Alternating pressure pad
US5651151A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 29, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61G7/05776
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An alternating pressure pad has two sets of alternately inflatable cells. The alternately inflatable cells overlie additional base cells in a lower layer of the mattress. These base cells are all simultaneously inflated whilst each of the sets of upper cells are repeatedly inflated and deflated in alternation over an inflation and deflation cycle. During a cycle each set of upper cells is deflated at least once while the patient is primarily supported by the other inflated set of cells. During each inflation and deflation cycle, the additional base cells are reduced in pressure at least once. In this way, even if a part of the patient is temporarily supported only on the lower base cells, the support pressure is temporarily reduced each cycle to minimize pressure effects on the patient.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.