Abstract: A first conformable material having a three-dimensional shape and a first hypothermia and/or hyperthermia device, used as a pad for sleeping, lying down, or sitting, to maintain a desired temperature to the contacting surface of a body to the pad.

Abstract: A protective and pressure normalizing device including a support member having an exterior wall and an interior wall which define a first chamber, wherein the support member comprises a pressure adjustment section movable between a first position and at least one second position to adjust a pressure of a medium within the first chamber.

Abstract: A protective and pressure normalizing device including a support member having an exterior wall and an interior wall which define a first chamber and a second chamber, and a pressure adjustment device sealed within at least a portion of the second chamber, the pressure adjustment device defining a third chamber and a medium transfer passageway interconnecting the first chamber and third chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gelatinous composite article. The article has a first and a second heat formable and heat reversible gelatinous elastomer material, a first permeable layer, and a control gap. Each of the gelatinous materials is a three-dimensional shape having an upper side, a base side and at least one connecting side. The first connecting side and the second connecting side are adjacent to each other so the first and second materials are essentially side-by-side within the same horizontal plane. The first permeable layer has a top side and a bottom side. The top side attaches to the first and second connecting side. The control gap is interspaced between the bottom side of the first permeable layer. This gap degrades the rigidity between each connecting side and provides an equivalent structural property throughout the article.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fluid fitting coupling system. This system has first and second fluid assemblies, and first and second rotationally engagable axial retainers. The first and second fluid assemblies each have a fluid fitting body, a central axis, a fluid passageway, a mating component for rotation, and a movable sealing apparatus. While the first and second rotationally engagable axial retainers each have an opening for a fluid to traverse there through. The fluid fitting coupling system operates when the second rotationally engagable axial retainer engages and rotates, in a first direction, the first rotationally engagable axial retainer. In response, the first and second mating components rotate the respective first and second fluid fitting in a direction opposite the first direction so the movable sealing apparatuses are spaced a distance from the respective openings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cushioning device including an inflatable cushion having at least one side and first and second opposing surfaces, and at least one restraint structure attached to at least a portion of the at least one side of the inflatable cushion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fluid fitting coupling system. This system has first and second fluid assemblies, and first and second rotationally engagable axial retainers. The first and second fluid assemblies each have a fluid fitting body, a central axis, a fluid passageway, a mating component for rotation, and a movable sealing apparatus. While the first and second rotationally engagable axial retainers each have an opening for a fluid to traverse there through. The fluid fitting coupling system operates when the second rotationally engagable axial retainer engages and rotates, in a first direction, the first rotationally engagable axial retainer. In response, the first and second mating components rotate the respective first and second fluid fitting in a direction opposite the first direction so the movable sealing apparatuses are spaced a distance from the respective openings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gelatinous composite article. The article has a first and a second heat formable and heat reversible gelatinous elastomer material, a first permeable layer, and a control gap. Each of the gelatinous materials is a three-dimensional shape having an upper side, a base side and at least one connecting side. The first connecting side and the second connecting side are adjacent to each other so the first and second materials are essentially side-by-side within the same horizontal plane. The first permeable layer has a top side and a bottom side. The top side attaches to the first and second connecting side. The control gap is interspaced between the bottom side of the first permeable layer. This gap degrades the rigidity between each connecting side and provides an equivalent structural property throughout the article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gelatinous composite article. The article has a first and a second heat formable and heat reversible gelatinous elastomer material, a first permeable layer, and a control gap. Each of the gelatinous materials is a three-dimensional shape having an upper side, a base side and at least one connecting side. The first connecting side and the second connecting side are adjacent to each other so the first and second materials are essentially side-by-side within the same horizontal plane. The first permeable layer has a top side and a bottom side. The top side attaches to the first and second connecting side. The control gap is interspaced between the bottom side of the first permeable layer. This gap degrades the rigidity between each connecting side and provides an equivalent structural property throughout the article.

Abstract: The present invention is a protective and pressure normalizing device for a body extremity. The device has a three-dimensional gelastic member, and a cover. The three-dimensional gelastic member has a predetermined shape to conform to the body extremity and a plurality of openings. The opening are at least positioned on the top side of the gelastic member. The cover encases the gelastic member and is removable therefrom. The cover also has an upper side, a underside, and a plurality of edges which correspond to the shape of the gelastic member. The underside contacts the body extremity, while the upper side has a plurality of connectors designed to bring one edge of the cover to a predetermined distance from another edge of the cover. Thereby, the protective and pressure normalizing device supports the body extremity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pilot operated low pressure shut off valve. The valve is used within a mattress unit and has an air inlet, an air chamber, an air outlet, a pressure inlet, an adjustable pressure chamber, and a movable shank. The air inlet receives and directs pressurized air into an air chamber. The air chamber directs the pressurized air into the mattress unit when the movable shank opens the air outlet. The movable shank opens the air outlet when (1) the pressure inlet receives and directs a portion of the pressurized air toward an adjustable pressure chamber and (2) the pressurized air is at or above a first predetermined air pressure. When these two conditions are met, the pressurized air enters the adjustable pressure chamber which results in the movable shank moving which in turn opens the air outlet to allow the pressurized air to enter the mattress unit.

