Abstract: The present invention relates to a gelatinous composite article. The article has a first and a second heat formable and heat reversible gelatinous elastomer material, a first permeable layer, and a control gap. Each of the gelatinous materials is a three-dimensional shape having an upper side, a base side and at least one connecting side. The first connecting side and the second connecting side are adjacent to each other so the first and second materials are essentially side-by-side within the same horizontal plane. The first permeable layer has a top side and a bottom side. The top side attaches to the first and second connecting side. The control gap is interspaced between the bottom side of the first permeable layer. This gap degrades the rigidity between each connecting side and provides an equivalent structural property throughout the article.

Abstract: A cushioning device including a first fluid bladder support structure having a first surface and an opposing second surface, a second fluid bladder support structure having a first surface and an opposing second surface, and at least one fluid accumulation reservoir. The first and second fluid bladder support structures deform under application of a load and reform upon removal of the load. A first conduit interconnects the first fluid bladder support structure in fluid communication with the second fluid bladder support structure. The first conduit includes a first one-way valve which permits fluid flow from the first fluid bladder support structure to the second fluid bladder support structure. A second conduit interconnects the second fluid bladder support structure in fluid communication with the at least one fluid accumulation reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gelatinous composite article. The article has a first and a second heat formable and heat reversible gelatinous elastomer material, a first permeable layer, and a control gap. Each of the gelatinous materials is a three-dimensional shape having an upper side, a base side and at least one connecting side. The first connecting side and the second connecting side are adjacent to each other so the first and second materials are essentially side-by-side within the same horizontal plane. The first permeable layer has a top side and a bottom side. The top side attaches to the first and second connecting side. The control gap is interspaced between the bottom side of the first permeable layer. This gap degrades the rigidity between each connecting side and provides an equivalent structural property throughout the article.

Abstract: An alternating pressure valve system is provided comprising a blower with an air intake and an air outlet; a rotor valve assembly connected to the air outlet from the blower where the rotor valve assembly comprising: a housing with an air intake, a first air outlet, a second air outlet, and a circular chamber; and a wedged shaped rotor valve rotatably contained within the circular chamber of the housing such that the rotor valve can rotate to partially block the first air outlet, partially block the second air outlet, or block neither air outlets; The rotor valve is preferably controlled by a gearmotor and pressure sensors to detect the relative pressure in each outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cushioning device including an inflatable cushion having at least one side and first and second opposing surfaces, and at least one restraint structure attached to at least a portion of the at least one side of the inflatable cushion.

Abstract: A protective and pressure normalizing device including a support member having an exterior wall and an interior wall which define a first chamber, wherein the support member comprises a pressure adjustment section movable between a first position and at least one second position to adjust a pressure of a medium within the first chamber.

Abstract: A first conformable material having a three-dimensional shape and a first hypothermia and/or hyperthermia device, used as a pad for sleeping, lying down, or sitting, to maintain a desired temperature to the contacting surface of a body to the pad.

Abstract: The present invention relates to regulating the temperature of a desired medium that is applied to the exterior surface of a mammal. These devices have been used in the past but not with the ability to control the temperature of the desired medium in a predetermined ratio to the temperature of the mammal. With such control, the present invention decreases the change of discomforting the patient when the patient's temperature is being brought to a set point temperature body temperature.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fluid fitting coupling system. This system has first and second fluid assemblies, and first and second rotationally engagable axial retainers. The first and second fluid assemblies each have a fluid fitting body, a central axis, a fluid passageway, a mating component for rotation, and a movable sealing apparatus. While the first and second rotationally engagable axial retainers each have an opening for a fluid to traverse there through. The fluid fitting coupling system operates when the second rotationally engagable axial retainer engages and rotates, in a first direction, the first rotationally engagable axial retainer. In response, the first and second mating components rotate the respective first and second fluid fitting in a direction opposite the first direction so the movable sealing apparatuses are spaced a distance from the respective openings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fluid fitting coupling system. This system has first and second fluid assemblies, and first and second rotationally engagable axial retainers. The first and second fluid assemblies each have a fluid fitting body, a central axis, a fluid passageway, a mating component for rotation, and a movable sealing apparatus. While the first and second rotationally engagable axial retainers each have an opening for a fluid to traverse there through. The fluid fitting coupling system operates when the second rotationally engagable axial retainer engages and rotates, in a first direction, the first rotationally engagable axial retainer. In response, the first and second mating components rotate the respective first and second fluid fitting in a direction opposite the first direction so the movable sealing apparatuses are spaced a distance from the respective openings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gelatinous composite article. The article has a first and a second heat formable and heat reversible gelatinous elastomer material, a first permeable layer, and a control gap. Each of the gelatinous materials is a three-dimensional shape having an upper side, a base side and at least one connecting side. The first connecting side and the second connecting side are adjacent to each other so the first and second materials are essentially side-by-side within the same horizontal plane. The first permeable layer has a top side and a bottom side. The top side attaches to the first and second connecting side. The control gap is interspaced between the bottom side of the first permeable layer. This gap degrades the rigidity between each connecting side and provides an equivalent structural property throughout the article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective and pressure normalizing device for a body extremity, having a topside, an underside and two other sides. The device has, at a minimum, an support member and a joint aperture. In each embodiment, the support member has a lower portion, an intermediate portion, and an upper portion. The lower, intermediate, and upper portions, each contact at least a part of the body extremity, except the joint of the body extremity.

