WO2021020483A1 - Air mattress - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is an air mattress that can suppress excessive sinking of each part of a human body into the air mattress and reduce the contact pressure received by each part of the human body from the air mattress without requiring complicated air management. The air mattress comprises: a plurality of first air cells that are arranged side by side in a first region including the longitudinal center of the air mattress; and a plurality of second air cells and a plurality of third air cells that are respectively arranged side by side in second and third regions adjacent to the first region, and respectively have holding forces, which are capable of maintaining the shape of a support surface on which a user's body is placed, with respect to a load on the support surface, the holding forces being larger than the respective holding forces of the plurality of first air cells.

Description

Air mattress

The present invention relates to an air cell mattress for preventing bedsores (decubitus).

Bedsore (decubitus) is a local skin compression ulcer that often occurs when local skin tissue such as a bone protrusion that receives body weight continues to be compressed and causes ischemia. Preventing bedsores is very important for people who are bedridden or have difficulty moving due to illness, injury, or senility.

As an air mattress for preventing bedsores, there are known air mattresses in which air is sealed in a tubular air cell and a plurality of air mattresses are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the bed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). ). In an air mattress for preventing bedsores, the air pressure in each air cell is usually maintained at a low pressure to the extent that the user's body sinks, thereby reducing the contact pressure with the body and preventing bedsores.

According to Patent Document 1, in an air mattress in which a plurality of elongated bag-shaped air cells are laid down in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the bed and a plurality of elongated bag-shaped air cells are arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction of the bed, each air cell is provided in a bag-shaped internal space. It is disclosed that the partition plate is provided so as to extend between the side walls to the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction.

Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for oscillating an air cell by dividing the juxtaposed air cells into a plurality of systems and expanding and contracting the air cells in order for each system. An air mattress that sequentially changes the pressure in the air cell in this way is called a pressure switching type. The pressure switching type air mattress is not a medical device, but a welfare device called a "bedsore prevention device" covered by long-term care insurance. An air mattress that does not change the pressure inside the air cell during use is called a stationary type.

Patent Document 3 describes an inflatable mattress having an elongated planar shape, in which a plurality of inflatable cells each having an elongated shape are continuously arranged in a row extending along a longitudinal axis of the mattress. The air mattress to be provided is disclosed. Further, Patent Document 3 discloses that by fixing the inner sheet to the outer sheet by spot welding, pleats are formed on the support surface of the air cell when the air cell is expanded.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-6939 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-160894 U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,084

In the case of a so-called low-pressure holding type air mattress that maintains the internal pressure of the air cell at a low pressure, when the weight is concentrated on a part of the body, this part of the body sinks extremely into the air mattress, so to speak, the sheet on the surface of the air cell. It makes you feel like you are hanging a part of your body (also called a hammock phenomenon). In such a state, the contact pressure on the body part becomes rather large. On the other hand, the distribution of human body weight is generally about 7% in the head, about 33% in the chest and abdomen, about 44% in the buttocks, and about 16% in the lower limbs. Therefore, in the low-pressure holding type air mattress, the user's buttocks tend to sink deeply, and as a result, despite the use of the air mattress, the sacral region in the supine position and the greater trochanter in the lateral decubitus position. The contact pressure on the protruding part of the buttocks such as the child part becomes large, and the bed sore is likely to occur.

In order to prevent excessive subduction of the buttocks into the air mattress in consideration of the uneven distribution of human weight, the air flow between the air cells constituting the air mattress is blocked, and the air cell in the part where the buttocks are placed. It is conceivable to prevent the air inside from escaping to the air cell in other parts. However, in this case, it is necessary to supply air to each of the air cells constituting the air mattress and manage the internal pressure of each air cell individually, so that the air management is complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and suppresses excessive subduction of each part of the body into the air mattress without requiring complicated air management, and contacts that each part of the body receives from the air mattress. It is an object of the present invention to provide an air mattress for preventing bedsores which can reduce pressure.

In order to solve the above problems, the air mattress according to one aspect of the present invention is an air mattress in which a plurality of air cells are arranged side by side, and the air mattress is located in a first region including the center in the longitudinal direction of the air mattress. A plurality of first air cells arranged side by side in parallel with the lateral direction of the air mattress, each of which is formed of a flexible sheet material and expands into an elongated shape by enclosing air inside. , A short portion of the air mattress in a plurality of first air cells, a second region adjacent on one side of the first region, and a third region adjacent on the other side of the first region. A plurality of second and third air cells arranged side by side parallel to the hand direction, each of which is formed of a flexible sheet material and expands into an elongated shape by enclosing air inside. When a plurality of second and third air cells are provided, air having the same internal pressure is sealed in the air cell, and the same load is applied to the support surface on which the user's body is placed, the support surface is concerned. With respect to the holding force which is the performance of maintaining the shape of the above, the holding force of each of the plurality of second and third air cells is larger than the holding force of each of the plurality of first air cells.

In the air mattress, each of the plurality of first air cells is formed of a flexible sheet material, has two side walls facing each other, and expands by enclosing air inside. A first, which is formed of a bag and a flexible material, is arranged inside the first bag, and is alternately connected to two side walls of the first bag at a plurality of connection points. A second air cell comprising a connecting member, each of which is formed of a flexible sheet material, has two side walls facing each other, and expands by enclosing air inside. A second bag body formed of a flexible material, arranged inside the second bag body, and alternately connected to the two side walls of the second bag body at a plurality of connection points. Each of the plurality of third air cells, comprising two connecting members, is formed of a flexible sheet material, has two side walls facing each other, and expands by enclosing air inside. It is formed of a third bag body and a flexible material, is arranged inside the third bag body, and is alternately connected to two side walls of the third bag body at a plurality of connection points. The number of connection points of the second connection member to the second bag body and the number of connection points of the third connection member to the third bag body. May be greater than the number of connection points of the first connecting member to the first bag body.

In the air mattress, in each of the plurality of first air cells, the plurality of connection points are arranged in one stage at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the first air cell, and the first bag. Alternately arranged with respect to one side wall and the other side wall of the two side walls of the body, in each of the second and third air cells, the plurality of connection points are the second and third air cells. The connection points of each of the plurality of connection points are arranged in two stages at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the bag, and the connection point of each stage is one of the two side walls of the second and third bag bodies. The side wall and the other side wall may be alternately arranged, and the first-stage connection points and the second-stage connection points may be alternately arranged on each of the two side walls.

In the air mattress, each of the plurality of first air cells is formed of a flexible sheet material, and is formed of a first bag body having two side walls facing each other and a flexible material. The first bag body is provided with connecting members that are arranged inside the first bag body and are alternately connected to the two side walls of the first bag body at a plurality of connection points, and air is sealed inside. A plurality of pleats are formed on the support surface, and each of the plurality of second and third air cells is formed of a flexible sheet material, and expands into a tubular shape by enclosing air inside. It may be provided with 2 bags.

In the air mattress, each of the plurality of first, second, and third air cells is formed of a flexible sheet material, and includes a bag body that expands into a tubular shape by enclosing air inside. When the plurality of first, second, and third air cells are expanded, the radius of curvature of the support surface of each of the plurality of first air cells is the radius of curvature of the plurality of second and third air cells. It may be smaller than the radius of curvature of each of the support surfaces.

