Variably Pressurizable Chambers (e.g., With Pump) Patents (Class 5/713)
  • Patent number: 12251346
    Abstract: Introduced here are pressure-mitigation systems able to mitigate the pressure applied to a human body by the surface of an object. A system can include a pressure-mitigation device with chambers whose pressure can be varied by a controller that regulates the flow of fluid produced by a pump. The controller may be deployed as part of a closed loop system that autonomously infers information related to the health of a patient based on data related to the pressure of these chambers. For example, the data may be examined to determine whether the values indicate the patient is properly situated. A notification may be presented responsive to determining that the patient is not situated on the pressure-mitigation device, the patient has been improperly situated on the pressure-mitigation device for a certain amount of time, etc. Thus, real-time feedback may be provided to those responsible for monitoring the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: TurnCare, Inc.
    Inventor: Rafael Paolo Squitieri
  • Patent number: 12251347
    Abstract: Introduced here are pressure-mitigation systems able to mitigate the pressure applied to a human body by the surface of an object. A system can include a pressure-mitigation device with chambers whose pressure can be varied by a controller that regulates the flow of fluid produced by a pump. The controller may be deployed as part of a closed loop system that autonomously infers information related to the health of a patient based on data related to the pressure of these chambers. For example, the data may be examined to determine whether the values indicate the patient is properly situated. A notification may be presented responsive to determining that the patient is not situated on the pressure-mitigation device, the patient has been improperly situated on the pressure-mitigation device for a certain amount of time, etc. Thus, real-time feedback may be provided to those responsible for monitoring the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: TurnCare, Inc.
    Inventor: Rafael Paolo Squitieri
  • Patent number: 12239235
    Abstract: A mattress including air cells that are located on both sides of a user, in which the air cells each have a convex shape on a first side surface, and the air cells are arranged so that the convex shapes thereof are respectively located near shoulder blade outer edges of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: PARAMOUNT BED CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenta Ohno, Makoto Tanaka, Takayuki Arimatsu
  • Patent number: 12226021
    Abstract: A method and system may include transmitting a signal to a pump of an air mattress to set the pressure of the air mattress to an initial pressure; receiving, at a central controller, a user preference condition for an automatic adjustment of the pressure in the air mattress; receiving, at the central controller, an indication that the air mattress is empty; and based on determining that the user preference condition has been met and receiving the indication: detecting a change in the pressure of the air mattress beyond a threshold value; and based on the detection, adjusting the pressure of the air mattress to the initial pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Sleep Number Corporation
    Inventors: Rob Nunn, Wade Daniel Palashewski, Steven Jay Young, Carl Hewitt
  • Patent number: 12221969
    Abstract: An air pump is delineated for an inflatable product that can be selectively connected thereto. The inflatable product includes a shell located on a side wall. The shell includes an internal chamber for selective placement of the air pump and an air valve for selective communication with the air pump. When the air pump is located in the internal chamber it can be moved to switch between a first position and a second position. The air pump includes an air inlet and an air outlet such that the air inlet is in communication with the air valve in the first position to deflate the inflatable product and the air outlet is in communication with the air valve in the second position to inflate the inflatable product. The air pump can also be used externally via manual connection between the air inlet or the air outlet and other inflatable products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: BESTWAY INFLATABLES & MATERIAL CORP.
