Span-America Medical Systems, Inc.

M.p.l. Limited

Other

Healthflex, Inc.

John W Wilkinson

Richard W Raburn

Thomas S Hargest

John C Wilkinson

A cushioning device for a body support such as a mattress, seat, sofa, or the like where support is obtained from a fluid. The cushioning device is self-inflating, self-adjusting, and provides a low interface pressure under the entire contact surface of a patient. Shear force scraping damage is prevented by a sleeve apparatus. A support system apparatus provides separately adjustable pressure support zones. For physical therapy, an alternating pressure system provides alternating lifting and lowering pressure zones under a patient.

Inflatable cushioning device with manifold system

An equalizing pressure control system for connection to at least two pressure zones of a body support. The equalizing pressure control system ensures that an object will be slowly and safely lowered to a static position in the event of a sudden failure of an external pump or a supply pressure to the at least two pressure zones.

Pressure equalization apparatus

A mattress or another type of support surface which allows for discrete manipulation of the pressure on a supported body. The present invention includes resilient fluid cells having a spring bias, grouped to allow adjustable dynamic control of the pressure exerted on various locations of the body support. Each of the fluid cells has a multiple port air distribution system, either integral to the fluid cell or attached to the fluid cell. The multiple port air distribution system includes ports and allows for the control of intake flow, outflow, and sound. A harnessing system is attached to the ports of the multiple port air distribution system and interconnects the fluid cells in a pattern desired by the user. The harnessing system controls the directions and flow volume of air into the fluid cells creating selected zones. The harnessing configuration is customizable to a particular patient. The fluid cells are held together by a casing. The casing supports, houses, and prevents movement of the fluid cells and the harnessing system.

Discrete cell body support and method for using the same to provide dynamic massage

A cushioning device for a body support such as a mattress, seat, sofa, or the like where support is obtained from a fluid. The cushioning device is self-inflating, self-adjusting, and provides a low interface pressure under the entire contact surface of a patient. The cushioning device includes a tilting apparatus that provides assistance in rotating the patient from one position to another. Shear force scraping damage is prevented by a sleeve apparatus. A support system apparatus provides separately adjustable pressure support zones. For physical therapy, an alternating pressure system provides alternating lifting and lowering pressure zones under a patient.

Inflatable cushioning device with tilting apparatus

A seating system is designed for self-adjusting pressure relief for use with wheelchairs and other generally confined seating arrangements. One or more support chambers filled with resilient foam and a fluid such as air are arranged on an upper support surface. A self-adjusting reservoir is provided and arranged in fluid communication with the chamber. A constant force spring cooperates with a pivoting plate arrangement and acts on the reservoir so as to balance fluid pressure between the reservoir and the support chamber with a patient received thereon. In some embodiments, three fluid/resilient foam chambers may be provided for independent operation with three respective adjustable reservoirs. In other embodiments, fluid filled chambers may be operatively associated with respective reservoirs and pivoting actuation plates specially adapted to fit below a wheelchair seat without interfering with the wheelchair support structure, or specially adapted to be carried in a pack on the wheelchair seat back. Present arrangements may be modified for use with other seating conditions, such as geriatric chairs and seats for vehicles of all types.

Self-adjusting pressure relief seating system and methodology

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.

Pressure relief valve vent line mattress system and method

A pressure relief support system utilizes a self-adjusting approach to maintaining generally constant pressure in fluid support bladders. A constant force, such as from a constant force linear spring or from a counterweight system, is applied directly to a fluid support bladder or to a reservoir in fluid communication with such bladder. Plural self-adjusting arrangements may be provided in a single device for fabricating a support body with sectionalized support. Such arrangements may be incorporated into mattress support systems or into seating arrangements or other alternative uses. By appropriately selecting system components, such as the amount of the constant force applied, the original volume of fluid to which the force is applied, and the reservoir size, pressure dispersion for a patient or supported object of any type may be controlled at a predetermined generally constant point. By utilizing the potential energy of a constant force linear spring or equivalent arrangement, a self-adjusting system and methodology is provided which does not require any form of electronic control system for receiving sensory feedback or for operating pressure pumps or valving systems responsive to any such feedback.

Self-adjusting pressure relief support system and methodology

Automated pressure relief mattress support system including method and apparatus for supporting a bed patient comprising an air mattress construction having a plurality of longitudinally extending flexible air compartments or tubes which are connected to a pressurized air source and uniformly pressurized to an optimum air pressure to minimize interface surface pressure between a patient and the mattress. The system is of simplified economical construction and can be operated both passively and actively to minimize patient/mattress interface pressures and to roll a patient to right and left side positions, typically to selected angles of up to about 30 degrees for preselected times, with roll position air pressure set points in the mattress air tubes for particular roll angles of the patient being automatically established, based on patient body weight.

Automated pressure relief mattress support system

The pressure relief support system contains longitudinal air cylinders having wood slats extending across the air cylinders along the length of the air cylinders forming the shape of a mattress. Foam strips may be included on each of these slats to provide an improved pressure relief mattress system for optimal patient comfort.

Growing community of inventors

Bennington, VT, United States of America

John W Wilkinson