CA2018178A1 - Inflation control for air supports - Google Patents
Inflation control for air supportsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2018178A1 CA2018178A1 CA002018178A CA2018178A CA2018178A1 CA 2018178 A1 CA2018178 A1 CA 2018178A1 CA 002018178 A CA002018178 A CA 002018178A CA 2018178 A CA2018178 A CA 2018178A CA 2018178 A1 CA2018178 A1 CA 2018178A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- user
- air cells
- mattress
- air
- height
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
- A47C27/08—Fluid mattresses or cushions
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
- A47C27/08—Fluid mattresses or cushions
- A47C27/081—Fluid mattresses or cushions of pneumatic type
- A47C27/083—Fluid mattresses or cushions of pneumatic type with pressure control, e.g. with pressure sensors
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
- A47C27/08—Fluid mattresses or cushions
- A47C27/10—Fluid mattresses or cushions with two or more independently-fillable chambers
Abstract
INFLATION CONTROL FOR AIR SUPPORTS
Abstract of the Disclosure A method of controlling the inflation of a body support, such as a mattress, having a plurality of air cells. The user is placed on the mattress and the air cells are inflated to provide the desired support in each of a plurality of positions. The height distance of all of the air cells are measured in each of the positions and the measurements are stored and used as a standard for the respective positions. The position of the user on the mattress is determined from the height measurements and the inflation of the air cells is controlled to use the stored standards for the position of the user.
Abstract of the Disclosure A method of controlling the inflation of a body support, such as a mattress, having a plurality of air cells. The user is placed on the mattress and the air cells are inflated to provide the desired support in each of a plurality of positions. The height distance of all of the air cells are measured in each of the positions and the measurements are stored and used as a standard for the respective positions. The position of the user on the mattress is determined from the height measurements and the inflation of the air cells is controlled to use the stored standards for the position of the user.
Description
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; 15 BackgrQund of ~hQ_I~yçn~j~on, The present invention is directed to controlling the inflation of air-filled supports, such as air mattresses and wheelchair cushions. Mattresses and ; wheelchair cushions that support the body on an ai.r-filled bladder or cell are importallt tools for use in preventin~
p~essure sores and in treatincJ persons who have burns or pressure-induced soft tissue clarnage. rl`he importarlce of maintaining proper body aligrlment for comfort and body :~ function, as well as mimirnizing peak pressures and controlling the pressure gradients across the skin, is well known.
While -the desired inflatiorl in each section of a support system rnay~be properly set, depending upon -the : user or~patient's pOSitiOIl, t}le:~desired amount: of ~ lation~in each~of the air cells~differs when tlle po~si~tion;:of;the patient's body on the bed or support ~
s:ystem chan~es.
The present invention provides a system to control and mai:ntai:n the correct amount of air in the :: 35 sup~ort s~stern by measuring the height distance oE each - ~;
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~j The present ;.nventiorl is cllrecl:ed to a method of corltrollin~ the inflation o a mattress havin~ a plurality o air cells ancl includes placinc~ a user Oll tlle mattres~
in a fi.rst position, inflating the air cells to provide the desired support oE the user, and measur.ing the height distance of all of the air cells, and storing the measurements of the height distances. Therea~ter, the height distance of the air cells is monitored for determining the position of the user on the suppo.rt and tlle inflation of the air ce~lls is controll.ed wherl the user is in the first position to adjust the heiyht distances of the air cells to the stored measurements.
~nother object of the present inverltion is the method of determining the position of the user on the mattress by measurin~ the slope of the mattress cells caused by one or more of the bod~ componerlts.
Still a further object of the present invention i.s the method of controlling the inflation of a body 2~ support having a plurality of air cells which includes -.
placing a user on the support in a Eirst position, infla-ting the air cells to provide the desiired support of the user in the first position, measure the height dlstance of all oE the air cells whil~!the~usër is in~the first position, and storing l:he measureme:nts~of the height ; dis~tances of the user in the first positiorl. Thereafter, the user is pl:aced~on the support in a second position, the air cells are inflated to provide a ~esiréd support of : the user in the second position, the height distance of all the air cells is:measured while;:the user -is in~the , :
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7~3 second position, ancl the measurements of the heicJht d:i.stances of the user in the second position is stored.
ThereaEter, usillg the lleiyl~t distance measur~rnents of the air cell.s, the position of tlle user Oll the support is ~1et:errn~ ed a~ld the inElEItic)n o the air cells ls controlled whe~ the user l.s in the ~i.rst or secolld posi.tiorl to provide the he:Lgllt clistallce oE the air cells of the stored measuremerlts oE the first or second positions, respectively.
0 A still further object of the pr~sent invention is the n~ethod of controlling the inÇlation.of a mattress hclvin~ a plurality of air ce:lls by placi.llcl a user on the mattress in the pOsitiOIls of supiile posi~ion, right side position, and l.eft side position and ill e~ach oE the ~5 positions inflate the air cells to provide the desi.red support of the user in each of the respective positions, and measure and store the heic3ht clistarlces oE each of the cells for ~ach of the posit:ions. ThereaEter, the height distance of the cells are measured for dete:rmining when the user is in the supine, right side or left side pOSitiOIl on the mattress, and then controlXin~ the inflation of the air cells to provi.~le the stored height distances of each cell for the determined position.
Yet a further object of the present invention is the rnethod of measuring the position of the user on the mattress by measuriny the position oE the:user on the mattress by measuring the position of the body and legs of the user on the mattress by comparing distance measurements in the air cells.
Still a further vbject of the present invention is the provision of an inflati.on control s~stem for a : mattress having a plurality of air cells in which at least one distarlce~measuring means is connected to each~air cell ~: for measuring the distance of the height of each cell, and an air supply means is connected to each~cell. Control :
means are connected to the distance measuling means and colltrol tl-le air supply to each cell. The control means stores selected d.istance meas~lrements ~or various pOSit.iOllS oE a user on the bed, det:erminec the posit:ion of a use.r on tlle bed by measuL:ing the distallce measuremellts, .lrld a~justs the distance measureme~ s t:o collforln to Lhe selected measurelllerlts .~or~l:he determirled positiorl of t.he user.
