Apparatus and method for controlling a patient positioned upon a cushion

A pressurizable mattress comprising

• at least one inflatable cushion having a first interior chamber, the first interior chamber has a perimeter defined by a top portion, a bottom portion, and a pair of sides of the inflatable cushion;
• an inflatable bladder for tilting the inflatable cushion to at least one predetermined angle, the inflatable bladder has a second interior chamber, the second interior chamber has a perimeter defined by a top portion, a bottom portion, and a pair of sides of the inflatable bladder;
• wherein said inflatable bladder and inflatable cushion are translucent materials;
• at least one set of an electromagnetic energy emitting device and an electromagnetic energy receiving device, wherein the electromagnetic energy emitting device emits illuminating energy that illuminates the first interior chamber and second interior chamber, the electromagnetic energy receiving device collects the illuminating energy.

A method to measure an optical aperture of a first inflatable bladder in a pressurizable mattress comprising the steps of:

• providing the first inflatable bladder having an interior chamber, which is translucent, and is used for supporting a patient thereupon, the interior chamber is defined by the perimeter of a top surface, a bottom surface and a pair of sides of the inflatable bladder;
• providing an electromagnetic energy emitting device for transmitting electromagnetic energy through the interior chamber;
• providing an electromagnetic energy receiving device for receiving the electromagnetic energy;
• illuminating the interior chamber with the electromagnetic energy such that the electromagnetic energy deflects from the top surface and the bottom surface under the weight of a patient that decreases the electromagnetic energy collected by the electromagnetic energy receiving device.

A pressurizable mattress comprising

• at least one inflatable cushion having an interior chamber, the interior chamber has a perimeter defined by a top portion, a bottom portion, and a pair of sides of the inflatable cushion;
• at least one set of an electromagnetic energy emitting device and an electromagnetic energy receiving device, wherein the electromagnetic energy emitting device emits illuminating energy that illuminates the interior chamber, and the electromagnetic energy receiving device collects the illuminating energy;
• and
• a pump for inflating the inflatable cushion when the measuring means reaches a pre-determined measurement.