    Inventors: Shuiyong Huang, Wanbin Qiu, Ruoxun Yin
  • Patent number: 12215709
    Abstract: A waterproof air pump, an inflatable product, and a production method and a utilizing method for the inflatable product are provided. The waterproof air pump includes a waterproof shell and an air pump body removably connected in the waterproof shell. The waterproof shell includes a lower shell and a waterproof upper cover. The lower shell and the waterproof upper cover are removably connected in a relative sealing. The air pump body and the lower shell are removably connected. An air outlet of the air pump body communicates with an air outlet of the lower shell. The outer wall of the lower shell is sealingly connected to the inflatable product. The air outlet of the lower shell is located in the inner cavity of the inflatable product, and the waterproof upper cover is exposed outside the inflatable product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Jiangsu Guorun Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Houxi Rao, Lei Chen, Xiaohui Chang
  • Patent number: 12201568
    Abstract: A patient support system comprises a patient support apparatus for patients. The patient support apparatus comprises a base and a patient support surface supported by the base. The patient support apparatus also comprises powered devices that perform one or more predetermined functions on the patient support apparatus. Multiple input devices are employed to control the powered devices. The input devices are designed to enable caregivers to cause operation of the powered devices, as needed, while freeing the caregivers to perform other tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Childs, Connor F. St. John, Brian J. Tessmer, Krishna S. Bhimavarapu, James K. Galer
  • Patent number: 12137811
    Abstract: Active comfort controlled bedding systems and processes include an air blower assembly for variable climate control. The air blower assembly generally includes a unidirectional air blower configured to flow air to and from a mattress surface overlaying the bucket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: DREAMWELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Michael S. DeFranks, Rahul Kirtikar, Martin Ramsden
  • Patent number: 12114995
    Abstract: A dressing assembly adapted to be applied on a surface of a patient's body that is susceptible to damage from soft tissue pressure. The dressing assembly includes a carrier having a skin-adhesive film, an outer cover layer overlying and adhered to the skin-adhesive film, an annular-shaped foam member between the skin-adhesive film and the outer cover layer, a cavity defined within the annular-shaped foam member, a lower foam member located within the cavity adjacent a portion of the skin-adhesive film, and a closure assembly overlying the outer cover layer. The closure assembly includes an adhesive element that releasably adheres the closure assembly to the outer cover layer to enable the closure assembly to selectively close and expose the cavity. The closure assembly has an upper form member disposed in the cavity when the closure assembly closes the cavity. A sensor unit is compressed between the lower and upper foam members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Walgreen Health Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Charles R. Walgreen, Sakeena I. Haq
  • Patent number: 12102580
    Abstract: A hospital bed may include a support structure, a controller, a pressure source coupled to the controller, and a hospital bed mattress carried by the support structure and having first and second ends, and first and second sides extending between the first and second ends. The hospital bed mattress may include bladders coupled to the pressure source. The bladders extend between the first and second ends and between the first and second sides and configured to provide pressure differential. The controller may be configured to pseudo-randomly adjust an internal pressure of each of the bladders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: ENCOMPASS GROUP, LLC.
    Inventor: Michelle Daniels
  • Patent number: 12090910
    Abstract: The invention relates to an emergency support robot for polar UAVs, belonging to the technical field of emergency support robots for polar UAVs. The technical problem to be solved is to improve the structure of the existing emergency support robots for polar UAVs. The technical scheme adopted is as follows: the robot is of a car body structure; a support table is arranged on the upper side of the chassis of the car body; a traveling mechanism is arranged on both sides of the chassis of the car body; the two sides of the support table are hinged with a pair of casings through hinged buckles and push rods; the casings are also provided with a wind power plant; the support table is provided with a launching guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: TAIYUAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Tao Wang, Jinzhu Zhang, Wei Shi, Hanqing Shi, Xiaoxiong Ma, Qinkang Sun, Caiyun Zhao, Xiaoyan Xiong, Hefeng Wang, Zhongkai Ren, Xiaobao Ma
  • Patent number: 12075916
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus may include a mattress configured to receive a fluid from a pneumatic system, a graphical user interface, and a controller configured to control the pneumatic system and to communicate with the graphical user interface. The controller may control the graphical user interface to selectively display a home screen comprising a plurality of icons, the icons comprising a mattress function menu icon and a mattress function screen accessible via the mattress function menu icon. The mattress function screen may include at least one control input configured to activate a first state and a second state of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David Newkirk, Brandon Fisk, Gregory Shannon, Scott Corbin, Rachel L. Williamson, John Goewert
