Control for pressurized bladder in a patient support apparatus

US8620477B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Hill-Rom Services, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Andrew F. Skinner · Batesville, US
• Sandy M. Richards · Centerville, US
• David P. Lubbers · Cincinnati, US
• Steven A. Dixon · Riverview, US
• Richard B. Stacy · Batesville, US
• Aziz A. Bhai · Batesville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 22, 2011
• Grant date: Dec 31, 2013
• Expiry date: Dec 22, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/86389
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting a patient, such as a hospital bed, is provided. The apparatus includes a patient support surface and at least one fluid containing bladder. A pressure control assembly is operably coupled with the bladder. When the fluid pressure within the bladder falls outside of an acceptable range of pressure values, the active adjustment of the pressure within the bladder is initiated by the pressure control assembly if the pressure does not return to the acceptable range of pressure values within a time period, e.g., a time delay, that has a variable length.