The air mattress is a plurality of fourth air cells arranged side by side in a fourth region adjacent to the first region of the second region in parallel with the lateral direction of the air mattress. Each is formed of a flexible sheet material and expands into an elongated shape by enclosing air inside, and the holding force of each is larger than the holding force of each of the plurality of second air cells. A plurality of small fourth air cells arranged side by side in a fifth region adjacent to the second region of the fourth region in parallel with the lateral direction of the air mattress. The air cells of 5, each of which is formed of a flexible sheet material and expands into an elongated shape by enclosing air inside, and each holding force of each of the plurality of fourth air cells A plurality of fifth air cells, which are larger than the holding force of the above, may be further provided.

According to the present invention, the first air cell is arranged in the first region including the center in the longitudinal direction of the air mattress, and the second and third air cells having a larger holding force than the first air cell are the first. Since the regions are arranged in the second and third regions sandwiching the regions, the peripheral portion of the body portion placed on the first air cell is supported by the second and third air cells, so that the first air cell can be moved to the first air cell. The load on the site can be dispersed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress excessive subduction of each part of the body into the air mattress and reduce the contact pressure received by each part of the body from the air mattress without requiring complicated air management.

It is a top view which shows typically the air mattress which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows typically the air mattress which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an air cell arranged in a head region or the like in FIG. FIG. 1 is a side view of an air cell (state in which air is evacuated) arranged in the waist and back regions and the like. It is a top view of the air cell shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 1 is a side view of an air cell (state in which air is deflated) arranged in the buttocks region or the like. It is a top view of the air cell shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. FIG. 1 is a side view of an air cell (state in which air is deflated) arranged in the lower leg and foot regions in FIG. It is a top view of the air cell shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. It is a side view which shows the use state by the supine position of the air mattress which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the use state by the lateral decubitus position of the air mattress which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows typically the air mattress which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows typically the air mattress which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows typically the air mattress which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an air cell arranged in the buttocks region and the like. It is a bottom view of the air cell shown in FIG. It is a DD enlarged sectional view of FIG. It is a side view which shows typically the air mattress which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a table which shows the follow-up result of the bed sore of a user. It is a table which shows the follow-up result of the bed sore of a user. It is a table which shows the follow-up result of the bed sore of a user. It is a table which shows the follow-up result of the bed sore of a user. It is a table which shows the follow-up result of the bed sore of a user. It is a table which shows the follow-up result of the bed sore of a user.

Hereinafter, the air mattress according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Further, in the description of each drawing, the same parts are indicated by the same reference numerals. The drawings referred to in the following description merely outline the shape, size, ratio, and positional relationship to the extent that the content of the present invention can be understood. That is, the present invention is not limited to the shapes, sizes, ratios, and positional relationships exemplified in each figure.

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a top view schematically showing an air mattress according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing the air mattress. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air mattress 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of types of air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40 arranged side by side on the bed bottom 100. Each of these air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40 is formed of a flexible sheet material and expands into an elongated shape by enclosing air inside, and the air mattress 1 is in the lateral direction. It is arranged parallel to.

Here, in the field of the bed frame on which the mattress is placed, the "back-raising function" that raises the head area of the bed bottom and the knee part to prevent the body from sliding down when the back is raised. Some models are equipped with a "knee-raising function" that raises the bed bottom in a mountain shape. The bed bottom 100 used in the present embodiment is a bed bottom suitable for the back raising function and the knee raising function, and has a back bottom 101 arranged on the head side, a waist bottom 102 adjacent to the back bottom 101, and a waist. It has a leg bottom 103 adjacent to the bottom 102. The boundary between the back bottom 101 and the waist bottom 102 is located slightly on the head side of the center in the longitudinal direction of the air mattress 1, and the back bottom 101 is the end on the head side with the boundary with the waist bottom 102 as the axis. You can set up a club. Further, the boundary between the waist bottom 102 and the leg bottom 103 is located approximately 1/4 to 1/6 from the leg side in the longitudinal direction of the air mattress 1, and the waist bottom 102 and the leg bottom 103 are both. It can be raised so that the boundary (generally the part where the knees rest) is the top of the mountain.

However, the configuration of the bed bottom on which the air mattress 1 according to the present embodiment can be placed is not limited to the above. For example, the air mattress 1 may be used not only for the three portions of the back bottom 101, the waist bottom 102, and the leg bottom 103, but also for the bed bottom whose bottom is further subdivided. Further, the air mattress 1 according to the present embodiment is particularly suitable for a bed bottom having a back-raising function and a knee-raising function, but does not have these functions (that is, it cannot be partially started). Air mattress 1 may be used for the bed bottom.

The lengths of the air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40 in the longitudinal direction are substantially the same as the lengths of the air mattress 1 in the lateral direction. The heights H of the various air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40 are about the same as each other so that the upper surface of the air mattress 1 is flat as a whole. When the air mattress 1 is used as a so-called replacement type mattress that is used by directly placing it on the bed bottom 100, the height H of 10, 20, 30, and 40 of various air cells is set to about 16 cm. good. Here, regarding the nursing bed and its peripheral equipment, in the JIS standard (JIS9254: 2009), from the viewpoint of safety (prevention of falling from the bed), the side rail or the side rail from the upper surface of the mattress in the uncompressed state. It is stipulated that a height of 220 mm should be secured for the height of the bed grip to the highest point. When the height H is about 16 cm, this regulation can be observed in a general nursing bed frame, and the pressure sore prevention function can be exhibited by sinking the user's body without bottoming out. The value. Further, the widths W of the various air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40 may be about the same as each other, or may be slightly different for each type. In the present embodiment, the width W of various air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40 is set to about 7 to 8 cm.

In the four types of air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40, the support is applied to a load on a support surface (the surface shown in FIG. 1 and the upper surface in FIG. 2) on which the user's body is placed. The holding forces, which are the performance to maintain the shape of the surface, are different from each other. That is, among these air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40, the amount (depth) of subduction of the support surface is different even when the same load is applied. Specifically, among the air cells 20, 30, 40, the air cells 20, the air cells 40, and the air cells 30 are arranged in descending order of the holding force (the amount of subduction is small). Further, although it depends on the internal pressure between the air cell 10 and the air cells 20, 40, 30, the air cell 10 has a larger holding force in the range of the internal pressure normally used in the air mattress 1. The structures of the various air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40 will be described later.

The region near the center of the air mattress 1 in the longitudinal direction (first region) is usually the region on which the user's buttocks are placed. Hereinafter, this area is referred to as a buttock area. A plurality of (four in FIGS. 1 and 2) air cells 30 are arranged in the buttocks region. As described above, the air cell 30 is the air cell having the smallest holding force among the four types of air cells.

The region of a predetermined range (second region) adjacent to the head side of the buttocks region is usually an region on which the lumbar region and back of the user are placed. Hereinafter, this area is also referred to as a waist and back area. In the waist and back regions, a plurality of air cells 20 (three in FIGS. 1 and 2) having a larger holding force than the air cells 30 arranged in the buttocks region are arranged.

The region of a predetermined range (third region) adjacent to the leg side of the buttocks region is usually the region on which the user's thigh is placed. Hereinafter, this region is also referred to as a thigh region. In the thigh region, a plurality of air cells 20 (three in FIGS. 1 and 2) having a larger holding force than the air cells 30 arranged in the buttocks region are arranged. That is, in the buttocks region and its vicinity, each air cell is arranged so as to sandwich the air cell 30 having a relatively small holding force (that is, easily sinking) between the air cells 20 having a larger holding force than the air cell 30. .. The structure and holding force of the air cell arranged in the waist and back regions and the air cell arranged in the thigh region do not necessarily have to be the same.

