporting of a patient with a burn injury.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically extensive burn injuries are nowadays treated by using a so called Clinitron- bed, for example Clinitron AF. Such a specifically adapted hospital bed makes use of micro glass balls to support and bed the patient who suffers from burn injuries. The patient is positioned on a mass of micro glass balls, which are swirled by the application of a relatively strong air current. Thus, it is possible to support the patient in a floating condition. Furthermore, the micro glass balls facilitate the absorption of liquids such that exudates and excessive liquids can be transported away from the patient. Lumps which are generated during the healing process of the patient are heavier than the micro glass balls and therefore descent to the bottom of the hospital bed. However, the previously solution based on floating micro glass balls entails the disadvantage of an extremely high mass of the bed for burn injury patients, which mass may be in the range of 1,000 kilograms. Moreover, patients regularly suffer from motion sickness as a reaction to the floating support provided by the micro glass balls. In addition, the above described technology results in high costs for the medical institution which provides the care for patients having burn injuries.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There may be a need to provide for an improved supporting and/or bedding of patients having burn injuries.

The object of the present invention is solved by the subject-matter of the independent claims. Further embodiments and advantages of the invention are incorporated in the dependent claims. It shall be noted that the herein described embodiments of the present invention similarly pertain to the bed adapted for a patient with a burn injury, to the bed insert for adapting a bed for a patient with a burn injury, and to the method of adapting a bed for an improved supporting of a patient with a burn injury. Synergetic effects may arise from different combinations of the embodiments, although they might not be described hereinafter in detail.

Further on, it shall be noted that all embodiments of the present invention concerning the method might be carried out with the order of the steps as described hereinafter. Nevertheless, this has not to be the only and essential order of the steps of the method. Different orders and combinations of the method steps are understood by the skilled person as embodiments of the present invention.

In the context of the present invention, the term "bed insert" may be understood as a partial mattress replacement segment, or may also be seen as a module or element which is used to replace a part or a section of a conventional mattress. Furthermore, the term "supporting" shall be understood in the context of bedding a patient in a bed like, for example, a hospital bed. The term "partial mattress" shall be understood as an element which covers only a part of the volume defined by the bed frame. Conventionally, in such a bed frame a complete, single piece mattress covers the volume defined by the bed frame.

However, the partial mattress, as understood in the context of the present invention, fills out only a specific and desired section and/or volume of the area where the patient with burn injuries is supported for bedding.

Moreover, the term "replacing" shall be understood as removing a part of a conventional, complete mattress in a desired volume and providing a partial mattress in said desired volume. As will become clear from the following and detailed description, replacing a part of a conventional mattress by the bed insert of the present invention results in improved wound healing conditions for burn injuries.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a bed adapted for a patient with a burn injury is provided. The adapted bed comprises a bed frame, a first partial mattress, and a bed insert. Therein, the bed frame defines a lying area for the patient, and the first partial mattress is positioned in a first section of the lying area. The bed insert is positioned in a second section of the lying area, and the bed insert replaces a mattress in the second section. In other words, the first partial mattress and the bed insert together constitute a spatially complete but adapted mattress and provide for the complete mattress functionality and additionally provide for improved burn injury healing conditions. If desired, the bed insert and the first partial mattress may be positioned adjacent to each other, such that a continuous supporting layer for the patient is provided. Due to the provision of the bed insert, the possibility is generated to provide for a second surface material which is more advantageous for burn injury wound healing than a conventional mattress. In particular, the bed insert may comprise a material at the supporting surface which is air-permeable. The term "air-permeable" shall be understood in the sense of breathable and/or permeable to air. Furthermore, the material of the supporting surface of the bed insert may be chosen to allow wound segregations to drain, and therefore may improve wound healing. Moreover, the bed insert provided by the present invention provides for the possibility of a monolateral application. In particular, if only one leg of the patient is affected by burn injuries, the non-affected leg can still be supported by the original hospital bed mattress if desired. The concept of the bed insert of the present invention allows for an individually adapted frame construction. Thus, it may have geometrical dimensions to only support one leg, but may also have dimensions to support the complete lower extremities below the hip of the patient. This will be described in more detail hereinafter, in particular with respect to the figures.

