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US 8,918,930 B2Granted
Methods and apparatuses for low-air-loss (LAL) coverlets and airflow units for coverlets
AssigneeHuntleigh Technology Limited
InventorsGlenn C. Stroh, John H. Vrzalik, Cesar Z. Lina, Daniel W. Dekruif, Bryan L. Johnson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Improved patient support systems comprising a coverlet configured to be coupled (e.g., removably) to an airflow unit. Improved airflow units configured to be coupled (e.g., removably) to a coverlet of a patient support system.
Claims24
A support system comprising:
- a coverlet comprising:
- a first layer comprising a vapor-permeable and liquid-impermeable material;
- and
- a second layer comprising a liquid-impermeable material, the second layer coupled to the first layer such that a plurality of flow paths are formed between the first layer and the second layer;
- and
- an airflow unit comprising:
- a first housing member having at least one opening in fluid communication with the plurality of flow paths;
- a second housing member coupled to the first housing member;
- an air mover disposed between the first and second housing members;
- and
- a first gasket to seal the joint between the first and second housing members;
- where the airflow unit is coupled to the coverlet with a second gasket to substantially seal the airflow unit to the coverlet such that the air mover can be activated to move air through the plurality of flow paths;
- and wherein first and second gaskets have complementary shapes.
10 more elements
An airflow unit for use with a low-air-loss coverlet comprising a first layer and a second layer coupled to the first layer such that a plurality of flow paths are formed between the first layer and the second layer, the airflow unit comprising:
- a first housing member having two or more protrusions, the first housing member configured to be disposed between first and second layers of a coverlet such that the two or more protrusions extend through the second layer;
- a second housing member configured to be coupled to the two or more protrusions on an opposite side of the second layer from the first housing member;
- and
- an air mover configured to be disposed between the first and second housing members such that if the airflow unit is coupled to a coverlet, the air mover can be activated to move air in the plurality of flow paths.
1 more element
An airflow unit for use with a low-air-loss (LAL) coverlet, the airflow unit comprising:
- a first housing member;
- a second housing member coupled to the first housing member;
- an air mover disposed between the first and second housing members;
- where the first and second housing members define a first opening and a second opening;
- and
- where at least one of the first and second housing members includes a flange surrounding the first opening, the flange configured to be removably coupled to a coupling member of a coverlet such that the airflow unit is in fluid communication with the air mover.
3 more elements
A support system comprising:
- an airflow unit comprising:
- a first housing member;
- a second housing member coupled to the first housing member;
- an air mover disposed between the first and second housing members;
- where the first and second housing members define a first opening and a second opening;
- and
- where at least one of the first and second housing members includes a flange surrounding the first opening, the flange configured to be removably coupled to a coupling member of a coverlet such that the airflow unit is in fluid communication with the air mover;
- and
- a coverlet comprising:
- a first layer comprising a vapor-permeable and liquid-impermeable material;
- a second layer comprising a liquid-impermeable material, the second layer coupled to the first layer such that a plurality of flow paths are formed between the first layer and the second layer;
- and
- a coupling member in fluid communication with the plurality of flow paths;
- where the coupling member is coupled to the flange of the airflow unit such that the air mover is in fluid communication with the plurality of flow paths.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.