  • Patent number: 12071335
    Abstract: A sensor device includes an inflatable diaphragm operable to be disposed on a member, and an array of force sensors disposed about the inflatable diaphragm. The array of force sensors provides one or more signals indicative of a location of contact between an object and the inflatable diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignees: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Alexander Alspach, Andrew M. Beaulieu, Aimee S. Goncalves
  • Patent number: 12070430
    Abstract: A cell structure for a mattress or support where parallel cells are connected together substantially at their middle plane in series so that at least 5 tubes are sealed together in the series. In certain embodiments, feed cells are provided transverse the cell structure and the feed cells are sealed to the cell structure and include punches to allow fluid pressure form the feed cells to introduce into the cell structure. A rail cell is provide outwards of the feed cells and in certain aspects, the rail cell and alternating ones or groupings of the cells in the cell structure are provided with different pressure sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Unisoft Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Mileti
  • Patent number: 12044243
    Abstract: Disclosed is an air pimp, including a housing mechanism, a fan assembly, and an adjusting mechanism. The housing mechanism includes a bottom housing and a cover plate. The cover plate covers the bottom housing; the cover plate is provided with a first air port and a vent cap. The vent cap is rotatably connected with the cover plate; the bottom housing is provided with a second air port. The fan assembly is arranged in an accommodating space. The adjusting mechanism is arranged on the vent cap. The adjusting mechanism includes a fixture block movably passes through the vent cap and a first driving component; the cover plate is provided with a first fixture slot, a second fixture slot, and a third fixture slot. The first driving component may drive the fixture block to be clamped into the first fixture slot, the second fixture slot or the third fixture slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Dongguan Hongyu Plastic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Pan Zhao
  • Patent number: 12023287
    Abstract: A patient support, such as a mattress, includes a plurality of inflatable bladders. Depth sensors are included in the support that measure the degree of penetration of a patient into the mattress. An air pressure sensor is also included that measures the pressure inside at least one bladder. A suitable inflation level of the mattress is determined by monitoring the rate of change of the depth with respect to air pressure as the bladder is either inflated or deflated. By detecting an inflection point in the graphical relationship of the depth and pressure outputs, a suitable inflation point for the bladders is determined that reduces interface pressures experienced by the patient, yet does not overly sink the patient into the mattress to a degree of discomfort. Analyzing the outputs of the depth and pressure sensors can also be used to detect a patient's heart rate and respiration rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Lafleche, Krishna Sandeep Bhimavarapu, Manikantan Seshadrinathan, Donna-Marie Robertson
  • Patent number: 12018919
    Abstract: A compact, inflatable and portable ballistic shield and stretcher device is disclosed herein. The combination device comprises one or more inflatable panels, a protective cover, one or more straps for handling the combination device, a protective layer, a housing, and an optional wheel assembly for easily transporting the device, and that may also serve as a pump for purposes of inflating the inflatable panels if a source of compressed gas is not readily available. The panels of the portable ballistic shield and stretcher device can be selectively inflated on demand and as needed, and the portable ballistic shield and stretcher device can also be removably attached to other portable ballistic shield and stretcher devices to form a barrier to protect a user from arms fire and other unwanted projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas K. Milo, Angelina L. Milo
  • Patent number: 11931312
    Abstract: A therapy system includes a patient support apparatus and a pneumatic therapy device that is coupleable to the patient support apparatus. The therapy device may receive power and air flow from the patient support apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Benz, John G. Byers, Scott M. Corbin, Richard H. Heimbrock, Michael A. Knecht, Bradley T. Smith, Lori Ann Zapfe, Robert M. Zerhusen, Kenneth L. Lilly, Jonathan D. Turner, James L. Walke, Joseph T. Canter, Richard J. Schuman, Sr., John V. Harmeyer
  • Patent number: 11896137
    Abstract: According to embodiments, an air mattress includes an air cell unit including an air cell, and a controller that controls an internal pressure in the air cell. The controller conducts a first operation when the internal pressure in the air cell satisfies the second condition after having satisfied a first condition. The first condition includes the internal pressure becoming from a first value to a second value lower than the first value, a difference between the first value and the second value being equal to or more than a first threshold, and a change rate relative to time of the internal pressure from the first value to the second value being equal to or more than a second threshold. The second condition includes, after the internal pressure has lowered from the first value to the second value, the internal pressure becoming a third value lower than the second value, and a difference between the second value and the third value being equal to or more than a third threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Paramount Bed Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenta Ohno