Other and Eurther objects, Eeatures and 0 advantages will be apparent from the following description of a presently preEerred embodimellt of tlle.invention, given for the purpose oE disclosure and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
B~ief Description of_the Dra~ings E'iy. l is an elevational view of one form oE the present invention illustrati.ng an air mattress having a p].urality of cells and distance measuriny sensors, Flg. 2 is a cross--sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. l including control equipment connected thereto, ~ E'lg. 3 is an overall logic flow chart for ; controlling the inflation of the air in the air cells, Fig. 4 is a logic flow chart Eor:finding the current position of a user on the mat~tress of E'ig. l, Fig. S is a logic flow chart for locating the head position, Fig. 6 is a logic flow diagram for finding the position of the torso on the mattress, Fig. 7 is a logic flow chart for finding the :~ position of the hips on the ~lattress, Fig. 8 is:a logic flow chart for finding the leg : position on -the:mattress, ~ :
Fig. 9 is a logic f low chart Eor f inding the : : 35 overall body positlon, ~` :
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l Fic~. lO is a schematic illustratiny the outputs of the sensors in response to various possible positions o the body, I;'ig. ll is a schematic of various possible le~
rl pOSitiOllS and the correspolldillcl sensor oulputs.
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l~ef~rrirl~ now to tlle drawings, and particularly ~o Figs. 1 and 2, the reEerence numeral lO cJenerally indicates an air-filled support system such as a mattress havirlc~ a plurality of air cells 12, l~, 16, 18, 20 and 22. Each of the air cells includes at least one distance measuring means for measuring Ihe distance of the height 30, that is the distance between the top and bottom of the air cells, of each of the cells. Thus, air cell 12 inc]udes distance measurin~ sensors A and B, which are contacted by the head oE a patient or use~. Cell 14 includes sensors C and F with the sensor C being in position to be contacted by the torso of a body and F
being contacted by hips of a body. Cell 16 includes sensors D and G, with sensor D positioned to be actuated by the torso and G by the hips. Cell 1~ includes sensors E and F, actuated by the torso and hips, respectively.
Cell 20 includes sensors I and IC, and cell 22 includes sensors J and L. I and J are actuated by the legs of a user and K and L by the feet. The sensors may be of any suitable distance measurin~ means such as u]t~rasound proximity sensors/transducers such as sold by Polaroid.
Preferably, a polyrner foam pad 2i is provided in the~bottom of each of the air cells to provid~effective su~pport for the patient or user in the event that the air inflation system fails and also to allow~a~more solid support for performin~ CPR in the~event~t becomes necessary. The air cells are also fitted, as is conventional, with a quick release~exhaust that will :: :
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deflate the air cells rapidly if the user required CPR or other medical treatment that is bes-t performed on a hard surface.
If desired, the air cells may be made of any suitable rnaterial, and if desired, can have a porous upper surface that perrnits a controlled low of air from the air c-ells. I`his is conventiorlally used to c:ontrol moisture and hleat tral1sfer from the person U5ill~ the support system 10 .
As best seen in Fi~. 2, an air supply rnanifold 26 is plovided, ancl a valve is connected between the air supply and each of the air cells. Thus, valves 28, 30 and 32 are provided connected to the air supply manifold 26 and to the air cells 14, 16, and 18, respcctively.
Information from the sensors, such as sensors C, D and E, are ~ransmitted to suitable control equipment such as a rnultiplexer 33 for transrnitting sic~nals of the height distance 30 of each oE the individual air cel'ls. This inEormation is transmitted through an analoy to dic~ital converter 39 to a suitable micropl:ocessor 36. The microprocessor receives the inEormation as to''the he'ight distance of each of the cells and periodically interrogates the rnultiplexer 33 when hei~}lt data is -' desired. The microprocessor 36 in turn controls the operation of the valves, such as valves 28, 30 and 32, by admitting air into or exhaustincJ air from each of the`
individual air cells. The control system is used to maintain a cJiven stiffness in the air cel;ls so that the interface pressure generated between the user and the support surface of the mattress lO are minimized and so that the~relative elevations of the air c'ells can be maintalnecl to promote a desired pos~ture.~ ' The method of the presen-t invention~ciene~rally includes placing a patient or user on the~rnattress lO in '~
various positions, such as the supine position, ri~ht side : ~:
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~ . .6 Z~lBl'78 ~7--I positian, and left side position. In each of these positions, the various air cells 12-22 are inflated to a desirecl yeometry for the postural control arld~or minimi~atioll of irlterface pressure. This preset is conventiorlally done by an operator and the geometry of the various ai.r cells will depend upon tlle 5i~, SI'lape, w~ig}lt, hel~JIIt, body build, of the patient or user, and in addi~ioll, will be determined by any dlsa~:ilitles o the patiQnt or us~r such as pressure sores, burns, or posture 0 requirernents. Once the desired support parameters are achieved for each of the positions, the rnicroprocessor 36 interroyates all of the sensors A-L for eactl of the positions to be preset and the height distance or data from each sensor is stored. Preferably, this information ~5 is obtained with the user in each of the supine position, the right side position and the left sicle position. Of course, the desired ~eometry for the postural colltrol or m:inlmization of interface pressure will be different for each of the positions. The stored values of tlle distarlce heights of each of the air cells for each of the positions is used as a standard. That is, each time the patient or user moves to a new position, the microprocessor 36 will sense the new position and will adjust the admiss:ion or release of air from each of the air cells 12-22 to provide the distance heights for each of the cells for the present position of the user. In addition, the positian of the user on the mattress 10 is determined by measuring the distance heights of each of the sensors A-L. Thus, the system will automatically measure the posil-ion of the user or patient on the mattress 10 and will automatically adjust the amount of air required in each of the air cells to provide the preset geometry for the determined body posltlon.
The ability of the distance hei~ht measurincJ
sensors A-L to measure various body positions allows the .:
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present application to autolllatically control the inflation of the air cells 12-22 whell~ver the patient or user changes position on the mattress 10 to provide the desired preset height standards. Such an operation and result is obtained quickly and efficiently without requiring outside assistance and/or resetting oE the air cell parameters to achieve the desired surface configuratiorl. For example, referrin~ to Fig. 10, various possible posltions for the torso is shown relative to the height sensors C, D and E.
0 From these possibilities listed in Fig 10, it is noted that the location of the torso 40 relative to the air cells 1~, 16 and 18 can be determined. The use of this information in the logic flow charts will be more fully described hereinaf-ter.
