Abstract: A beanbag comprising a first layer, forming a generally closed container, a layer of cushioning lining an inside of the first layer, a cavity within the closed container, and a resealable access port to access the cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the first layer is marine vinyl, the cushioning is a uniform layer of marine foam, and the resealable access port is a marine-grade zipper. In another embodiment, the cushioning is a layer of beanbag beans. In another embodiment, the resealable access port is an opening at the end of a protrusion, wherein the protrusion can be rolled-up and secured with a fastening mechanism. The beanbag is intended for, but not limited to, use outdoors, such as on the beach, the decks of boats, patios, pool sides, and in water. In a preferred embodiment, the beanbag floats on water and further comprises a reflective band and reflective elements.

Abstract: A medical device includes an inner element and an outer element positioned at least in part around the inner element. At least one of the inner element and the outer element comprises compression-stiffening particles. The compression-stiffening particles are transitionable from a first state to a second state in response to application of pressure. The compression-stiffening particles have a higher rigidity in the second state than in the first state. The medical device also includes a pressure source operably coupled to one or both of the inner element and the outer element to apply pressure sufficient to transition the compression-stiffening particles from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: A pillow relies on a shell containing two types of fill material, one comparatively smaller, granular, and characterized by a comparatively larger spring constant, and another comparatively larger, more chunky in shape, and characterized by a comparatively smaller spring constant. Below a threshold level of force (or pressure, which is force per unit area) the larger, softer, second fill material resists flow of the smaller, harder, stiffer fill material. However, upon application of a force (or pressure) above some threshold, the mixture of the two fill materials will flow to conform the pillow to the shape of a user. The pillow will then substantially stabilize in that shape in the absence of forces above the threshold level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a method for securing a patient for a medical procedure and specifically for an innovative headrest system for securing a patient for an ocular imaging procedure. The approach avoids the need for linkages and sliding rods and such. Instead, it relies on three independently movable face rests (two for the forehead or temples and one for the chin) each with a deformable cushion that is urged into conformity with the patient's head and chin during an adjustment phase of operation. Once a comfortable position and suitable conforming shape is achieved, the positions of the face rests are rigidly fixed and the shape of the cushions are rendered rigid and non-deformable, by application of a light vacuum, for the procedural or imaging phase of operation.

Abstract: A vacuum patient positioning cushion includes an integrated rigid or semi-rigid positioning element located within a gas-impermeable outer cover, making it possible to easily and correctly position a patient for a radiation therapy or other procedure without the need or use of external positioning devices. The gas-impermeable outer covering defines an airtight enclosure having a valve stem and closeable vacuum control valve in selective fluid communication with the enclosure. The enclosure houses a filler material and a rigid or semi-rigid positioning element. A method of positioning a patient using the vacuum patient positioning cushion is also provided.

Abstract: The invention is a support device for posing an infant for a photograph. The support device has a fabric case with a filling that provides a comfortable support for the infant, yet does not compress under the weight of the infant. The upper surface of the support device has a curved contour that includes a two bolsters or convex curved raised edges that are parallel to each other, with a valley between the bolsters. A newborn may be nestled in the valley or placed in various poses on the first or second bolster.

Abstract: A mattress assembly structured for comfortable support of an infant, such as a prematurely born or newborn infant. The mattress assembly includes a base and a compressible material border disposed on the base in at least partially retaining and surrounding relation to a cushioning assembly. The cushioning assembly comprises a plurality of compartments containing a viscous material, such as silicone, collectively underlying and disposed in alignment with the placement area. A smoothing section is disposed and structured to prevent excessive sinking of the infant into the plurality of compartments. Damage to the infant's skin is prevented or reduced by the provision of a particulate section comprising a casing at least partially filled with a plurality of silicone microbeads, and a contact section formed of shear resistant material collectively defining outer portions of the mattress assembly and extending throughout the placement area on which the infant is intended to be disposed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a method for securing a patient for a medical procedure and specifically for an innovative headrest system for securing a patient for an ocular imaging procedure. The approach avoids the need for linkages and sliding rods and such. Instead, it relies on three independently movable face rests (two for the forehead or temples and one for the chin) each with a deformable cushion that is urged into conformity with the patient's head and chin during an adjustment phase of operation. Once a comfortable position and suitable conforming shape is achieved, the positions of the face rests are rigidly fixed and the shape of the cushions are rendered rigid and non-deformable, by application of a light vacuum, for the procedural or imaging phase of operation.

