Patent · US Expired

Method for turning a patient with a low air loss patient support

US5073999A · kind A · utility

76Cited by
13References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 20, 1990
Grant dateDec 24, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 20, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61G7/05776
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method for turning a bed ridden patient uses a low air loss patient support system that includes a plurality of identical multi-chambered inflatable sacks. A restrictive flow hole connects two adjacent chambers disposed predominately to one side of the centerline of the sack, and each side is separately pressurizable under the control of a microprocess and a plurality of pressure control valves with pressure transducers and a plurality of flow diverter valves for switching between different modes of configuring the manner in which the sacks are pressurized. The support system effects a method of rotating or tilting the patient that depressurizes one side of the sacks while increasing the pressurization of the opposite side of the sacks. The end chamber of the depresurizing side of the sacks remains inflated while the intermediate chamber of the depressurizing side of the sacks becomes progressively deflated during depressurization to permit the end chamber to restrain the patient from sliding off the sacks during tilting.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.