  • Patent number: 11892376
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing a pneumatic system that (1) pressurizes the system to a first inflation pressure, (2) ceases the pressurizing for a settling-in time period, (3) measures a settled-in pressure after the settling-in time period, (4) measures a decayed pressure after a decay time period, (5) determines a determined rate of decay of the pressure in the system over the decay time period, and (6) compares the determined rate of decay to a first stored decay rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Raymond, Darcy Richard Wank, Michael John Olson, Anuj K. Sidhu
  • Patent number: 11857477
    Abstract: Technologies are provided for determining a likelihood or risk of a human patient for developing pressure injury based on patterns of movement by the patient determined using a specialized measurement support surface. Some embodiments automatically ascertain whether patterns of movements of a human subject, whose weight is supported on the support surface, exhibit sufficient frequency and variability of activity such as will confer either certain health benefits or expose the individual to certain health risks, such as development of pressure ulcers in the load-bearing skin and soft tissues. If the determined patterns manifest such features associated with benefits or risks, then a notification may be provided for the patient to move; for instance, to the patient or a caregiver. In some embodiments, a notification may be provided at an irregular time intervals within-day intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Cerner Innovation, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas S. McNair
  • Patent number: 11849854
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes an pressure-controlled air mattress for enabling a user to set a desired firmness or pressure level of the air mattress. The pressure-controlled air mattress may automatically maintain the desired pressure by replacing leaked air with air from a pressurized air reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: POLYGROUP MACAU LIMITED (BVI)
    Inventors: Victor Hugo Ocegueda Gallaga, Jason Loomis
  • Patent number: 11833091
    Abstract: A moisture control coverlet (10) includes a fluid pathway for moisture removal fluid It is selectively configurable to use a first fluid pump (32), and/or an adaptor (34). The first fluid pump (32) can be mounted on the coverlet and coupled to the fluid pathway for pumping moisture removal fluid into or out of the fluid pathway. The adaptor (34) can be mounted on the coverlet and coupled to the fluid pathway and can be coupled to a second fluid pump (48) for pumping moisture removal fluid into or out of the fluid pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Arjo IP Holding AB
    Inventors: John H. Vrzalik, Mathew Pickering, Kz Hong, Matthew Cavanaugh
  • Patent number: 11826185
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame and a mattress positioned on the frame. The mattress has an electronic component positioned within an interior of the mattress. An inductive power transmitter is coupled to the frame. An inductive power receiver is positioned within the interior of the mattress and electrically coupled to the electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank E. Sauser, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Kathryn R. Smith, Jnanesha Ramegowda, Jason B. Grace, Douglas E. Borgman, Nolan D. Wanner, Steven D. Baker, Douglas A. Seim
  • Patent number: 11825953
    Abstract: A smart sleep system comprising a mattress including a plurality of pressure zones, each pressure zone separately adjustable for firmness, a sensor to sense a user's position on the mattress, a processing system to determine pressure for each of the plurality of pressure zones based on data from the sensor, and a controller to adjust one or more of the pressure zones based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: DP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Richard Kahn, Arthur Kinsolving, Mark Andrew Christensen
  • Patent number: 11801179
    Abstract: A patient support system comprises a patient support apparatus for patients. The patient support apparatus comprises a base and a patient support surface supported by the base. The patient support apparatus also comprises powered devices that perform one or more predetermined functions on the patient support apparatus. Multiple input devices are employed to control the powered devices. The input devices are designed to enable caregivers to cause operation of the powered devices, as needed, while freeing the caregivers to perform other tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Childs, Connor F. St. John, Brian J. Tessmer, Krishna S. Bhimavarapu
  • Patent number: 11801183
    Abstract: Introduced here are pressure-mitigation systems able to mitigate the pressure applied to a human body by the surface of an object. A system can include a pressure-mitigation device with chambers whose pressure can be varied by a controller that regulates the flow of fluid produced by a pump. The controller may be deployed as part of a closed loop system that autonomously infers information related to the health of a patient based on data related to the pressure of these chambers. For example, the data may be examined to determine whether the values indicate the patient is properly situated. A notification may be presented responsive to determining that the patient is not situated on the pressure-mitigation device, the patient has been improperly situated on the pressure-mitigation device for a certain amount of time, etc. Thus, real-time feedback may be provided to those responsible for monitoring the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: TurnCare, Inc.
