Abstract: A multi-purpose air mattress apparatus is disclosed for use in at least a bed of a vehicle having an opposing pair of inwardly protruding wheel wells. The apparatus comprises, in one embodiment, an inflatable air mattress having a pair of opposing sidewalls, each defining a lateral recess sized for accepting at least a portion of the wheel wells therewithin and further defining recess ledges that selectively sit atop the wheel wells. With the apparatus positioned within the vehicle bed and the wheel wells positioned at least partially within the lateral recesses, the recess ledges in combination with a perimeter ledge cover substantially any exposed portions of the wheel wells, while a set of upper and lower perimeter chambers further maintain a stable structure of the apparatus during use both within a vehicle bed as well as on any other relatively flat surface in otherwise conventional fashion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a mattress comprises a core and a cushion layer positioned above the core. A fibrous air spacer layer is positioned above the cushion layer, and a layer of visco-elastic foam is positioned above the fibrous layer. This permits the fibrous layer to be sandwiched between the cushion layer and the layer of visco-elastic material.

Abstract: A patient-support apparatus includes an inflatable support structure, a variable output pump, a power supply and a controller. The pump includes a driver that is responsive to variations in the power signal applied to the driver to vary the output from the pump. The pump output is varied depending on the amount of flow needed as determined by a sensor that senses the pressure in the inflatable support structure.

Abstract: A patient bed with a multimedia system is disclosed. A patient can access a net work through the multimedia system, and to join a net meeting to chat with other patients. The multimedia system can also provide a consolidated platform of medical information for a doctor or a nurse. An input device of the patient bed may have a touch pad, which allows the patient to control the position of patient support through finger gesture.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly comprising an electromechanical device and a self-sealing valve, and in particular, to any inflatable device that includes the assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a valve housing defining an opening through which fluid can be provided to the inflatable device, a flexible diaphragm assembly that is configured to self-seal the opening with sufficient fluid pressure in the inflatable device and to open under sufficient fluid pressure from a fluid moving device, to provide fluid through the opening to and seal the inflatable device. The assembly further comprises an electromechanical device including an actuating arm, having a first position in which the actuating arm urges open the self-sealing valve and a second position in which the actuating arm does not act upon the self-sealing valve, so as to regulate an amount of fluid within the inflatable device. With this arrangement, a small, low power, low duty cycle electromechanical device can be used.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inflatable device comprising an electromechanical device and a self-sealing valve, and in particular, to any inflatable device that includes the assembly. In some embodiments, at least a portion of a fluid controller is coupled to and supported by an inflatable bladder of an inflatable device. The fluid controller may be located in a compartment, and the compartment may be within the profile of the bladder. The inflatable device may be a single bladder mattress or a dual bladder mattress. The inflatable device may include a heater or an articulation device. The inflatable device may be multi-positional device or have a storage compartment. The inflatable device may be configurable using one or more members such as a membrane or fasteners.

Abstract: An air mattress is provided. The air mattress may comprises: a top sheet and a bottom sheet, the top and bottom sheets being made of a flexible airtight material and being connected to form an airtight inflatable compartment; and at least one vertical connecting unit, being disposed within the compartment, wherein the vertical connecting units are attached to respective inner surfaces of the top and bottom sheets to form connecting areas. The air mattress may also comprise a side sheet and at least one horizontal connecting unit.

Abstract: Provided is a heating and sterilizing apparatus. The heating and sterilizing apparatus for a bed mattress having a surface sheet constituting a top surface, a built-in elastic member for elastically supporting the surface sheet, and walls forming a front surface, a rear surface, and both side surfaces includes a mattress body providing a inner space, the mattress body having an installation hole, in which a portion of either side surface thereof is cut, a partition disposed inside the mattress body to partition the inner space defined inside the mattress body, a case disposed on the installation hole defined in the mattress body, and a heating and sterilizing part disposed in the case to heat and sterilize the inner space of the mattress body partitioned by the partition and calculate air within the inner space of the mattress body.