ReEerring now to Fig. 11, various possible leg and feet positions of a patient or user is shown relative to the air cells 20 and 22 and their height sensors I and K, and J and L, respectively. It is to be noted that the outputs from the various sensors I, 1~, J and L can be compared as indicated in Fig. 11 to locate various possible leg and feet pOSitiOIlS. This information is used as will be more fully described in a logic Elow diagram for determining the position of a patient or user on the air mattress 10.
Referring now to Fig. 3, an overall logic flow chart is shown for controlllng the operation of the microprocessor 36 either by software or hardware. ~fter starting,~ the patient or user is placed on the mattress 30 ln a supine position, such as on his bac~ or stomach, and the various individual air cells 12-22 are infla-ted to the desired geometry for postucal control or rninimization of interface pressure between the user~and the rnattress. Th~
requlred~in~lation of the air cells is sométhing thst an operator skilled in the art can accompllsh taklng into consideration various factors~such as the condition of the :
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patient, hiS disabilities, and his size, height, weight and body shape. When this is accomplished, the height of the various air cells and each of the heigllt sensors A~L
are measured to provide a preset step 50 oE the inflation parameters that are desired for this particular supine position. In this preset step 50, tlle microprocessor 36 O~ taillS the heigllt measLIrelnents Erom the height sensors and stores that data so as to, at a later time, regulate the various air valves to reestablish the same height parameters when the patient or user moves from a different position back to the supine position.
Next in step 52, a preset is created with the user or patient now placed on the mattress 30 on his left side. ~gain, the various air cells 12-22 are inflated to a desired geometry to secure the desired support characteristics for the individual in the left side position. Once the air cells are appropriately inflated, the rnicroprocessor 36 interrogates the sensors A-L, obtains the hei~ht data and stores the heigllt data for the O left side position. In step 5~, the individual is placed on his right side on the mattress 30, and a preset is created from all of the measurements of the various sensors A-h with the air cells adjusted to provide the desired inflation for the user in the right sid~
position.
The control system is now operational after creating the presets in steps 50, 52 and 54 for the patient or user used in the se-tup. The information which has been measured and stored provides a standard to cbntrol the inflation of the air cells when th0 user is in any one o~ the three preset positions. In addition, the stored sensor data also assists in determining the location of the position of the user as will be described hereinafter. In step 56, the operational function of the system is started with the lndividual in one of the three .~ , . . .
positions, supine position, left side position or right side position. In step 5i~ the distances or hei~hts of the sensors are measured. In step 60 the total torso slope (TTS) which is the present difEerence between the d;stclnces of sensorsi C and ~. ~lso, the total hip slope (T~IS) is measured which is the present difference between the distances oE sensors F and ~1. These two slope measurements qui~kly determine whether or not the user is in the i~ame position mode as initially. That is, the torso and hip measurements comprise the body measurement.
In step 62, the slopes computed in step 60 are compared with the initial slopes for -the preset. If the user has not chanyed position, then the measured slopes will be equal to the initial slopes. IE the measured slopes are equal to -the initial slopes, then the user is in the same position and in step 64 all of the cell heights or distanc:es as measured are compared to the preset stored values and if they are all the same, the process recycles to step 56 and continues. If any of the cell heights are different from the preset and stored values, step 66 is entered to cause the air cells to be inflated or deflated to reach the preset distance or height values. AEter this has been done, the cycle a~a:in recycles to step 58.
ReEerring back again to step 62, in the event that the total torso slope (TTS) and total hip slope (THS) as presently measured did not ~qual -the initial slopes TTSINIT and THSINIT, then the program would enter step 65, which will be more fully discussed hereinafter, which measures and finds the current posi~ion of the user on the 0 mattress 3~. If the current position is founci to be equal to the initial position in step 67, then the process recycles back to step 64. On ~the other hand, if the current position is not the same as the initial position, ` ~ the program moves to step 68 which is count 1. The present system monitors changes in the~sensors A-L once a ~ ~ .
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minute, or any other convenient time scale, but signiicallt changes must be maintained for three consecutive measurements beLore the processor 36 actuates tlle valves to cause a change~ in the inflation of the air ceLls. The program continues throu~h steps 70, 7~ and 74 to determine whether the current change is maintained for tllree counts. In the event the change in position has been maintained for three counts, in step 76 the preset position is chan~ed to the current position as a standard. The values, for example, for position may be changed to the current measured pOSitiOII, for example, from a bac]s position to a left side position. And in step 78, the microprocessor 36 again compares all of the cell heights of the air cells to the new preset position and if the air cells need more or less air, step 80 is performed;
otherwise, the process recycles to StPp 58 using the new preset values.
The step 65 of finding current position is set out in a subroutine in Fig. 4 and includes the steps 82 of finding the current head position, step ~4 of finding the current torso position, the step 86 of finding the current hip position, the step 88 of finding the current legs and feet position, and in step 90 the final body position is determined. Fig. 5 is a further subroutine of the find head position step routine 82. While the head position is not used as a factor in determining the overall body position of step 90j which will be discussed more ~ully herein~fter, the head position is used to locate the posit~lon of the head on air cell 12 by measuring the slope between the heights of sensoxs A and B in order to determine if there has been change in the position of the head and provide the correct amount~ of inflatiQn to the air cell 12 depending upon the position of the use~r. The comparison of the he1ghts~and the~comparison oE the present head slope (~HS) relativ;e to the previous head :
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slope (~iSP) determines as indicated in the flow chart of Fig. 5 whether the head has moved, in which direction, and its current position.
The subroutine 84 oE finding the current torso position is best seen :in FicJ. 6 and determines which of the possible torso positions set orth in Fig. 10 is being moasured. Step.S 92, 9~, and 96 determine various slopes with the let slope (I,S) beinc~ determined by the difference between the measured distance of sensor C minus the distance of sensor D. Similarly, step 99 measures the right slope (RS) which is the difference in height of the sensor D less sensor E. And the total slope (TS) is a - :
measure~ent o the diEference oE the height of sensor C
minus the height of sensor E. Of course, if the total slope is zero, the body is centered, and if the total slope is less than zero, the body is either at the far left or the mid-left, depending upon the value of the left slope. Thus, the flow chart in Fig. 6 determines whether the torso is positioned at the far left, mid-left, centered, mid-right, or far right. This information is utilized to find the overall body position as will be more fully described in connection with Fig. 9.
