Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided. The vehicle seat assembly includes multiple inflatable bladders embedded below a seating surface of a seat cushion portion. The inflatable bladders includes a first group and a second group, each of the first group and the second group having at least one of the inflatable bladders. The vehicle seat assembly further comprises a control system operably coupled to the inflatable bladders. The control system is configured to operate a bladder pump to inflate the first group of inflatable bladders to a target pressure, operate a valve coupled to the second group of inflatable bladders to deflate the second group, and upon expiration of a dwell period, operate the bladder pump to inflate the second group of inflatable bladders to the target pressure and operate a valve coupled to the first group of inflatable bladders to deflate the first group.

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.