Abstract: A traveling wave air mattress apparatus includes an air mattress comprised of an array of laterally disposed, longitudinally spaced air bladder cells that are individually inflatable to quiescent pressure levels which provide comfortable support for a human body, and an air pressure-pulse generator controlled by a wave sequence generator for periodically introducing into sequences of the air bladder cells timed sequences of air pressure pulses which vary pressures in the cells from quiescent pressures, the air pressure variations resulting in leading and lagging soliton-like traveling waves of body support force variation which travel longitudinally over the surfaces of the pulsed air bladder cells, thus inhibiting formation of bedsores. The wave patterns may optionally simulate water waves and/or rocking motions of a boat to produce relaxing effects.

Abstract: A traveling wave air mattress apparatus includes an air mattress comprised of an array of laterally disposed, longitudinally spaced air bladder cells that are individually inflatable to quiescent pressure levels which provide comfortable support for a human body, and an air pressure-pulse generator controlled by a wave sequence generator for periodically introducing into sequences of the air bladder cells timed sequences of air pressure pulses which vary pressures in the cells from quiescent pressures, the air pressure variations resulting in leading and lagging soliton-like traveling waves of body support force variation which travel longitudinally over the surfaces of the pulsed air bladder cells, thus inhibiting formation of bedsores. The wave patterns may optionally simulate water waves and/or rocking motions of a boat to produce relaxing effects.

Abstract: A traveling wave air mattress apparatus includes an air mattress comprised of a array of laterally disposed, longitudinally spaced air bladder cells that are individually inflatable to quiescent pressure levels which provide comfortable support for a human body, and an air pressure-pulse generator controlled by a wave sequence generator for periodically introducing into a sequence of the air bladder cells a time sequence of air pressure pulses which vary pressures in the cells from quiescent pressures, the air pressure variations resulting in a soliton-like traveling wave of body support force variation which travels longitudinally over the surfaces of the pulsed air bladder cells, thus inhibiting formation of bedsores. The wave pattern may optionally simulate water waves and/or rocking motions of a boat to produce relaxing effects.

Abstract: A soliton air mattress includes an array of air bladder cells that are individually inflatable to quiescent pressure levels which provide comfortable support for a human body, and a soliton wave generator including an air pressure-pulse generator controlled by a wave sequence generator for introducing into ordered sequences of air bladder cells a wave-like time sequence of air pressure pulses which vary quiescent pressure levels in the cells, the pressure wave resulting in a soliton traveling wave of body support force reduction which traverses surfaces of the air bladder cells, thus reducing normal forces exerted on a body and minimizing the occurrence rate of shear forces exerted on the body, thereby inhibiting formation of bedsores. The soliton wave patterns may optionally simulate water waves and/or rocking motions of a boat to produce relaxing effects.

Abstract: A traveling wave air mattress apparatus includes an air mattress comprised of a array of laterally disposed, longitudinally spaced air bladder cells that are individually inflatable to quiescent pressure levels which provide comfortable support for a human body, and an air pressure-pulse generator controlled by a wave sequence generator for periodically introducing into a sequence of the air bladder cells a time sequence of air pressure pulses which vary pressures in the cells from quiescent pressures, the air pressure variations resulting in a soliton-like traveling wave of body support force variation which travels longitudinally over the surfaces of the pulsed air bladder cells, thus inhibiting formation of bedsores. The wave pattern may optionally simulate water waves and/or rocking motions of a boat to produce relaxing effects.

Abstract: An air mattress apparatus includes an air mattress which comprised of an array of air bladder cells that are individually inflatable to quiescent pressure levels which provide comfortable support for the body of a human, and a pressure-pulse generator controlled by a wave sequence generator for introducing into ordered patterns of air bladder cells a wave-like time sequence of air pressure pulses which vary quiescent pressure levels in the cells, the pressure wave resulting in a traveling wave of support force variation which travels over the surfaces of the pulsed air bladder cells, thus inhibiting formation of bedsores. The wave pattern may optionally simulate water waves and/or rocking motions of a boat to produce relaxing effects.

Abstract: An air mattress apparatus includes an air mattress which comprised of an array of air bladder cells that are individually inflatable to quiescent pressure levels which provide comfortable support for the body of a human, and a pressure-pulse generator controlled by a wave sequence generator for introducing into ordered patterns of air bladder cells a wave-like time sequence of air pressure pulses which vary quiescent pressure levels in the cells, the pressure wave resulting in a traveling wave of support force variation which travels over the surfaces of the pulsed air bladder cells, thus inhibiting formation of bedsores. The wave pattern may optionally simulate water waves and/or rocking motions of a boat to produce relaxing effects.