Abstract: A pillow for supporting a baby at play. The pillow comprises a compressible, shape-sustaining, endless bolster having a center opening sized to receive the baby in a sitting position. Preferably, the bolster is toroidal in shape. The pillow includes a removable, washable cover with a center panel that spans the bottom of the center opening forming a seating area for the baby. The bottom of the cover has an elastic border that it grips the bottom of the bolster. In this way, downward tension on the center panel of the cover pulls the bolster portion of the cover inwardly, restraining the pillow around the baby.

Abstract: An insect-repelling bed pad to be located between the mattress and a box spring of a bed or laid upon the ground inside and out of doors for use by individuals and pets during sleep. The bed pad is manufactured from a porous or loosely-woven material (e.g., burlap) and includes a plurality of chambers. The chambers contain a natural (i.e., green) insect-repelling substance (e.g., cedar wood chips and/or dust) having a scent that is adapted to drive away insects without the use of chemicals. The scent and/or the dust is blown from the chambers of the bed pad to repel insects which may reside between the box spring and the mattress or around the bed site when a compressive force is applied by a user to the bed pad to correspondingly squeeze the chambers.

Abstract: A pillow that can be manipulated into a variety of bent/folded/twisted configurations and can retain each of those configurations until manipulated into a different configuration. The pillow has a segmented toroidal shape and includes an envelope and a flowable fill filling the envelope so that the fill is under positive pressure throughout. The pillow has a plurality of constrictions that, in conjunction with the pressurized fill, provides the pillow with soft hinges that facilitate bending/folding/twisting of the pillow.

Abstract: An inexpensive, lightweight, compressible, shock absorbing, and resilient fluid for use in padding applications is presented. A fluid pad can comprise closed-cell foam beads and a surrounding fluid housed in a thin plastic bladder. The closed-cell foam beads can be exactly flooded by the fluid. Alternatively, the fluid can lubricate the closed-cell foam beads. The surrounding fluid may also comprise solid phase microballoons. The addition of the closed-cell foam beads can result in the overall fluid in the bladder being lighter in weight. The fluid pad with the closed-cell foam beads can be compressible and resilient. The fluid pad with the closed-cell foam beads can be shock absorbing with respect to impact loads or vibrations. The addition of the closed-cell foam beads can lower the cost of the fluid pad insert.

Abstract: A mattress and/or seat cushion for reducing pain and anaesthetization of parts of the human body include a stretchable fabric case made of textile threads and elastomer or rubber threads woven together to form a stretchable fabric. The case has a top layer with a top surface and a bottom surface and a bottom layer with a top or inner surface and a bottom or outer surface and the size to cover a cushion for a seat or mattress that fits on a cot or bed. The seat cushion or mattress also includes a relatively thin resilient pad disposed within the fabric case adjacent the bottom surface of the top layer and includes a number of passageways extending therethrough. In addition, a mass of cleaned sand and mountain salt is disposed within the fabric case below the resilient pad and below the bottom layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the technology provide a personal support device for provision of therapeutic support to a portion of a body resting thereon and methods associated with the device. Device embodiments include a substrate having an array of pressure-distributing element host sites, and a population of volumetrically-incompressible pressure-distributing elements at the host sites to form an array of pressure-distributing elements. A therapeutic surface overlays the pressure-distributing elements, and provides an interface between the array of pressure-distributing elements and an aspect of the body portion in contact with the therapeutic surface. The device is configured to form a supportive site within the therapeutic surface that is conformative to the aspect of the body portion in contact with the therapeutic surface when the body part is lying thereon.

