Methods and devices for improving quality of bedrest

Abstract

Systems and methods for improving the quality of bedrest are contemplated. It is contemplated that a repositionable resilient article may be placed atop a sleeping surface and underneath one or more articles of bedding for elevating the one or more articles of bedding above the level of the sleeping surface, and in particular above a particular height of an extremity of the user for reducing, mitigating, or preventing contact of the one or more articles of bedding with the extremity of the user, in order to achieve benefits conducive to improved bedrest, especially for convalescent users having a particularized need for such improved bedrest conditions owing to certain types of injuries or illnesses.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for improving quality of bedrest, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a repositionable resilient article for placement atop a sleeping surface and underneath one or more articles of bedding, the resilient article having a bottom surface and a top portion, the bottom surface being configured for placement atop at a selected location of the sleeping surface, the top being portion configured to elevate the one or more articles of bedding to above at least the level of the selected location of the sleeping surface atop which the bottom surface is placed; and   positioning the bottom surface repositionable resilient article atop a selected location of the sleeping surface with the top portion underneath one or more articles of bedding in order to elevate the one or more articles of bedding above the level of the selected location of the sleeping surface.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the repositionable resilient article is sized and configured so as to elevate the one or more articles of bedding to above at least the height of an extremity of a user positioned atop the sleeping surface and underneath the one or more articles of bedding. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the elevation of the one or more articles of bedding above at least the height of an extremity of a user positioned atop the sleeping surface is operative to reduce pressure applied against the extremity by one or more of the articles of bedding. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the elevation of the one or more articles of bedding above at least the height of an extremity of a user positioned atop the sleeping surface is operative to eliminate contact of the one or more articles of bedding against at least a portion of that extremity. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the elevation of the one or more articles of bedding above at least the height of an extremity of a user positioned atop the sleeping surface is operative to improve airflow about at least a portion of that extremity. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the elevation of the one or more articles of bedding above at least the height of an extremity of a user positioned atop the sleeping surface is operative to mitigate temperature increase in at least a portion of that extremity. 
     
     
         7 . A device for improving the quality of bedrest, comprising a repositionable resilient article for placement atop a sleeping surface and underneath one or more articles of bedding, the resilient article having a bottom surface and a top portion, the bottom surface being configured for placement atop at a selected location of the sleeping surface, the top portion being configured to elevate the one or more articles of bedding to above at least the level of the selected location of the sleeping surface atop which the bottom surface is placed. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient article defines a triangular cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the resilient article defines a right triangular cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the resilient article defines an equilateral triangular cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion of the resilient article defines a generally arcuate surface. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion of the resilient article defines a linear edge. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion of the resilient article defines an arcuate or curvilinear edge. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface of the resilient article is generally flat. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface of the resilient article is configured for placement against and engagement with a corresponding portion of the sleeping surface. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient article is formed of a rigid material. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient article is formed of a flexible material. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient article is formed of a viscoelastic material. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 12 , where in the resilient article is formed of a viscoelastic polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         20 . A system for improving the quality of bedrest comprising a resilient article configured to be associated with a sleeping surface and being configured for placement underneath one or more articles of bedding placed atop that sleeping surface, the resilient article having a bottom portion being operative for association with the sleeping surface at a selected location of the sleeping surface, and the resilient article having a top portion configured to elevate the one or more articles of bedding to above at least the level of the selected location of the sleeping surface with which the bottom portion is operative for association with.