In other words, the bed insert is configured to partially replace a second partial mattress. This can easily be understood in the context of the method of the present invention, which teaches for an embodiment to divide a conventional mattress into a first and a second partial mattress, wherein only the first partial mattress is used in combination with the bed insert for the adapted bed. In particular, a standard hospital mattress may be divided, e.g. in the middle of the mattress, so that only the non- burned part of the body lies on the mattress. The burned part of the body is supported by the bed insert. This bed insert is integrated in the bed frame such that it provides for a supporting surface at the same or nearly the same level as the first partial mattress that is also positioned in the bed frame. In this way the bed insert is not to be seen as a partial mattress as it is of different nature and of a different construction. This can easily be gathered from the herein described embodiments, for example from the embodiment of Figure 2. Further, it should be noted that the lying area as used herein is the area within the bed frame in which the user, i.e., the patient lays down for sleeping and/or resting. Thus, the lying area extends from a head section of the bed frame to the leg section of the bed frame. Preferably the lying are has a rectangular shape.

Advantageously, the first partial mattress and the bed insert may be fitted on the same horizontal level. Positively, negative effects on the large joints of the patient, for example at the lower extremities, can be avoided by this set up of the present invention. Due to the provision of the bed insert, the present invention facilitates in the area where burned skin has to be supported the application of a specifically adapted and different surface layer compared to a conventional mattress. For example, a finely woven net stretched over a chrome-plated metal frame may be used as an embodiment of the bed insert. By positioning the burned skin on the net, it enables air to circulate around the wound, further enables wound secretions to drain, and therefore improves wound healing. All used components may be sterilized and hence may be reused. The adaption of a conventional hospital bed into the adapted bed according to the present invention can be made very quickly and without interfering the original function of the bed, e.g. intensive-care bed properties.

Furthermore, the present invention avoids any motion sickness of patients and may be used to provide a hospital bed with a relatively low mass. The bed insert may be embodied as light weight frame of, for example composite materials like carbon, but also other materials like light weight metals can be used. Positively, the solution of the present invention is realizable relatively cheap. The present invention provides for the following further advantages. The bed insert may be applied in combination with a conventional hospital bed. Due to the separation of the support of the patient into a first partial mattress and the bed insert, circular ventilation at the affected extremities is facilitated. Furthermore, a long-time support or long-time bedding is provided and simultaneously the danger of joint contractions can be avoided by the present invention. For example, the present invention can be used for monolateral burn injuries of the lower extremities.

Positively, hygienic standards of hospitals are complied with by the present invention. Furthermore, the usual and uncomplicated handling of a patient by nursing staff is not affected by the adaption of the bed as suggested by the present invention.

The bed insert of the present invention provides for a flexible and modular concept by means of which specific sections of a conventional mattress can easily be replaced by an insert which has a supporting surface which provides for improved healing characteristics regarding burn injuries.

According to an exemplary embodiment the bed insert is a net insert which comprises a framework over which a discontinuous, net-like surface is positioned. This surface, for example, may be embodied as a net textile that is stretched over the framework. This surface may comprise openings that may improve the airflow around the wound of the bed insert. Thus, this surface is suitable for wound healing due to the faciliatetd air flow. The frame work may comprise supports or columns that can be attached or that are attached to the bed frame.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the bed insert comprises a frame construction and a supporting surface for supporting an injured body part of the patient. The frame construction is attached to the bed frame and the supporting surface is attached to the frame construction.

