Abstract: The present invention details a pressurizable mattress. The mattress has at least one inflatable cushion having a pair of sides, and at least one set of an electromagnetic energy emitting device and an electromagnetic energy receiving device. The electromagnetic energy emitting device, when operating, illuminates the interior of the inflatable cushion. The electromagnetic energy receiving device collects the illuminating energy. The operation of the mattress requires a means for measuring the optical aperture of the inflatable cushion. The measuring means determines the optical aperture of the inflatable cushion by measuring the quantity of illuminating energy collected by the electromagnetic energy receiving device when the electromagnetic energy emitting device illuminates the interior of the inflatable cushion.

Abstract: The present invention details a pressurizable mattress. The mattress has at least one inflatable cushion having a pair of sides, and at least one set of an electromagnetic energy emitting device and an electromagnetic energy receiving device. The electromagnetic energy emitting device, when operating, illuminates the interior of the inflatable cushion. The electromagnetic energy receiving device collects the illuminating energy. The operation of the mattress requires a means for measuring the optical aperture of the inflatable cushion. The measuring means determines the optical aperture of the inflatable cushion by measuring the quantity of illuminating energy collected by the electromagnetic energy receiving device when the electromagnetic energy emitting device illuminates the interior of the inflatable cushion.

Abstract: An inflatable support pad wherein a first group of inflatable cells are in flow communication with each other, a second group of inflatable cells are in flow communication with each other, and the cells of the first group of cells are interleaved with the cells of the second group of cells whereby the cells are alternatively inflatable and alternately exhaustible. Seal seam portions or walls which separate adjacent cells have serpentine shapes and are disposed relative to each other to define alternately broad and narrow cell portions. The serpentine shapes are truncated to eliminate or reduce duck-billing.

Abstract: A mattress wherein at least one fabric strip bridges a foam crib for an inflatable cushion to provide lateral stability thereto such as when the mattress is tilted for turning a patient over or otherwise. The fabric strip position is selected so as not to interfere with pressure relief to a portion of the patient's body where pressure ulcers frequently occur. In order to accurately and quickly monitor the tilt of a mattress, transmitting and receiving coils are provided on opposite sides of an assembly of lifting bladders for the side of the mattress being lifted, and the signal strength is measured when a signal is transmitted therebetween, and the angle of tilt is determined therefrom. In order to reduce exposure of lines leading to an inflatable mattress, a notch is provided in a crib for receiving a pump for pressurizing a cushion within the crib so that the pump is positioned to face exteriorly of the crib to allow heat dissipation.

Abstract: A leg rest for supporting a patient's legs while the patient is lying on a bed and during turning or otherwise managing the patient. The leg rest includes a pair of trough portions for receiving the patient's legs and a raised central portion and a pair of raised side portions for keeping the legs apart and restraining sideways leg movement. The central and side portions extend beyond the trough portions for restraining sideways movement of the patient's feet as the patient's legs rest on the trough portions with the patient's feet projecting beyond the trough portions for pressure relief of the patient's heels. The leg rest may be inflatable so that it may be inexpensively produced and disposable and so that its pressure may be adjusted for patient comfort. The leg rest may be contained within a case which has a bib for underlying the patient's upper legs to prevent slippage of the leg rest out of position.

Abstract: A sleeve device for encasing and applying successive compressive pressures against a patient's limb from a source of pressurized fluid, the sleeve has a plurality of laterally extending separate fluid pressure members progressively arranged longitudinally along the sleeve from a lower portion of the encased limb to the upper portion thereof, the adjacent lateral edge portions of adjacent pressure members are curved upwardly and then downwardly in unison whereby the respective contiguous edges thereof follow each other so that when pressure is successively applied from the lowermost pressure member upward there will never be a continuous circumferential pressure gap on any lateral circular portion of the encircled limb and further wherein the successive pressurization of each pressure member from the lowermost heartward produces a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially inward maximum and minimum forces interdigitated with successive pressure members having similar maximum and minimum forces to produce

Abstract: Apparatus for the alleviation of operative and post operative deep venous thrombosis comprises a flexible pad for enwrappment about a mammalian limb such as a human leg. The pad comprises a first plurality of large, individual, fluid receiving pressure cells alternated with a second plurality of smaller, fluid receiving and releasing ventilating cells. Means are included for supplying fluid pressure to the cells.