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:
May. 14, 2002
Filed:
May. 22, 2000
Jean-Louis Viard, Grabels, FR;
Hill-Rom Industries S.A., Montpellier, FR;
Abstract
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for supporting an element to be supported, in particular the body of a patient. The apparatus comprises a support device essentially comprising only at least one closed or controlled-release chamber together with inlet and outlet means via which the filling fluid can be fed in or removed, and an independent control device is provided disposed under the support device said control device comprising filling and emptying means for filling the chamber with filling fluid or for emptying said fluid therefrom and the control means proper for controlling feeding in and removing the filling fluid. The invention makes it possible to simplify manufacture and management of a support for supporting an element to be supported such as the body of a patient.