As can be gathered for example from Figs. 1 and 2, such a construction allows for a provision of a second, structurally different supporting surface for the injured body parts, like e.g. a net, which supporting surface advantageously allows a circulation around the wound, the drainage of wound secretions, and thus an improved wound healing. An exemplary supporting surface is shown in Fig.2 with reference sign 207. In the embodiment of Fig. 2 the supporting surface is exemplified as a net. If desired, the frame construction may comprise or consist of a chrome-plated metal frame, on which a finely woven net is stretched and fixed. The frame construction may be configured to fit the supporting surface of the bed insert on the same horizontal level as the first partial mattress. This is also depicted in Figs. 1 and 2, respectively. According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the supporting surface is of a material which is air-permeable.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the supporting surface is discontinuous such that it comprises openings such that an air exchange through the supporting surface is facilitated.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the supporting surface is a net. If desired, a finely woven net may be used. However, different materials as well as different degrees of meshes of the net may be used.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the bed insert comprises a bar for preventing the supporting surface from sagging.

If desired, the bar may be located at a central position of the frame construction of the bed insert. However, the bar may also be applied at other positions of the frame construction. In particular, in case a net is used, the net can be prevented from sagging by the bar. The bar may also be embodied as movable bar. Thus, the bar may be moved or slided in the desired longitudinal or lateral position where prevention from sagging is needed in the individual case. An embodiment of such a bar is depicted in Fig. 2.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the frame

construction of the bed insert comprises a main frame, wherein the supporting surface is attached to the main frame, and wherein the frame construction comprises one or more supporting legs for stabilizing the bed insert at the bed frame. By means of the supporting leg, the bed insert may be easily attached to the bed frame. Both embodiments shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprise such supporting legs. This facilitates easy handling and insertion of the bed insert to or onto the bed frame of a conventional hospital bed. Said supporting legs may further enhance the mechanical stability of the frame construction. In this embodiment, the main frame and the supporting surface attached thereto define a lying surface of the bed insert for a body part of the patient. Furthermore, the term "stabilizing" may be understood as attaching, fixing, mounting, and/or supporting. Moreover, the supporting legs may be seen as pillars or protrusions to provide for an attachment to the bed frame.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the one or more supporting legs extend substantially perpendicular from the main frame. As can be gathered from Fig. 2, the supporting legs may also extend substantially perpendicular from the supporting surface.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the main frame of the bed insert has a substantially U-shape. Furthermore, the supporting surface extends between the two parallel branches of the U-shape and constitutes a plane between the two branches of the U-shaped frame. The supporting legs extend perpendicularly from said plane, as can be seen from Fig. 2, for example.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the bed insert is attached to the bed frame, such that the bed insert and the first partial mattress are on an identical horizontal level.

Positively, negative effects on the large joints of the patient, for example at the lower extremities, can be avoided by this exemplary embodiment. Such a configuration can be gathered from Figs. 1 and 2. This allows for a continuous interface between the first partial mattress and the bed insert. According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the bed insert is inserted into frame holes of the bed frame. The fixation and attachment of the bed insert to the bed frame of the present embodiment further enhances the mechanical stability of the adapted bed according to the present invention. However, according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, drill holes of the bed frame can be used for the provision of a screw connection or screw joint between the bed insert and the bed frame.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the bed frame comprises a torso section for supporting a torso of the patient and comprises a leg section for supporting legs of the patient. Furthermore, the first partial mattress is positioned in the torso section and the bed insert is positioned in the leg section, or vice versa.

In other words, this embodiment provides for the possibility to support the upper extremities of the patient in a conventional manner and to support the lower extremities by a bed insert which for example spans a net over the complete width of the bed frame. However, a corresponding opposite application is of course possible.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the frame

construction comprises a mounting adaptor for attaching the net to the frame construction.

The mounting adaptor may be embodied in various mechanical ways. The mounting adaptor may be configured to facilitate a fixation of the net at the frame construction, such that the net and the first partial mattress are positioned on the same horizontal level as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a bed insert for adapting a bed for a patient with a burn injury and for partially replacing a mattress of the bed is provided. The bed insert comprises a frame construction and a supporting surface for supporting an injured body part of the patient. Furthermore, the frame construction is configured to be attached to the bed frame, and the supporting surface is attached to the frame construction. Moreover, the bed insert is configured, in an inserted position at the bed frame, to partially replace a mattress in the bed frame and to support a body part of the patient. Consequently, the bed insert which may be particularly used in combination with a hospital bed, supports a body part of the patient instead of a conventional mattress. Generally, the bed insert may be adapted in such a way that when the frame construction is attached to a bed frame, an upper surface of the bed insert and the upper surface of the first partial mattress are on the same horizontal level or have the same height in an applied, i.e. an inserted, configuration at the hospital bed.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the frame