Abstract: This air cell cushion has a pair of side air cells extending upwardly from the upper surface side of the base member at both end sides in the lateral direction of the base member. The side air cells have a larger front-rear direction size than in the lateral direction thereof. Also, each side air cell is configured to inflate outward in the lateral direction. By this, in a case in which the side air cells face the armrests of the wheel chair, when the side air cells are inflated outward in the lateral direction, the outer side surfaces of the side air cells abut against or become adjacent to the armrests.

Abstract: A patient support for a patient includes an inflatable mattress with at least one inflatable bladder. The bladder comprises a top panel formed from a different material than its side wall panel or panels.

Abstract: A patient support for supporting a patient includes an inflatable mattress defining a support surface and a pneumatic system for inflating the inflatable mattress. The pneumatic system includes a pressurized reservoir for holding pressurized air and selectively releases pressurized air from the reservoir to the mattress.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling and decoupling an air supply hose to an inflatable device. The inflatable device may be adapted to support a patient, such as an air mattress or an inflatable patient transfer mat that rides on an air cushion. The method and apparatus utilize an air inlet that normally assumes a flat orientation. The air inlet includes resilient members that allow the air inlet to flex out of the flat orientation in response to a compressive force. The compressive force changes the air inlet's orientation into a generally round orientation that is sized to accept an air supply hose. A collar on the air supply hose is able to frictionally engage an edge in the air inlet in order to prevent undesired removal of the hose from the inlet. Magnets may be used to help return the inlet to the flat orientation when not in use.

Abstract: A care delivery system includes a bed (20) having a bed-side interface unit (B), an appliance set (90) comprising one or more appliances (99) and two or more appliance-side interface units (A) distributed among the appliances, and a set (124) of one or more adaptors (126) each having a host interface unit (H) compatible with the bed-side interface unit, and a client interface unit (C). Each adaptor is arranged to accommodate fluid flow between its host interface unit and its client interface unit. Each client interface unit of the adaptor set, taken individually, is compatible with at least one but fewer than all of the appliance-side interface units of the appliance set and, taken collectively, are compatible with all of the appliance-side interface units of the appliance set. The system also includes an appliance annunciator (140) and an appliance discriminator (76) responsive to the annunciator thereby configuring the system for the pneumatic demands of the appliance.

Abstract: A mattress system has a cover, a crib, and a fluid bladder system. The crib surrounds the perimeter of the fluid bladder system and the cover overlies the top surface of the crib and fluid bladder system. The fluid bladder systems provide at least one conventional bladder therapy to a patient positioned on the mattress system. The fluid bladder system interconnects to the crib to not form a hammock effect so the crib functions as a restraint. The fluid bladder is also designed to bottom out to form an exterior cavity. A second cushion is inserted into the exterior cavity and positioned so the crib continues to function as a restraint. The second cushion provides a therapy to the patient that is different from the fluid bladder system.

Abstract: An occupant support (30) such as a hospital bed comprises a support structure (56), at least one component of which has a variable profile, an actuation system (100) for varying the profile, and a controller (150) responsive to prescribed profile cycle parameters for commanding the actuation system to effect a cyclic variation in the profile. A mattress (110) comprises a primary support (114) and an elevator (206) above the primary support. The elevator has a deflated state in which it cooperates with the primary support to provide popliteal support to a supine occupant of the mattress. The elevator also has an inflated state in which it withholds popliteal support. Another mattress (110) comprises individual bladders (114), some of which are cyclically inflatable and deflatable. When inflated, the bladders cooperate with the other bladders to provide popliteal support for a supine occupant.

Abstract: An architecture is presented that provides an inflatable device usable as a portable adjustable air mattress. The inflatable device comprises a plurality of inflatable tubes aligned by an outer cover forming a substantially rectangular shaped air mattress that will continue to function and provide support even in the event of an air leak.