The predetermined range (fourth area) adjacent to the head side of the waist and back areas is usually the area on which the shoulders of the user are placed. Hereinafter, this area is also referred to as a shoulder area. In the shoulder region, one or more (three in FIGS. 1 and 2) air cells 30 having a smaller holding force than the air cells 20 arranged in the waist and back regions are arranged.

The region of a predetermined range (fifth region) adjacent to the head side of the shoulder region is usually an region on which a part of the user's neck or head is placed. Hereinafter, this region is also referred to as a cervical region. In the neck region, one or more (two in FIGS. 1 and 2) air cells 20 having a larger holding force than the air cells 30 arranged in the shoulder region are arranged. That is, in the shoulder region and its vicinity, each air cell is arranged so as to sandwich the air cell 30 having a relatively small holding force with the air cell 20 having a larger holding force than the air cell 30.

The area near the leg-side end of the air mattress 1 is usually the area on which the user's lower legs and feet are placed. Hereinafter, this region is also referred to as a lower leg and foot region. A plurality of (four in FIGS. 1 and 2) air cells 40 are arranged in the lower leg and foot regions.

The region between the thigh region and the lower leg and foot regions, which is close to the boundary between the waist bottom 102 and the leg bottom 103, is the region that becomes the top of the mountain when the bed bottom is raised. is there. The back of the knee of the user is applied to this area when the knee is raised. Hereinafter, this region is also referred to as a knee region. In the knee region, a plurality of (two in FIGS. 1 and 2) air cells 10 are arranged so as to sandwich the boundary between the waist bottom 102 and the leg bottom 103. The air cell 10 is an air cell having a flat surface as a whole and has no pleats or the like formed on the support surface.

The area near the head end of the air mattress 1 is usually the area on which the user's head is placed. Hereinafter, this area is also referred to as a head area. A plurality of (two in FIGS. 1 and 2) air cells 10 and 20 are arranged in the head region from the end side.

Next, the structures of various air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40 will be described. In the following, the direction in which the air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40 are arranged vertically on the bed bottom 100 is referred to as the vertical direction of the air cell. Therefore, the upper surfaces of the air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40 serve as support surfaces.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the air cell 10 arranged in the head region and the knee region in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the air cell 10 is a one-chamber air cell composed of one bag 11 as a whole. The bag body 11 is formed into a bag shape by welding peripheral portions of flexible sheet materials such as urethane to each other, and expands into a tubular shape by enclosing air. Here, the tubular shape is a shape in which the inside of a columnar column such as a cylinder, an elliptical column, or a polygonal column is hollow. On the outside of the bag body 11, a hook for fixing the air cell 10 to the bed frame or connecting the air cells 10 to each other may be attached to the closing portion at the end of the sheet material. Further, an air supply port for injecting air into the air cell 10 is provided at the bottom of the bag 11 (a region on the floor side of the air mattress).

A connecting member (so-called suspension) 12 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the bag 11 so as to be oriented substantially parallel to the floor surface of the air mattress. The connecting member 12 is formed of a flexible sheet material such as urethane, and is welded to a position substantially half of the bag body 11 in the vertical direction so that the inner peripheral surfaces of the bag body 11 face each other. Is connected. By providing such a connecting member 12, even when a load is applied to the support surface of the air cell 10, the air cell 10 is prevented from expanding in the horizontal direction, and the amount of compression in the thickness direction of the air cell 10 is suppressed. be able to.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the air cell 20 arranged in the waist and back region, the thigh region, and the neck region in FIG. FIG. 5 is a top view of the air cell 20. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. Of these, FIG. 4 shows a state in which air is evacuated from the air cell 20. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the air cell 20 has first and second side walls 21a and 21b facing each other, and the bag body 21 expands by enclosing air inside, and the bag body 21 It is arranged inside and includes a connecting member 22 that connects the two side walls 21a and 21b.

The bag body 21 is formed into a tubular shape by welding the peripheral edges of a flexible sheet material such as urethane. Closing portions 24 at the ends of the sheet material project from both ends of the bag body 21, and hooks 25 for fixing the air cells 20 to the bed frame and connecting the air cells 20 to each other are provided on the closing portions 24. It is attached. Further, an air supply port 26 for injecting air into the air cell 20 is provided at the bottom of the bag body 21.

The connecting member 22 is made of a flexible sheet material such as urethane. The material forming the bag body 21 and the material forming the connecting member 22 may be the same material or different materials.

The connecting member 22 is arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the facing side walls 21a and 21b of the bag body 21 in a state where air is not sealed in the air cell 20 (see FIG. 4). Therefore, when the air cell 20 is filled with air and arranged as a part of the air mattress, the connecting member 22 is in a posture of standing in the vertical direction (see FIG. 6).

The connecting member 22 is joined to the two opposing side walls 21a and 21b of the bag body 21 by welding at a plurality of locations on the main surface. In a state where the connecting member 22 is arranged in a plane without enclosing air in the air cell 20 (see FIG. 4), the connection points ( welding portions 23a, 23b) of the connecting member 22 to the side walls 21a, 21b are the air cells 20. They are lined up in two stages at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction.

The first-stage welded portions 23a and 23b are alternately arranged with respect to the side walls 21a and 21b, and the second-stage welded portions 23a and 23b are also arranged alternately with respect to the side walls 21a and 21b. On one side wall 21a, the first-stage welded portions 23a and the second-stage welded portions 23a are alternately arranged. Similarly, on the other side wall 21b, the first-stage welded portions 23b and the second-stage welded portions 23b are alternately arranged.

The shape of each welded portion 23a, 23b is circular so that two stages can be arranged on each side wall 21a, 21b. The shape of the welded portions 23a and 23b is not limited to a circular shape as long as it can be arranged in two stages, and may be, for example, an elliptical shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, or another polygonal shape. Further, the number of the welded portions 23a and 23b is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately determined according to the size of the air cell 20 and the size and size of the unevenness formed when the air is sealed. For example, when the number of welded portions 23a and 23b is increased, a large number of relatively fine irregularities are formed on the upper surface of the air cell 20. On the other hand, when the number of welded portions 23a and 23b is reduced, relatively large irregularities are formed on the upper surface of the air cell 20.

When air is sealed in the air cell 20, the entire bag 21 expands, but the welded portions 23a and 23b of the side walls 21a and 21b are attracted to the connecting member 22, so that the length of the bag 21 in the longitudinal direction is increased. It will be in a shrunk state compared to the state in which air is not sealed. Then, an expanded convex portion 27 and a groove-shaped constricted concave portion (wrinkle) 28 are formed on the support surface of the bag body 21, and unevenness (pleats) like a bellows is generated as a whole (see FIG. 5). Due to this unevenness, the sheet material of the air cell 20 can be loosely followed by the user's body (so-called loose fit), and the user's body can be supported over a wide area to reduce the contact pressure on each part of the body. .. In particular, the locally protruding bone protrusion can be individually supported so as to be wrapped by the recess 28.

Further, in the upper and lower stages of the air cell 20, the position of the welded portion 23a on the side wall 21a side and the position of the welded portion 23b on the side wall 21b side are different from each other, so that the position of the convex portion 27 expanding laterally is also There is a gap between the upper and lower tiers. That is, in the upper and lower stages, the side wall 21a side and the side wall 21b side bulge alternately, and the directions of the bellows are reversed (see FIG. 6). As a result, the air cell 20 is formed with a three-dimensional structure that easily retains its shape against a load from above. Therefore, even if the user's body is placed on the air cell 20, excessive sinking of the body can be suppressed. That is, when the body is placed on the air cell 20, the pressure from the support surface that tends to concentrate on the bone protrusion is supported by the air cell 20 while supporting the bone protrusion by the recess 28 so as to wrap the bone protrusion. Can be dispersed around the bone protrusion.