    Inventor: Rafael Paolo Squitieri
  • Patent number: 11793700
    Abstract: An airbag cushion assembly includes an airbag cushion and an inflation-deflation apparatus that communicates with the airbag cushion. The airbag cushion includes a plurality of sub-airbags, and an airbag gap is formed between adjacent sub-airbags. The inflation-deflation apparatus is provided with an exhaust port, the exhaust port is provided in the airbag gap, and the inflation-deflation apparatus is configured to inflate and deflate the airbag cushion. For the airbag cushion assembly, the exhaust port is provided in the airbag gap, air exhausted by the airbag cushion takes away damp air accumulated between a patient and the airbag cushion, to reduce humidity of the contact area between the patient and the airbag cushion, thereby achieving a pressure sore prevention effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: SHANGHAI CHUANGSHI INDUSTRY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ruzhan Lu, Jue Wang, Tian Liu, Honghong Su, Mingsong Lu, Fangfang Zhu, Litao Fan, Yong You, Yunguang Pan, Yajian Wu, Qihang You
  • Patent number: 11793321
    Abstract: A pump assembly is provided for use with an inflatable product. The inflatable product has a chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet. The pump assembly has a pump unit that is positioned inside the chamber for inflating and deflating the chamber, the pump unit having at least one motor that is operatively coupled to a first blower and a second blower, with the first blower fluidly coupled to the air inlet and the second blower fluidly coupled to the air outlet. The chamber is inflated by intake of air through the air inlet to the first blower and then into the chamber, and the chamber is deflated by drawing air from the chamber to the second blower and then out of the chamber through the air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventors: Vincent W. S. Lau, Shouguo Long
  • Patent number: 11730278
    Abstract: A mattress including air cells that are located on both sides of a user, in which the air cells each have a convex shape on a first side surface, and the air cells are arranged so that the convex shapes thereof are respectively located near shoulder blade outer edges of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: PARAMOUNT BED CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenta Ohno, Makoto Tanaka, Takayuki Arimatsu
  • Patent number: 11723825
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a base and a support frame. The patient support apparatus also comprises a lift assembly that operates to lift and lower the support frame relative to the base. The lift assembly comprises lift members that extend and collapse to lift and lower the support frame. A timing link is pivotally connected to one of the lift members and pivotally connected to the base. Guides operate to guide movement of the lift members during operation. In some cases guided bodies coupled to the lift members move passively in the guides. In other embodiments, driven members coupled to the lift members move actively in the guides to cause lifting and lowering of the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Jason John Connell, Joseph Steven David Elku, Jeffrey C. Shiery
  • Patent number: 11717455
    Abstract: A hospital bed may include a support structure, a controller, a pressure source coupled to the controller, and a hospital bed mattress carried by the support structure and having first and second ends, and first and second sides extending between the first and second ends. The hospital bed mattress may include bladders coupled to the pressure source. The bladders extend between the first and second ends and between the first and second sides and configured to provide pressure differential. The controller may be configured to pseudo-randomly adjust an internal pressure of each of the bladders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: ENCOMPASS GROUP, LLC.
    Inventor: Michelle Daniels
  • Patent number: 11679047
    Abstract: Pressure modulating soft actuator array devices and related systems and methods. One example of the present systems comprises: a device having a body that defines a plurality of cavities; a pressure source configured to be in fluid communication with the plurality of cavities; a plurality of sensors configured to capture data indicative of pressure within the plurality of cavities; and one or more controllers configured to actuate the pressure source to move fluid toward and/or away from one or more of the plurality of cavities in response to data captured by the plurality of sensors; wherein the device is configured to be disposed between a user and a surface on which the user is seated upon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Muthu Wijesundara, Wei Carrigan
  • Patent number: 11672715
    Abstract: A therapeutic support device includes a bladder having one or more independently inflatable compartments, each including a plurality of inflatable cells. When inflated, each inflatable cell forms a contact node that may support a user or another object disposed thereon. The inflatable compartments can be alternately inflated and deflated such that contact pressure can be applied to and relieved from corresponding portions of the user's body in an alternating manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: DABIR SURFACES, INC.