Abstract: A weighted article for providing deep pressure therapy includes a plurality of patchwork pieces including a plurality of layers. At least some of the patchwork pieces include a filler of weighted material contained between at least two of the plurality of layers. The plurality of patchwork pieces are fastened together at edges.

Abstract: An assembly-free head cushion for toddlers traveling in a booster seat or regular auto seat, physically disabled persons, and for the general comfort of any vehicle passenger seeking a comfortable way to prop their head while seated on the couch, airplane, etc. The head cushion disclosed herein is attachable beneath the vehicle headrest to cushion and center passengers traveling in a vehicle. The comfort cushion is attached by a bean-filled ballast inserted beneath the headrest, and suspends downward to two opposing polyester-filler-stuffed pockets positioned on each side of the passenger to promote an erect position and generally provide cushioned support for passengers to ride in greater comfort over short and long distances, especially while sleeping.

Abstract: An antidecubital underlay pad (10) having a receiving casing with a top side of the casing and a bottom side of the casing, the casing being segmented along a plurality of segmentation axes (13) to form underlay segments (12), such that the underlay segments are provided with a molded body filling comprising a plurality of molded bodies and are bordered by segmentation lines running along the segmentation axes, wherein the segmentation lines have multiple changes in direction in their course along the segmentation axes (13) and at least the top side (16) of the casing is designed to be elastic at least in a supporting area and is prestressed by the molded body filling (20).

Abstract: An article of manufacture is made by filling a container with expanded thermoplastic elements that are in a non-cured state and that possess a degree of latent foaming ability. After filling the container with the non-cured elements, the elements are allowed to cure under ambient conditions during which the blowing agent remaining in the elements in a vapor state condenses allowing air to be drawn in while the elements expand. This expansion of the elements distends and rigidifies the container where the container is allowed to expand or places an item packaged within a container of rigid construction under a tight fit.

Abstract: A body-conforming booster cushion seat having a malleable filler material so as to permit the cushion to conform to the body shape of a user when the user is seated thereon. The booster cushion seat includes a strap for securing the cushion to the chair, and the height of the cushion may be adjusted by adjusting the tension on the strap. The bottom of the cushion is provided with a textured base to prevent slipping when the textured base contacts a corresponding surface, and a safety belt is included to secure a juvenile user in place on the booster cushion seat.

Abstract: A flexible support structure of a seat cushion, such as a wheelchair cushion, has an upper surface with a support contour having relief areas for establishing relatively less pressure on skin adjacent to bony prominences of a user's pelvis and having a support area for establishing relatively more pressure on skin covering a tissue mass spaced from the bony prominences. A slit is formed in the rear corner of the support structure and an insertion member is inserted into the slit to change a position of the support area to thereby adjust the support contour for better support of the pelvic area. A cover encases the support structure to resist outward deformation of the support structure. The cover has an extension portion that expands the cover at the rear corner to increase a dimension of the cover to encase an increase dimension of the corner caused by the insertion of the insertion member.

Abstract: A cushion for a wheelchair, including a matrix of cushion modules, wherein each cushion module includes a cushion element that has a phase change material included in its filler material that sits above an additional cushion element of a larger volume of filler material. The cushion also typically includes a support rail located on three sides of the matrix of cushion modules to align the body of the wheelchair user when sitting in the wheelchair. In addition, the cushion typically includes a base member that is positioned beneath the matrix and provides stability for the cushion. The cushion elements are typically enclosed in a moisture resistant envelope.

Abstract: An air mattress with a pillow top is disclosed. The pillow top is received on and extends at least partially across at least one of planar face of the mattress, and is constructed and arranged to be held in a fixed position relative to the face of the mattress on which it is received. The pillow top may be removably or permanently affixed to the air mattress, as desired. The pillow top is configured to include bead channels, each bead channels having wide portions and narrow portions, the narrow portions and the beads being sized so as to limit travel of the beads between adjacent wide portions.

