1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally concerns patient care cushions that are configured to alleviate sitting discomfort, and in particular, cushions used for the prevention, protection or alleviation either of pain, pressure or discomfort to the pelvic floor, perineum, coccyx and rectal region of the human body caused by sitting.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Although symptoms of the above type may be centralized in the lower body, secondary sites in the upper body or extremities may be affected, with pain radiating from the original site of pain or discomfort.
Developmentally, humans learn to sit upright at the age of approximately five months. Humans progressively gain motor control and core strength, enabling an upright position to be maintained while sitting on the body's weight bearing surfaces, the ischial tuberosities and greater trochanters.
There is a well-documented need for seat cushions that perform at least one of the following functions. There is a need to pad or protect the user from pain or discomfort caused by either short or long periods of sitting on an un-padded, or insufficiently padded, surface. There is also a need to pad or protect the user from exacerbating pain or discomfort from an existing pathology or injury, such as childbirth, traumatic injury, surgery, etc.
There is furthermore a need to lift the user off of the surface of a seat by redistributing weight and allowing the suspension of affected body parts above the seat.
There is also a need to create an ergonomically correct seated position and posture for the user.
A number of products are known that have attempted to address these needs for protection or alignment correction.
Among these is the well known “donut” foam seat cushion, which is cylindrical with a hollow core for pressure relief, so named because it is in the shape of a donut with a hole in the middle. The donut foam cushion is large and is made of relatively dense material. The donut cushion, as one of few options that are available to users, has not received complete acceptance, due to its cumbersome size, the obviousness of its use (some users would prefer a cushion that is not so noticeable when in use), and issues with comfort. Examples of such cushions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,079,785 and 5,046,205 and 5,288,132.
While the donut cushion does promote pressure relief due to the hollow core, it may cause a pressure build-up as a result of the user's weight displacement into the center of the circle. The vascular supply to the perineum may be altered secondary to the increase in pressure around the ring from the user's weight being subject to natural gravitational forces, so as to displace the tissue down into the central opening.
A U-shaped cushion with a thermal transfer unit is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,344,196.
Another commercially available product is the so-called “Tush Cush,” described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,425 which is a padded seat cushion in the shape of a square, having a small central opening in order to decrease pressure on the coccyx. The cushion itself is not adjustable, and the limited size of the opening may decrease pressure only for users who fall within a relatively limited range of weights and body types. Moreover, this cushion is large and bulky, and does not address pressure relief in the perineum.
The 360 degree channel hinged cushion assembly according to the invention is distinguished by its ability to use elevation from, and minimal physical contact with, the seating surface to increase circulation to the user's body, and possessing the unique characteristic of a 360 degree channel hinge allowing application by a method that does not require the user to stand, or be lifted, off the seating surface. There is a clear need for a resilient, adjustable, configurable, durable, affordable solution for alleviating pain, discomfort and secondary injury experienced by users of seat cushions.
There are five areas in which the 360 degree cushion excels in its design and physical characteristics: Size/Shape, Materials, Placement, Construction and Application. When combined, these features provide a unique and superior product as compared to existing products, none of which address or excel in all five areas. Whether seeking comfort, post-operative protection, posture control or injury prevention, there is no single solution currently in existence that supports the combination of these goals.
Developmentally, humans learn to sit upright at the age of approximately 5 months. We progressively gain motor control and core strength, enabling us to maintain an upright position while sitting on our weight bearing surfaces of the pelvis and lower extremities, specifically the ischial tuberosities, greater trochanters and femurs. On average, a person may spend 8-10 hours per day, in either short or long-term increments. The body experiences wide range of positions and seating surfaces while at rest, working, driving, eating, and in social activities.
The posterior aspect of the pelvis consists of two pelvic bones, the sacrum and coccyx. The pelvic girdle includes the ilium, ischium, pubis, sacrum and coccyx. The femurs are attached on the sides by way of the acetabulum.
This bony mass (pelvis) actually moves and is structured as one piece with movement ability to adjust, compensate or stabilize with various postures. The bony aspect of the pelvis differs between males and females. Measurements are usually taken from front to back (distance from the pubis to the sacrum) and from right to left (transverse median diameter) and the (useful diameter) usually measures at least 12 centimeters with females to allow engagement during child-birth. The measurement from the left to the right ischial tuberosity is usually 11 centimeters in length and the distance from the pubis to the coccyx is typically from 9 to 9.5 centimeters in length. These measurements are typical in a female pelvis, while the male pelvic girdle generally measures smaller. Though based on this measurement data, the 360 degree cushion design does accommodate wider and narrower frames.
Attached to this bony structure is the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor encloses the bottom of the lower pelvis. It is composed of two layers. The superficial layer is referred to as the perineum and the deep layer of thick muscles is the pelvic diaphragm. Along with the pelvic floor we considered the organs in the pelvic region: the bladder, urethra, prostate, vagina and rectum. The function of the pelvic floor is to support pelvic and abdominal organs, stop and start urination, and for sexual appreciation. The pelvis has an intricate vascular and neurological supply to allow for proper function, health and wellness of the pelvic girdle tissue. The pelvis receives the weight of the upper body and passes it on to the lower limbs.
Our focus of the inventive cushion assembly is on the ischial tuberosities and the pelvic floor.
The measurements of the 2 cushion members accommodate a large majority of users described above
The height is low enough to allow a healthy and stable posture, yet high enough to prevent body contact with the seating surface
The 360 degree cushion is designed to lift perineal tissues away from a seating surface improving vascularization to the affected tissue. This not only promotes healing, but also prevents secondary injury as seen with the use of donut-shaped products which restrict blood flow to the perineum and produce additional pressure from their closed circular design.
The 360 degree cushion promotes a correct “spine neutral” seated position with symmetrical weight bearing on bilateral ischial tuberosities. Not only does this relieve the discomfort in the under-surface (perineum) but also allows for correct posture and spinal alignment, which are critical for weight to be distributed evenly from one vertebral segment to another. This may ultimately decrease low back, thoracic and cervical pain and discomfort.
Users of the 360 degree cushion will benefit from the portable nature and discreet size of the product when folded with the broad surfaces of the members facing each other, especially when using the 360 degree cushion in public.
The channel connector in the cushion assembly according to the invention is shown for one wing in
Although modifications and changes may be suggested by those skilled in the art, it is the intention of the inventors to embody within the patent warranted hereon all changes and modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of their contribution to the art.
This application claims the benefit of the filing date of provisional application 62/013,071 filed on Jun. 17, 2014, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62013071 | Jun 2014 | US |