Abstract: A moisture drying mattress comprised of at least one cushion that has opposite top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of apertures that extend through the cushion from the bottom surface to the top surface. An air channel mat is positioned below the cushion. The air channel mat is adapted and dimensioned to fit beneath the cushion and support the cushion bottom surface in a spaced relation above a bottom base of the mat to thereby form an air flow space between the cushion and mat through which air can flow. A vapor permeable, liquid impermeable cover encases the air channel mat and the cushion defining a vapor evaporation area under the cover. The air channel mat defines a moisture drying zone within the vapor evaporation area. An air pump is provided for selectively supplying a flow of air to the air channel mat. A controller is provided to control the flow of air to the air channel mat to evaporate the vapor in the vapor evaporation area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for detecting and monitoring the distance between a patient and a reference point on an inflatable air mattress and for controlling the air supply to that mattress in relation to such distance. The patient distance sensing system includes a rigid support frame such as a bed frame, an inflatable air mattress positioned atop the bed frame with the upper surface of the inflatable air mattress forming a patient support surface, an air supply operable to provide controlled variations in air supply, and a series of patient distance sensing devices. Such devices including a heterodyning proximation detector, a force responsive distance sensing device, and a light responsive sensing device. Each device is operable to act separately or cooperatively in maintaining a therapeutically beneficial patient support surface through variable control of the delivery of inflation pressure to the air mattress.

Abstract: A moisture drying mattress comprises a cover that encloses an air cell mattress and a plurality of air channel mats. The cover has a top portion that is vapor permeable and liquid impermeable. The air cell mattress has a plurality of apertures between the air cells. The plurality of air channel mats have a base and are positioned beneath the air cell mattress and within pockets located in the interior of the cover on a bottom portion of the cover. The air channel mats have a plurality of projections extending upwardly from the base that support the air cell mattress in a spaced relation from the air channel mat base. The air channel mats communicate with an air pump that is selectively controlled by a controller to selectively supply a flow of air to any of the air channel mats.

Abstract: A mattress assembly comprises an inflatable central support portion having a head end, a foot end, a first side and a second side, and first and second side bolsters coupled to the first and second sides, respectively, of the inflatable central support portion. The first and second side bolsters each have at least two chambers extending along a longitudinal axis of the first and second side bolsters. At least one of the chambers is a manifold in fluid communication with the central support portion. The manifold is configured to be coupled to an air supply to supply air to the central support portion and the other chambers.

Abstract: A wheelchair cushion system for alternating the pressure points upon the individual's body and providing adequate ventilation to the individual's body in contact with the cushion thereby significantly reducing pressure sores. The inventive device includes a battery, a power switch electrically connected to the battery, a pump timer electrically connected to the power switch and to a pump, a first cycle timer electrically connected to the power switch and a first valve wherein the first valve is fluidly connected to the pump, a second cycle timer electrically connected to the power switch and a second valve wherein the second valve is fluidly connected to the pump, a plurality of first pockets fluidly connected to said first valve, and a plurality of second pockets fluidly connected to the second valve.

Abstract: Body support having an air core (2, 3; 52) and a bellows (6, 7; 56), integrated into a side edge portion (4, 5) from a compliant filling material, and having compliant filling material in an inner space. The body support further comprises passages (13, 14, 15; 63, 64, 65) which connect the bellows (6, 7; 56) with the air core (2, 3; 52) and connect the bellows (6, 7; 56) and the air core (2, 3; 52) with the surroundings, and comprising valves (16, 17; 67, 70) for blocking in a condition of rest air flow from the air core (2, 3; 52). Because the inner space of the bellows (6, 7; 56) in the condition of rest is in open communication with the surroundings, the compressibility of the bellows filled with filling material is well adapted to the compressibility of adjacent side edge portions, which are also filled with filling material, and the maximum load of the bellows is limited.

Abstract: In operation of a support for a patient's body, used in medical or veterinary treatment, which applies alternating-pressure to the body in order to reduce or minimize the risk of pressure sores caused by prolonged pressure on the skin, inflatable cells of the support are inflated and deflated cyclically in a predetermined sequence. To provide improved effect in relieving or preventing pressure sores, the cells are deflated in the sequence in such a manner that the interior pressure falls from 10 mmHg (135 Pa) to 0 mmHg in a time period of not more than 15 s. Preferably the interior pressure falls to below 0 mmHg (ambient atmospheric pressure). A vacuum pump or pumps may be employed to achieve this result.

Abstract: An air distribution device with a plurality of sheets is provided to prevent and treat decubitus ulcers. Air from an air source is provided between sheets of the coverlet which are air tight except for a plurality of very tiny apertures that are provided in the top sheet. The device is used between a support surface such as an alternating pressure mattress and a patient. The air escaping from the tiny apertures circulates around the patient to remove excess moisture from the patient's skin and wounds. The top sheet of the coverlet is made of a low friction nylon with an undercoating of a waterproof yet vapor permeable polyurethane. The top sheet has a plurality of apertures punched through the material. The central sheet is made out of the identical material of the top sheet, except there are no tiny apertures.