Abstract: A device designed to interconnect with an inflatable thermia blanket. The device conveys a medium into the blanket, which applies an internal pressure to the device, and has at least two temperature settings for controlling the temperature of the medium and a pressure sensing apparatus. The pressure sensing apparatus measures the internal pressure. And when the measurement exceeds a predetermined level of internal pressure then any one of the at least two temperature settings is useable. Otherwise, when the measurement does not exceed the predetermined level of internal pressure, the device will either convey the medium at a predetermined temperature setting, which can include shutting the device down.

Abstract: The present invention is a protective and pressure normalizing device for a body extremity. The device has a three-dimensional gelastic member, and a cover. The three-dimensional gelastic member has a predetermined shape to conform to the body extremity and a plurality of openings. The opening are at least positioned on the top side of the gelastic member. The cover encases the gelastic member and is removable therefrom. The cover also has an upper side, a underside, and a plurality of edges which correspond to the shape of the gelastic member. The underside contacts the body extremity, while the upper side has a plurality of connectors designed to bring one edge of the cover to a predetermined distance from another edge of the cover. Thereby, the protective and pressure normalizing device supports the body extremity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pilot operated low pressure shut off valve. The valve is used within a mattress unit and has an air inlet, an air chamber, an air outlet, a pressure inlet, an adjustable pressure chamber, and a movable shank. The air inlet receives and directs pressurized air into an air chamber. The air chamber directs the pressurized air into the mattress unit when the movable shank opens the air outlet. The movable shank opens the air outlet when (1) the pressure inlet receives and directs a portion of the pressurized air toward an adjustable pressure chamber and (2) the pressurized air is at or above a first predetermined air pressure. When these two conditions are met, the pressurized air enters the adjustable pressure chamber which results in the movable shank moving which in turn opens the air outlet to allow the pressurized air to enter the mattress unit.

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 is a device to measure the parallel shear force on a mattress. The device has a motor, a weighted object, a high friction material pad, and a load cell. The motor moves by pushing and pulling the weighted object on the high friction material pad which is on the mattress. The load cell measures the peak shear force when the weighted object is pulled and when the weighted object is pushed.

Abstract: A gelatinous composite article has a sealant layer, a permeable layer and a heat formable and heat reversible gelatinous elastomer material. The sealant layer melts within a first temperature range. The permeable layer is over the sealant layer and melts at a second temperature greater than the first temperature range. The heat formable and heat reversible gelatinous elastomer material is over the permeable layer and fuses to the sealant layer within the first temperature range. The sealant layer and the gelatinous elastomer material adhere to each other through the permeable layer once the first temperature is attained. Thereby, the permeable layer secures to the gelatinous layer.

Abstract: A cushion for use as an overlay for providing pressure relief so that pressure ulcers may be eliminated or retarded. The cushion includes a pair of inflatable side-by-side upper cells, a pair of individually inflatable side-by-side lower bladders, a crib, and a manifold all disposed within a cover. The manifold, which has inlet hoses connectable to a pump and outlet hoses connectable to the cells, bladders, and, if inflatable, the crib, is reusable, and the other components may be made inexpensively to be disposable so that the expense of cleaning and sanitizing after patient use may be avoided. For inclining the cushion upper surface to one side, one of the bladders is inflated while the other is uninflated.

Abstract: The present invention is a patient support system. The system includes a mattress unit, an inflatable bladder, a manifold plate and a quick release plate. The mattress unit contains the inflatable bladder. The manifold plate allows air to enter into and be released from the bladder. The manifold plate has a set of female receptacles open to the exterior surface of the mattress unit. The quick release plate has a set of male connectors that correspond to the female receptacles. Each male connector has a slidable variance, permitting it to be removably received from the corresponding female receptacle. Thus, when any pulling force is applied to the quick release plate, the quick release plate disengages from the manifold plate resulting in the bladder deflating within a predetermined time frame.