Abstract: A bed includes a frame supporting a non-liquid material having a density of about 0.15 of to 1 times the density of water. The material can be formed from pellets. The bed can also include a stretchable sheet disposed over the material.

Abstract: A cushioning device has a flexible container and a plurality of polymeric beads within the flexible container which flows under a slight force and shears easily. The cushioning device is capable of receiving a physical object that applies a force to the cushion. When the force is initially applied to the cushioning device, the cushioning device is deformed to conform to the physical object from its original shape. When the physical object is not applying the force, the cushioning device reverts to a shape that is close to but not identical to the original shape, except for a limited number of materials such as molded elastomeric materials. In addition, the pressure exerted by the cushion on the physical object will reduce pressure that would cause tissue damage and lead to decubitus ulcers.

Abstract: A shape-retaining bag having a front and a back connected to each other to define a chamber between for housing and retaining a fill material within a plurality of cells within the chamber which are made of a plurality of walls and one or more flow diverters adjacent to the cells and on the ends of the walls. A passageway is on a fill-side with a second passageway on an opposing side, each passageway extending approximately from one end side to another end side of the bag. As fill material is introduced into the chamber, it passes through the cells and the passageways in a fashion dictated by the cells and by the flow diverters until the bag is filled. The configuration of the various cells and flow diverters permit the bag to retain its shape notwithstanding the fill material within.

Abstract: A bed includes a frame supporting a non-liquid material having a density of about 0.15 of to 1 times the density of water. The material can be formed from pellets. The bed can also include a stretchable sheet disposed over the material.

Abstract: The support product repeatedly moves points of maximal pressure between the product and a weight supported by the product, which is especially useful for avoiding problems such as bed sores.

Abstract: A flexible, crescent shaped pillow to assist mothers to maintain an anatomically correct alignment between mouth and nipple while breast feeding. This alignment is a key factor in ensuring optimum flow of milk. The pillow is both highly flexible and supportive. These are the key features that make it an effective aide to breast feeding mothers. These properties are achieved through the use of a low density bead filling which can shift and flow within the casing, thus providing the correct support where it is needed. The pillow is designed to be used while feeding in a variety of positions and from either breast. Use of the pillow also reduces fatigue and stress for both baby and mother while nursing. The bead filling allows for the passage of air and liquids through the pillow. This contributes to increased safety in terms of reduced risk of suffocation. and less opportunity for the growth of mold and bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cushioning device. The cushioning device has a flexible container and a plurality of polymeric beads within the flexible container which flows under a slight force and shears easily. The cushioning device is capable of receiving a physical object that applies a force to the cushion. When the force is initially applied to the cushioning device, the cushioning device is deformed to conform to the physical object from its original shape. When the physical object is not applying the force, the cushioning device reverts to a shape that is close to but not identical to the original shape, except for a limited number of materials such as molded elastomeric materials. In addition, the pressure exerted by the cushion on the physical object will reduce pressure that would cause tissue damage and lead to decubitus ulcers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a custom-contoured cushion for a wheelchair or other seating device and a method of making the same. In one embodiment, the novel custom-contoured cushion is comprised of a stretchable bag filled with soft and resilient closed-cell foam pellets adhered together by and/or embedded within an elastomeric polymerizable adhesive. The pellets do not absorb a significant amount of the adhesive and, after molding, remain sufficiently soft and resilient to provide a comfortable and durable cushion. Alternatively, the cushion contains soft and resilient pellets, but does not contain the elastomeric polymerizable adhesive. In the first embodiment, the custom-molded, custom-contoured cushion is made by mixing the pellets with the adhesive to form a pellet/adhesive mixture, positioning the user on a bag filled with the pellet/adhesive mixture, molding the mixture around the user to provide cushioning around the user's seating surface, and allowing the adhesive to cure.