construction comprises an attachment element for attaching the bed insert to the bed frame. For example, the attachment element may be embodied as a protrusion which can be inserted into frame holes of a bed frame. However, also other attachment means like, for example, click- and- snap attachment means may be exemplarily used.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the frame

construction has a width which is chosen from the group, comprising 80 cm, 90 cm, 100 cm, and 110 cm.

In other words, the bed insert may be applied in a configuration in which it expands over the complete width of a bed frame. Such an embodiment can be seen in Fig. 2. According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the frame

construction has a height which is chosen from the group comprising 10 - 30 cm, 12 - 28 cm, 15 - 25 cm, and 17 - 22 cm. This embodiment allows designing the bed insert in such a way that the height of the bed insert is adapted to an average mattress. This allows for a continuous interface between the first partial mattress and the bed insert which achieves an advantageous adaption of the hospital bed regarding burn injury healing. According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of adapting a bed for an improved supporting of a patient with a burn injury in a lying position is presented. The method comprises the steps of providing for a bed frame, wherein the bed frame defines a lying area for the patient. The method further comprises the steps of providing for a first partial mattress, and providing for a bed insert, thereby partially replacing a mattress of the bed. Therein, the bed insert comprises a frame construction and a supporting surface for supporting an injured body part of the patient.

In other words, the bed insert replaces a second partial mattress by filling out the corresponding volume at the bed frame. The presented method allows for a quick adaption of a standard hospital bed and facilitates increased air circulation around a burn injury wound and the drainage of wound secretions, and improved wound healing is facilitated when a hospital bed is adapted according to the presented method.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the step of combining the first partial mattress with the bed insert such that the lying area defined by the bed frame is filled out by the first partial mattress and the bed insert. In other words, the presented method replaces the conventional lying surface of a conventional mattress by providing a first partial mattress and a bed insert having a supporting surface for supporting an injured body part of the patient. According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the steps of providing for a complete mattress, and dividing the complete mattress into a first partial mattress and a second partial mattress.

For example, the standard hospital mattress may be divided in the middle of the mattress along the longitudinal axis of the mattress. In addition or alternatively, the mattress may be divided along the lateral axis of the mattress, as can be gathered form Fig. 4. However, individual shapes of the mattress may be cut out and may be replaced by the bed insert according to the present invention. These and other features of the invention will become apparent from and are elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in the following drawings.

Fig. 1 schematically shows an adapted bed according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 schematically shows an adapted bed according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram of a method of adapting a bed for an improved supporting of a patient with a burn injury according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Fig. 4 schematically shows the division of a conventional mattress which division may be part of a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

In principle, identical or similar parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures. However, reference signs shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 shows a bed 100 which is adapted for a patient with a burn injury according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The adapted bed 100 comprises a bed frame 101, a first partial mattress 106 and a bed insert 107. The bed insert 107 provides for a flexible and modular concept by means of which specific sections of a conventional mattress may be replaced by the insert. The insert has a supporting surface which provides for improved healing characteristics regarding burn injuries. The bed frame 101 defines a lying area 110 for the patient. The lying area 110 comprises a first section 111 and a second section 112. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the first partial mattress is positioned in the first section 111 of the lying area 110, and the bed insert is positioned in the second section 112 of the lying area 110 such that the combination of bed insert and first partial mattress constitutes as complete supporting element for the patient. Thus, the bed insert 107 replaces the mattress in the second section.