    Inventors: David A. Dzioba, Kenneth Andrew Wolf, Timothy Wyrick
  • Patent number: 11666155
    Abstract: A bed component, for example a mattress or a mattress base, includes a vacuum pump and at least one actuator which is adaptable in its height and/or firmness and has a maximum height in the non-actuated state, wherein the vacuum pump is fluidly connected to the actuator and a vacuum is formed in the actuator by the vacuum pump in the actuated state of the actuator and the height and/or firmness of the actuator is reduced, wherein the vacuum pump is provided in an area of the bed component external to the actuator. Further, a bed including a bed component is shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Emma Sleep GmbH
    Inventors: John Elengical, Andreas Ebbecke, Nick Kanzler, Peter Kersten, Fabian Laasch, Thomas Weber
  • Patent number: 11668310
    Abstract: A multichannel air assembly (1000) for use with inflatable products with multiple inflatable chambers (C). Specifically, said multi-channel air assembly (1000) may be used to selectively inflate or deflate one or more chambers (C) of an inflatable product to varying pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Intex Marketing Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhi Xiong Huang, Huai Tian Wang, Yaw Yuan Hsu
  • Patent number: 11660242
    Abstract: A portable patient turning device is provided comprising an inflatable mattress cover having a planar surface configured to substantially cover the surface of a bed, and a control unit connected to the inflatable mattress cover by one or more air hoses. The inflatable mattress cover further comprises a first inflatable chamber proximate to and extending along a left edge of the planar surface, a second inflatable chamber proximate to and extending along a right edge of the planar surface, and a spine cushion positioned between the first inflatable chamber and the second inflatable chamber and extending along a middle portion of the planar surface for at least a portion of the length of the first inflatable chamber and second inflatable chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventor: Morgan Leigh Miller
  • Patent number: 11642269
    Abstract: Support pad assemblies and person support apparatuses are disclosed. A person support apparatus includes a base frame, a longitudinal frame coupled to the base frame, and a support deck supported on the longitudinal frame. The longitudinal frame extends in a longitudinal direction and the support deck is adjustable from a planar configuration to a concave configuration or a convex configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: ALLEN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Bennett DuBois, Ben Hertz, Timothy Allen Lane, Rachel L. Williamson, Kiana Mathews Dezelon, Nicholas Mann, Varad Narayan Srivastava
  • Patent number: 11583099
    Abstract: A dual-chamber air bed includes an air pump, a bed body air chamber and peripheral air chambers. The air bed is enclosed by a top surface, a bottom surface and a side wall. An upper supplementary-material encircling piece is provided between the top surface and the side wall; a lower supplementary-material encircling piece is provided between the bottom surface and the side wall. The peripheral air chambers are enclosed by the top surface, the side wall and the upper supplementary-material encircling piece, and by the bottom surface, the side wall and the lower supplementary-material encircling piece. The bed body air chamber is enclosed by the top surface, the bottom surface, the side wall, the upper supplementary-material encircling piece, and the lower supplementary-material encircling piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: WANGLI PLASTIC & ELECTRONICS (HUIZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yonghe Li
  • Patent number: 11583223
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices, methods and systems for monitoring and detection of pressure on a part of a body of a user. In an embodiment, a device includes a substrate having a contact surface for contacting a user, one or more sacs associated with the contact surface of the substrate, and one or more sensors in communication with the one or more sacs, the one or more sensors adapted to measure changes in pressure in the one or more sacs. The sacs contain a fluidic material configured to transmit pressure. The fluidic material is further configured to be shock-absorbing and pressure-relieving such that the fluidic material is displaceable by an action of the user contacting the contact surface causing the pressure in the fluidic material to be redistributed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventors: Jesper Fleischer, Anders Geert Jensen
  • Patent number: 11484449
    Abstract: A support apparatus for a person includes a main cushion having a bottom surface, a top surface to form a support surface for a person supported on the main cushion, and a length having a perimeter that has longitudinal and lateral sides extending around the perimeter. In addition, the support apparatus has at least one sleeve located along one of the sides of the man cushion. The sleeve is configured between a stowed state, where the sleeve is closely adjacent to the one side, and a deployed state, where the sleeve forms an extension of the top surface of the main cushion to thereby increase the width or the length of the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: James Tumavich, Ryan Ross, Robert G. Cox
  • Patent number: 11471110
    Abstract: The invention provides a smart pad for detecting a physiological state and movement, together or individually, of a user. The smart pad comprises: a sensing portion, having a plurality of sub-sensing portions, wherein the plurality of sub-sensing portions are respectively separated from each other by a plurality of partitions; a channel portion, communicating with one opening of each of the plurality of sub-sensing portions; and a collection portion, communicating with the plurality of sub-sensing portions through the channel region. The physiological state and movement, together or individually, is determined according to a fluid status change in the plurality of sub-sensing portions delivered to the collection portion through the channel portion. The interior of the plurality of partitions is separated from the interiors of the sensing portion, channel region, and collection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventors: I-Lin Lo, Yun-Lung Lo, Pei-Ju Wang
  • Patent number: 11458052