; The step 86 of finding the current hip pOSitiQn is best seen in Fig. 7 and is very similar to the calculations to determine the torso position oE Fig.~6.
The calculations are similar in that t~he left slope (LS) ;is determined by the height of sensor F~minus~the height of senso~r G, the right slope (RS)~is detèrmined~by the height~of~sensor G minus~the~height~oE sensor~H and the tota~ sl~ope~TS)~ is dete~rmlned by the helgh~t~of~sensor F
minu~s~the height of sensor H. ~yain~,~ by calculating the values of~the measured~slopes,;~the~po~s~i~tion of~the hips as being far~left, mid-left, cent~ered,~mid-right,~or far right;can be~det~ermined. ~Whlle~this~ determination is not necessary for~determining~the overall body posi~ion since , - , .. . . : - -.. . . . . . . . .
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1 the position of the torso as determined in Fig~ 6 will provide that factor, the position of the hips is useful in properly inflating or deflating the air cells 14, 16 and 18 to provide the desired yeometry for supporting the hips depending upon the measllred position. For example, the hips re~uire diEf~rellt support than the upper torso. ~nd durin~ SittirlCJ in bed, the geometry will be diEferent.
Referrin~ now to Fig. 8, the subroutine 88 for ~inding the current leg and feet position is best seen.
The rneasurements and calculations set Eorth in the flow chart of Fig. 8 make the measurements of the possible leg and feet positions set ~orth in the diagram oE Fig. 11.
The knee slope (KS) is equal to the hei~ht of sensor I
mirlus the height of sensor J. The foot slope (FS) is the heiyht distance o sensor K minus the height distance of sensor L. By comparing the various slopes, a determirlation can be made as to which of the positions the le~s and feet are in, as shown in Fig. 11.
Refexring now to Fig. 9, the subroutine for step 90 is shown of finding the overall body position. The routine 90 in step 110 determines from the output of subroutine 8~ in Fig. 8 if the legs are bent right and whether the torso from Fig. 6 in subroutine ~4 is in the center or the left. If the answer is yes, then step 112 determines that the individual is in position on the left side. If the answer is no, step 112 compares whether the legs are~bent left (from ~'ig. 8) and whether the torso is in ~he center or right (from Fig. 6). I the answe~r~is yes, a determination is made in s;tep 116 that the patien~t or user i~s in position on the~right side.~ If~the answer ~is~no, step 118~determines that~the patient is supine~
position, either on~the back or on the~front.
If the head of~the~mattr~ss 30 i~s~ raised to permit the user to be~p`ositioned in~a sitting~position, 3~5 :~
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the slope of the center aic cells 14, 16 and 18 is recoyniæed as indicative of sittiny and the center cells 14, lG and 18 are inflated untii their heiyhts are adjusted for the supine position. If pressure of fluid in the cells were used to control inElation, when the head of the bed is lifted, th~ user's buttoc!cs will "bottom-out"
and pressure will not. easily correct the error -- by using cell hei~ht n~easurements the correction can be made e~ficiently.
The method of the present invention automatically controls the inflation of the air cells in the mattress 30 and automatically measures when the patient or user makes a chanye in position and then controls the inElation of the air cells to adjust them in accordance with the measured position.
The present invention, therefore, is well adapted - to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as others inherent therein.
While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have heen yiven for the purpose of disclosure, numerous chanyes in the details OL construction, arrangement of parts and steps of the process will be rea`dily apparent to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
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What is claimed is:
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; 15 BackgrQund of ~hQ_I~yçn~j~on, The present invention is directed to controlling the inflation of air-filled supports, such as air mattresses and wheelchair cushions. Mattresses and ; wheelchair cushions that support the body on an ai.r-filled bladder or cell are importallt tools for use in preventin~
p~essure sores and in treatincJ persons who have burns or pressure-induced soft tissue clarnage. rl`he importarlce of maintaining proper body aligrlment for comfort and body :~ function, as well as mimirnizing peak pressures and controlling the pressure gradients across the skin, is well known.
While -the desired inflatiorl in each section of a support system rnay~be properly set, depending upon -the : user or~patient's pOSitiOIl, t}le:~desired amount: of ~ lation~in each~of the air cells~differs when tlle po~si~tion;:of;the patient's body on the bed or support ~
s:ystem chan~es.
The present invention provides a system to control and mai:ntai:n the correct amount of air in the :: 35 sup~ort s~stern by measuring the height distance oE each - ~;
: : :
~, ' ~ ' . ' ` ' "' ' ' :' . ' 8~78 1 air cell, determining the position oE the person lyincJ on the air support, and controllirlg the inflation of the air cells to rnatch the air support characteristics desired for the pos:i.tion of the patient on the suppo~t.
~j The present ;.nventiorl is cllrecl:ed to a method of corltrollin~ the inflation o a mattress havin~ a plurality o air cells ancl includes placinc~ a user Oll tlle mattres~
in a fi.rst position, inflating the air cells to provide the desired support oE the user, and measur.ing the height distance of all of the air cells, and storing the measurements of the height distances. Therea~ter, the height distance of the air cells is monitored for determining the position of the user on the suppo.rt and tlle inflation of the air ce~lls is controll.ed wherl the user is in the first position to adjust the heiyht distances of the air cells to the stored measurements.
~nother object of the present inverltion is the method of determining the position of the user on the mattress by measurin~ the slope of the mattress cells caused by one or more of the bod~ componerlts.
Still a further object of the present invention i.s the method of controlling the inflation of a body 2~ support having a plurality of air cells which includes -.
placing a user on the support in a Eirst position, infla-ting the air cells to provide the desiired support of the user in the first position, measure the height dlstance of all oE the air cells whil~!the~usër is in~the first position, and storing l:he measureme:nts~of the height ; dis~tances of the user in the first positiorl. Thereafter, the user is pl:aced~on the support in a second position, the air cells are inflated to provide a ~esiréd support of : the user in the second position, the height distance of all the air cells is:measured while;:the user -is in~the , :
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7~3 second position, ancl the measurements of the heicJht d:i.stances of the user in the second position is stored.
ThereaEter, usillg the lleiyl~t distance measur~rnents of the air cell.s, the position of tlle user Oll the support is ~1et:errn~ ed a~ld the inElEItic)n o the air cells ls controlled whe~ the user l.s in the ~i.rst or secolld posi.tiorl to provide the he:Lgllt clistallce oE the air cells of the stored measuremerlts oE the first or second positions, respectively.
