US 12,329,703 B2Granted

System and methods for supporting and positioning a person

AssigneeStryker Corporation

InventorsPatrick Lafleche, Justin Jon Raymond

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A system for supporting and positioning a person. A flexible cover layer defines a support surface for the person, and a formable layer is coupled to the flexible cover layer. The formable layer includes a sealed bladder adapted to be in fluid communication with a vacuum source, and particles disposed within the sealed bladder. The system is operable in a first configuration in the absence of the vacuum, and a second configuration in the presence of the vacuum. In the first configuration, the particles are substantially movable relative to one another such that a contour may be provided to the support surface. In the second configuration, substantially immovable relative to provide rigidity to the formable layer to maintain the contour. A controller coupled to sensors may control the vacuum source to move said system between the first and second configurations. Methods of supporting and positioning the person are also disclosed.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A system for supporting and positioning a person, the system comprising:

a mattress adapted to be supported on a support deck and comprising a top side and an opposing bottom side,
a flexible cover layer having a support surface for the person, the support surface defining the top side of the mattress;
a formable layer coupled to and abutting the flexible cover layer and positioned vertically below the support surface, the formable layer including:
a sealed bladder adapted to be in fluid communication with a vacuum source for selectively providing a vacuum to the sealed bladder to move the system between a first configuration in the absence of the vacuum, and a second configuration in the presence of the vacuum, and
particles disposed within the sealed bladder and adapted to be substantially movable relative to one another in the first configuration such that a contour is provided to the support surface by applying forces to the flexible cover layer to alter a shape of the formable layer, and substantially immovable relative to one another in the second configuration such that the particles contact one another to provide rigidity to the formable layer to maintain the contour provided to the support surface for maintaining a position of a portion of the body of the person along the contour;
a cushioning layer disposed within the mattress opposite the formable layer relative to flexible cover layer such that the formable layer is positioned intermediate the flexible cover layer and the cushioning layer;
a fluid circulation layer disposed vertically between the formable layer and the cushioning layer;
and
a controller coupled to the vacuum source and configured to control the vacuum source to move the system between the first and second configurations.

6 more elements

A system for supporting and positioning a person, the system comprising:

a mattress adapted to be supported on a support deck and comprising a top side and an opposing bottom side,
a flexible cover layer having a support surface for the person, the support surface defining the top side of the mattress;
and
a multifunctional layer coupled to and abutting the flexible cover layer and positioned vertically below the support surface, the multifunctional layer including:
a plurality of formable zones each comprising:
a sealed bladder in fluid communication with a vacuum source for selectively providing a vacuum to the sealed bladder to move the system between a first configuration in the absence of the vacuum, and a second configuration in the presence of the vacuum, and
particles disposed within the sealed bladder and adapted to be substantially movable relative to one another in the first configuration such that a contour is provided to the support surface by applying forces to the flexible cover layer, and substantially immovable relative to one another in the second configuration such that the particles contact one another to provide rigidity to maintain the contour provided to the support surface for maintaining a position of a portion of the body of the person along the contour;
and
a plurality of cushioning zones exclusive from the formable zones and comprising cushioning;
wherein the plurality of cushioning zones are spaced longitudinally from the plurality of formable zones;
and
wherein the plurality of cushioning zones are aligned vertically with the plurality of formable zones.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/509,466Filed 25 Oct 2021 · continuation
Priority: 1 Feb 2018
Published: US 2022/0040019 A110 Feb 2022
Granted: 17 Jun 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

A61G 7/001
Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons: with means for turning-over the patient
A61G 7/1021
Lifting of patients by: inflatable cushions
A61G 7/05753
With fluid-like particles, e.g. sand, mud, seeds, gel, beads: air-evacuated, e.g. in order to adapt to the form of the patient
A61G 7/1059
Attachment, suspending or supporting means for patients: seats

Family

Application62/625,018Us provisional application · filed 1 Feb 2018
Application16/265,208Parent of this continuation · filed 1 Feb 2019
US 2022/0040019 A1Pre-grant publication · published 10 Feb 2022
US 11,173,087 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2019/0231624 A1Published application
US 12,329,703 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.