    Abstract: An occupant support structure for supporting an occupant includes an orientation adjustable torso section, a lower body section, and a control system. The lower body section includes a heel region subsection which supports the heel region of an occupant of the occupant support. The control system is adapted to A) cause the heel region subsection to temporarily substantially disengage from the heel region of the occupant in response to a change of angular orientation of the torso section which begins at a time t0, and B) cause the heel region subsection to subsequently re-engage with the heel region of the occupant, the re-engagement occurring at a time tB which is later than t0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Lachenbruch, Neal Wiggermann, Darrell L. Borgman, Eric R. Meyer
  • Patent number: 11458056
    Abstract: A bed is provided having a base frame, a patient support assembly connected to the base frame, and a tilt frame connected between the base frame and the patient support assembly. The tilt frame is rotatable adjacent the foot end of the bed to place the patient support assembly, including the head section, seat section and foot section thereof, in a generally vertical position to allow a patient to exit the bed in a standing orientation. The bed also has a foot board assembly connected to the foot section, the foot board assembly having a foot board separately moveable about a longitudinal axis of the bed toward the head end and the foot end of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Kreg Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Poulos, Carlos Portillo, Tho Thieu
  • Patent number: 11458054
    Abstract: A support surface includes a patient fluid support surface that includes a first set of inflatable portions having an adjustable width and a second set of inflatable portions having an adjustable length, the width and length both adjustable by changing an amount of fluid in each of the first and second inflatable portions and a controller housing that includes a user interface device and a controller operative to provide control of both inflating and deflating of the first and second set of inflatable portions in response to electronic control signals from the user interface device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: KAP MEDICAL
    Inventors: Raj K. Gowda, Dan F. Rosenmayer
  • Patent number: 11439249
    Abstract: A pressure reference resetting structure of an inflatable mattress, the inflatable mattress contains a valve connected with an end of the inflatable mattress, an inflatable air pump connected with the valve, and the valve being connected with a pressure detection pipe which is coupled with a pressure sensing element. The valve includes an air orifice communicated with the pressure detection pipe so that the pressure sensing element detects a pressure of an external environment via the pressure detection pipe and the air orifice, and a reference pressure of the inflatable mattress is reset to inflate the inflatable mattress based on the reference pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: Shang-Neng Wu
  • Patent number: 11389354
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a support structure, an articulation system, and a headboard assembly. The support structure comprises a head end, a foot end, a base, and a patient support deck to support a patient between the head end and the foot end. The patient support deck comprises a first section and a second section capable of articulating relative to the first section. The articulation system articulates the second section relative to the first section. The headboard assembly is coupled to the second section to be arranged adjacent to a head of the patient lying on the patient support deck. At least a portion of the headboard assembly articulates with the second section when the second section articulates relative to the first section. The headboard assembly comprises one or more environment controls operable to alter an environment of the patient on the patient support deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Kurosh Nahavandi, Charles Louis Crouch
  • Patent number: 11389007
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for facilitating rotation of a mattress. In order to facilitate rotation, an expandable volume creates an air cushion between the mattress and the box spring under the influence of an air supply which lifts the mattress and allows the mattress to be rotated. One or more covers, which may include a slick surface, may be provided that incorporate or operate in conjunction with the expandable volume. In some examples, the expandable volume and/or the slick surface may be incorporated into the mattress, or box spring or platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Levitation Sciences LLC
    Inventor: William John Scarleski
  • Patent number: 11351076
    Abstract: An air mattress control system is disclosed. The air mattress control system comprises a mattress and a gas regulating device. The mattress comprises a plurality of inflation layers. The gas regulating device comprises a first three-way solenoid valve, a pumping motor, a second three-way solenoid valve, a connecting conduit, a gas guiding device, and a control device. The pumping motor connects the first three-way solenoid valve and the second three-way solenoid valve connects the pumping motor. The connecting conduit connects the first three-way solenoid valve and the second three-way solenoid valve. The gas guiding device connects the connecting conduit and a plurality of the inflation layer. The control device controls the switch of the first three-way solenoid valve and the second three-way solenoid valve, and starting the pumping motor to inflate or deflate the plurality of inflation layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Brilliant Product Design Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ying-Chun Yen
  • Patent number: 11344461
    Abstract: A support cushion liner includes a liner body having a cavity disposed between an outer layer and an inner layer and a plurality of artificial muscles disposed in the cavity of the liner body. Each of the plurality of artificial muscles include a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode fixed to a first surface of the housing and a second electrode fixed to a second surface of the housing. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region thereby applying pressure to the outer layer of the liner body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Michael P. Rowe, Ryohei Tsuruta, Danil Prokhorov