The air cell 20 arranged in the waist and back regions, the air cell 20 arranged in the thigh region, and the air cell 20 arranged in the neck region do not necessarily have to be in the same mode. By changing the number and arrangement of the welded portions 23a and 23b, the holding force and the spacing of the pleats formed on the support surface may be adjusted according to the region. For example, in the air cell 20 arranged in the waist and back regions, the number of welded portions 23a and 23b may be increased to form slightly fine pleats in consideration of the fact that the user's arm can be placed on the air cell 20.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the air cell 30 arranged in the buttocks region and the shoulder region in FIG. FIG. 8 is a top view of the air cell 30. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. Of these, FIG. 7 shows a state in which air is evacuated from the air cell 30. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the air cell 30 has two side walls 31a and 31b facing each other, and is arranged inside the bag body 31 and the bag body 31 which expands by enclosing air inside. It includes a connecting member 32 that connects the two side walls 31a and 31b.

The bag body 31 is formed into a tubular shape by welding peripheral portions of flexible sheet materials such as urethane to each other. Closing portions 34 at the ends of the sheet material project from both ends of the bag body 31, and hooks 35 and the like for fixing the air cells 30 to the bed frame and connecting the air cells 30 to each other are projected from the closing portions 34. May be attached. Further, an air supply port 36 for connecting an air supply pipe is provided at the bottom of the bag body 31.

The connecting member 32 is formed of a flexible sheet material such as urethane. The connecting member 32 is arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the facing side walls 31a and 31b of the bag body 31 in a state where the air cell 30 is not filled with air (see FIG. 7). Therefore, when the air cell 30 is filled with air and arranged as a part of the air mattress, the connecting member 32 is in a posture of standing in the vertical direction (see FIG. 9).

The connecting member 32 is joined to the two opposing side walls 31a and 31b of the bag 31 by welding at a plurality of positions on the main surface. In a state where the connecting member 32 is arranged in a plane without enclosing air in the air cell 30 (see FIG. 7), the connection points ( welding portions 33a and 33b) of the connecting member 32 to the side walls 31a and 31b are of the air cell 30. They are arranged in one stage at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction, and are arranged alternately with respect to the side walls 31a and 31b.

The shapes of the welded portions 33a and 33b are substantially circular, similar to the welded portions 23a and 23b in the air cell 20. The shapes of the welded portions 33a and 33b are not limited to a circular shape as long as they can be connected to the bag body 31 in the vicinity of the center in the vertical direction of the connecting member 32. For example, an ellipse, a square, a horizontally long rectangle, or the like. It may have a shape such as a polygon.

When air is sealed in the air cell 30, the entire bag 31 expands and the side walls 31a and 31b are attracted to each other by the connecting member 32 (see FIG. 8). Therefore, the length of the bag 31 in the longitudinal direction is shortened as compared with the state in which air is not sealed, and the support surface and the side surface of the bag 31 are partially expanded by that amount. On the support surface, an expanded convex portion 37 and a groove-shaped constricted concave portion (wrinkle) 38 are formed, and unevenness (pleats) like a bellows is generated as a whole.

Since the connecting member 32 is connected to the side walls 31a and 31b at the welded portions 33a and 33b arranged in one stage, the subduction when the body is placed on the air cell 30 is the air cell 20 even when the load is the same. Become deeper than. That is, in the air cell 30, the body can be supported in a wide area by submerging the body. In addition, bone protruding parts such as the sacral part and the greater trochanter part can be supported so as to be wrapped by pleats generated on the surface.

The air cell 30 arranged in the buttocks region and the air cell 30 arranged in the shoulder region do not necessarily have to be in the same mode. For example, by changing the number and arrangement of the welded portions 33a and 33b, the holding force and the spacing of the pleats formed on the support surface may be adjusted according to the region.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the air cell 40 arranged in the lower leg and foot regions in FIG. FIG. 11 is a top view of the air cell 40. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. Of these, FIG. 10 shows a state in which air is evacuated from the air cell 40. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the air cell 40 has two side walls 41a and 41b facing each other, and is arranged inside the bag body 41 and the bag body 41 which expands by enclosing air inside. It is provided with a connecting member 42.

The bag body 41 is formed into a tubular shape by welding the peripheral edges of a flexible sheet material such as urethane. Closing portions 44 at the ends of the sheet material project from both ends of the bag body 41, and hooks 45 and the like for fixing the air cells 40 to the bed frame and connecting the air cells 40 to each other are projected from the closing portions 44. May be attached. Further, an air supply port 46 for connecting an air supply pipe is provided at the bottom of the bag body 41.

The connecting member 42 is formed of a flexible sheet material such as urethane. The connecting member 42 is formed in a strip shape having a width slightly narrower than that of the side walls 41a and 41b. The connecting member 42 is arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the facing side walls 41a and 41b of the bag body 41 in a state where air is not sealed in the air cell 40 (see FIG. 10). Therefore, when the air cell 40 is filled with air and arranged as a part of the air mattress 1, the connecting member 42 is in a posture of standing in the vertical direction (see FIG. 12).

The connecting member 42 is joined to the two opposing side walls 41a and 41b of the bag 41 by welding at a plurality of locations on the main surface. In a state where the connecting member 42 is arranged in a plane without enclosing air in the air cell 40 (see FIG. 10), the connection points ( welding portions 43a, 43b) of the connecting member 42 to the side walls 41a, 41b are of the air cell 40. They are arranged in one stage at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction, and are arranged alternately with respect to the side walls 41a and 41b. The shapes of the welded portions 43a and 43b are elongated shapes (for example, rectangular or oval) extending in the vertical direction of the air cell 40.

When air is sealed in the air cell 40, the entire bag body 41 expands and the side walls 41a and 41b are attracted to each other by the connecting member 42 (see FIG. 11). Therefore, the length of the bag 41 in the longitudinal direction is in a contracted state as compared with the state in which air is not sealed, and the support surface and the side surface are partially expanded by that amount. On the support surface, an expanded convex portion 47 and a groove-shaped constricted concave portion (wrinkle) 48 are formed, and unevenness (pleats) like a bellows is generated as a whole.

Since the connecting member 42 is connected to the side walls 41a and 41b at the welding portions 43a and 43b extending in the vertical direction, when the body is placed on such an air cell 40, the body is appropriately submerged in the air cell 40 and the support surface. It is supported so as to be wrapped by the unevenness formed on the surface.

In the air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40, the connecting members 12, 22, 32, and 42 are welded to the side walls of the bag 11, 21, 31, and 41, but the connecting members 12, 22, 32. The means for joining the 42 to the bag 11, 21, 31, 41 is not limited to welding, as long as the air cell is filled with air and can withstand deformation when a load is applied, for example, an adhesive. Etc. may be used. Further, the welding method is not particularly limited, and known methods such as hot plate welding and high frequency welding can be used.

Next, the holding power of the air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40 will be described. Each of the air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40 has a structure in which both side walls of the bag bodies 11, 21, 31, and 41 are connected by connecting members 12, 22, 32, and 42 arranged inside. However, among these air cells 10, 20, 30, 40, the arrangement of the connecting members 12, 22, 32, 42 and the arrangement and shape (size) of the welded portion are different from each other. Therefore, even when air having the same internal pressure is sealed in the air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40 and the same load is applied to the support surface, the shape of the support surface is applied to the load on the support surface. There is a difference in the holding power, which is the ability to maintain the above, in other words, the ease with which the support surface sinks.

