# US 12,178,347 B2 · Therapeutic cushions and systems for using the same

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- Number: US 12,178,347 B2
- Document ID: US12178347B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/743,927
- Filed: 2022-05-13
- Published: 2022-11-17
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2021-05-13
- Assignees: Bussert Medical, Inc.
- Applicants: Bussert Medical, Inc.
- Inventors: Jessica Bussert; Jacob Flagle
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12178347B2

## CPC

- A47G 9/1027: {Details of inflatable pillows}
- A61H 9/0078: {with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs (mattresses for preventing bed-sores with alternated pressurized chambers A61G7/05776)}
- A61G 7/05776: {with at least two groups of alternately inflated chambers}
- A61G 7/05784: {with ventilating means, e.g. mattress or cushion with ventilating holes or ventilators}
- A61G 5/1045: {for the seat portion}
- A61H 2201/0134: Cushion or similar support
- A61H 2201/0149: Seat or chair
- A61H 2201/0161: Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport
- A61H 2201/0214: cooled
- A61H 2201/025: by direct air flow on the patient's body
- A61H 2201/1246: by piston-cylinder systems
- A61H 2201/1445: Overrunning clutches; One-way clutches
- A61H 2201/5056: pneumatically controlled
- A61H 2201/5071: Pressure sensors
- A61H 2209/00: Devices for avoiding blood stagnation, e.g. Deep Vein Thrombosis [DVT] devices
- A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B)
- A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N)
- A61G: TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS (appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk A61H3/00); OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES (embalming corpses A01N1/00)

## Abstract

Therapeutic cushions having a plurality of inflatable columnar cells, pumping mechanism, and a manifold or valve system for moving a fluid between the pumping mechanism and the inflatable columnar cells. The inflatable columnar cells are constructed such that inflation and deflation of the cells cause vertical expansion/contraction of the cells with limited lateral expansion/contraction. The manifold or the valve system connect the pumping mechanism with the inflatable columnar cells such that a plurality of zones are created. A valve assembly can include a plurality of valves and is adjustable among at least three valve configurations to vary fluid connections to the inflatable columnar cells to produce rearwardly advancing waves. A venting manifold may vent air from the cells between the cushions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A therapeutic cushion comprising:
a cushion body including a lower surface, and an upper user-impingement surface formed by a plurality of inflatable risers, and the cushion body further having formed therein at least one fluid port and a plurality of fluid channels fluidly connecting the at least one fluid port to the plurality of inflatable risers;
the plurality of inflatable risers are each elongate in a lateral direction extending between a first lateral cushion edge and a second lateral cushion edge, and form at least one row in a fore-aft direction extending between a forward cushion edge and a back cushion edge;
a plurality of clearances are arranged in alternation with the plurality of inflatable risers, and each of the plurality of inflatable risers has a columnar shape in a vertically extending fore-aft section plane;
wherein the at least one fluid port includes a plurality of inlet/outlet ports, and the plurality of fluid channels includes a plurality of separate fluid channels each fluidly connected to one of the plurality of inlet/outlet ports; and
a vent operationally connected to the plurality of inlet/outlet ports such that air exiting the plurality of inflatable risers and passing through the plurality of inlet/outlet ports is vented among the plurality of inflatable risers.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The therapeutic cushion of claim 1 wherein the cushion body further includes a base layer having the at least one fluid port formed therein, an inflation layer that includes the plurality of inflatable risers, and a plumbing layer sandwiched between the base layer and the inflation layer and forming the plurality of fluid channels.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The therapeutic cushion of claim 2 wherein the plurality of fluid channels are fluidly connected to the plurality of inflatable risers in a zoned arrangement.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The therapeutic cushion of claim 3 wherein the zoned arrangement defines a first inflation zone, a second inflation zone, and a middle inflation zone between the first inflation zone and the second inflation zone in the fore-aft direction.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The therapeutic cushion of claim 1 wherein each of the inflatable risers includes an internal gusset.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The therapeutic cushion of claim 5 wherein each of the internal gussets is oriented fore-aft between a forward wall and a back wall of the respective inflatable riser.

### Claim 7

A therapeutic cushion system comprising:
a cushion having a cushion body including a lower surface, and an upper user-impingement surface formed by a plurality of inflatable risers;
an inflation/deflation system for the cushion including a manifold having a plurality of inflation ports, a plurality of deflation ports, and a plurality of electrically actuated valves each movable between a first valve configuration and a second valve configuration;
a plurality of inlet check valves each movable from a closed position, to an open position to admit a flow of inflation fluid from a pump to one of the inflation ports;
each of the plurality of electrically actuated valves is movable between a first valve configuration, where one of the plurality of inflatable risers is fluidly connected to one of the plurality of inflation ports and blocked from one of the plurality of deflation ports, and a second valve configuration where the one of the plurality of inflatable risers is fluidly connected to the respective one of the plurality of deflation ports, and is biased toward the first valve configuration; and
a venting manifold having a plurality of vents disposed among the plurality of inflatable risers, the venting manifold fluidically connected to the plurality of deflation ports such that air passing through the plurality of deflation ports is vented through the plurality of vents.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The therapeutic cushion system of claim 7 wherein each of the plurality of electrically actuated valves includes a three-way, two-position valve.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The therapeutic cushion system of claim 7, wherein the system is configured to constantly pass air through the plurality of deflation ports and through the plurality of vents.

### Claim 10

A therapeutic cushion comprising:
a cushion body including a plurality of inflatable risers, and having formed therein at least one fluid port and a plurality of fluid channels fluidly connecting the at least one fluid port to the plurality of inflatable risers;
the plurality of inflatable risers are each elongate in a lateral direction extending between a first lateral cushion edge and a second lateral cushion edge, and form at least one row in a fore-aft direction extending between a forward cushion edge and a back cushion edge;
a plurality of clearances are arranged in alternation with the plurality of inflatable risers, and each of the plurality of inflatable risers has a columnar shape in a vertically extending fore-aft section plane;
one or more deflation ports fluidically connected to the plurality of inflatable risers;
a vent fluidically connected to the one or more deflation ports to vent expelled air from the one or more deflation ports, through the vent, and between the plurality of inflatable risers.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The therapeutic cushion of claim 10, further comprising one or more valves to selectively vent the expelled air.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The therapeutic cushion of claim 10 wherein each of the plurality of inflatable risers includes an internal gusset.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The therapeutic cushion of claim 10 wherein the vent is formed in a venting manifold.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The therapeutic cushion of claim 10 wherein the plurality of inflatable risers are arranged in a left-side series and a right-side series, and the vent is located laterally between the left-side series and the right-side series.