Partially Deflatable Transfer Mattress and Method for Transporting a Patient in Comfort

A transfer mattress comprising:

• an upper mattress having three longitudinally oriented plenums and at least two separate inlet/outlet valves that are each arranged in airflow communication with a respective one of said three plenums wherein two of said plenums are arranged in airflow communication with one another while a third of said plenums is arranged in airflow isolation from said communicating plenums that are thereby inflatable and deflatable independently of said third plenum;
• and
• a lower inflatable mattress that is isolated by a common wall from said upper mattress having a lower inlet/outlet valve arranged in airflow communication with a lower plenum and a bottom wall comprising a plurality of perforations so that when said lower plenum is charged with pressurized air, said air escapes under pressure through said perforations to create an air bearing under said transfer mattress.

A transfer mattress comprising:

• an upper mattress defining a first longitudinally oriented plenum having a first inlet/outlet valve arranged in airflow communication with said first plenum, a central longitudinally oriented plenum having a central inlet/outlet valve arranged in airflow communication with said central plenum, and a second longitudinally oriented plenum, wherein said first and second plenums are arranged in airflow communication with one another and said central plenum is arranged in airflow isolation from said first plenum and said second plenum;
• and
• a lower inflatable mattress separated by a common wall from said upper mattress, a lower inlet/outlet valve arranged in airflow communication with a lower plenum defined by said lower inflatable mattress, and a bottom wall comprising a plurality of perforations so that when said lower plenum is charged with pressurized air through said lower inlet/outlet valve, the escape of said air under pressure through said perforations creates an air bearing.