Abstract: A mattress having a head end and a foot end comprises a first support section configured to support an occupant's feet, legs, and seat, and a second support section located adjacent the head end of the mattress to support an occupant's back and head. A portion of the head support section is movable toward the head end of the mattress as the second support section is moved to an elevated position relative to the first support section.

Abstract: A mattress assembly including an inflatable central support portion and a side bolster. A check valve is configured to prevent fluid flow from at least a portion of the side bolster to the central support portion.

Abstract: A mattress having a head end and a foot end includes a first support section configured to support an occupant's feet, legs, and seat, and a second support section located adjacent the head end of the mattress to support an occupant's back and head. A portion of the head support section is movable toward the head end of the mattress as the second support section is moved to an elevated position relative to the first support section.

Abstract: A mattress assembly including an inflatable central support portion and a side bolster. A check valve is configured to prevent fluid flow from at least a portion of the side bolster to the central support portion.

Abstract: A check valve adapted for use between first and second fluid chambers. The check valve is configured to prevent fluid flow from the second fluid chamber into the first fluid chamber.

Abstract: A mattress having a head end and a foot end comprises a first support section configured to support an occupant's feet, legs, and seat, and a second support section located adjacent the head end of the mattress to support an occupant's back and head. A portion of the head support section is movable toward the head end of the mattress as the second support section is moved to an elevated position relative to the first support section.

Abstract: A mattress (10) includes an outer cover (12, 18) formed from an air impermeable material. The outer cover (12, 18) is configured to define an interior region and having a top support surface (20). The mattress (10) also includes at least one air fluidized support module (48, 54) located within the interior region of the cover (12, 18). The mattress (10) further includes a connector (68, 94) coupled to the air fluidized support module (48, 54), the connecter (68, 94) being configured to be coupled to an air supply (58). The mattress (10) also includes a vent connector (165) coupled to the outer cover (12, 18) in communication with the interior region of the cover (12, 18). The vent connector (165) is configured to exhaust air from the interior region of the cover (12, 18).

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to support at least a portion of a body thereon. The apparatus includes a cover having an interior region, a base located within the interior region, and a three dimensional engineered material located within the interior region above the base. The three dimensional engineered material and the base cooperate to provide support for the body.

Abstract: A mattress for a bed is provided to support a patient. The mattress includes a plurality of air fluidized bladders. Each bladder includes a fluidized zone having fluidizable material positioned therein. Each bladder further includes a diffuser configured to provide air to the fluidized zone to fluidize the material.

Abstract: A check valve adapted for use between first and second fluid chambers. The check valve is configured to prevent fluid flow from the second fluid chamber into the first fluid chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to support at least a portion of a body thereon. The apparatus includes a cover having an interior region, a base located within the interior region, and a three dimensional engineered material located within the interior region above the base. The three dimensional engineered material and the base cooperate to provide support for the body.

Abstract: A mattress assembly comprises an inflatable central support portion having a head end, a foot end, a first side and a second side, and first and second side bolsters coupled to the first and second sides, respectively, of the inflatable central support portion. The first and second side bolsters each have at least two chambers extending along a longitudinal axis of the first and second side bolsters. At least one of the chambers is a manifold in fluid communication with the central support portion. The manifold is configured to be coupled to an air supply to supply air to the central support portion and the other chambers.

Abstract: A mattress is provided having an elongated foam base, a plurality of air sacks positioned above the foam base, and a longitudinally-extending manifold. Each air sack defines an interior region. The manifold includes an outer wall defining an interior region in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid and in fluid communication with the interior region of each air sack. The foam base and the plurality of air sacks cooperate to define a channel. The manifold is positioned in the channel and supported on top of the foam base.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to support a mattress. The apparatus includes a base platform that is formed to rest on a box spring and to include slots therethrough, a plate hinged to the base platform, and a bladder fastened between the plate and the base platform. In addition, the apparatus includes a fastener mechanism coupled to the plate and adapted to block sliding movement of the mattress relative to the plate and a strap coupled to the base platform. The strap extends through the slots and is configured to extend about the box spring to hold the base platform on the box spring.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured for mounting a blower motor into a blower housing. The blower housing has an interior region for receiving the blower motor. The apparatus comprises a top shell configured to surround a top portion of the blower motor and a bottom shell configured to surround a bottom portion of the blower motor. The top and bottom shells are configured to hold the blower motor in the interior region of the housing without a rigid connection between the blower motor and the blower housing. The top shell cooperates with the bottom shell to define an air intake manifold to provide flow of intake air to the blower motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the pressure of fluid within a chamber upon which a person rests includes a manifold having a wall defining an interior region in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid and an air sack defining the chamber. The air sack includes a wall defining an interior region of the air sack. The wall is formed to include an air loss opening in fluid communication with the interior region of the air sack. The apparatus also includes a flow control assembly having a conduit in fluid communication with the interior region of the air sack and with the interior region of the manifold. The flow control assembly also includes a check valve mounted in the conduit to prevent the flow of pressurized fluid through the conduit from the interior region of the air sack to the interior region of the manifold.

Abstract: The invention is a modular inflatable/air fluidized patient bed suitable for in-home use. The bed includes a double walled, molded plastic base formed from two pedestals and a connecting midsection. A blower compartment containing the electrical and mechanical components needed to operate the bed is formed in one of the pedestals. The bed optionally includes a plurality of block-shaped spacers that can be positioned under the pedestals to increase the height of the bed. A series of pilot operated check valves are provided in the air lines leading to the inflatable components. If air flow is interrupted, the check valves close to maintain the air in the inflatable components and prevent them from deflating.

Abstract: A fluidized patient support having a tank with side walls and a bottom holds a mass of fluidizable beads and includes a diffuser board disposed near the tank bottom to define a plenum which receives air flow from a blower. The fluidized patient support is provided with a percussive patient support surface by operative components that superimpose percussive fluidization in at least one preselected portion of the support surface formed when the beads are fluidized. The superimposed percussive fluidization results in large slugs of air reaching the patient support surface. Upon reaching the patient support surface, these slugs of higher pressure air percuss the body of the patient that is supported where such large slugs breach the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing waste from patient care, maintenance, and/or treatment includes an inflatable bladder member disposed to support at least a first portion of the body of the patient. A flexible basin member is fitted over the bladder and receives waste materials, and a filter sheet is disposed atop the basin member. The basin member is connected to a liquid/gas separator and a vacuum blower. A liquid waste pump is connected to the separator to transfer liquid waste to a holding jug. A vacuum wand provides both suction and rinsing liquid via an on-demand pumping supply configuration that enables the rinsing liquid supplied from a rinse jug to be heated. Liquid levels in the rinse liquid jug, the holding jug, and the separator's holding reservoir are sensed by capacitive level sensing devices which supply signals to a microprocessor which controls various functions of the apparatus. Special inflatable sacks are provided to assist turning the patient to facilitate cleansing of the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing waste from patient care, maintenance, and/or treatment includes an inflatable bladder member disposed to support at least a first portion of the body of the patient. A flexible basin member is fitted over the bladder and receives waste materials, and a filter sheet is disposed atop the basin member. The basin member is connected to a holding reservoir and a vacuum blower. A liquid waste pump is connected to the holding reservoir to transfer liquid waste to a waste jug. A vacuum wand provides rinsing liquid from a rinse liquid jug via a rinse liquid pump and provides suction via the vacuum blower. Liquid levels in each of the rinse liquid jug, the waste jug, and the holding reservoir, are monitored by liquid level sensing devices which supply signals to a microprocessor which controls various functions of the apparatus. Special inflatable sacks are provided to assist turning the patient to facilitate cleansing of the patient.