Therapeutic mattress assembly
View Patent ↗A therapeutic mattress assembly comprising a mattress having a substrate assembly that includes a plurality of cylinders positioned side by side over the length of the mattress. Each cylinder is configured as a low air loss system to allow air to flow into the cylinder from a source and out of the cylinder through small holes located on the top of each cylinder. An overlay assembly provides a foam cushion that provides a supporting surface above the substrate assembly for the patient. A calf lift bladder operates to effectively raise or lower the patient's feet to prevent pressure related injuries. A lateral rotation assembly selectively raises and lowers a selected half of the mattress to turn patients in a lateral direction. A bolster inflates in response to the lateral rotation assembly to secure the patient within the mattress.
1. A method of manufacturing a mattress assembly for supporting a body, the method comprising:
providing a foam layer;
separating first side edge of the foam layer into a first flap and a second flap;
placing a first inflatable bladder between the first and second flaps; and
reconnecting the first flap to the second flap.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein reconnecting the first and second flaps includes refastening the first and second flaps together with an adhesive.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the foam layer includes a viscoelastic foam.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming an array of holes in the foam layer to facilitate an airflow to the body.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein forming the array of holes includes dies cutting the foam layer.
6. The method of claim 4 , further comprising supporting the foam layer with a substrate assembly including low air loss cylinders for providing the airflow.
7. The method of claim further comprising;
separating a second side edge of the foam layer into a first flap and a second flap;
placing a second inflatable bladder between the first and second flaps of the second side edge; and
reconnecting the first flap of the second side edge to the second flap of the second side edge.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising coupling a blower assembly to the first and second inflatable bladders for controllably supplying it to the first and second inflatable bladders.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein reconnecting the first flap to the second flap includes completely encasing the first inflatable bladder with the foam layer.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein placing the first inflatable bladder between the first and second flaps includes locating the first inflatable bladder in a top layer of the mattress assembly.