Patient support having real time pressure control

A method for adjusting the pressure of a pressure adjustable mattress to a pressure value, the mattress including a plurality of force sensors wherein each of the plurality of force sensors generates a force signal representative of a sensed force transmitted through the pressure adjustable mattress comprising:

• ordering the force signals in a predetermined order;
• calculating an indicator signal as a function of the ordered force signals;
• comparing the indicator signal to the predetermined value to generate a correction signal;
• and
• adjusting the pressure of the pressure adjustable mattress based on the correction signal.

In a pressure adjustable support, including a bladder to support a patient and having a pressure therein, a sensor subtending the bladder to sense a force transmitted through the bladder and generating a signal responsive to the sensed force, a method of comprising the steps of:

• detecting a position of the patient on the bladder with the sensor;
• detecting movement of the patient on the bladder with the sensor;
• and
• adjusting the pressure within the bladder responsive to the detected position and the detected movement of the patient.

In a pressure adjustable support, including a bladder assembly having a plurality of vertical bladders, to support a patient, a plurality of sensors, each of the plurality of sensors subtending at least one of the vertical bladders to sense a force transmitted through the vertical bladders, a method of comprising the steps of:

• detecting a position of the patient on the plurality of vertical bladders with the plurality of sensors;
• detecting movement of the patient on the plurality of vertical bladders with the plurality of sensors;
• and
• adjusting the pressure within the bladder responsive to the detected position and the detected movement of the patient.