Back to results
US 7,469,432 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for improving air flow under a patient
AssigneeHill-Rom Services, Inc.
InventorKenith W. Chambers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An overlay for a patient support is provided. The overlay is coupled to an air supply and includes an air permeable three-dimensional fiber network.
Claims26
A mattress overlay comprising:
- a cover;
- a base coupled to the cover;
- an interior region defined by the base and the cover;
- a valve operably controllable by a controller to regulate air flow to the interior region;
- an air supply operably coupled to the valve and configured to provide air to the interior region;
- and
- a fiber network located within the interior region;
- the fiber network including a top portion, a bottom portion, and a middle portion, the middle portion including a plurality of fibers and air spaces, the fibers each having a first portion coupled to the top portion and a second portion coupled to the bottom portion.
5 more elements
A mattress overlay comprising:
- a cover defining an interior region,
- a three-dimensional fiber network located in the interior region,
- an inlet valve coupled to the interior region,
- an air supply coupled to the inlet valve, and
- a controller coupled to the inlet valve and the air supply to control air flow from the air supply to the interior region of the overlay.
2 more elements
A method of improving air flow under a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a patient support configured to support a patient;
- providing an overlay, the overlay including a cover having a plurality of apertures, a base coupled to the cover, an interior region defined by the cover and the base, a valve operably coupled to a controller to control air flow to the interior region, and a fiber network located within the interior region;
- positioning the overlay above the patient support;
- and
- forcing air from an air supply into the interior region via the valve allowing air to exit the interior region through the plurality of apertures.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.