Patent · US Expired

Vacuum/heat formed cushion supported on a fluid permeable manifold

US5561875A · kind A · utility

152Cited by
33References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 25, 1994
Grant dateOct 8, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 25, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61G7/05707
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A vacuum or heat formed cushion having upstanding cells of thin (15-40 mil) wall thickness and having rectangular body sections with upwardly inclined (10.degree.-40.degree.) triangular top panels. The cushions can be attached together to form a mattress or used individually as a wheelchair or other chair or back cushion. The cells of the cushion can all be interconnected or the cushion can be divided in two or more independently inflated compartments. A special wheelchair cushion has cells of different shapes, sizes and heights to promote positioning of a user on a wheelchair. The cushion has openings through the base to allow it to be placed on a manifold so that body fluids can drain away from the patient and conditioned air can be supplied to the patient. The manifold has a top surface on which the cushion rests, side walls engaging the support surface to define an open area beneath the cushion, and a series of open segments in the top of the manifold aligned with the openings through the cushion base to allow air to be passed to and withdrawn from the area of the patient and to allow patient body fluids to drain into the manifold. The top surfaces of the cells are textured to …

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