Abstract: A pliable chair, for supporting the extremities of a user, that includes a hollow shell made of a pliable material and particulate material contained within the shell. The shell includes five upper panels attached together to form an upper surface, five lower panels attached together to form a lower surface, and five side panels each attached to one of the upper panels and to one of the lower panels. Five compartments are formed by the shell and extend from a central portion of the shell in a star shape. Each compartment is defined by one of the upper panels, one of the lower panels, and one of the side panels attached to the one upper panel and the one lower panel. As a user sits on the center portion, a portion of the particulate material shifts into the compartments and provides anatomically correct support for the user.

Abstract: A pliable chair, for supporting the extremities of a user, that includes a hollow shell made of a pliable material and particulate material contained within the shell. The shell includes five upper panels attached together to form an upper surface, five lower panels attached together to form a lower surface, and five side panels each attached to one of the upper panels and to one of the lower panels. Five compartments are formed by the shell and extend from a central portion of the shell in a star shape. Each compartment is defined by one of the upper panels, one of the lower panels, and one of the side panels attached to the one upper panel and the one lower panel. As a user sits on the center portion, a portion of the particulate material shifts into the compartments and provides anatomically correct support for the user.

Abstract: A sitting, sleeping or support pad (1), which on account of its special design can be used in a number of different areas of application, includes an inner bag with a fill material, disposed in an outer bag. The inner bag has an elongated, substantially rectangular shape and the outer bag consists of first and second sides (2, 3), with a I substantially similar shape to the inner bag, where between the outer bag's first and second sides (2, 3), at least in a part of the bag's length against one of the short sides of the outer bag, there is provided an intermediate piece (6) and an end portion (4) is formed on at least one short side. The end portion (4) is enlarged and provides the opportunity for the pad to be placed on the short side, as well as for all or most of the fill material to be collected in a part of the inner bag, thereby to provide co-operation between inner bag and outer bag to achieve a sitting position where the user is raised above ground level.

Abstract: A vacuum pad suitable for use with a head rest of a stretcher is configured to support the head of a patient supported on the stretcher. The vacuum pad has a non-rigid state wherein the vacuum pad is formable and a rigid state wherein the vacuum pad is non-formable. The vacuum pad includes side walls with top edges positioned to lie at an elevation above the head rest. The top edges of the vacuum pad provide a wrist rest surface that is formable when the pad is in the non-rigid state.

Abstract: Seat that comprises an envelope containing incompressible filling pieces, such as polystyrene balls. In addition, this seat comprises a bottom wall and side walls made of a rigid, semirigid and/or impermeable material, and an upper wall of which at least a part is made of an elastic and permeable material, the filling pieces occupying the totality of the volume defined by the bottom, side and upper walls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a patient for a medical procedure. The apparatus includes an air-impervious casing having a plurality of sections adapted to position and support the torso and limbs of a patient. A plurality of compartments containing beads are disposed in the sections. A plurality of connection ports are provided through which air may be evacuated from the compartments to form vacuums therein. When air is evacuated from the compartments, the beads compact together, thereby making the sections rigid.

Abstract: A gel pad assembly includes a flexible gel pad and an adjustable shape retainer integral with the gel pad. A flexible first outer wall cooperates with a flexible inner wall to form a first chamber. A gel is located within the first chamber. A flexible second outer wall cooperates with the inner wall to form a second chamber coextensive with the first chamber. The integral shape retainer is located within the second chamber and is selectively adjustable between a flexible condition wherein the flexible walls are conformable to a variety of desired shapes and a rigid condition wherein the flexible walls are retained in a selected one of the desired shapes. Preferred embodiments of the shape retainer include a vacuum activated bean bag, a plurality of pressurizable chambers, a thermally deformable plastic sheet, and an array of pivot elements which are mechanically clamped together.