0 A still further object of the pr~sent invention is the n~ethod of controlling the inÇlation.of a mattress hclvin~ a plurality of air ce:lls by placi.llcl a user on the mattress in the pOsitiOIls of supiile posi~ion, right side position, and l.eft side position and ill e~ach oE the ~5 positions inflate the air cells to provide the desi.red support of the user in each of the respective positions, and measure and store the heic3ht clistarlces oE each of the cells for ~ach of the posit:ions. ThereaEter, the height distance of the cells are measured for dete:rmining when the user is in the supine, right side or left side pOSitiOIl on the mattress, and then controlXin~ the inflation of the air cells to provi.~le the stored height distances of each cell for the determined position.
Yet a further object of the present invention is the rnethod of measuring the position of the user on the mattress by measuriny the position oE the:user on the mattress by measuring the position of the body and legs of the user on the mattress by comparing distance measurements in the air cells.
Still a further vbject of the present invention is the provision of an inflati.on control s~stem for a : mattress having a plurality of air cells in which at least one distarlce~measuring means is connected to each~air cell ~: for measuring the distance of the height of each cell, and an air supply means is connected to each~cell. Control :
means are connected to the distance measuling means and colltrol tl-le air supply to each cell. The control means stores selected d.istance meas~lrements ~or various pOSit.iOllS oE a user on the bed, det:erminec the posit:ion of a use.r on tlle bed by measuL:ing the distallce measuremellts, .lrld a~justs the distance measureme~ s t:o collforln to Lhe selected measurelllerlts .~or~l:he determirled positiorl of t.he user.
Other and Eurther objects, Eeatures and 0 advantages will be apparent from the following description of a presently preEerred embodimellt of tlle.invention, given for the purpose oE disclosure and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
B~ief Description of_the Dra~ings E'iy. l is an elevational view of one form oE the present invention illustrati.ng an air mattress having a p].urality of cells and distance measuriny sensors, Flg. 2 is a cross--sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. l including control equipment connected thereto, ~ E'lg. 3 is an overall logic flow chart for ; controlling the inflation of the air in the air cells, Fig. 4 is a logic flow chart Eor:finding the current position of a user on the mat~tress of E'ig. l, Fig. S is a logic flow chart for locating the head position, Fig. 6 is a logic flow diagram for finding the position of the torso on the mattress, Fig. 7 is a logic flow chart for finding the :~ position of the hips on the ~lattress, Fig. 8 is:a logic flow chart for finding the leg : position on -the:mattress, ~ :
Fig. 9 is a logic f low chart Eor f inding the : : 35 overall body positlon, ~` :
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l Fic~. lO is a schematic illustratiny the outputs of the sensors in response to various possible positions o the body, I;'ig. ll is a schematic of various possible le~
rl pOSitiOllS and the correspolldillcl sensor oulputs.
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l~ef~rrirl~ now to tlle drawings, and particularly ~o Figs. 1 and 2, the reEerence numeral lO cJenerally indicates an air-filled support system such as a mattress havirlc~ a plurality of air cells 12, l~, 16, 18, 20 and 22. Each of the air cells includes at least one distance measuring means for measuring Ihe distance of the height 30, that is the distance between the top and bottom of the air cells, of each of the cells. Thus, air cell 12 inc]udes distance measurin~ sensors A and B, which are contacted by the head oE a patient or use~. Cell 14 includes sensors C and F with the sensor C being in position to be contacted by the torso of a body and F
being contacted by hips of a body. Cell 16 includes sensors D and G, with sensor D positioned to be actuated by the torso and G by the hips. Cell 1~ includes sensors E and F, actuated by the torso and hips, respectively.
Cell 20 includes sensors I and IC, and cell 22 includes sensors J and L. I and J are actuated by the legs of a user and K and L by the feet. The sensors may be of any suitable distance measurin~ means such as u]t~rasound proximity sensors/transducers such as sold by Polaroid.
Preferably, a polyrner foam pad 2i is provided in the~bottom of each of the air cells to provid~effective su~pport for the patient or user in the event that the air inflation system fails and also to allow~a~more solid support for performin~ CPR in the~event~t becomes necessary. The air cells are also fitted, as is conventional, with a quick release~exhaust that will :: :
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deflate the air cells rapidly if the user required CPR or other medical treatment that is bes-t performed on a hard surface.
If desired, the air cells may be made of any suitable rnaterial, and if desired, can have a porous upper surface that perrnits a controlled low of air from the air c-ells. I`his is conventiorlally used to c:ontrol moisture and hleat tral1sfer from the person U5ill~ the support system 10 .
As best seen in Fi~. 2, an air supply rnanifold 26 is plovided, ancl a valve is connected between the air supply and each of the air cells. Thus, valves 28, 30 and 32 are provided connected to the air supply manifold 26 and to the air cells 14, 16, and 18, respcctively.
Information from the sensors, such as sensors C, D and E, are ~ransmitted to suitable control equipment such as a rnultiplexer 33 for transrnitting sic~nals of the height distance 30 of each oE the individual air cel'ls. This inEormation is transmitted through an analoy to dic~ital converter 39 to a suitable micropl:ocessor 36. The microprocessor receives the inEormation as to''the he'ight distance of each of the cells and periodically interrogates the rnultiplexer 33 when hei~}lt data is -' desired. The microprocessor 36 in turn controls the operation of the valves, such as valves 28, 30 and 32, by admitting air into or exhaustincJ air from each of the`
individual air cells. The control system is used to maintain a cJiven stiffness in the air cel;ls so that the interface pressure generated between the user and the support surface of the mattress lO are minimized and so that the~relative elevations of the air c'ells can be maintalnecl to promote a desired pos~ture.~ ' The method of the presen-t invention~ciene~rally includes placing a patient or user on the~rnattress lO in '~
various positions, such as the supine position, ri~ht side : ~:
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~ . .6 Z~lBl'78 ~7--I positian, and left side position. In each of these positions, the various air cells 12-22 are inflated to a desirecl yeometry for the postural control arld~or minimi~atioll of irlterface pressure. This preset is conventiorlally done by an operator and the geometry of the various ai.r cells will depend upon tlle 5i~, SI'lape, w~ig}lt, hel~JIIt, body build, of the patient or user, and in addi~ioll, will be determined by any dlsa~:ilitles o the patiQnt or us~r such as pressure sores, burns, or posture 0 requirernents. Once the desired support parameters are achieved for each of the positions, the rnicroprocessor 36 interroyates all of the sensors A-L for eactl of the positions to be preset and the height distance or data from each sensor is stored. Preferably, this information ~5 is obtained with the user in each of the supine position, the right side position and the left sicle position. Of course, the desired ~eometry for the postural colltrol or m:inlmization of interface pressure will be different for each of the positions. The stored values of tlle distarlce heights of each of the air cells for each of the positions is used as a standard. That is, each time the patient or user moves to a new position, the microprocessor 36 will sense the new position and will adjust the admiss:ion or release of air from each of the air cells 12-22 to provide the distance heights for each of the cells for the present position of the user. In addition, the positian of the user on the mattress 10 is determined by measuring the distance heights of each of the sensors A-L. Thus, the system will automatically measure the posil-ion of the user or patient on the mattress 10 and will automatically adjust the amount of air required in each of the air cells to provide the preset geometry for the determined body posltlon.