Abstract: A cushioning device has a first material and an opposing second material that are sealed together at the peripheral edges to form a first (right) side, a first (head) end, a second (left) side, and a second (foot) end. Positioned between the first material and the second material is a middle material. The middle material has a top side, a bottom side, a first gap between the first side and the middle material and a second gap between the second side and the middle material. In addition, the first material is sealed to the middle material's top side at a first set of locations to form a first set of interior welds. The second surface is sealed to the middle material's bottom surface at a second set of locations to form a second set of interior welds. The first set of interior welds on the middle material's top surface and the second set of interior welds on the middle material's bottom surface are not superimposed on each other or overlap each other.

Abstract: Disclosed are an air mattress and an air mattress manufacturing device and method, which can reduce manufacturing costs, enhance the rigidity of the bottom plate, and shorten and automate the manufacturing process. The air mattress of the present invention comprises: a cushion portion, which has multiple air sacs, and which is formed from a first resin composition made from a mixture of a synthetic resin and a plasticizer, so as to have elasticity and flexibility; and a bottom plate, which is coupled with the cushion portion, and which is formed from a second resin composition made from a mixture of a synthetic resin, a plasticizer having less than or equal to 50% of the plasticizer mixed into the first resin composition, and a rigid material for enhancing the rigidity of the air mattress, and thus the manufacturing costs and the rigidity thereof can be enhanced.

Abstract: An inflatable mattress for use on a truck bed is disclosed and claimed. The inflatable mattress includes a lower mattress layer with left and right recessions dimensioned to substantially surround the wheel well sides. The inflatable mattress includes an upper mattress layer dimensioned to substantially cover the lower mattress layer and the wheel well tops.

Abstract: An inflatable body includes an elongate chamber delimited by two substantially parallel main walls and defining at least a portion of a base suitable for holding a person laid down thereon, the chamber being extended, integrally, on both sides of the base, beyond a transition area where the main walls are close to each other, by two raised lateral strips extending along at least the base portion, so as to laterally flank the person, wherein the main walls are braced by a plurality of drop stitch links, and at the location of the transition area, the inflatable body has seams bringing the main walls together, thereby causing a fold between the base and each of the raised lateral strips, with the seams being covered by a sealed lining wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an air mat that reduces a thickness of a cushion part by means of both slush molding and rotational molding, enhances a bonding efficiency between a lower sheet and the cushion part, and obviates the need of any separate communicating members for forming the communicating passageways for a plurality of air pockets of the cushion part, thereby simplifying manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A patient transfer mattress is disclosed which includes a plurality of pods connecting the upper and lower sheets of the mattress. The pods may include a first aperture in a side wall thereof and a second aperture in an end thereof, said first and second apertures allowing air to flow from within a main cavity of the mattress and out to form a cushion of air beneath the mattress. One or more of the pods may also include a perforated disc positioned between the opposite ends thereby dividing the pod into upper and lower portions. The perforated disc controls air flow between the upper and lower portions to buffer local changes in air pressure caused by pump pressure, patient body weight or saturation.

Abstract: A patient-support apparatus includes an inflatable support structure, a variable output pump, a power supply and a controller. The pump includes a driver that is responsive to variations in the power signal applied to the driver to vary the output from the pump. The pump output is varied depending on the amount of flow needed as determined by a sensor that senses the pressure in the inflatable support structure.

Abstract: An improved inflatable body support with novel dog-bone-shaped hand wells that do not create material stress points when they are stretched while in use in place of the prior art oval-shaped hand wells that do create material stress points when they are stretched while in use.

Abstract: An inflatable pad includes: an inflatable pad body having a looped surrounding layer interconnecting top and bottom layers to cooperatively define an inflatable space; and a reinforcing belt unit disposed in the inflatable space in the inflatable pad body and connected between the top and bottom layers of the inflatable pad body. The reinforcing belt unit includes two coupling belts and a main reinforcing belt. Each coupling belt is attached fixedly and partially to a corresponding one of the top and bottom layers of the inflatable pad body, and has a central portion that is spaced apart from the corresponding one of the top and bottom layers of the inflatable pad body and that is connected to a corresponding one of opposite looped end portions of the main reinforcing belt.