First, the connecting members 22, 32, and 42 of the air cells 20, 30, and 40 are arranged so as to stand parallel to the side wall of the bag when the air is evacuated and to stand up and down in the used state. Among these air cells 20, 30 and 40, the arrangement and shape (size) of the welded portion for welding the connecting members 22, 32 and 42 to the side walls of the bag bodies 21, 31 and 41 are different.

Specifically, in the air cell 30, since the welded portions 33a and 33b are arranged in one stage, they are relatively easy to sink with respect to a load from above, and are the most held among the air cells 20, 30 and 40. The force becomes smaller. On the other hand, since the welded portions 43a and 43b of the air cell 40 extend in the vertical direction longer than the welded portions 33a and 33b of the air cell 30, in the air cell 40, the welded portions 43a and 43b serve as supports and from above. It becomes easier to maintain the shape against the load of. Therefore, the holding force of the air cell 40 is larger than the holding force of the air cell 30.

On the other hand, since the welded portions 23a and 23b of the air cell 20 are arranged in two stages, the holding force of the air cell 20 is simply larger than the holding force of the air cell 30 in which the welded portions 33a and 33b are arranged in one stage. .. In addition, in the air cell 20, since the welded portions 23a on the side wall 21a side and the welded portions 23b on the side wall 21b side are alternately arranged in the upper and lower stages, the positions that bulge sideways are also in the upper and lower stages. It will be staggered. As a result, the air cell 20 is formed with a three-dimensional structure that easily retains its shape against a load from above. Therefore, the holding force of the air cell 20 is larger than the holding force of the air cell 40 in which the bulges toward the side wall 41a side and the side wall 41b side are simply alternated.

The support surface of the air cell 10 is in a flat state without pleats, and the connecting member 12 suppresses the expansion of the bag 11 in the horizontal direction. Therefore, in a state where air is sealed until the air cell 10 is sufficiently inflated, the holding force of the air cell 10 is higher than that of the air cells 20, 30, and 40, which have a large room for deformation due to the formation of pleats on the support surface. large.

Next, the air supply / exhaust system in the air mattress 1 will be described. Basically, the air mattress 1 can be used as a stationary type in which the air supply system is unified and the internal pressure is not changed. In this case, the internal pressure in all the air cells is maintained even and constant. However, the air mattress 1 can also be used as a static-pressure switching type hybrid that changes the internal pressure of some air cells. In this case, for example, four air supply systems may be provided as shown in FIG. That is, there are a stationary system that shuts off the intake and exhaust of air after supplying air until it reaches a predetermined internal pressure and does not change the internal pressure, and a first to third systems that sequentially change the internal pressure of air in a predetermined cycle. .. Of the air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40 arranged side by side, the air cells 10 in the head region and the knee region and the air cells 20 in the waist and back regions and the thigh region are connected to the stationary system, and the other air cells 20 are connected to the stationary system. The air cells 30 and 40 in the region are connected to the first system to the third system in order.

Next, the actions of the air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40 on the air mattress 1 will be described. FIG. 13 is a side view showing a usage state of the air mattress 1 in the supine position. FIG. 14 is a side view showing a usage state of the air mattress 1 in the lateral decubitus position. As described above, since the support surfaces of the air cells 20, 30 and 40 are formed with pleats like bellows, these pleats can be used to individually wrap and support each part of the body. Therefore, even in a locally protruding portion such as a bone protruding portion, the contact pressure on the portion can be reduced. In addition to that, in the air mattress 1, the actions described below occur from the arrangement of the plurality of types of air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40 having different holding powers.

Here, in a general air mattress for preventing bedsores, the contact pressure is minimized by submerging the body in the air cell and wrapping the body in a wide area with a sheet constituting the support surface of the air cell. .. However, if the body is submerged too deeply in the air cell, the body is suspended by the seats that make up the air cell, a so-called hammock phenomenon occurs, and the contact pressure that the body receives from the seat is rather large. turn into.

Therefore, in the air mattress 1, a plurality of air cells 30 having a small holding force are arranged in the buttocks region on which the buttocks where the body weight is most concentrated are placed, and the waist and back regions and the thigh regions sandwiching these air cells 30 are arranged. A plurality of air cells 20 having a larger holding force than the air cells 30 are arranged therein. As a result, in the waist and back regions and the thigh region, the air cell 20 is not over-compressed and supports the body in a state of being sufficiently in contact with the support surface of the air cell 20, so that the weight tends to be concentrated on the buttocks. Can be distributed to the hips and thighs. In other words, the load on the air cell 30 by the portion (buttocks) placed on the air cell 30 is distributed to the air cell 20. Therefore, in the buttocks region, it is possible to suppress excessive subduction and prevent the hammock phenomenon while allowing the body to submerge in the air cell 30 moderately. That is, it is possible to disperse the body pressure on the trunk and suppress the concentration of the body pressure on the bone protrusions (coccyx and greater trochanter) of the buttocks. At the same time, the pleats formed on the support surfaces of the air cells 20 and 30 can support the body so as to wrap it in a wide area along the unevenness of the surface.

In addition, when using the back raising function for raising the back bottom 101, the air cells 20 arranged in the waist and back regions are in sufficient contact with the back of the user to support the body from the back side. Can be maintained. As a result, it is possible to prevent the upper body from sliding down and prevent the weight of the upper body from concentrating on the buttocks.

Further, in the air mattress 1, a plurality of air cells 30 having a small holding force are arranged in the shoulder region where the weight of the upper body is easily concentrated, and the air cells 30 are arranged in the waist and back regions and the neck region sandwiching these air cells 30. A plurality of air cells 20 having a larger holding force than the above are arranged. As a result, in the waist and back regions and the neck region, the air cell 20 is not over-compressed and supports the body in a state of being sufficiently in contact with the support surface of the air cell 20, so that the weight tends to be concentrated on the shoulders. Can be dispersed in the back and neck. Therefore, in the shoulder region, it is possible to suppress the excessive sinking and prevent the hammock phenomenon while allowing the body to sink into the air cell 30 moderately. At the same time, the pleats formed on the support surfaces of the air cells 20 and 30 can support the body so as to wrap it in a wide area along the unevenness of the surface.

Further, in the air mattress 1, since the air cell 10 having a tubular outer surface shape is arranged in the knee region, the operation of the waist bottom 102 and the leg bottom 103 is not hindered even when the knee raising function is used. In addition, it is possible to shift to the knee-raised state without causing a displacement of the air cell 10.

Further, in the air mattress 1, a plurality of air cells 40 are arranged in the lower leg and foot regions. Although the holding force of the air cell 40 is relatively small, it has a certain holding force, and since the air cell 40 abuts and supports the entire lower leg such as the calf, the heel portion and the outer ankle portion do not sink too much into the air cell 40. As a result, while the heel and outer heels are properly submerged in the air cell 40, the pleats on the support surface can support the entire lower leg so as to wrap it in a wide area, and the body pressure on the heels and outer ankles can be supported. Can be dispersed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the air mattress 1 is configured by using a plurality of types of air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40 having different holding powers, air is not required to be complicatedly managed. Excessive sinking of the body into the mattress can be suppressed, and each part of the body can be appropriately supported according to the part. Therefore, even a part of the body where the load is easily concentrated can be supported in a state where the body is appropriately submerged without causing a hammock phenomenon, so that the contact pressure to each part of the body is reduced. , The occurrence of bedsores can be suppressed.

