Patent Application
20100011839
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to system for detecting leaks in mattress covers. More particularly, the invention is directed toward a device that allows for the detection of holes in a mattress cover using forced air.
2. Description of the Related Art
The prevention of hospital-acquired infections has become a focal point of several regulatory and monitoring groups associated with the health care industry and has been a longstanding goal of hospitals in general. A potential source for the transmission of biological contaminants between patients is contaminated filler material found inside mattresses used on beds, procedure tables, stretchers and furniture. Although the surfaces of these items are regularly and systematically cleaned, any breach in the ticking or cover material can allow body fluids to penetrate the surface and contaminate the filling.
Many covered cushions are equipped with zippers and other closures that permit the inspection of the inner material (including sometimes the removal of the filling for close inspection). However, in the case of advanced hospital bed mattresses, the inspection is complicated by the existence of many components (e.g., air bladders and differing foam densities). A thorough inspection of these sophisticated mattresses can require significant effort and time.
Other devices and methods have been developed to address these and other problems. Typical of the art is the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,388,587, issued on Jun. 18, 1968 to Hara et al. The '587 patent discloses a leakage inspection method which comprises applying gas pressure to a structure and thereafter checking for leaking defective parts, the area to be checked for leakage being covered with an adherent film containing an adhesion agent mixed with a foaming agent in a solvent so that a long-sustaining solid spongy foam mass is formed in said film at leakage points.
A mattress cover leak detection system is disclosed. This system uses a device that includes a blower, a conduit for conveying gas from the blower to the mattress, and an interface for attaching the conduit to the mattress cover. In some embodiments, the device also includes a pressure regulator for preventing the excessive build-up of gas pressure within the interior of the mattress cover. The device works in conjunction with a leak indicator. In a preferred embodiment, the leak indicator includes a solution that has been spread over a portion of the external surface area of said mattress. As the blower, through the conduit and the interface, transfers air into the interior of the mattress cover, the air pressure within the mattress cover increases, and some of the air seeks to escape through any breach that has been formed in the mattress cover. The air escaping through said breach, upon interacting with the film, forms one or more bubbles, which indicate the position of the breach. In another embodiment, the air escaping through the breach produces ultrasonic vibrations, which an ultrasonic listening device detects, allowing an operator to determine the location of the breach.
In at least one embodiment of the invention, the interface for attaching the conduit to the mattress cover includes a detachable nozzle adapter that uses a pair of flanges to create a seal within an opening in the mattress cover and that also couples with said conduit. Alternatively, the interface for attaching the conduit to the mattress cover may include an adapter incorporated into the mattress cover and designed to couple with the conduit.
In the illustrated embodiments, the pressure regulation mechanism includes a pressure sensor, a hydraulic or electronic shut-off switch connected with the blower, and a pressure regulator. When said pressure sensor detects that the pressure of the gas within the mattress cover has reached a predetermined maximum limit, said pressure sensor activates said shut-off switch. The shut-off switch can divert the flow of gas from the blower entering the conduit, or reduce the rate at which the blower supplies gas to the conduit, or cause the blower to cease blowing gas into the conduit. Likewise, if the pressure sensor detects that the pressure of the gas within the mattress cover has dropped below a pre-determined minimum, then the pressure sensor activates the pressure regulator to increase the pressure of the gas coming from the blower.
The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:
The present invention provides a system that allows for the detection of small tears and incisions in a mattress cover. By applying gas pressure or a pressurized fluid to the interior of the mattress cover, one may observe the escape of gas or fluid through tears and incisions in the mattress cover from the formation of bubbles in a layer of solution applied to the mattress cover. In another embodiment, the air escaping through the breach produces ultrasonic vibrations, which an ultrasonic listening device detects, allowing an operator to determine the location of the breach. The system generally includes a blower, a conduit for conveying gas from the blower to the mattress, an interface for attaching the conduit to the mattress cover, and a pressure regulator for preventing the excessive build-up of gas pressure within the interior of the mattress cover.
One embodiment of the invention is displayed in
The solution 16 used to cover the mattress cover in a thin film normally includes water or some similar liquid as a solvent and an amphiphilic organic surfactant that will promote the formation of bubbles. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many such solutions are possible. The solution may also include an adhesive agent that helps to ensure that the film remains positioned on the surface of the mattress cover. In some embodiments, the solution also includes disinfecting agents, such as antimicrobial chemicals and germicides. In such embodiments, the application of the solution to the mattress cover allows an operator to combine routine exterior surface disinfection with the detection of leaks.
The various components of the adapter 20 typically are made of plastic, metal, or some similar material suitable for forming a tight seal with the fabric of the mattress cover 10. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the adapter 20 described above is one possible embodiment of the interface between the mattress cover 10 and the conduit 30 and that other embodiments of the adapter are possible. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that there exist other means for fastening the seal-creating components of the interface. Further, in some alternative embodiments of the invention, the interface may be a permanent piece incorporated into the mattress cover.
The nozzle 22 couples with the conduit 30 in such a way as to allow air to pass from the interior of the conduit 30 into the interior of the nozzle 22 and thence into the interior of the mattress cover 10, as shown in
Those of skill in the art will recognize that the leak indicator may include substances other than the solution 16 displayed in
An alternative embodiment of the invention allows for the detection of a breach without the use of a solution applied to the mattress cover. In the alternative embodiment, as represented in
In order to prevent damage to the mattress cover or other components from the application of excessive air pressure within the mattress cover, it is useful to include a pressure regulation mechanism such as that represented in the block diagram in
In a similar manner, in some embodiments the pressure regulation mechanism maintains a pre-set minimum air pressure within the mattress cover 10 during operation of the device. When the pressure sensor within the pressure switch 70 detects that the gas pressure within the adapter 20 has fallen below a pre-determined minimum level desirable for the effective operation of the device, the sensor within the pressure switch 70 activates the switch, which then causes the blower 40 to increase the pressure of the air flow entering the conduit 30. The pressure switch 70 may cause the blower 40 to increase the pressure of the air flow entering the conduit 30 in a number of ways. The pressure switch 70 may increase the flow of power to the motor 44, or it may interact with the optional pressure regulator 72 to allow more pressurized air being blown by the fan 46 to enter the conduit 30.
As shown in
While the present invention has been illustrated by description of some embodiments, and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants general inventive concept.