Abstract: A multi-purpose air mattress apparatus is disclosed for use in at least a bed of a vehicle having an opposing pair of inwardly protruding wheel wells. The apparatus comprises, in one embodiment, an inflatable air mattress having a pair of opposing sidewalls, each defining a lateral recess sized for accepting at least a portion of the wheel wells therewithin and further defining recess ledges that selectively sit atop the wheel wells. With the apparatus positioned within the vehicle bed and the wheel wells positioned at least partially within the lateral recesses, the recess ledges in combination with a perimeter ledge cover substantially any exposed portions of the wheel wells, while a set of upper and lower perimeter chambers further maintain a stable structure of the apparatus during use both within a vehicle bed as well as on any other relatively flat surface in otherwise conventional fashion.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a patient, such as a hospital bed, is provided. The apparatus includes a patient support surface and at least one fluid containing bladder. A pressure control assembly is operably coupled with the bladder. When the fluid pressure within the bladder falls outside of an acceptable range of pressure values, the active adjustment of the pressure within the bladder is initiated by the pressure control assembly if the pressure does not return to the acceptable range of pressure values within a time period, e.g., a time delay, that has a variable length.

Abstract: A self-enclosable inflatable mattress has a mattress body, a valve and a bag. The mattress body has a sidewall and a chamber being defined in the mattress body. The valve is mounted through the mattress body. The bag is attached to the mattress body and has a surrounding sheet, at least one holding sheet and at least one fastener. The at least one holding sheet is mounted on a corresponding margin of the surrounding sheet and detachably connected to a corresponding surrounding sheet. The fastener is mounted between the surrounding sheet and the holding sheet. The self-enclosable inflatable mattress is easily stored compactly and prevents dust from contacting the mattress body during storage.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a support surface, which includes at least one fluid bladder and a recess, and a fluid delivery system configured to deliver fluid to the bladder, with at least a portion of the fluid delivery system being located in the recess. The fluid delivery system includes a pump having a fluid output and a fluid input. The apparatus further includes a chamber wall that defines a chamber in fluid communication with the fluid input or output of the pump, with the chamber wall absorbing vibration from the pump when the pump is operated to output fluid at its fluid output.

Abstract: A seal for vent openings of inflatable structures is provided that includes an interior and an exterior component that can be affixed to each other and to the inflatable structure and allows for higher pressures to be maintained within the inflatable structure.

Abstract: A body transport apparatus including an inflatable air mattress with a plurality of air exit holes on the bottom to provide an air cushion when the mattress is inflated and a cover portion connected to the mattress adjacent a perimeter to define an enclosed volume. The cover portion may include a selectively closeable passageway. A flap may be defined in the cover portion that is movable between open and closed configurations. A plurality of hollows may be defined in the cover portion when inflated to define a body contact area that is less than a surface area of the top surface.

Abstract: An adjustable air mattress device comprising a main air mattress component having an inflatable inner cavity; a first torso elevation component disposed on a top surface of the main air mattress component at a front end having art inflatable inner cavity; a second torso elevation component disposed on a top surface of the first torso elevation component having an inflatable inner cavity; a first leg elevation component disposed on the top surface of the main air mattress component at a back end having an inflatable inner cavity; and a second leg elevation component disposed on a top surface of the first leg elevation component having an inflatable inner cavity; wherein the user can independently inflate the main air mattress component, the first torso elevation component, the second torso elevation component, the first leg elevation component, the second leg elevation component, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An underbody convective warming blanket includes a duct that is separate from, but in fluid communication with, interior space of the underbody convective warming blanket. The duct may be deployed to provide an air circulation conduit to shunt air around the air distribution structure in the interior space. The duct may be a flexible tube having a first end coupled to a first duct port in the underbody convective warming blanket near a first end of the underbody convective warming blanket and a second end to be coupled to a second duct port in the underbody convective warming blanket near a second end of the underbody convective warming blanket. An underbody convective warming blanket may include a midsection with an elongate columnar configuration which transitions at an end, or at each end, to a plinth-like configuration.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention discloses a mattress including an underlayer, an air chamber layer arranged above the underlayer, granular material incorporated in the air chamber layer, and adjusting devices for adjusting the amount of air in the air chamber layer between a rest position, wherein the granular material at least almost fills the whole air chamber layer, and an adjusting position wherein the air chamber layer is only partially filled with granular material.