As described above, the difference in the holding force of the air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40 constituting the air mattress 1 is the arrangement of the connecting members and the structure such as the number, shape, and arrangement of the joints between the bag body and the connecting members. It arises from the difference. Therefore, even if air is supplied from one system to all the air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40 constituting the air mattress 1, and air is circulated between these air cells 10, 20, 30, and 40. , The difference in holding power between various air cells is maintained. Therefore, even when the air mattress 1 is used as a stationary type, the body pressure that tends to concentrate on the buttocks and shoulders can be dispersed to the surrounding parts, and excessive subduction of the buttocks and shoulders can be prevented. It is possible to suppress and prevent the hammock phenomenon. As a result, it is possible to reduce the contact pressure on each part of the body. There is also an advantage that the management of the internal pressure of the air mattress 1 can be simplified.

Further, in the air mattress 1, the air supply system to each of the air cells 10, 20, 30 and 40 can be appropriately divided and used. Specifically, the internal pressures of the air cells 30 arranged in the shoulder region and the buttocks region and the air cells 40 arranged in the lower leg and foot regions can be periodically switched and used. In this case, it is possible to further suppress continuous pressure on the shoulders, buttocks, feet, etc., where body pressure is relatively easy to concentrate. On the other hand, it is preferable to use the air cells 10 and 20 arranged in the head region while keeping the internal pressure constant, thereby suppressing the seasickness caused by the periodic movement of the user's head. be able to. Further, it is preferable to use the air cell 20 arranged in the neck region, the waist and back region, and the thigh region and the air cell 10 arranged in the knee region while keeping the internal pressure constant. In this case, it is possible to prevent bottoming out during temporary decompression due to pressure switching.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 15 is a top view schematically showing an air mattress according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 15, in the air mattress 2 according to the present embodiment, the air cell 10 is arranged in place of the air cell 20 arranged in the waist and back regions and the thigh region of the air mattress 1 shown in FIG. ing. The types and numbers of air cells arranged in areas other than the waist and back regions and the thigh region of the air mattress 2 are the same as those in the air mattress 1.

As described above, the holding force of the air cell 10 is larger than the holding force of the air cell 30 arranged in the buttocks region and the shoulder region. Therefore, in the waist and back regions and the thigh region, the air cell 10 sufficiently supports the user's body, so that excessive subduction of the buttocks and shoulders into the air cell 30 is suppressed and the hammock phenomenon is suppressed. It becomes possible to do. Therefore, it is possible to allow the buttocks and shoulders to be appropriately submerged in the air cell 30 to support these parts over a wide area and to disperse the body pressure.

(Third Embodiment)
FIG. 16 is a top view schematically showing an air mattress according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 16, in the air mattress 3 according to the present embodiment, the air cell 40 is arranged instead of the air cells 10 and 20 arranged in a part of the head region of the air mattress 1 shown in FIG. There is. The type and number of air cells arranged in the area other than the head area of the air mattress 2 are the same as those in the air mattress 1.

As described above, since pleats are formed on the support surface of the air cell 40, the pleats can support the user's head so as to wrap it in a wide area. Further, since the holding force of the air cell 10 in the head region and the air cell 20 in the neck region is larger than the holding force of the air cell 40, these air cells 10 and 20 support the vicinity of the crown and the neck of the user. As a result, it is possible to suppress excessive sinking while allowing the head to sink moderately into the air cell 40. Therefore, it is possible to disperse the body pressure on the head.

(Fourth Embodiment)
FIG. 17 is a side view schematically showing an air mattress according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 17, the air mattress 4 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of air cells 10 arranged side by side on the bed bottom 100 and a plurality of air cells 50 having a structure different from that of the air cells 10.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the air cell 50 arranged in the buttocks region or the like in FIG. FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the air cell 50. FIG. 20 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. The air cell 50 is an air cell in which four small cells 511, 512, 521, and 522, which expand in a tubular shape by enclosing air inside, are connected to each other in a region on one axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the small cells. Is. Here, the "region on one axis" in the present application may be a region having a certain width and thickness. Further, the "region on one axis" does not necessarily have to be continuous, and a part of the "region on one axis" may be interrupted as long as it is on one axis.

Specifically, the air cell 50 has two bag bodies 51 and 52 formed of a sheet material made of a flexible resin material. These bag bodies 51 and 52 are laminated and integrated by a welded portion 53 forming a line shape parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bag bodies 51 and 52. By separating each of the bag bodies 51 and 52 by the welding portion 53, four small cells 511, 512, 521 and 522 are formed. Since the welded portion 53 is provided at the substantially central portion of the bag bodies 51 and 52 in the lateral direction, the diameters of the small cells 511, 512, 521, and 522 in the expanded state are substantially equal to each other. Although the welding portion 53 is provided in one continuous band-shaped region in FIG. 19, the welding portion 53 may be provided in a plurality of locations as long as it is on the same axis.

As shown in FIG. 19, the bag body 51 on the bottom surface side is provided with an air supply port 54, and by injecting air from the air supply path 55 connected to the air supply port 54, the bag body 51 is provided with an air supply port 54. It is filled with air. In addition, hooks, buttons, and the like for connecting the air cells 50 to each other or the air cells 50 and the other air cells may be provided on either or both of the bag bodies 51 and 52.

A gap region 513 is provided between both ends of the bag body 51 in the longitudinal direction and the welding portion 53. The gap region 513 allows air to flow between the small cells 511 and 512. As a result, even when a load is applied to the air cell 50, the internal pressures of the small cells 511 and 512 become substantially uniform. The structure of the bag body 52 is the same as that of the bag body 51 as a whole, and air can flow between the small cells 521 and 522. Further, even between the bag body 51 and the bag body 52, air can be circulated by connecting the openings provided in a part of the bag bodies 51 and 52.

As shown in FIG. 20, when the air cell 50 is filled with air, the four small cells 511, 512, 521, 522 expand and come into contact with the adjacent cells in a planar manner, and the lower small cells 511, 512 As a result, a structure that supports the small cells 521 and 522 on the upper stage side is formed via the contact surface. These small cells 511, 512, 521, and 522 are connected to each other at a welding portion 53 provided on one axis of the central portion of the cross section of the air cell 50. That is, the small cells 511, 512, 521, and 522 are not connected to the adjacent cells in a planar manner, and are in a movable state with the welding portion 53 as the rotation axis.

The size of the air cell 50 is set so that its height H is substantially equal to the height H of the air cell 10 when filled with air. Therefore, the size (height and width) of each small cell 511, 512, 521, 522 is smaller than the size of the air cell 10 (same as above). That is, the radius of curvature of the upper surface of the small cells 521 and 522 on the upper stage side of the air cell 50, which is the support surface on which the user's body is placed, is smaller than the radius of curvature of the support surface (upper surface) of the air cell 10.

In the air mattress 4, such an air cell 50 is arranged in the buttocks region, and the air cell 10 is arranged in the waist and back regions and the thigh region so as to sandwich them. Further, in the air mattress 4, the air cell 50 is also arranged in the shoulder region and the foot region, and the air cell is arranged in the head and neck region and the waist and back regions so as to sandwich the air cell 50 arranged in the shoulder region. 10 are arranged. All of these air cells 10 and 50 are connected to the same air system (stationary system) and are used in a state where the internal pressure is maintained constant.

