Abstract: A force optimization apparatus is provided including a patient support surface and an interface pressure sensor.

Abstract: A mattress support element comprises a fluid filled bladder and a fluid container substantially surrounded by the bladder. The fluid container is in constant fluid communication with ambient fluid outside the bladder. The fluid container is configured to deform from its original shape when an external force is applied to the bladder and to reform to its original shape upon removal of the external force from the bladder.

Abstract: A mattress (900) provides a user with three-dimensional firmness zoning, the mattress (900) cooperating with a mattress shell (720). The mattress (900) includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending resilient blocks (910) being independently movable relative to one another, an inflatable bladder (914) positioned to lie upon the top side of at least one of the blocks (910), and a topper (912) positioned to lie upon the inflatable bladder (914), the topper including opposite ends configured for attachment to the shell (720).

Abstract: A mattress for a bed having a frame for supporting the mattress and side rails, includes a non-puncture resistant cover with an interior surface, and a core disposed adjacent the interior surface. The core includes a body defining a plurality of mounting locations, and further includes a plurality of self sealing gas containers that are respectively disposed within the plurality of mounting locations. Accordingly, the overall height of the mattress may be used by the gas containers since a puncture resistant foam layer is not necessary.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating a temperature of a body support structure including at least one bladder. A temperature modulator is coupled to the at least one bladder for varying the temperature of fluid within the bladder.

Abstract: A pressure control apparatus for use in a bed including a pressurized air source, an inflatable air sack, and an independently inflatable cell located adjacent the inflatable air sack. A controller is operable to regulate the pressure in the air sack and to independently alternately pressurize and vent the inflatable cell at a selected frequency.

Abstract: A mattress (900) provides a user with three-dimensional firmness zoning, the mattress (900) cooperating with a mattress shell (720). The mattress (900) includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending resilient blocks (910) being independently movable relative to one another, an inflatable bladder (914) positioned to lie upon the top side of at least one of the blocks (910), and a topper (912) positioned to lie upon the inflatable bladder (914), the topper including opposite ends configured for attachment to the shell (720).

Abstract: A mattress (900) provides a user with three-dimensional firmness zoning, the mattress (900) cooperating with a mattress shell (720). The mattress (900) includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending resilient blocks (910) being independently movable relative to one another, an inflatable bladder (914) positioned to lie upon the top side of at least one of the blocks (910), and a topper (912) positioned to lie upon the inflatable bladder (914), the topper including opposite ends configured for attachment to the shell (720).

Abstract: A bed and mattress structure includes an articulating frame having longitudinally spaced head, seat, thigh, and foot sections. The head, thigh and foot sections are movable relative to each other and relative to the seat section. A deck on the frame supports a user. A mattress is interposed between the deck and the user. The mattress includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart, transversely extending air bladders corresponding respectively to the frame sections. A power driver tilts the frame sections to desired tilted positions. An air supply fills each bladder to desired air pressures to support the user. A drive controller controls the power drive for tilting the frame sections to various desired positions. An air supply controller controls the air supply for filling the air bladders to desired air pressures. A hand held controller includes a key pad cooperating with a programmable device to provide signals through a cord in response to inputs from the user.

Abstract: A mattress support element comprises a fluid filled bladder and a fluid container substantially surrounded by the bladder. The fluid container is in constant fluid communication with ambient fluid outside the bladder. The fluid container is configured to deform from its original shape when an external force is applied to the bladder and to reform to its original shape upon removal of the external force from the bladder.

Abstract: A mattress comprises a cover defining an interior region, a first foam section located in the interior region of the cover, and a second foam section located in the interior region of the cover adjacent the first foam section. The first foam section includes a first angled surface and the second foam section includes a second angled surface configured to abut the first angled surface.