Abstract: A method for a user to adjust a pressure in an inflatable device. The method includes acts of adjusting the pressure in the inflatable device with a control device to a pressure preferred by the user, where the pressure preferred by the user has a first value, and establishing a first setting corresponding to the pressure preferred by the user with the control device, and automatically establishing a second setting corresponding to a second pressure having a second value once the first setting is established, where the second value differs from the first value by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An inflatable bed includes a bedstead assembly, a mattress assembly, and an electrical air pump unit. The mattress assembly is disposed on and above the bedstead assembly, and includes a top sheet, a bottom sheet disposed under the top sheet, and a plurality of surrounding sheets interconnecting the top and bottom sheets to form a plurality of air chambers, which are not in fluid communication with each other. Each of the air chambers is defined among the top sheet, the bottom sheet, and a respective one of the surrounding sheets. The electrical air pump unit is disposed on the bedstead assembly, and is operable to inflate the air chambers individually so that air pressures in the air chambers may be different.

Abstract: An inflatable air mattress assembly for use with a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a bed having protruding wheel well compartments, opposed sidewalls, a tailgate and a headboard. The air mattress assembly comprises and inflatable base, an inflatable first support and an inflatable second support. The inflatable base includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The base has lateral recesses formed therein which extend from the bottom surface towards the top surface and define a ledge over the recesses. The base is dimensioned and configured for placement in the vehicle bed with the recesses being disposed over the wheel well compartments protruding into the bed. A front portion of the base is adjacent the headboard. A rear portion of the base is adjacent a tailgate. The inflatable first support is releasable attached to the front portion of the base. The first support includes an inflatable backrest and at least one inflatable armrest connected to the backrest.

Abstract: A mattress structure able to adjust elastic support forces comprises: a fixed plate, which has a plurality of flexible accommodating holes and a plurality of first flexible members and is fixed in the mattress body, the flexible accommodating holes are at the bottom of the first flexible members respectively; a moving plate, which has a plurality of second flexible member corresponding to the flexible accommodating hole, the moving plate is below the fixed plate; and a support plate, which is below the moving plate and has an air compressor at the bottom thereof, the air compressor has a plurality of air bags disposed between the support plate and the moving plate and a plurality of tubes connecting the air compressor with the air bags, the moving plate is thus moved up and down through that the air bags pump gas.

Abstract: A bed frame includes a weight bearing framework 30, and a footboard 82 that cooperates with the framework to define an edge 90 of an occupant region 92 of the bed. The footboard 82 includes a footboard frame 100 and a pressurizable cushion 104. A mattress system 160 includes a main occupant support portion 162 with a support surface 168 and a cushion 170 located footwardly of the occupant support portion. The cushion has a deployed state in which it projects vertically higher than the support surface and a stored state in which it does not project vertically higher than the support surface.

Abstract: An inflatable bed includes a bedstead assembly, a mattress assembly, and an electrical air pump unit. The mattress assembly is disposed on and above the bedstead assembly, and includes a top sheet, a bottom sheet disposed under the top sheet, and a plurality of surrounding sheets interconnecting the top and bottom sheets to form a plurality of air chambers, which are not in fluid communication with each other. Each of the air chambers is defined among the top sheet, the bottom sheet, and a respective one of the surrounding sheets. The electrical air pump unit is disposed on the bedstead assembly, and is operable to inflate the air chambers individually so that air pressures in the air chambers may be different.