Fig. 1 further depicts that the bed frame 101 comprises a head section 102 and a leg section 104. Furthermore, the bed frame 101 comprises horizontal bed frame section 103, on which the bed insert 107 of the present invention can be positioned and mounted. The bed insert 107 comprises several supporting legs 108 for stabilizing the bed insert at the horizontal bed frame section 103. Arrow 109 symbolizes air circulation around the wound of the patient which is positioned on bed 100. The material of supporting surface 113 of the bed insert 107 may be air-permeable, or may be discontinuous such that it comprises openings to facilitate the air exchange 109 through the supporting surface 113. For example, a net may be used as supporting surface 113. Fig. 1 further depicts a rack 105 that comprises wheels of the mobile hospital bed 100. The bed insert 107 is provided and attached to the bed frame such that the bed insert and the first partial mattress 106 are on an identical horizontal level, i.e. height. This allows for a continuous interface between the first partial mattress and the bed insert. Further, vertically mounted supporting legs 108 of the bed insert 107 are shown, which are configured to fixate the bed insert at bed frame 101. According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 depicts an adapted bed 100 which comprises a bed insert 206 for adapting a bed for a patient with a burn injury and for partially replacing a mattress of the bed. The bed insert comprises a frame construction 200 and a supporting surface 207 for supporting an injured body part of the patient. The frame construction is configured to be attached to the bed frame 103, and the supporting surface 207 is attached to the frame construction 200 via mounting adaptors 203. As can be seen from Fig. 2, the bed insert is configured, in the shown inserted position at the bed frame 103, to partially replace a mattress in the bed frame and to support a body part of the patient. The first partial mattress 106 is shown on the right hand side of Fig. 2. Furthermore, the embodiment of Fig. 2 comprises supporting legs 108 in order to stabilize the bed insert 206 at the bed frame 103. The leg section 104 is also shown in Fig. 2. The frame construction 200 comprises, inter alia, three tubes 200, 201, and 202. Between this essentially U-shaped frame construction, a net 204 is spanned by means of the mounting adaptors 203. Furthermore, an interface element 205 is provided such that a continuous surface between the net 204 and the first partial mattress 106 is realized. However, element 205 can be left out if desired. In this embodiment, a standard hospital mattress was divided in the middle, such that the lower part can be replaced by the bed insert 206. The metal frame is configured to be on the same height as the mattress, and the metal frame may be reinforced with a moveable central bar 208, which is depicted in dashed lines only. This may prevent the net from sagging. By positioning the burned skin on the net 204, it enables air to circulate around the wound, wound secretions to drain, and therefore improves wound healing. The adaption of a standard hospital bed into a bed with a net-frame can be made quickly and without interfering the original function of the bed. The net as well as the metal frame can be sterilized, and hence be reused. The supporting surface 207 of the embodiment of Fig. 2 is provided by the net 204 in the improved wound healing manner, as described before.

Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram of a method of adapting a bed for an improved supporting of a patient with a burn injury in a lying position. The method comprises the step of providing for a bed frame SI, wherein the bed frame defines a lying area for the patient. The method further comprises the step of providing for a first partial mattress S2, providing for a bed insert S3, and thereby partially replacing a mattress of the bed S4, wherein the bed insert comprises a frame construction and a supporting surface for supporting an injured body part of the patient.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the method, the step of combining the first partial mattress with the bed insert such that the lying area defined by the bed frame is filled out is comprised. If desired, additionally or alternatively, the steps of providing for a complete mattress, and dividing the complete mattress into a first and a second partial mattress may be comprised by the method described herein.

Fig. 4 schematically shows how a mattress 400 is divided in a first, second and third partial mattress 401, 402 and 403. Mattress 400 may be cut along in lateral direction 404 and / or in longitudinal direction 405. A corresponding bed insert, as described herein and which replaces some of the partial mattresses, can be provided by the present invention. According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the bed insert is partially put over the first partial mattress. In particular, in case of the monolateral application, this may be of an improved support of the patient. For example, only element 403 may be removed from the bed frame and bed insert 206 of Fig. 2 can be put on element 402 in case only the left leg is injured. In this case only element 403 would be cut out from mattress 400.

Furthermore, the method may comprise the steps of positioning the first partial mattress at the bed frame of the bed such that it fills out a first section of the lying area, and inserting the bed insert in the bed frame of the bed such that it fills out a second section of the lying area.