The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 16, 1999
Filed:
Sep. 23, 1998
Richard B Stacy, Charleston, SC (US);
Craig D Ellis, Charleston, SC (US);
Barry D Hand, Mt. Pleasant, SC (US);
James M Thomas, Mt. Pleasant, SC (US);
Kenith W Chambers, Charleston, SC (US);
Stephen E Glover, Charleston, SC (US);
Richard I Barnett, Mount Pleasant, SC (US);
Paul B King, Mount Pleasant, SC (US);
Ryszard S Ozarowski, Marietta, GA (US);
William T Sutton, Charleston, SC (US);
Other;
Abstract
An apparatus is provided which supports a patient on an inflatable structure. The inflatable structure preferably has two components: a) lower inflatable layer which is selectively operable to provide basic support for the patient and which includes a plurality of laterally offset zone which may be independently inflatable to control rotation of the patient. Further, a second inflatable layer includes a plurality of zones for establishing optimal patient interface pressures and patient comfort levels, and may also include sufficiently independent inner chambers to facilitate the providing of specific therapies such as alternation of primary pressure contact areas, or percussion or vibration of the patient through inner cell inflation.