Multi-dimensional therapeutic mattress having multiple sections operable for turn assistance and leg support

Abstract

A therapeutic mattress includes a foundation layer formed of a supportive material, and a dynamic layer disposed above the foundation layer. The dynamic layer includes a plurality of powered, separately inflatable sections, the separately inflatable sections comprising a left section, a right section, and a lower section. The mattress may be part of a mattress system that also includes a power source and an inflation control unit that includes a plurality of controls configured to control inflation operation of the inflatable sections.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A therapeutic mattress, comprising:
 a foundation layer formed of a supportive material; and   a dynamic layer disposed above the foundation layer, the dynamic layer comprising a plurality of powered, separately inflatable sections, the separately inflatable sections comprising a left section, a right section, and a lower section.   
     
     
         2 . The therapeutic mattress of  claim 1 , wherein each of the left section and the right section, when inflated, form an angled wedge having a low end at a midline of the mattress and a high end at an outside edge of the mattress. 
     
     
         3 . The therapeutic mattress of  claim 2 , wherein the angle of the wedge is controllable by an operator via a control, and can be selected to be any value in a range of 0 degrees to approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The therapeutic mattress of  claim 2 , wherein the left section and the right section each extend laterally from the midline of the mattress outward to the outside edge of the mattress and extend longitudinally from a head end of the mattress to a location approximately corresponding to a person's thigh. 
     
     
         5 . The therapeutic mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the lower section extends laterally across the mattress and extends longitudinally from a foot end of the mattress to a location approximately corresponding to a person's thigh. 
     
     
         6 . The therapeutic mattress of  claim 5 , wherein the lower section, when inflated, forms an elevated ridge that extends laterally across the mattress, the ridge disposed at a location approximately corresponding to just above a person's heel. 
     
     
         7 . The therapeutic mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the foundation layer comprises at least one of a head elevation region, a lumbar support region, and a foot elevation region. 
     
     
         8 . The therapeutic mattress of  claim 7 , wherein the head elevation region increases in thickness longitudinally from a location approximately corresponding to a person's shoulders to a head end of the mattress. 
     
     
         9 . The therapeutic mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the foundation layer is formed of a viscoelastic memory foam material. 
     
     
         10 . The therapeutic mattress of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of friction reduction components disposed on a bottom surface of the mattress; and   at least one handle disposed on left and right sides of the mattress.   
     
     
         11 . The therapeutic mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the mattress comprises an exterior layer that is airtight, waterproof, resistant to puncture, and resistant to mildew, bacteria, bed bugs, dust mites, and mold. 
     
     
         12 . The therapeutic mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the mattress has no zippers. 
     
     
         13 . A mattress system, comprising:
 a therapeutic mattress comprising:
 a foundation layer formed of a supportive material; and 
 a dynamic layer disposed above the foundation layer, the dynamic layer comprising a plurality of powered, separately inflatable sections, the separately inflatable sections comprising a left section, a right section, and a lower section; 
   an inflation control unit comprising a plurality of controls configured to control inflation operation of the inflatable sections; and   a power source.   
     
     
         14 . The mattress system of  claim 13 , wherein each of the left section and the right section, when inflated, form an angled wedge having a low end at a midline of the mattress and a high end at an outside edge of the mattress. 
     
     
         15 . The mattress system of  claim 14 , wherein the angle of the wedge is controllable by an operator via a control, and can be selected to be any value in a range of 0 degrees to approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The mattress system of  claim 14 , wherein the left section and the right section each extend laterally from the midline of the mattress outward to the outside edge of the mattress and extend longitudinally from a head end of the mattress to a location approximately corresponding to a person's thigh. 
     
     
         17 . The mattress system of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the lower section extends laterally across the mattress and extends longitudinally from a foot end of the mattress to a location approximately corresponding to a person's thigh; and   the lower section, when inflated, forms an elevated ridge that extends laterally across the mattress, the ridge disposed at a location approximately corresponding to just above a person's heel.   
     
     
         18 . The mattress system of  claim 13 , wherein the foundation layer comprises at least one of a head elevation region, a lumbar support region, and a foot elevation region. 
     
     
         19 . The mattress system of  claim 13 , the therapeutic mattress further comprising:
 a plurality of friction reduction components disposed on a bottom surface of the mattress; and   at least one handle disposed on left and right sides of the mattress.   
     
     
         20 . The mattress system of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the plurality of controls comprise a separate control for each of the inflatable sections, and the power source comprises a battery-powered backup power supply.