Here, consider the equilibrium in the circumferential direction of two cylindrical air cells having the same internal pressure and different cross-sectional diameters. Of the two air cells, the diameter of the first air cell is d ₁ , the external force in the circumferential direction with respect to the first air cell is f ₁ , the diameter of the second air cell is d ₂ (d ₂ > d ₁ ), and the second. Assuming that the external force in the circumferential direction with respect to the air cell is f ₂ , the internal pressures of the first and second air cells are p, and the unit length in the axial direction of the cylinder is L, the following equations (1) and (2) are established.
f ₁ = πd ₁・ L ・ p… (1)
f ₂ = πd ₂・ L ・ p… (2)

From the equations (1) and (2), the following equation (3) holds.
f ₁ / d ₁ = f ₂ / d ₂ ... (3)
Since d ₂ > d ₁ , from the equation (3), F ₂ > F ₁ . This means that in a cylindrical air cell, when the internal pressure is the same, the larger the diameter, the more the shape can be maintained against a large external force. In other words, the larger the diameter, the greater the holding power of the air cell. That is, it can be said that the holding force of the air cell 10 is larger than the holding force of each of the small cells 521 and 522 of the air cell 50 between the air cells 10 and 50.

In the air mattress 4, the air cells 50 having a relatively small holding force are arranged in the buttocks region and the shoulder region, and the air cells 10 having a relatively large holding force sandwich the air cells 50 in the head and neck region, the waist, and the shoulder region. Since it is located in the back area and thigh area, it allows the body to sink moderately without causing a hammock phenomenon, even in areas of the body where loads are likely to be concentrated, such as the buttocks and shoulders. Can be supported in a state of being. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the contact pressure on each part of the body and suppress the occurrence of bedsores.

Further, in each air cell 50, the upper small cells 521 and 522 that support the body are in two directions by the lower small cells 511 and 512 via the contact surface with the lower small cells 511 and 512. A structure supported by is formed. As a result, the load applied to the small cells 521 and 522 from above is distributed not in the vertical direction but in the directions of the two small cells 511 and 512. That is, since the body part placed on the air cell 50 is supported not only by the force vertically above but also by the force received from the directions of the two small cells 511 and 512, the contact pressure on the part is dispersed. .. Therefore, the effect of suppressing bedsores can be further enhanced. Further, since the load applied to the air cell 50 is dispersed, it is possible to suppress bottoming even when the internal pressure is set low.

Further, in the air mattress 4, the air cell 50 having a relatively small holding force is arranged in the foot region, and the air cell 10 having a relatively large holding force is arranged in the thigh region and the lower leg region. Weight can be distributed and supported in the thigh and lower leg regions. As a result, it is possible to suppress the concentration of body weight on the foot, which is the end of the lower limbs, so that the contact pressure on the bone protruding part of the foot such as the heel and ankle can be reduced, and the occurrence of bedsores can be suppressed. It will be possible.

(Fifth Embodiment)
FIG. 21 is a side view schematically showing an air mattress according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 21, the air mattress 5 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of air cells 10, 30, and 50 arranged side by side on the bed bottom 10.

In the air mattress 5, a plurality of air cells 30 are arranged in the buttocks region and the lower leg and foot regions. Further, a plurality of air cells 50 are arranged in the lumbar region and the thigh region so as to sandwich the air cells 30 arranged in the buttocks region. A plurality of air cells 10 are arranged in the head-back region and the knee region.

Here, comparing the support surfaces of the air cell 30 and the air cell 50, pleats are formed on the support surface of the air cell 30. On the other hand, the support surface of the air cell 50 is in a flat state without pleats. Therefore, the holding force of the air cell 50 is larger than that of the air cell 30 which has a large room for deformation due to pleats.

In the air mattress 5, air cells 30 having a relatively small holding force are arranged in the buttocks region, and air cells 50 having a relatively large holding force are arranged in the lumbar region and the thigh region so as to sandwich these air cells 30. There is. Therefore, even a part of the body such as the buttocks where the load is easily concentrated can be supported in a state where the body is appropriately submerged without causing a hammock phenomenon. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the contact pressure on each part of the body and suppress the occurrence of bedsores.

Further, in the air mattress 5, since the air cell 30 is also arranged in the lower leg and foot regions, even a locally protruding portion such as an ankle or ankle is wrapped by a recess formed in the support surface. Can be supported as such.

(Example)
Three patients (users) with bedsores were asked to use the air mattress according to the example under the supervision of a doctor, and the progress of bedsores was observed.
22 to 27 are graphs showing the follow-up results of bedsores of the user. Of these, FIGS. 22, 24, and 26 show changes in the size of the skin-deficient portion (wound). 23, 25 and 27 show changes in the size of the pockets around the wound. Here, the pocket means "a wound cavity wider than the skin defect" (from the website of the Japanese Society of Pressure Ulcers. <Http://www.jspu.org/jpn/journal/yougo.html#pocket >). The vertical axis of FIGS. 22 to 27 shows the area value (mm ² ) obtained by multiplying the major axis (mm) and the minor axis (mm) of the wound or pocket. Further, the horizontal axis of FIGS. 22 to 27 indicates the number of days elapsed when the air mattress according to the example and the comparative example was used, and the use start date of the air mattress according to the example is set to zero. That is, the period when the number of elapsed days is negative is the period when the air mattress according to the comparative example is used, and the period when the number of elapsed days is positive is the period when the air mattress according to the example is used. In the graphs shown in FIGS. 22 to 27, the portion shown by the broken line is a portion for which data has not been obtained because the measurement was not performed.

22 and 23 are graphs showing the follow-up results of bedsores of user A.
The configuration of the air mattress according to the first embodiment used by the user A is as follows.
Head area to neck area: Air cells 40 (5, see FIGS. 10 to 12)
Shoulder area: Air cell 30 (3, see FIGS. 7-9)
Waist and back area: Air cells 20 (3, see FIGS. 4-6)
Buttocks area: Air cell 30 (4, see FIGS. 7-9)
Thigh area to knee area: Air cells 20 (5, see FIGS. 4 to 6)
Lower leg and foot area: Air cell 40 (4, see FIGS. 10-12)
The thickness of each air cell was 13 cm, and the internal pressure of all air cells was maintained evenly and constantly.

In addition, before using the air mattress according to the first embodiment, the user A used the air mattress product x1 manufactured by X company as the air mattress according to the comparative example for about one year. The product x1 is a product in which mattresses having spherical convex portions formed on the entire surface are stacked in three layers, and the total thickness is 16 cm. The product x1 is used as a pressure switching type that sequentially switches the internal pressures of the uppermost layer and the second layer.

The A's, originally started the measurement of pressure sores (the number of days elapsed = -294), wound size of 40mm ^2, the size of the pocket is bedsores of 598mm ² had occurred in the sacral region. There was a tendency for improvement for a period of time while using product x1, but after that, the size of the wound and pocket increased again. However, when the air mattress used was replaced with the air mattress according to Example 1, both the wound size and the pocket size rapidly shrunk as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23.

24 and 25 are graphs showing the follow-up results of bedsores of user B.
The configuration of the air mattress according to the second embodiment used by the user B is as follows.
Head area to neck area: Air cells 20 (5, see FIGS. 4 to 6)
Shoulder area: Air cell 30 (2, see FIGS. 7-9)
Waist and back area: Air cells 20 (3, see FIGS. 4-6)
Buttocks area: Air cell 30 (4, see FIGS. 7-9)
Thigh area to foot area: Air cell 20 (9, see FIGS. 4 to 6)
The thickness of each air cell was 16 cm, and the internal pressure of all air cells was maintained evenly and constantly.

In addition, before using the air mattress according to the second embodiment, the user B used the air mattress product y manufactured by Y company as the air mattress according to the comparative example for about three weeks. Similar to the air cell 10 shown in FIG. 3, the product y is a product in which air cells having a two-layer structure are arranged side by side on the entire mattress, and the thickness is 16 cm. The product y is used as a pressure switching type that sequentially switches the internal pressure of each air cell.

