Patient support structure
US4768249A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 1986 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 26, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61G2203/30
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improved patient support structure comprising an articulatable frame, a plurality of elongated inflatable sacks, some of the sacks having one or two comfort slots therein, a low pressure compressed air blower and a plurality of pipes for carrying gas from the blower to the sacks. A multi-outlet, variable flow, gas valve connects the blower to the pipes and comprises a housing defining an inlet and a passageway. The sacks rest atop a neoprene membrane which covers a planar upper surface of the frame. Operation of the motor of an exhaust valve is controlled by an electronic exhaust valve control circuit which balances the voltage from the potentiometer of the valve against a voltage output from a preset variable resistor. A zone valve control circuit similar to the exhaust valve control circuit, has a motor driven integrated circuit and a further integrated circuit which chooses between a plurality of preset step-wise thumbwheel switches based upon a signal from a step-wise linear switch which is mechanically connected to one of the articulatable sections of the frame. The sacks can be rapidly deflated via a plurality of solenoid valves. A plurality of pressure sensitive switches …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.