The ability of the distance hei~ht measurincJ
sensors A-L to measure various body positions allows the .:
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present application to autolllatically control the inflation of the air cells 12-22 whell~ver the patient or user changes position on the mattress 10 to provide the desired preset height standards. Such an operation and result is obtained quickly and efficiently without requiring outside assistance and/or resetting oE the air cell parameters to achieve the desired surface configuratiorl. For example, referrin~ to Fig. 10, various possible posltions for the torso is shown relative to the height sensors C, D and E.
0 From these possibilities listed in Fig 10, it is noted that the location of the torso 40 relative to the air cells 1~, 16 and 18 can be determined. The use of this information in the logic flow charts will be more fully described hereinaf-ter.
ReEerring now to Fig. 11, various possible leg and feet positions of a patient or user is shown relative to the air cells 20 and 22 and their height sensors I and K, and J and L, respectively. It is to be noted that the outputs from the various sensors I, 1~, J and L can be compared as indicated in Fig. 11 to locate various possible leg and feet pOSitiOIlS. This information is used as will be more fully described in a logic Elow diagram for determining the position of a patient or user on the air mattress 10.
Referring now to Fig. 3, an overall logic flow chart is shown for controlllng the operation of the microprocessor 36 either by software or hardware. ~fter starting,~ the patient or user is placed on the mattress 30 ln a supine position, such as on his bac~ or stomach, and the various individual air cells 12-22 are infla-ted to the desired geometry for postucal control or rninimization of interface pressure between the user~and the rnattress. Th~
requlred~in~lation of the air cells is sométhing thst an operator skilled in the art can accompllsh taklng into consideration various factors~such as the condition of the :
:
patient, hiS disabilities, and his size, height, weight and body shape. When this is accomplished, the height of the various air cells and each of the heigllt sensors A~L
are measured to provide a preset step 50 oE the inflation parameters that are desired for this particular supine position. In this preset step 50, tlle microprocessor 36 O~ taillS the heigllt measLIrelnents Erom the height sensors and stores that data so as to, at a later time, regulate the various air valves to reestablish the same height parameters when the patient or user moves from a different position back to the supine position.
Next in step 52, a preset is created with the user or patient now placed on the mattress 30 on his left side. ~gain, the various air cells 12-22 are inflated to a desired geometry to secure the desired support characteristics for the individual in the left side position. Once the air cells are appropriately inflated, the rnicroprocessor 36 interrogates the sensors A-L, obtains the hei~ht data and stores the heigllt data for the O left side position. In step 5~, the individual is placed on his right side on the mattress 30, and a preset is created from all of the measurements of the various sensors A-h with the air cells adjusted to provide the desired inflation for the user in the right sid~
position.
The control system is now operational after creating the presets in steps 50, 52 and 54 for the patient or user used in the se-tup. The information which has been measured and stored provides a standard to cbntrol the inflation of the air cells when th0 user is in any one o~ the three preset positions. In addition, the stored sensor data also assists in determining the location of the position of the user as will be described hereinafter. In step 56, the operational function of the system is started with the lndividual in one of the three .~ , . . .
positions, supine position, left side position or right side position. In step 5i~ the distances or hei~hts of the sensors are measured. In step 60 the total torso slope (TTS) which is the present difEerence between the d;stclnces of sensorsi C and ~. ~lso, the total hip slope (T~IS) is measured which is the present difference between the distances oE sensors F and ~1. These two slope measurements qui~kly determine whether or not the user is in the i~ame position mode as initially. That is, the torso and hip measurements comprise the body measurement.
In step 62, the slopes computed in step 60 are compared with the initial slopes for -the preset. If the user has not chanyed position, then the measured slopes will be equal to the initial slopes. IE the measured slopes are equal to -the initial slopes, then the user is in the same position and in step 64 all of the cell heights or distanc:es as measured are compared to the preset stored values and if they are all the same, the process recycles to step 56 and continues. If any of the cell heights are different from the preset and stored values, step 66 is entered to cause the air cells to be inflated or deflated to reach the preset distance or height values. AEter this has been done, the cycle a~a:in recycles to step 58.
ReEerring back again to step 62, in the event that the total torso slope (TTS) and total hip slope (THS) as presently measured did not ~qual -the initial slopes TTSINIT and THSINIT, then the program would enter step 65, which will be more fully discussed hereinafter, which measures and finds the current posi~ion of the user on the 0 mattress 3~. If the current position is founci to be equal to the initial position in step 67, then the process recycles back to step 64. On ~the other hand, if the current position is not the same as the initial position, ` ~ the program moves to step 68 which is count 1. The present system monitors changes in the~sensors A-L once a ~ ~ .
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minute, or any other convenient time scale, but signiicallt changes must be maintained for three consecutive measurements beLore the processor 36 actuates tlle valves to cause a change~ in the inflation of the air ceLls. The program continues throu~h steps 70, 7~ and 74 to determine whether the current change is maintained for tllree counts. In the event the change in position has been maintained for three counts, in step 76 the preset position is chan~ed to the current position as a standard. The values, for example, for position may be changed to the current measured pOSitiOII, for example, from a bac]s position to a left side position. And in step 78, the microprocessor 36 again compares all of the cell heights of the air cells to the new preset position and if the air cells need more or less air, step 80 is performed;
otherwise, the process recycles to StPp 58 using the new preset values.