The B's, originally started the measurement of pressure sores (the number of days elapsed = -21), wound size in the sacral region is 1116mm ^2, and the size of the pocket occurs and pressure sores of 2800mm ^2, the air mattress according to a comparative example No significant improvement was seen during use. However, when the air mattress used was replaced with the air mattress according to Example 2, the wound size was steadily reduced and the pocket size was rapidly reduced, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25. Then, 42 days after the start of use of the air mattress according to Example 2, the wound size was reduced to 200 mm ² , and the pocket was almost eliminated.

26 and 27 are graphs showing the follow-up results of bedsores of user C.
The configuration of the air mattress according to the third embodiment used by the user C is as follows.
Head area: Air cell 40 (3, see FIGS. 10-12)
Shoulder area-waist and back area: Air cell 10 (7, see FIG. 3)
Buttocks area: Air cell 40 (4, see FIGS. 10-12)
Thigh area to foot area: Air cell 10 (9, see Fig. 3)
The thickness of each air cell was 13 cm, and the internal pressure of all air cells was maintained evenly and constantly. Further, in the third embodiment, a tubular shape having a diameter of about 3 cm is formed in the gap below the air cell 40 and the four air cells 10 arranged from the buttocks region to the thigh region and below the boundary between the adjacent air cells. The air cell was placed.

In addition, before using the air mattress according to the third embodiment, the user C uses the air mattress product x2 manufactured by X company as the air mattress according to the comparative example for about 3 months, and then the air mattress product manufactured by Y company. I have been using the air mattress product y for about 3 months. The product x2 has the same structure as the product x1 described above, and has an automatic posture change function added.

The C's, originally started the measurement of pressure sores (the number of days elapsed = -182), wound size in the sacral region is 1026mm ^2, and the size of the pocket occurs and pressure sores of 5775mm ^2, the air mattress according to a comparative example While using it, it was repeatedly improved and expanded again. When the air mattress used was switched from product x2 to product y (elapsed days = -98), the wound size of the sacral region was 1296 mm ² and the pocket size was 3190 mm ² . After that, when the air mattress to be used was replaced with the air mattress according to the third embodiment, both the wound size and the pocket size continued to shrink as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27.

The present invention described above is not limited to the first to fifth embodiments and modifications, and a plurality of components disclosed in the first to fifth embodiments and modifications may be appropriately used. By combining them, various inventions can be constructed. For example, some components may be excluded from all the components shown in the first to fifth embodiments and modifications, and the components shown in the first to fifth embodiments and modifications may be excluded. May be combined as appropriate.

1,2,3,4,5 ... Air mattress, 10,20,30,40,50 ... Air cell, 11,21,31,41,51,52 ... Bag body, 12,22,32,42 ... Connecting member , 21a, 21b, 31a, 31b, 41a, 41b ... Side wall, 23a, 23b, 33a, 33b, 43a, 43b ... Welded part, 24,34,44 ... Closed part, 25,35,45 ... Hook, 26,36 , 46 ... Air supply port, 27,37,47 ... Convex, 28,38,48 ... Concave, 53 ... Gap area, 54 ... Air supply port, 55 ... Air supply path, 100 ... Bed bottom, 101 ... Back bottom , 102 ... waist bottom, 103 ... leg bottom, 511,512,521,522 ... small cell

Claims (6)

1. An air mattress with multiple air cells lined up
   A plurality of first air cells arranged side by side in parallel with the lateral direction of the air mattress in a first region including the center in the longitudinal direction of the air mattress, each of which is a flexible sheet material. A plurality of first air cells, which are formed by a plurality of first air cells and expand into an elongated shape by enclosing air inside.
   A second region adjacent to one side of the first region and a third region adjacent to the other side of the first region are juxtaposed in parallel with the lateral direction of the air mattress. A plurality of second and third air cells, each of which is formed of a flexible sheet material and expands into an elongated shape by enclosing air inside. When,
   With
   Regarding the holding force, which is the ability to maintain the shape of the support surface when the same load is applied to the support surface, which is the surface on which the user's body is placed, by enclosing air with the same internal pressure in the air cell. An air mattress in which the holding force of each of the second and third air cells is larger than the holding force of each of the plurality of first air cells.
2. Each of the plurality of first air cells is formed of a flexible sheet material, has two side walls facing each other, and may include a first bag body that expands by enclosing air inside. A first connecting member formed of a flexible material, arranged inside the first bag body, and alternately connected to two side walls of the first bag body at a plurality of connection points. Prepare,
   Each of the plurality of second air cells is formed of a flexible sheet material, has two side walls facing each other, and may be a second bag body that expands by enclosing air inside. A second connecting member, which is formed of a flexible material, is arranged inside the second bag body, and is alternately connected to the two side walls of the second bag body at a plurality of connection points. Prepare,
   Each of the plurality of third air cells is formed of a flexible sheet material, has two side walls facing each other, and may be a third bag body that expands by enclosing air inside. A third connecting member, which is formed of a flexible material, is arranged inside the third bag body, and is alternately connected to the two side walls of the third bag body at a plurality of connection points. Prepare,
   The number of connection points of the second connecting member to the second bag body and the number of connection points of the third connecting member to the third bag body are the above-mentioned number of connection points to the first bag body. The air mattress according to claim 1, wherein the number of connection points of the first connection member is larger than the number of connection points.
3. In each of the plurality of first air cells, the plurality of connection points are arranged in one stage at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the first air cell, and the two side walls of the first bag body. Alternately arranged with respect to one side wall and the other side wall of
   In each of the second and third air cells, the plurality of connection points are arranged in two stages at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the second and third air cells, and the plurality of connection points of the plurality of connection points. The connection points of the respective stages are alternately arranged with respect to one side wall and the other side wall of the two side walls of the second and third bag bodies, and one on each of the two side walls. The air mattress according to claim 2, wherein the connection points of the second stage and the connection points of the second stage are arranged alternately.
4. Each of the plurality of first air cells is formed of a flexible sheet material, and is formed of a first bag body having two side walls facing each other and a flexible material. The support surface is provided with connecting members arranged inside the bag body and alternately connected to the two side walls of the first bag body at a plurality of connection points by enclosing air inside. Pleats are formed,
   According to claim 1, each of the plurality of second and third air cells is formed of a flexible sheet material and includes a second bag body that expands into a tubular shape by enclosing air inside. The listed air mattress.
5. Each of the plurality of first, second, and third air cells is formed of a flexible sheet material, and includes a bag body that expands into a tubular shape by enclosing air inside.
   When the plurality of first, second, and third air cells are expanded, the radius of curvature of the support surface of each of the plurality of first air cells is determined by each of the plurality of second and third air cells. The air mattress according to claim 1, which is smaller than the radius of curvature of the support surface.
6. A plurality of fourth air cells arranged side by side in a fourth region adjacent to the first region on the opposite side of the second region in parallel with the lateral direction of the air mattress, each of which is a plurality of fourth air cells. A plurality of firsts, which are formed of a flexible sheet material and expand into an elongated shape by enclosing air inside, and each holding force is smaller than each holding force of the plurality of second air cells. 4 air cells and
   A plurality of fifth air cells arranged side by side in the fifth region adjacent to the second region on the opposite side of the fourth region in parallel with the lateral direction of the air mattress, each of which has a plurality of fifth air cells. A plurality of firsts, which are formed of a flexible sheet material and expand into an elongated shape by enclosing air inside, and each holding force is larger than each holding force of the plurality of fourth air cells. 5 air cells and
   The air mattress according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising.
   

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