Patient support apparatus having an air cell grid and associated method
AssigneeThe Cleveland Clinic Foundation
InventorsSteven I. Reger, Richard R. Navarro
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus (10) for supporting a patient during a medical procedure includes a bead bag (18) that is filled with compressible beads (20) and that forms a lower layer of the apparatus (10). The apparatus (10) also includes a layer of foam material (30) that is located above the bead bag and an air cell grid (36) that has a plurality of inflatable air cells (38). The air cell grid (36) forms an upper layer of the apparatus (10) and provides a soft surface upon which the patient lies. The bead bag (18), when subjected to a vacuum, becomes rigid for supporting the air cell grid (36) against the patient for helping to maximize a surface area of contact between the patient and the apparatus (10).
Claims10
An apparatus for supporting a patient during a medical procedure, the apparatus comprising:
- a bead bag including a valve means adapted to permit its subjection to a vacuum, that is filled with compressible beads, the bead bag forming a lower layer of the apparatus;
- a layer of foam material located above the bead bag;
- and
- an air cell grid having a plurality of inflatable air cells, the air cell grid forming an upper layer of the apparatus and providing a soft surface upon which the patient lies,
- the bead bag, when subjected to a vacuum, becomes rigid for supporting the air cell grid against the patient for helping to maximize a surface area of contact between the patient and the apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.