Rotary plate valve having seal anti-herniation structure

#The present disclosure relates to a mattress overlay used in connection with a mattress of a patient support apparatus and particularly, to a control unit that controls pneumatic functions of the mattress overlay. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to internal components of the control unit for the mattress overlay which have multiple settings for inflating and deflating portions of the mattress overlay.

#An apparatus, system, or method may comprise one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter:

#A mattress overlay apparatus for use with a mattress may include an overlay configured for placement atop the mattress that may have a plurality of inflatable bladders. The plurality of inflatable bladders may be pneumatically coupled to a blower. A first and second rotary plate valves may be pneumatically coupled to the plurality of bladders and the blower. The rotary plate valves may be arranged in series between the plurality of bladders and the blower.

#The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hospital bed including a mattress and a mattress overlay having a control unit coupled to a footboard of the hospital bed;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the control unit of FIG. 1 showing the control unit having a housing, a graphical user interface at a front of the housing, and a hose port at a side of the housing for connection to of a set of hoses that lead to a plurality of inflatable bladders of the mattress overlay;

#A patient support apparatus, such as illustrative hospital bed 10, includes a patient support structure such as a frame 34 that supports a mattress 66 covered by a mattress overlay 32 as shown in FIG. 1 (mattress 66 is shown in FIG. 3). A control unit 12 operates to provide mattress overlay 32 with a plurality of functions such as percussion & vibration (P&V) therapy using P&V bladders 68a, 68b, 68c, turn assist using turn assist bladders 70, 72, and microclimate management (MCM) using an MCM envelope 74 as will be further described below. FIGS. 1-16 show either an embodiment or an embodiment of a component of one possible bed 10 having the capability to perform the plurality of functions. However, this disclosure is applicable to other types of patient support apparatuses, including other types of beds, surgical tables, examination tables, stretchers, and the like.

#Illustrative hospital bed 10 has a frame 34 which includes an upper frame assembly 35, a base 36, and a lift system 39 coupling upper frame assembly 35 to base 36 as shown in FIG. 1. Lift system 39 is operable to raise, lower, and tilt upper frame assembly 35 relative to base 36. Bed 10 has a foot end 42 and a head end 46. Hospital bed 10 further includes a footboard 40 at the foot end 42 and a headboard 44 at the head end 46. Footboard 40 and headboard 44 are coupled to the upper frame assembly 35 in the illustrative embodiment. Base 36 includes wheels or casters 37 that roll along a floor (not shown) as bed 10 is moved from one location to another. Bumpers 38 are coupled to the upper frame assembly 35 at the corner regions of bed 10.

#Illustrative hospital bed 10 has four siderail assemblies coupled to upper frame assembly 35 as shown in FIG. 1. The four siderail assemblies include a pair of head siderail assemblies 48 (sometimes referred to as head rails) and a pair of foot siderail assemblies 50 (sometimes referred to as foot rails). Each of the siderail assemblies 48 and 50 is movable between a raised position, as shown in FIG. 1, and a lowered position (as shown in FIG. 11). Siderail assemblies 48, 50 are sometimes referred to herein as siderails 48, 50. Each siderail 48, 50 includes a barrier panel 52 and a linkage 54. Each linkage 54 is coupled to the upper frame assembly 35 and is configured to guide the barrier panel 52 during movement of siderails 48, 50 between the respective raised and lowered positions. Barrier panel 52 is maintained by the linkage 54 in a substantially vertical orientation during movement of siderails 48, 50 between the respective raised and lowered positions.