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. 14, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 03, 1999
Ronald B Hicks, San Antonio, TX (US);
John H Vrzalik, San Antonio, TX (US);
Kinetic Concepts, Inc., San Antonio, TX (US);
Abstract
A patient support system having multiple patient support layers for reducing and preventing the development of bed sores in bedridden patients. A top patient support surface is provided by an anti-shear cover layer. The anti-shear cover layer being operable to reduce lateral shear forces experienced by a patient moving across the patient support surface. One or more fluid pouches or bladders are provided to form a fluid bladder layer for reducing normal pressures and forces experienced by the patient. The fluid bladder layer being releasably or integrally secured to the top surface of an inflatable air mattress. Means are provided operable to secure the anti-shear cover layer and fluid bladder layer in overlapping relation to the inflatable air mattress. Also provided is a means for adjusting the temperature of the fluid contained within the fluid bladder layer.