Abstract: A self-contained gatching mattress is provided having a gatching mattress sleep deck, a first air bladder cushion, a second cushion material, a control box having an air pump system and a manifold, a conduit distribution unit, a sliding bridge, and a cushion material positioned above the sliding bridge and the control box. The sliding bridge forms a gap area for conduits to extend from the control box to the conduit distribution unit which decreases the chances of the conduits being kinked or the conduits altering the cushion's tissue interface pressure to a patient positioned on the cushion when the sleep deck is gatched and/or portions are retracted or extended.

Abstract: A gas supply system comprises a person-support surface, a garment, and a gas supply. The person-support surface includes a chamber configured to contain a gas therein. The garment includes a chamber configured to contain a gas therein. The gas supply is configured to supply a gas to both the garment and the person-support surface.

Abstract: An improved inflatable body support with novel dog-bone-shaped hand wells that do not create material stress points when they are stretched while in use in place of the prior art oval-shaped hand wells that do create material stress points when they are stretched while in use.

Abstract: An air mattress is provided. The air mattress may comprises: a top sheet and a bottom sheet, the top and bottom sheets being made of a flexible airtight material and being connected to form an airtight inflatable compartment; and at least one vertical connecting unit, being disposed within the compartment, wherein the vertical connecting units are attached to respective inner surfaces of the top and bottom sheets to form connecting areas. The air mattress may also comprise a side sheet and at least one horizontal connecting unit.

Abstract: An alternating pad comprises a first set and a second set of alternately inflatable cells. Both sets of inflatable cells are supplied with air from a pump via a rotary valve. A sensor is positioned under the pad to receive pressure exerted by a patient upon movement and to be compressible relative to the applied pressure. Any change in patient position or movement will cause an alteration in the airflow in the sensor pad tube and will reduce or increase the differential pressure measured at the pressure transducer. Based on this feedback the microprocessor directly controls the power level to the pump and increases or decreases the air flow to the cells to alter the amplitude of the cells and also controls the timing of the rotary valve to change the timing of the inflation and deflation cycle.

Abstract: The present invention provides an infant bed having a support frame, an elastically inflatable mattress removably disposed on the support frame, an inflating and heating apparatus operably connected to the elastically inflatable mattress, wherein the inflating and heating apparatus continuously circulates heated air through the elastically inflatable mattress vibrating, expanding, and contracting an upper sleeping surface of the elastically inflatable mattress.

Abstract: Patient support systems are generally disclosed. An example patient support system may include a base; first and second longitudinally oriented sidewalls extending upward from lateral side portions of the base; a substantially vapor-impermeable barrier on the top surface of the base and on inwardly facing surfaces of the sidewalls; a substantially vapor-permeable top cover extending between the sidewalls such that a generally longitudinally oriented channel configured to receive airflow therethrough is substantially defined by a lower surface of the top cover, an upper surface of the barrier on the base, and inwardly facing surfaces of the barrier on the sidewalls; a supply conduit extending from an exterior air supply connector to an internal air supply opening within the channel; an air discharge opening within the channel; and an inflatable support disposed in the channel. The interior volume of the inflatable support may be fluidicly isolated from the channel.

Abstract: A patient support for a patient includes an inflatable mattress with at least one inflatable bladder. The bladder comprises a top panel formed from a different material than its side wall panel or panels.

Abstract: A patient support for supporting a patient includes an inflatable mattress having at least one bladder forming at least part of a patient support surface, a pneumatic system for inflating the inflatable mattress, and a control system. The control system including at least one sensor, which includes an emitter and a receiver, with the emitter directing light into the bladder. The receiver receives a reflection from the light directed into the bladder, and the control system detects the immersion of a patient into the mattress based on the reflection received by the receiver.

Abstract: A seal for vent openings of inflatable structures is provided that includes an interior and an exterior component that can be affixed to each other and to the inflatable structure and allows for higher pressures to be maintained within the inflatable structure.