Abstract: A gelatinous composite article has a sealant layer, a permeable layer and a heat formable and heat reversible gelatinous elastomer material. The sealant layer melts within a first temperature range. The permeable layer is over the sealant layer and melts at a second temperature greater than the first temperature range. The heat formable and heat reversible gelatinous elastomer material is over the permeable layer and fuses to the sealant layer within the first temperature range. The sealant layer and the gelatinous elastomer material adhere to each other through the permeable layer once the first temperature is attained. Thereby, the permeable layer secures to the gelatinous layer.

Abstract: A cushion for use as an overlay for providing pressure relief so that pressure ulcers may be eliminated or retarded. The cushion includes a pair of inflatable side-by-side upper cells, a pair of individually inflatable side-by-side lower bladders, a crib, and a manifold all disposed within a cover. The manifold, which has inlet hoses connectable to a pump and outlet hoses connectable to the cells, bladders, and, if inflatable, the crib, is reusable, and the other components may be made inexpensively to be disposable so that the expense of cleaning and sanitizing after patient use may be avoided. For inclining the cushion upper surface to one side, one of the bladders is inflated while the other is uninflated.

Abstract: The present invention is a patient support system. The system includes a mattress unit, an inflatable bladder, a manifold plate and a quick release plate. The mattress unit contains the inflatable bladder. The manifold plate allows air to enter into and be released from the bladder. The manifold plate has a set of female receptacles open to the exterior surface of the mattress unit. The quick release plate has a set of male connectors that correspond to the female receptacles. Each male connector has a slidable variance, permitting it to be removably received from the corresponding female receptacle. Thus, when any pulling force is applied to the quick release plate, the quick release plate disengages from the manifold plate resulting in the bladder deflating within a predetermined time frame.

Abstract: The present invention is a protective and pressure normalizing device for a body extremity, that has a topside, an underside and two other sides. The device has an inflatable member, a non-inflatable member, a heel aperture, releasable securing means and a nozzle. The inflatable member has a lower portion, an intermediate portion, and an upper portion. Each portion contacts at least a portion of the other sides of the respective lower, intermediate, and upper region of the extremity. The heel aperture exposes the underside of the intermediate region. The non-inflatable member contacts at least a portion of the underside of the lower region. The inflatable member and heel aperture surround at least a portion of the non-inflatable member. The releasable securing means secures the device at least about the lower portion. The device engages and partially encloses in a cradling fashion the extremity. Thereby, the inflating member applies a uniform interface pressure where it is applied to the extremity.

Abstract: A mattress wherein at least one fabric strip bridges a foam crib for an inflatable cushion to provide lateral stability thereto such as when the mattress is tilted for turning a patient over or otherwise. The fabric strip position is selected so as not to interfere with pressure relief to a portion of the patient's body where pressure ulcers frequently occur. In order to accurately and quickly monitor the tilt of a mattress, transmitting and receiving coils are provided on opposite sides of an assembly of lifting bladders for the side of the mattress being lifted, and the signal strength is measured when a signal is transmitted therebetween, and the angle of tilt is determined therefrom. In order to reduce exposure of lines leading to an inflatable mattress, a notch is provided in a crib for receiving a pump for pressurizing a cushion within the crib so that the pump is positioned to face exteriorly of the crib to allow heat dissipation.

Abstract: A leg rest for supporting a patient's legs while the patient is lying on a bed and during turning or otherwise managing the patient. The leg rest includes a pair of trough portions for receiving the patient's legs and a raised central portion and a pair of raised side portions for keeping the legs apart and restraining sideways leg movement. The central and side portions extend beyond the trough portions for restraining sideways movement of the patient's feet as the patient's legs rest on the trough portions with the patient's feet projecting beyond the trough portions for pressure relief of the patient's heels. The leg rest may be inflatable so that it may be inexpensively produced and disposable and so that its pressure may be adjusted for patient comfort. The leg rest may be contained within a case which has a bib for underlying the patient's upper legs to prevent slippage of the leg rest out of position.

Abstract: An inflatable air pad, or fluid impervious pad, is provided having three layers, the top and bottom being joined together to form an enclosed envelope with a middle layer interposed between defining an upper and lower chamber. Fluid is allowed to flow from one side of the middle layer to the other, such that there is uniform pressure throughout. A sealable port is provided in the enclosed envelope for the injection of fluid under pressure. The middle layer is attached to the top layer in a series of seals or attachment points in a rectangular array and is similarly sealed to the bottom layer in a similar rectangular pattern; however, the two patterns are positioned 180 degrees out of phase with each other. These patterns form a series of small cushion areas in the upper and lower chambers respectively and the cushion areas are nested within each other on an offset basis.