Abstract: An inflatable mattress comprises superposed lower, middle, and upper sheet layers. The lower and middle sheet layers are joined to each other in a manner to define an inflatable air chamber. The middle and upper sheet layers are secured to each other in a manner to define at least two independently inflatable mattress portions. Fluid passageways provide fluid communication between the air chamber and the inflatable mattress portions. A plurality of ventilation apertures are through the upper sheet layer for ventilating air from the inflatable mattress portions. The sheet layers are arranged such that air introduced into the inflatable air chamber flows through the fluid passageways into the inflatable mattress portions and then out through the ventilation apertures.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the pressure of fluid within a chamber upon which a person rests includes a manifold having a wall defining an interior region in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid and an air sack defining the chamber. The air sack includes a wall defining an interior region of the air sack. The wall is formed to include an air loss opening in fluid communication with the interior region of the air sack. The apparatus also includes a flow control assembly having a conduit in fluid communication with the interior region of the air sack and with the interior region of the manifold. The flow control assembly also includes a check valve mounted in the conduit to prevent the flow of pressurized fluid through the conduit from the interior region of the air sack to the interior region of the manifold.

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 low air-loss mattress comprises a containment envelope enclosing two lengthwise extending inflatable side chambers each connected to receive air under pressure from a source and each connected to supply such air under pressure to one or more laterally extending inflatable air sacks positioned between the two side chambers. Each air sack is formed with a multiplicity of holes through which air can leave the mattress.

Abstract: An air-loss mattress (1) to which air under pressure is supplied from a source, control apparatus (2) for controlling the supply of air under pressure from the source to the air-loss mattress through a connector which form part of the mattress, and means included in the control apparatus for setting a required pressure of air flow to the mattress, the air-loss mattress being characterized in that it includes a manifold conduit (25) connected to the source of air under pressure through an outlet pipe (26) of the control apparatus, an open-ended tube (27) connected at one end to pressure recording means of the control apparatus with its free end positioned within the manifold conduit (25) to provide a direct measure of the pressure of air present within this manifold, and means for automatically varying the rate at which air is supplied to the mattress from the source in dependence upon differences existing between the pressure recorded by the pressure recording means and the set pressure in a sense to minimize

Abstract: A pressure relief valve vent line mattress system utilizes a self-adjusting approach with a single air source to obtain in combination a low air loss feature for beneficial cooling and drying of a patient's skin. A single air supply source outputs a predetermined positive flow of air into one or more patient air support bladders. An air distribution manifold received within a mattress body receives and disperses overflow pressure routed thereto from the patient air support bladders via an air passageway having a first pressure relief valve with an established set point. A second pressure relief valve is associated with a pump return line adjunct to the constant air flow pump. The net effect is to disperse overflow pressure from the mattress bladders (tending to keep such bladders at a constant pressure) while providing low air loss through the mattress for patient cooling and drying effects, all utilizing a single air flow source.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention is directed to a cellular air loss mattress system comprising an air mattress and an air supply means. Cells of the mattress system are welded onto a unitary top piece and a unitary bottom piece. Means for supplying air, preferably an air blower, is connected to the center cell (also referred to as the pelvic cell) via a supply hose. The air exiting the air blower travels through the supply hose and fills the center cell. The air is allowed to directly travel into adjacent cells via internal air connectors. The inner diameter of each air connector is adjusted to create different pressure zones within the air mattress to support the different pressure requirements of a patient's body. The highest pressure zone is the center cell that initially receives air from the air supply means. The pressure decreases as air moves from the center cell to adjacent cells.

Abstract: A patient air mattress replacement system having a pair of air support layers with a hose assembly containing a plurality of supply tubes for providing air to the air support layers. The mattress includes an interface connection which connects the support layers to the hose assembly and valve fittings which prevent escape of air from at least one support layer when the hose assembly is disconnected from the interface connection.

Abstract: A bed system is provided which limits the inflation time of each of a plurality of ventilating air mattresses with the system to a predetermined time. Each mattress includes a fitting with a spring biased pin for actuating a pump switch when the mattress fitting is properly mated with a pump adapter thereby facilitating inflation of said mattress. The pump is programmed to deactivate at the predetermined time, and to remain deactive until the pump switch is reset. The pin is positioned and constructed to be mechanically rendered inoperable in the process of resetting the switch thereby preventing each mattress fitting from actuating the pump switch a second time.

Abstract: An airbed mattress assembly comprised of an air core disposed within a mattress cover, a layer of impact absorbing material with a thickness of from 0.5 to 1.5 inches contiguous with the bottom surface of the air core, an air blower having an intake to atmospheric air and having an exhaust to atmospheric air and having a pressurized air outlet, an air line connected to the pressurized air outlet and connected to the air core, an air valve, means for actuating the first air valve for opening air flow through said first air line and for simultaneously energizing the air blower, and means for actuating the air valve for opening air flow through the air line without simultaneously energizing the air blower. The air core has a depth from about 8 to about 12 inches, a length of from about 80 to about 84 inches and is formed from vulcanizing a multiplicity of sections of calendared material which comprises elastomeric material bonded to a fabric material.