Abstract: The invention is an inflatable seat cushion. The cushion includes inflatable cells, a pump, a flow control valve and tubing. The cells include at least one inflatable and deflatable first cell configured and arranged to support the ischial tuberosity bones of a human seated on the cushion, and at least one inflatable and deflatable second cell configured and arranged to support at least a portion of the gluteus maximus muscles of a human seated on the cushion. The flow control valve and accompanying tubing is operable to mutually exclusively place the pump in fluid communication with the at least one first cell or the at least one second cell.

Abstract: An inflatable cushion having a group of mutually inflatable and deflatable cells wherein at least one cell in the group may be selectively and repeatedly included or excluded from the group for mutual inflation and deflation when included and independent inflation and deflation when excluded.

Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring inflation pressure within an inflatable cushion. The monitoring system includes a housing, a pneumatic tube, a locking adaptor and a sensing and signaling system. The pneumatic tube extends through the housing with the locking adaptor attached to the distal end of the pneumatic tube. The locking adaptor is effective for releasably and sealingly attaching the pneumatic tube to a stem valve on an inflatable cushion. The sensing and signaling is retained within the housing and includes at least a pressure sensor in pneumatic communication with the pneumatic tube proximate a proximal end of the pneumatic tube, and a means in communication with the pressure sensor for generating a perceptible signal when the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor falls below a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A cushion having a plurality of inflatable and deflatable cells useful for periodically shifting the points of contact between the cushion and a body supported by the cushion in order to reduce or eliminate the development of pressure sores. The cushion includes one or more of (i) at least two encircling cells shaped so as to define a central concavity in the upper surface of each of the encircling cells, (ii) at least one repositionable cell, (iii) at least two cells having contoured upper surfaces which define a longitudinally extending laterally concave channel, and (iv) two groupings of independently inflatable and deflatable cells arranged asymmetrically about a longitudinal axis.