Abstract: A pressure control apparatus includes a valve inlet configured to receive pressurized air from the pressurized air source, a valve stem coupled to the valve inlet and configured to engage the port of the manifold to form an airtight connection with the manifold and receive the pressurized air from the pressurized air source via the manifold, a valve outlet configured to permit exit of said pressurized air to the at least one air sack, a valve in fluid communication between said valve inlet and said valve outlet and configured to regulate flow of said pressurized air between said valve inlet and said valve outlet, and a controller coupled to said valve and configured to control said valve to regulate flow of said pressurized air through said valve.

Abstract: A variable firmness mattress structure includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart, transversely extending air bladders and an air supply for filling each bladder to a respective desired air pressure to support a user at a desired mattress firmness. A control system for the variable firmness mattress structure includes at air controller cooperating with the air supply for filling the air bladders to desired air pressures and a hand-held controller in communication with the air controller. The hand-held controller is configured to receive a first input from the user indicating that a first desired mattress firmness currently exists and to transmit to the air controller a first signal corresponding to the first input. The first desired mattress firmness corresponds to a first set of respective desired air pressures in the bladders.

Abstract: A mattress comprises a cover defining an interior region, a first foam section located in the interior region of the cover, and a second foam section located in the interior region of the cover adjacent the first foam section. The first foam section includes a first angled surface and the second foam section includes a second angled surface configured to abut the first angled surface.

Abstract: A retention apparatus is provided for mounting a blower unit for an air mattress to a bed frame member. The blower unit retention apparatus includes a pair of retention brackets, each including a U-shaped member having a base portion and a pair of outwardly projecting arms defining a slot for receiving the bed frame member. A locator pin is configured for insertion through oppositely disposed openings formed in the projecting arms of each of the retention brackets for securing the bed frame member between the locator pins and the respective base portions. An upstanding post is mounted to each of the two retention brackets for reception in a corresponding opening in the blower unit housing to secure the blower unit housing to the bed frame member.

Abstract: A mattress structure includes a cover configured to define an interior region and a mattress core including a shear material formed to include a plurality of adjacent sleeves. The mattress core is located in the interior region. The mattress structure also includes a support element located within each of the plurality of sleeves to provide support for a patient.

Abstract: A mattress includes a cover defining an interior region and a plurality of foam modules located in the interior region of the cover. Each of the plurality of foam modules is separately removable from the interior region and has a central foam portion and first and second side foam portions coupled to and extending along opposite sides of the central foam portion to provide a module width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the mattress.

Abstract: A hydrotherapy mattress assembly which includes an air-over-foam core, a base for receiving the air-over-foam core, and a top cover overlying the air-over-foam core. The top cover provides a patient support surface and includes a drain trough. The drain trough is coupled to a drain which extends through the air-over-foam core and the base, so that liquids can be drained from the patient support surface.

Abstract: A mattress structure (30) having a plurality of side-by-side lower support elements (50), a layer of material (54) underlying the lower support elements (50), and a plurality of side-by-side upper support elements (52) overlying and being supported by lower support elements (50) is described. The upper support elements (52) are connected by a plurality of tethers (128) to the layer of material (54), with the tethers (128) extending between adjacent lower support elements (50). Each of one of the upper support elements (52) and lower support elements (50) is an inflatable air bladder with specified sets of air bladders defining tube set zones (142, 144, 146). The pressure of the zones (142, 144, 146) is controlled by an air pressure system (170).

Abstract: An elongated mattress core for a mattress structure includes a foam core having an upwardly-facing top surface, a bottom surface spaced apart from the top surface, and first and second elongated sides connecting the top and bottom surfaces. The foam core is formed to include a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart transverse slits extending downwardly from the top surface. Each slit terminates at a lower end spaced apart from the bottom surface by a first distance and extending transversely from a first slit end spaced apart from the first side of the foam core to a second slit end spaced apart from the second side of the foam core. Each adjacent pair of slits defines a foam column so that the foam core has a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart and transversely extending foam columns. Each foam column has a pair of generally vertical column side walls defining the slits.