Method and apparatus for supporting and for supplying therapy to a patient

US5586346A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Support Systems, International · US

Inventors

• Richard B. Stacy · Batesville, US
• Craig D. Ellis · Charleston, US
• Barry D. Hand · Mount Pleasant, US
• James M. C. Thomas · Fairfax, US
• Kenith W. Chambers · Charleston, US
• Stephen E. Glover · Charleston, US
• Richard I. Barnett · Georgetown, US
• Paul B. King · Pittsburgh, US
• Ryszard S. Ozarowski · Marietta, US
• William T. Sutton · Charleston, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 15, 1994
• Grant date: Dec 24, 1996
• Expiry date: Feb 15, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S5/915
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An apparatus is provided which supports a patient on an inflatable structure. The inflatable structure preferably has two components: a) lower inflatable layer which is selectively operable to provide basic support for the patient and which includes a plurality of laterally offset zone which may be independently inflatable to control rotation of the patient. Further, a second inflatable layer includes a plurality of zones for establishing optimal patient interface pressures and patient comfort levels, and may also include sufficiently independent inner chambers to facilitate the providing of specific therapies such as alternation of primary pressure contact areas, or percussion or vibration of the patient through inner cell inflation.