The step 65 of finding current position is set out in a subroutine in Fig. 4 and includes the steps 82 of finding the current head position, step ~4 of finding the current torso position, the step 86 of finding the current hip position, the step 88 of finding the current legs and feet position, and in step 90 the final body position is determined. Fig. 5 is a further subroutine of the find head position step routine 82. While the head position is not used as a factor in determining the overall body position of step 90j which will be discussed more ~ully herein~fter, the head position is used to locate the posit~lon of the head on air cell 12 by measuring the slope between the heights of sensoxs A and B in order to determine if there has been change in the position of the head and provide the correct amount~ of inflatiQn to the air cell 12 depending upon the position of the use~r. The comparison of the he1ghts~and the~comparison oE the present head slope (~HS) relativ;e to the previous head :
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slope (~iSP) determines as indicated in the flow chart of Fig. 5 whether the head has moved, in which direction, and its current position.
The subroutine 84 oE finding the current torso position is best seen :in FicJ. 6 and determines which of the possible torso positions set orth in Fig. 10 is being moasured. Step.S 92, 9~, and 96 determine various slopes with the let slope (I,S) beinc~ determined by the difference between the measured distance of sensor C minus the distance of sensor D. Similarly, step 99 measures the right slope (RS) which is the difference in height of the sensor D less sensor E. And the total slope (TS) is a - :
measure~ent o the diEference oE the height of sensor C
minus the height of sensor E. Of course, if the total slope is zero, the body is centered, and if the total slope is less than zero, the body is either at the far left or the mid-left, depending upon the value of the left slope. Thus, the flow chart in Fig. 6 determines whether the torso is positioned at the far left, mid-left, centered, mid-right, or far right. This information is utilized to find the overall body position as will be more fully described in connection with Fig. 9.
; The step 86 of finding the current hip pOSitiQn is best seen in Fig. 7 and is very similar to the calculations to determine the torso position oE Fig.~6.
The calculations are similar in that t~he left slope (LS) ;is determined by the height of sensor F~minus~the height of senso~r G, the right slope (RS)~is detèrmined~by the height~of~sensor G minus~the~height~oE sensor~H and the tota~ sl~ope~TS)~ is dete~rmlned by the helgh~t~of~sensor F
minu~s~the height of sensor H. ~yain~,~ by calculating the values of~the measured~slopes,;~the~po~s~i~tion of~the hips as being far~left, mid-left, cent~ered,~mid-right,~or far right;can be~det~ermined. ~Whlle~this~ determination is not necessary for~determining~the overall body posi~ion since , - , .. . . : - -.. . . . . . . . .
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1 the position of the torso as determined in Fig~ 6 will provide that factor, the position of the hips is useful in properly inflating or deflating the air cells 14, 16 and 18 to provide the desired yeometry for supporting the hips depending upon the measllred position. For example, the hips re~uire diEf~rellt support than the upper torso. ~nd durin~ SittirlCJ in bed, the geometry will be diEferent.
Referrin~ now to Fig. 8, the subroutine 88 for ~inding the current leg and feet position is best seen.
The rneasurements and calculations set Eorth in the flow chart of Fig. 8 make the measurements of the possible leg and feet positions set ~orth in the diagram oE Fig. 11.
The knee slope (KS) is equal to the hei~ht of sensor I
mirlus the height of sensor J. The foot slope (FS) is the heiyht distance o sensor K minus the height distance of sensor L. By comparing the various slopes, a determirlation can be made as to which of the positions the le~s and feet are in, as shown in Fig. 11.
Refexring now to Fig. 9, the subroutine for step 90 is shown of finding the overall body position. The routine 90 in step 110 determines from the output of subroutine 8~ in Fig. 8 if the legs are bent right and whether the torso from Fig. 6 in subroutine ~4 is in the center or the left. If the answer is yes, then step 112 determines that the individual is in position on the left side. If the answer is no, step 112 compares whether the legs are~bent left (from ~'ig. 8) and whether the torso is in ~he center or right (from Fig. 6). I the answe~r~is yes, a determination is made in s;tep 116 that the patien~t or user i~s in position on the~right side.~ If~the answer ~is~no, step 118~determines that~the patient is supine~
position, either on~the back or on the~front.
If the head of~the~mattr~ss 30 i~s~ raised to permit the user to be~p`ositioned in~a sitting~position, 3~5 :~
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the slope of the center aic cells 14, 16 and 18 is recoyniæed as indicative of sittiny and the center cells 14, lG and 18 are inflated untii their heiyhts are adjusted for the supine position. If pressure of fluid in the cells were used to control inElation, when the head of the bed is lifted, th~ user's buttoc!cs will "bottom-out"
and pressure will not. easily correct the error -- by using cell hei~ht n~easurements the correction can be made e~ficiently.
The method of the present invention automatically controls the inflation of the air cells in the mattress 30 and automatically measures when the patient or user makes a chanye in position and then controls the inElation of the air cells to adjust them in accordance with the measured position.
The present invention, therefore, is well adapted - to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as others inherent therein.
While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have heen yiven for the purpose of disclosure, numerous chanyes in the details OL construction, arrangement of parts and steps of the process will be rea`dily apparent to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
...
What is claimed is:
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Claims (14)
1. A method of controlling the inflation of a mattress having a plurality of air cells comprising, placing a user on the mattress in a first position, inflating the air cells to provide the desired support of the user, measuring the height distance of all of the air cells, storing the location and measurement of the height distances of all of the cells, monitoring the height distance of the air cells and determining the position of the user on the mattress, and controlling the inflation of the air cells when the user is in the first position to adjust the height distance of the air cells to the stored measurements.
2. The method of claim 1 including determining the position of the user on the mattress by measuring the slope of the top of the mattress caused by a component of the body of the user.
3. A method of controlling the inflation of a body support having a plurality of air cells comprising, placing; a user on the support in a first position, inflating the air cells to provide the desired support of the user in the first position, measuring the height distance of all of the air cells at two locations in each air cell while the user is in the first position, storing the locations and measurements of the height distances of the user in the first position, placing the user on the support in a second position, inflating the air cells to provide the desired support of the user in the second position, measuring the height distance of all of the air cells at two locations in each air cell while the user is in the second position, storing the measurements of the height distances of the user in the second position, using the height distance measurements of the air cells and determining the slope of the top of the support and the position of the user on the support, and controlling the inflation of the air cells when the user is in the first or second position to height distances of the air cells of the stored measurements of the first or second positions, respectively.
