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Abstract

A full length mattress pad is provides improved patient support for all parts of the user's body through provision of a support surface supplement for use with existing support surfaces, such as for use on top of a conventional mattress or hospital bed. The pad has a body of resilient material having a relatively flat, planar lower surface for being received on top of the existing support surface, and has a length at least generally the same as that of the mattress, or at least long enough to support the full length of a user. An inclined upper surface is defined by the body of resilient material, and has a plurality of different longitudinal sections. The plurality of different longitudinal sections collectively define a predetermined angle of inclination for the inclined upper surface which is relatively constant along the entire length of the body of resilient material relative to its planar lower surface. At least one of the plurality of different longitudinal sections has a relatively flat surface inclined at the predetermined angle of inclination, while at least one other of the plurality of different longitudinal sections has a surface formed with respective or different projections therein, so that improved patient support is provided through a combination of the inclined upper surface and the plurality of different longitudinal sections. Preferably, the predetermined angle of inclination is no more than about 10.degree.. Characteristics of the plurality of longitudinal sections are selected based upon one or more of the type of resilient material used, the thickness of such material, the change in thickness of such material due to the predetermined angle of inclination, the material density, and the indention load deflection characteristics of such material, with such selection and combination of characteristics determined so as to optimize the inclined pad for support for the user's body which is engineered on the basis of the intended end use of said mattress pad. The longitudinal sections are also formed by one or both of longitudinal and lateral cuts within a selected portion of the inclined upper surface, also preselected to address the relieving of support pressure points to decrease the chance of decubitus ulcers in users of the mattress pad. At least one of the depths, widths, and lengths of such cuts, forming cross-sectional shapes of the different or respective projections, are preselected on the basis of the intended end use of said mattress pad. A plurality of channels may be formed between adjacent of the respective projections, for dissipating heat and moisture from a user who is supported on the inclined upper surface, to increase the health and comfort of such user.

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First Claim