Dual support surface patient support

A fluidized bed patient support system, comprising:

• (a) a frame;
• (b) a first surface carried by said frame to support at least a first portion of the patient's body;
• (c) a fluidizable medium carried by said frame adjacent said first surface to support a second portion of the patient's body;
• (d) means for supporting said fluidizable medium and for diffusing air therethrough, said supporting and diffusing means being carried by said frame;
• (e) means for laterally retaining said fluidizable medium generally above said supporting and diffusing means, said retaining means being carried by said frame;
• and
• (f) wherein said laterally retaining means includes an elastic interface member disposed between said first surface and said fluidizable medium and disposed to support a portion of the patient's body located between said first portion and said second portion.

A patient support system, comprising:

• (a) a frame;
• (b) a first surface carried by said frame to support at least a first portion of the patient's body;
• (c) a tank carried by said frame and having a bottom, a pair of opposite sidewalls, a closed end wall, an open top, and one open end being at least partially open;
• (d) a diffuser board disposed above said tank bottom and forming a plenum between said tank bottom and said diffuser board, said diffuser board being permeable to passage of air therethrough;
• (e) a mass of fluidizable material supported by said diffuser board, said diffuser board being impermeable to passage of said material therethrough;
• (f) an interface member being disposed across said at least partially open end of said tank so as to prevent passage of air and fluidizable material between said interface member and said diffuser board and between said interface member and said tank sidewalls, said interface member separating said fluidizable material from said first surface;
• and
• (g) an air permeable sheet covering said fluidizable material, said sheet being impermeable to passage of said fluidizable material therethrough, at least a portion of the edge of said sheet being attached to said interface member so as to prevent passage of fluidizable material between said interface member and said edge portion of said sheet.

A patient support system, comprising:

• (a) a frame;
• (b) an articulatable member connected to said frame so as to permit articulating movement relative thereto;
• (c) a first surface carried by said articulatable member to support at least a first portion of the patient's body;
• (d) a tank carried by said frame and having a bottom and an open top;
• (e) a diffuser board carried by said frame and disposed above said tank bottom, said diffuser board being permeable to passage of air therethrough and forming an upper wall of a plenum disposed between said diffuser board and said tank bottom;
• and
• (f) a mass of fluidizable material supported above said diffuser board.