4. A method of controlling the inflation of a mattress having a plurality of air cells comprising, placing a user on the mattress in the positions of supine position, right side position, and left side position, in each of the positions inflate the air cells to provide the desired support of the user in each of the respective positions, measure and store the location and height distances of each of the air cells for each of the positions, hereafter measuring the height distances of the cells and determining the transverse slope of the top of the mattress from the height distances thereby determining when the user is in the supine, right side or left side position on the mattress, and controlling the inflation of the air cells to provide the stored height distances of each cell for the determined position.
5. The method of claim 4 including, measuring the position of the user on the mattress by measuring the position of the body and legs of the user on the mattress by comparing distance measurements in the air cells.
6. An inflation control system for a mattress having a plurality of air cells comprising, at least one distance measuring means connected to each air cell for measuring the distance of the height of each cell and for measuring the slope of the top of the mattress, air supply means connected to each cell, control means connected to the distance measuring means and controlling the air supplied to each cell, said control means storing selected distance measurements for various positions of a user on the mattress, determining the positions of a user on the mattress by measuring the distance measurements, and adjusting the distance measurement to conform to the selected measurements for the determined position of the user.
7. The method of claim 2 wherein the slope is measured by measuring the difference in height between two transversely spaced height distance measurements.
8. The method of claim 2 wherein the slope is measured by measuring the slope in a direction across the width of the mattress.
9. The method of claim 2 including measuring the slope of the top of each air cell by measuring the height distance of each air cell at two transversely spaced locations in each air cell.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the air cells include, a first single air cell for receiving the head of a person, a second, third and fourth air cells which are parallel to each other and positioned adjacent to and perpendicular to the first air cell, and fifth and sixth air cells which are positioned parallel to each other and positioned adjacent to said second, third and fourth air cell.
11. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each air cell includes two distance measuring means.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the mattress includes a plurality of air cells positioned parallel to each other and said air cells have a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mattress.
13. A method of controlling the inflation of a mattress having a plurality of air cells comprising, placing a user on the mattress in a first position, inflating the air cells to provide the desired support of the user, measuring the height distance of all of the air cells by a plurality of height measuring distance sensors spaced longitudinally and transversely from each other in the mattress, storing the location and measurement of the height distances of all of the sensors, measuring the slope of the top of the mattress between adjacent transversely spaced sensors and determining the position of the user on the mattress and, controlling the inflation of the air cells when the user is in the first position to adjust the height distance of the air cells to the stored measurements.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the slope is measured by measuring the distance in height between adjacent transversely positioned sensors.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/364,776 US4989283A (en) | 1989-06-12 | 1989-06-12 | Inflation control for air supports |
| US364,776 | 1989-06-12 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2018178A1 true CA2018178A1 (en) | 1990-12-12 |
Family
ID=23436024
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002018178A Abandoned CA2018178A1 (en) | 1989-06-12 | 1990-06-04 | Inflation control for air supports |
Country Status (13)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4989283A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0403186A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH03215260A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR910000072A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1047967A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU626424B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2018178A1 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI902938A0 (en) |
| IE (1) | IE64768B1 (en) |
| IL (1) | IL94608A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO902584L (en) |
| PT (1) | PT94342A (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA904515B (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH06502317A (en) * | 1990-11-06 | 1994-03-17 | バイオ クリニック コーポレイション | liquid-filled flotation mattress |
| GB2264860B (en) * | 1992-03-09 | 1996-03-13 | Huntleigh Technology Plc | A pressure controlled inflatable pad apparatus |
| US5373595A (en) * | 1993-03-12 | 1994-12-20 | Irvin Industries Canada Ltd. | Air support device |
| US5487196A (en) * | 1994-01-10 | 1996-01-30 | Span America Medical Systems, Inc. | Automated pressure relief mattress support system |
| FR2718347B1 (en) * | 1994-04-06 | 1996-06-28 | Support Systems International | Method and apparatus for supporting an element to be supported, in particular the body of a patient allowing support at a controlled depth of penetration. |
| US6892405B1 (en) * | 1994-05-09 | 2005-05-17 | Kci Licensing, Inc. | Therapeutic bed and related apparatus and methods |
| US5560057A (en) * | 1994-07-01 | 1996-10-01 | Madsen; Roger T. | Turning air mattress |
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-
1989
- 1989-06-12 US US07/364,776 patent/US4989283A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1990
- 1990-06-04 CA CA002018178A patent/CA2018178A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1990-06-04 IL IL94608A patent/IL94608A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1990-06-05 KR KR1019900008262A patent/KR910000072A/en active IP Right Grant
- 1990-06-05 IE IE200590A patent/IE64768B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1990-06-08 EP EP19900306291 patent/EP0403186A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1990-06-08 AU AU56931/90A patent/AU626424B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1990-06-11 PT PT94342A patent/PT94342A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1990-06-11 CN CN90104407A patent/CN1047967A/en active Pending
- 1990-06-11 NO NO90902584A patent/NO902584L/en unknown
- 1990-06-11 JP JP2152526A patent/JPH03215260A/en active Pending
- 1990-06-12 FI FI902938A patent/FI902938A0/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1990-06-12 ZA ZA904515A patent/ZA904515B/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU5693190A (en) | 1990-12-13 |
| IE902005A1 (en) | 1991-02-13 |
| US4989283A (en) | 1991-02-05 |
| KR910000072A (en) | 1991-01-29 |
| FI902938A0 (en) | 1990-06-12 |
| IE902005L (en) | 1990-12-12 |
| IE64768B1 (en) | 1995-09-06 |
| IL94608A0 (en) | 1991-04-15 |
| NO902584L (en) | 1990-12-13 |
| EP0403186A2 (en) | 1990-12-19 |
| CN1047967A (en) | 1990-12-26 |
| AU626424B2 (en) | 1992-07-30 |
| JPH03215260A (en) | 1991-09-20 |
| EP0403186A3 (en) | 1991-11-06 |
| NO902584D0 (en) | 1990-06-11 |
| IL94608A (en) | 1992-12-01 |
| ZA904515B (en) | 1991-03-27 |
| PT94342A (en) | 1992-01-31 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |