Abstract: A pressure-relieving therapeutic mattress system that uniquely combines three releasably connected main air cushions that are separately controlled for supporting corresponding portions of a patient at minimal patient interface pressures, together with a sculpted foam sub-mattress supported on a versatile, lightweight frame having a specially-adapted hard pan surface and an efficient, lightweight, variable-speed air supply system.

Abstract: A fastening system includes a membrane assembly which can comprise a pair of body panels secured together at a seam. The membrane panels can comprise a semi-permeable material. A sheath assembly has a tubular configuration with proximate and distal ends and a sheath passage extending therebetween. The sheath assembly can be fastened to the membrane assembly by adhesively securing the sheath assembly adjacent to its proximate end between the membrane panels at the membrane assembly seam. A sheath-to-tube fastener is provided for fastening the sheath assembly to a tube. In one embodiment of the present invention a surgical sponge is fastened to the membranes in fluidic connection with the sheath, which is fastened to a suction tube for drawing blood from a surgical site.

Abstract: An overlay sheet and a related method for positioning a bedridden patient on an oscillating air support system for maximum safety and maximum therapeutic benefit. An overlay sheet which positions the patient is provided including the sheet, the supports which are located between the patient's arms and torso, and a retaining VELCRO strap. The patient is positioned between the supports and retained by the VELCRO straps, thus, ideally positioned and prevented from sliding side-to-side during oscillation of the air support system.

Abstract: An overlay sheet and a related method for positioning a bedridden patient on an oscillating air support system for maximum safety and maximum therapeutic benefit. An overlay sheet which positions the patient is provided including the sheet, the supports which are located between the patient's arms and torso, and a retaining VELCRO strap. The patient is positioned between the supports and retained by the VELCRO straps, thus, ideally positioned and prevented from sliding side-to-side during oscillation of the air support system.

Abstract: A bed for maintaining a patient body with the head in any desired angular position relative to the feet, and for continuously rotating the patient so that one side of the patient is lower than the other, comprises a floor engaging base on which is mounted a cantilever frame elevatable to any desired angular position relative to the base. A bed table subframe is pivotally mounted to the free end of the cantilever frame and adjustable in a vertical plane to accomplish either Trendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg therapy on the patient. Pivot connections are provided between the patient support table and the table subframe for effecting the selective movement of the support table about one or the other of two horizontally spaced, longitudinally extending axes. Patient restraining elements are mounted to the sides of the patient supporting table to prevent movement of the patient in any of the various positions to which the support table may be shifted.

Abstract: A therapeutic mattress for bed ridden patients comprises a plurality of inflatable tubular elements fabricated from a low air loss material which are disposed in side by side, transverse relationship to a mattress supporting surface. The air pressure within the various tubular elements is cyclically varied to produce a wave-like deformation of the patient supporting surfaces of the tubular elements which progresses longitudinally along a selected portion of the length of the mattress.

Abstract: A fluidized bead bed having a scale integrated into the frame of the bed for providing a continuous readout of the weight of a patient supported on the upper surface of the bed. The bed includes a fluidized bead bed support mounted atop a frame such that a torque, corresponding to the supported, load is transmitted to the beam arms cantilevered from each end of the frame and extending to the longitudinal median of the bed along one side thereof. Springs oppose the torque and LVDT's are provided at the distal ends of the arms to produce an electrical signal with pulses of an amplitude related to the weight of the patient on the bed. The distal ends of both beam arms are protected and confined in their movements by a lower guard in the form of a single U-shaped channel, and the springs are mounted to the frame by means of upstanding supports on the top surface thereof. A control panel incorporates a signal processor for providing an accurate but readable output based on the LVDT signals.

Abstract: An inflatable mattress made of multiple, integrally joined cushions designed to reduce patient interface pressures, which may be used separately or as an overlay on a standard hospital bed. Each cushion and section of the mattress is formed by joining upper and lower sheets, both to form the edges of the cushions and sections and to provide a relatively flat support surface which is laterally bounded by inflatable ridges which help keep the patient from rolling or sliding off either side of the mattress. The upper and lower sheets to form the mattress are made from a water vapor permeable but waterproof material, certain sections of the upper surface of the cushions being formed of air-permeable material which serves to allow air to escape in the area where a patient lies to provide comfort and therapy for the patient.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preventing bed sores in a bedridden patient. A low air loss bed is provided including a frame, a first set of substantially rectangular air bags for supporting a patient thereon mounted transversely on the frame, and a second set of substantially rectangular air bags for supporting a patient thereon mounted transversely on the frame, and all of the air bags are connected to a gas source. The conformation of the air bags is such that, when the first set of air bags is inflated, the patient supported thereon is moved toward the first side of the frame of the low air loss bed and, when the second set of air bags is inflated while the first set of air bags is deflated, the patient is moved toward the second side of the low air loss bed. The conformation of the air bags also retains the patient on the top surface of the air bags when the patient is rolled in one direction or the other.

