Mattress Pad With Channels

Abstract

A tub and mattress pad for redirecting fluid away from breathing regions. An apparatus may comprise a mattress body and channels or channels disposed within the mattress body, wherein the channels are configured to redirect fluid away from one or more breathing regions of the mattress pad. The apparatus may also include a tub comprising a tub body and spires, wherein the mattress pad is seated on the tub.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mattress pad comprising:
 a mattress body; and   channels disposed within the mattress body, wherein the channels are configured to redirect fluid away from one or more breathing regions at or above the mattress pad.   
     
     
         2 . The mattress pad of  claim 1 , wherein each channel has a generally streamlined curvature profile. 
     
     
         3 . The mattress pad of  claim 2 , wherein the generally streamlined curvature profile is characterized by at least one curvilinear function selected from the group consisting of: a parabolic function, a hemispheric function, a polynomial function, a hyperbolic function, an elliptical function, a sinusoidal function, and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The mattress pad of  claim 2 , wherein the streamlined curvature profile is biased towards a top or a bottom surface of the mattress body. 
     
     
         5 . The mattress pad of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more permeable or semi-permeable fabrics disposed within the channels to separate an infant from the redirected fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The mattress pad of  claim 1 , wherein the channels comprise at least twelve channels. 
     
     
         7 . The mattress pad of  claim 1 , wherein the channels comprise at least nine channels. 
     
     
         8 . The mattress pad of  claim 7 , wherein the channels are arranged in a grid, each channel spaced apart by a distance of at least 2″ (5.08 cm). 
     
     
         9 . The mattress pad of  claim 1 , wherein the mattress body comprises a compressible foam. 
     
     
         10 . A system comprising:
 a tub; and   a mattress pad comprising a mattress body and channels disposed within the mattress body, wherein the channels are configured to redirect fluid away from one or more breathing regions of the mattress pad.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the tub comprises a plurality of spires. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of spires is configured to support the weight of at least the mattress pad and an infant disposed on the mattress pad. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the system is further configured to redirect the fluid to one or more regions disposed between the plurality of spires. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of spires is arranged in a grid, each spire spaced apart by at least 0.1″ (0.25 cm). 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein one or more of the spires have a frustoconical profile. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein one or more of the spires have either a cylindrical or a cuboid profile. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein an opening of each channel is narrower at a top surface of the mattress pad than at a lower surface of the mattress pad. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein an opening of each channel is narrower at a bottom surface of the mattress pad than at a top surface of the mattress pad. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the tub comprises one or more trenches configured to receive the redirected fluid. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the system is configured to redirect the fluid away from the breathing regions at a rate of at least 0.1 gallons (379 milliliters) per minute.