IP Library › Patent Application 19635030
Patent Application
App. No. 19/635,030

SUPPORT APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
19/635,030
Abstract

A therapeutic support devise includes a bladder having one or more independently inflatable compartments, each including a plurality of inflatable cells. When inflated, each inflatable cell forms a contact node that may support a user or another object disposed thereon. The inflatable compartments can be alternately inflated and deflated such that contact pressure can be applied to an and relieved from corresponding portions of the user's body in an alternating manner.

Claims (25)

1 . A system for supporting a user, comprising:

a support surface overlay, said support surface overlay comprising:

a first flexible sheet and a second flexible sheet overlying said first flexible sheet, said second flexible sheet joined to said first flexible sheet by a seam, said seam defining: a first selectively inflatable compartment comprising a first plurality of selectively inflatable cells, each of said first plurality of selectively inflatable cells defining a contact node having a contact node centroid when said first selectively inflatable compartment is inflated; and

a second selectively inflatable compartment comprising a second plurality of selectively inflatable cells, each of said second plurality of selectively inflatable cells defining a contact node having a contact node centroid when said second selectively inflatable compartment is inflated; and

a control unit configured to selectively:

inflate said first selectively inflatable compartment such that an inflation pressure at each of said first plurality of selectively inflatable cells is greater than or equal to 1.9 pounds per square inch;

deflate said first selectively inflatable compartment;

inflate said second selectively inflatable compartment such that the inflation pressure at each of said second plurality of selectively inflatable cells of said second selectively inflatable compartment is greater than or equal to 1.9 pounds per square inch; and

deflate said second selectively inflatable compartment.

2 . The system of claim 1 , said control unit configured to selectively inflate said first selectively inflatable compartment such that the inflation pressure at each of said first plurality of selectively inflatable cells of said first selectively inflatable compartment is at least 2.5 pounds per square inch.

3 . The system of claim 1 , said control unit configured to selectively inflate said first selectively inflatable compartment such that the inflation pressure at each of said first plurality of selectively inflatable cells of said first selectively inflatable compartment is at least 3.0 pounds per square inch.

4 . The system of claim 1 , said control unit configured to selectively inflate said first selectively inflatable compartment such that the inflation pressure at each of said first plurality of selectively inflatable cells of said first selectively inflatable compartment is at least 3.5 pounds per square inch.

5 . The system of claim 1 , said control unit configured to selectively inflate said first selectively inflatable compartment such that the inflation pressure at each of said first plurality of selectively inflatable cells of said first selectively inflatable compartment is at least 4.0 pounds per square inch.

6 . The system of claim 1 , said control unit configured to selectively inflate said first selectively inflatable compartment such that the inflation pressure at each of said first plurality of selectively inflatable cells of said first selectively inflatable compartment is at least 4.5 pounds per square inch.

7 . The system of claim 1 , said control unit configured to selectively inflate said first selectively inflatable compartment such that the inflation pressure at each of said first plurality of selectively inflatable cells of said first selectively inflatable compartment is at least 5.0 pounds per square inch.

8 . The system of claim 1 , said control unit configured to selectively inflate said first selectively inflatable compartment such that the inflation pressure at each of said first plurality of selectively inflatable cells of said first selectively inflatable compartment is at least 5.5 pounds per square inch.

9 . The system of claim 1 , said control unit configured to selectively inflate said first selectively inflatable compartment such that the inflation pressure at each of said first plurality of selectively inflatable cells of said first selectively inflatable compartment is at least 6.0 pounds per square inch.

10 . The system of claim 1 , said control unit configured to selectively inflate said first selectively inflatable compartment such that the inflation pressure at each of said first plurality of selectively inflatable cells of said first selectively inflatable compartment is at least 6.5 pounds per square inch.

11 . The system of claim 1 , said control unit configured to selectively inflate said first selectively inflatable compartment such that the inflation pressure at each of said first plurality of selectively inflatable cells of said first selectively inflatable compartment is at least 7.0 pounds per square inch.

12 . The system of claim 1 , said control unit configured to selectively inflate said first selectively inflatable compartment such that the inflation pressure at each of said first plurality of selectively inflatable cells of said first selectively inflatable compartment is at least 7.5 pounds per square inch.

13 . The system of claim 1 , said control unit configured to selectively inflate said first selectively inflatable compartment such that the inflation pressure at each of said first plurality of selectively inflatable cells of said first selectively inflatable compartment is at least 8.0 pounds per square inch.

14 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said control unit comprises an electronic control unit that controls inflation and deflation of said first and second selectively inflatable compartments and a user interface through which a user can control the said electronic control unit.

15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein said control unit is programmed to selectively inflate and deflate said first and/or second selectively inflatable compartments.

16 . The system of claim 13 , wherein said control unit can be programmed to synchronize the inflation and/or deflation of said first and/or second selectively inflatable compartments to natural body rhythms.

17 . The system of claim 13 , wherein said control unit is programmed to monitor, control and/or collect data from sensors that examine load, pressure, temperature and/or moisture with or without respect to time.