Abstract: An air sac for use on a low air loss bed. The air sac is provided with a releasable connector for retaining the air sac to the low air loss bed and with a nipple for receiving air from a gas supply source to inflate the air sac. The air sac is also provided with a cutout which allows the patient to be rolled toward one end of the air sac when the air sac is inflated. A pillar is provided on the end of the air sac toward which the patient is rolled when the air sac is inflated to retain the patient on the air sac. The air sacs are arranged in sets with every other sac mounted to the frame of the low air loss bed in alternating arrangement whereby the patient is rolled first in one direction when the air sacs of one set are inflated and then back in the other direction when the air sacs in the first set are deflated and the air sacs in the second set are inflated.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preventing bed sores in a bedridden patient. A low air loss bed is provided including a frame, a first set of substantially rectangular air bags for supporting a patient thereon mounted transversely on the frame, and a second set of substantially rectangular air bags for supporting a patient thereon mounted transversely on the frame, and all of the air bags are connected to a gas source. The conformation of the air bags is such that, when the first set of air bags is inflated, the patient supported thereon is moved toward the first side of the frame of the low air loss bed and, when the second set of air bags is inflated while the first set of air bags is deflated, the patient is moved toward the second side of the low air loss bed. The conformation of the air bags also retains the patient on the top surface of the air bags when the patient is rolled in one direction or the other.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preventing bed sores in a bedridden patient. A low air loss bed is provided including a frame, a first set of substantially rectangular air bags for supporting a patient thereon mounted transversely on the frame, and a second set of substantially rectangular air bags for supporting a patient thereon mounted transversely on the frame, and all of the air bags are connected to a gas source. The conformation of the air bags is such that, when the first set of air bags is inflated, the patient supported thereon is moved toward the first side of the frame of the low air loss bed and, when the second set of air bags is inflated while the first set of air bags is deflated, the patient is moved toward the second side of the low air loss bed. The conformation of the air bags also retains the patient on the top surface of the air bags when the patient is rolled in one direction or the other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for therapeutically treating immobile patients is disclosed. A low air loss bed is provided having groups of transversely oriented air bags, each group corresponding to a different portion of the body of a patent supported thereon. Each group comprises first and second sets of air bags alternately positioned in an interdigitated fashion. Valves and circuitry are provided for maintaining a selectable baseline pressure in the air bags belonging to each group. The valves and circuitry is also capable of changing the pressures in each of the sets of air bags mounted to each section of the frame to selectable maximum and minimum values above and below the baseline pressure in a repetitive and cyclical fashion.

Abstract: A low air loss mattress 20 made of multiple cushions 21, 22 and 23 which are connected together and which form an integral mattress which may be used on a standard hospital bed. Each section 21, 22, and 23 is formed by sewing together upper and lower sheets 27 and 28, 29 and 30, and 31 and 32, which sheets are also connected by multiple retaining means 50 which act as air vent means to allow air to escape in the area where a patient lies to provide comfort to the patient and to allow pressure regulation in each of the cushions.

Abstract: A fluidized patient support apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus utilizes granular material beneath a patient support surface which when fluidized by pressurized gas uniformly distributes the pressure imparted to the body of a patient lying thereon. The apparatus includes means for recirculating the fluidizing gas in order to avoid raising the ambient temperature of a room in which the bed is situated with exhaust gas. Also provided are a pair of inflatable bladders and selective fluidization means to assist in turning and transferring the patient.

Abstract: A low air loss bed having an integral source of air mounted to the frame thereof. Sets of air bags are mounted on the frame, each set of air bags corresponding to a portion of the body of the patient to be supported on the bed. Separate gas manifolds are provided, each of which connects a single set of air bags to the gas source. Individually controlled valves are used to adjust the amount of air which flows to the gas manifolds and on into the air bags. Also, means are provided operable to selectively route a flow of additional air to the gas manifold which supplies air to the air bags which support the heavier portions of the patient. A low air loss air bag is provided, as is apparatus for adjusting the amount of air supplied to each set of air bags and for controlling the temperature of the air delivered. Also provided is a means for simultaneously fully inflating all the air bags and means for simultaneously deflating all the air bags.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preventing bed sores in a bedridden patient. A low air loss bed is provided including a frame, a first set of substantially rectangular air bags for supporting a patient thereon mounted transversely on the frame, and a second set of substantially rectangular air bags for supporting a patient thereon mounted transversly on the frame, and all of the air bags are connected to a gas source. The configuration of the air bags is such that when the first set of air bags is inflated, the patient supported thereon is moved toward the first side of the frame of the low air loss bed and when the second set of air bags is inflated while the first set of air bags is deflated, the patient is moved toward the second side of the low air loss bed. The configuration of the air bags also retains the patient on the top surface of the air bags when the patient is rolled in one direction or the other.

Abstract: A heat exchange system for cooling and/or heating the patient support surface of an inflatable support appliance such as a low air loss bed is disclosed. Tubing and bladders carrying a circulating heat exchange medium is used to locally heat or cool the air within the inflatable cushion, transferring heat to or away from the patient supporting surface. Specially designed cushions with pouches for hold the bladders in close proximity to the supporting surface without compromising the uniform support characteristics of the low air loss bed.