US 6,163,908 AGranted

Air sac for oscillating low air loss bed

AssigneeKinetic Concepts, Inc.

InventorJohn H. Vrzalik

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An air sac for use on a low air loss bed. The air sac is provided with a releasable connector for retaining the air sac to the low air loss bed and with a nipple for receiving air from a gas supply source to inflate the air sac. The air sac is also provided with a cutout which allows the patient to be rolled toward one end of the air sac when the air sac is inflated, A pillar is provided on the end of the air sac toward which the patient is rolled when the air sac is inflated to retain the patient on the air sac. The air sacs are arranged in sets with every other sac mounted to the frame of the low air loss bed in alternating arrangement whereby the patient is rolled first in one direction when the air sacs of one set are inflated and then back in the other direction when the air sacs in the first set are deflated and the air sacs in the second set are inflated.

Claims7

Dependent claims

An inflatable air sac system for use on a patient support system having a plurality of transversely oriented air sacs for supporting a patient, said air sac system comprising:

a first inflatable enclosure having a first vertical end wall and a second vertical end wall and a top surface, said top surface of said first inflatable enclosure having at least a first sloped portion, said first sloped portion being intermediate said first inflatable enclosure's first and second vertical end walls;
a second inflatable enclosure having a first vertical end wall and a second vertical end wall and a top surface, said top surface of said second inflatable enclosure having at least a first sloped portion, said first sloped portion being intermediate said second inflatable enclosure's first and second vertical end walls;
said first inflatable enclosure's first sloped portion being orientable toward a first side of the patient support system and said second inflatable enclosure's first sloped portion being orientable toward a second side of the patient support system, the second side being opposite the first side;
and
said first and second inflatable enclosures being independently inflatable such that inflation of said first inflatable enclosure tends to rotate the patient toward the first side of the patient support system, inflation of the second inflatable enclosure tends to rotate the patient toward the second side of the patient support system, and simultaneous inflation of both said first and second inflatable enclosures tends to support the patient without rotation.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/149,464Filed 8 Sep 1998 · continuation
Priority: 1 Jun 1987
Granted: 26 Dec 2000
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

A61G 7/05776
With inflatable chambers: with at least two groups of alternately inflated chambers
A61G 7/001
Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons: with means for turning-over the patient
A61G 7/05784
Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor: with ventilating means,…
Y10S 5/90
Beds: bathtub or bed

Family

Serial057,516Parent of this continuation · filed 1 Jun 1987
Serial273,759Parent of this continuation · filed 17 Nov 1988
Serial494,787Parent of this continuation · filed 12 Mar 1990
Serial948,460Parent of this continuation · filed 21 Sep 1992
Serial299,326Parent of this continuation · filed 31 Aug 1994
Serial618,337Parent of this continuation · filed 19 Mar 1996
Serial822,366Parent of this continuation · filed 20 Mar 1997
Serial950,656Parent of this continuation · filed 15 Oct 1997
US 5,802,645 AParent of this continuation · filed 8 Sep 1998
US 6,163,908 AThis patent

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