Abstract: An apparatus is provided which supports a patient on an inflatable structure. The inflatable structure preferably has two components: a) lower inflatable layer which is selectively operable to provide basic support for the patient and which includes a plurality of laterally offset zone which may be independently inflatable to control rotation of the patient. Further, a second inflatable layer includes a plurality of zones for establishing optimal patient interface pressures and patient comfort levels, and may also include sufficiently independent inner chambers to facilitate the providing of specific therapies such as alternation of primary pressure contact areas, or percussion or vibration of the patient through inner cell inflation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 15, 1994
Date of Patent:
December 24, 1996
Assignee:
Support Systems, International
Inventors:
Richard B. Stacy, Craig D. Ellis, Barry D. Hand, James M. C. Thomas, Kenith W. Chambers, Stephen E. Glover, Richard I. Barnett, Paul B. King, Ryszard S. Ozarowski, William T. Sutton