Abstract: A pneumatic mattress having a plurality of pneumatic cells so connected that sets of them can be selectively and cyclically pressurized and exhausted in sequence to support a user, or permanently inflated. The mattress also including an air flow manifold within a cover around the cells for providing air flow to spaces between some of the pneumatic cells beneath of the cover. The cells are provided transversely of the mattress with longitudinal edge cells, and the air flow manifold is provided inwards of the longitudinal cells across the ends of the transverse cells. The cover is semi-permeable to allow moisture from the patient to be carried away by the air flow. Between the cells and the cover, a replaceable open weave or gauze layer of non-woven material is provided, allowing air flow from one inter-cell space to the next with the cover held from the cells by the gauze layer.

Abstract: A pneumatic mattress having a plurality of pneumatic cells so connected that sets of them can be selectively and cyclically pressurised and exhausted in sequence to support a user, or permanently inflated. The mattress also including an air flow manifold within a cover around the cells for providing air flow to spaces between some of the pneumatic cells beneath of the cover. The cells are provided transversely of the mattress with longitudinal edge cells, and the air flow manifold is provided inwards of the longitudinal cells across the ends of the transverse cells. The cover is semi-permeable to allow moisture from the patient to be carried away by the air flow. Between the cells and the cover, a replaceable open weave or gauze layer of non-woven material is provided, allowing air flow from one inter-cell space to the next with the cover held from the cells by the gauze layer.

Abstract: A mattress has a cover enclosing two layers of pneumatic cells made of impermeable material welded into desired shapes. A bottom layer comprises edge cells extending the length of the mattress, partially closed at hip and knee positions so the cells have head and back, upper leg and lower leg portions that pivot relative to adjoining portions, without pressure in them tending to keep them rigid. Six head cells are arranged with their length in the direction of the length of the mattress, separate from the edge cells. Six lower leg cells are between the lower leg portions. A central space in the bottom layer is filled by a group of nine transversely extending cells held together by toggles. An upper layer has a head back and upper leg group of twelve transverse cells and a second group of seven lower leg cells.

Abstract: A mattress cover, for use on an air inflatable mattress which reduces the risk of bed sores in long term patients. The cover has a top sheet and side sheets attached to opposite edges of the top sheet. The length of the top sheet, in a laid-flat state, is greater than the length of the side sheets attached to the top sheet. This allows the cover to closely follow the undulating nature of the inflatable cells of the mattress, and zero pressure may be achieved. The cover may also comprise end sheets, an outer skirt, and a base portion. The present invention also provides a method of making cover, which comprises the step of stretching the side portions, while the top sheet is in a substantially unstretched condition, and then joining the side sheets in their stretched condition to the top sheet.