Positive pressure support device
AssigneeBriizzz LLC
InventorsMarc Antonio Arenas, Jeffrey P. Weier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A support device including a plurality of cells, each cell being at least partially defined by a cell wall, a chamber, and a plurality of valves. Each valve is movable between an open position where the valve provides fluid communication between an associated cell and the chamber, and a closed position wherein the valve generally blocks fluid communication between the associated cell and the chamber. Each valve is configured to be biased to a closed position during use of the device. The device is configured such that when a predetermined force is applied to each cell during use the associated valve moves to the open position.
Claims23
A support device comprising:
- a plurality of cells, each cell having an open distal end defining a mouth in fluid communication with the ambient environment, and being at least partially defined by a cell wall;
- a chamber;
- and
- a plurality of valves, each valve being spaced away from the associated mouth and movable between an open position where the valve provides fluid communication between an associated cell and the chamber, and a closed position wherein the valve generally blocks fluid communication between the associated cell and the chamber, wherein each valve is configured to be biased to a closed position during use of the device, and wherein each cell is configured such that when the cell is substantially sealed at its mouth and experiences a predetermined increase in fluid pressure while the associated valve is in the closed position, the associated valve moves to the open position due to the increased fluid pressure in the cell.
A support device comprising:
- a chamber configured to be maintained at a positive pressure;
- and
- a plurality of cells, wherein each cell is open at a distal end to define an associated mouth that is fluid communication with the ambient environment, wherein each cell is in selective fluid communication with the chamber, and wherein the device is configured such that when in use and when a user's body is sufficiently pressed against a cell, the cell is activated by fluid pressure inside the cell to allow fluid to move from the chamber into the associated cell, and when the user's body is not sufficiently pressed against the cell, the cell is deactivated and does not allow fluid to move from the chamber to the associated cell.
A method comprising:
- accessing a device including plurality of cells each including a valve and having an open distal end defining a mouth in fluid communication with the ambient environment, the device further having a chamber maintained at a positive pressure, wherein each valve is in a closed position such that the valve generally blocks fluid communication between the chamber and the associated cell;
- and
- allowing or causing a user's body to be pressed against the device such that at least some of the valves associated with cells that are pressed against the user's body are moved to an open position due to increased fluid pressure in the cell such that the opened valves provide fluid communication between an associated cell and the chamber such that fluid can flow from the chamber into the associated cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.