Fluidized bed with modular fluidizable portion

Abstract

A patient support system has a fluidizable surface formed by air fluidizing a mass of fluidizable material. The fluidizable surface preferably is formed by a plurality of fluidizable cells disposed and attached atop an air permeable support with the aid of anchoring flaps, attachment flaps, and attachment mechanisms such as airtight zippers or mating elastomeric members. Each of these cells contains a discrete mass of fluidizable material and is manually, detachably removable from the support, without the aid of tools, for ease of cleaning and replacement. Each cell is laterally retained above the air permeable support by a member whcih is at least partially vertically collapsible so as to facilitate ingress and egress of the patient and the cells to and from the support system. The collapsible member can comprise an air impermeable panel which can form an inflatable elastic wall having one or more internal webs defining separately pressurizable compartments. A blower inflates the elastic wall and the fluidizable material via a network including manifolds, valves, and flexible tubing. A microprocessor controls actuation of the various valves and the blower according to signals inputted by operating personnel or supplied by various sensors which monitor the patient support system.