Abstract: A pressure compensating padding device comprising a flexible envelope and a deformable composition within said envelope, wherein said composition deforms in response to continuously applied pressure; but tends to maintain its shape and position in the absence of applied pressure; said composition comprising a fluid formed from a mixture of an oil and a thickener, wherein said composition maintains its fluid characteristic.

Abstract: A multi-layered pad primarily intended to prevent and treat decubitus ulcers. The pad includes at least first and second layers with the first layer being a bladder made up of separate, discrete pouches containing a viscous fluid. The second layer underlies the fluid bladder layer and is a pillared one of upstanding columns cut in a piece of foam. Each individual pouch is mechanically attached atop its underlying foam column. The attaching arrangement includes a connecting sheet of plastic film wherein the sheet is secured to the pouch and has a central opening in it that goes over and receives the top or head section of the column. The connecting sheet at its opening is received in a slit in the column's wall portion to further help maintain the pouch in place atop its column.

Abstract: A mattress pad primarily intended for use with a standard hospital bed frame to reduce the development of decubitus ulcers or bed sores in patients using the pad. The pad is multi-layered and includes a cover or casing containing interior strata of a plastic film layer atop a fluid bladder layer supported on an underlying layer of foam. The pad is specially designed to reduce lateral and normal pressures and forces on the patient which can lead to the development of such ulcers. The reduction of the lateral shearing forces is accomplished in a number of ways including by oversizing the plastic film layer and fluid bladder layer on the underlying layer of foam and by positioning microbeads between the plastic film layer and fluid bladder layer to dramatically reduce the frictional drag or lateral shearing forces between the layers.

Abstract: A prosthetic device primarily intended for use by amputees and in particular, leg amputees. The prosthesis includes a relatively rigid, support shell dimensioned to receive a portion of the residual limb and a pad member having a plurality of pouches at least partially filled with fluid. The pad member substantially encircles the leg with its fluid pouches being positioned adjacent one another about and along the leg. Each pouch is supported between the leg and the shell and has inner and outer pouch layers with the fluid being contained between them. Portions of each inner layer fold back on one another to form wrinkles wherein slack is maintained in the inner layer so that it can conform to the user's leg without hammocking or being drawn taut. It can also accommodate and move with the user's leg relative to the support shell without being tensioned or distended.