US20040261184A1 - Stand alone integrated cushion - Google Patents

Stand alone integrated cushion Download PDF

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US20040261184A1
US20040261184A1 US10/608,649 US60864903A US2004261184A1 US 20040261184 A1 US20040261184 A1 US 20040261184A1 US 60864903 A US60864903 A US 60864903A US 2004261184 A1 US2004261184 A1 US 2004261184A1
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Prior art keywords
mattress
unit
fluid
dispersion
section
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Abandoned
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US10/608,649
Inventor
Roland Flick
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Gaymar Industries Inc
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Gaymar Industries Inc
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Priority to US10/608,649 priority Critical patent/US20040261184A1/en
Assigned to GAYMAR INDUSTRIES, INC. reassignment GAYMAR INDUSTRIES, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FLICK, ROLAND E.
Publication of US20040261184A1 publication Critical patent/US20040261184A1/en
Priority to US11/595,165 priority patent/US7406736B2/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47CCHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C20/00Head -, foot -, or like rests for beds, sofas or the like
    • A47C20/04Head -, foot -, or like rests for beds, sofas or the like with adjustable inclination
    • A47C20/048Head -, foot -, or like rests for beds, sofas or the like with adjustable inclination by fluid means
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47CCHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/08Fluid mattresses or cushions
    • A47C27/081Fluid mattresses or cushions of pneumatic type
    • A47C27/083Fluid mattresses or cushions of pneumatic type with pressure control, e.g. with pressure sensors
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47CCHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/08Fluid mattresses or cushions
    • A47C27/10Fluid mattresses or cushions with two or more independently-fillable chambers
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61GTRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G7/00Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
    • A61G7/05Parts, details or accessories of beds
    • A61G7/057Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor
    • A61G7/05769Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor with inflatable chambers

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to a cushion unit capable of having a portion of the cushion raised and lowered in relation to at least other portions of the cushion.
  • Gaymar Industries, Inc. is a manufacturer of cushion like devices. These cushions which have at least one bladder are designed to contain fluids. In many cases the fluid is aqueous solutions and/or air. These cushions are used as seat cushions, mattresses, overlays and any other cushion designed to have a patient positioned thereon. Most of the cushions made by Gaymar are designed for therapeutic purposes.
  • Inflatable therapeutic cushions for patients have been known for many years. Many therapeutic cushions are designed to reduce “interface pressures”; the pressure encountered between a cushion and a patient's skin positioned on the cushion. It is known that interface pressures can significantly affect the well-being of immobile patients in that higher interface pressures can reduce local blood circulation, tending to cause bed sores and other complications. With inflatable cushions, such interface pressures depend (in part) on the air pressure within the inflatable support cushions.
  • those cushion designs have been used in numerous Gaymar mattress systems.
  • Those mattress systems 200 as illustrated in FIG. 1, have at least one inflatable bladder capable of performing an Objective 210 , a control unit 220 , and a conduit 230 that interconnects the control unit 220 to the inflatable bladder(s) 210 .
  • the control unit 220 can be outside the mattress system 200 (not shown) or within the mattress system 200 , as illustrated in FIG. 1. For purposes of this application, we will only address those mattress systems that have the control unit within the mattress system.
  • Self-contained mattress systems have the control unit 220 normally and preferably at the foot of the system 240 , a plurality of bladders 210 designed to accomplish at least one Objective, and a plurality of conduits 230 that interconnect the bladders 210 to the control unit 230 .
  • Gaymar mattress systems normally and preferably at the foot of the system 240
  • a plurality of bladders 210 designed to accomplish at least one Objective
  • conduits 230 that interconnect the bladders 210 to the control unit 230 .
  • Gaymar mattress systems there is a single control unit 220 .
  • That single control unit 220 has a plurality of input keys 221 interconnected to at least a microprocessor 222 .
  • That microprocessor 222 is at least interconnected to pumps, fans, valves and/or switches 223 that push, pull and/or allow (by potential energy contained in the bladder(s)) a fluid through the conduits 230 and the bladder(s) 210 .
  • the fluid is contained within a reservoir and/or ambient environment 224 . In any case, the fluid is used in the respective bladder to obtain the desired Objective.
  • the present invention is directed to a stand alone integrated mattress.
  • the system has a self-contained mattress unit, at least one inflatable bladder, at least one fluid source, at least one dispersion unit and at least one control unit.
  • the self-contained mattress unit has at least a head section and a foot section, and is capable of converting from a horizontal position or an inclined position to a chair-like conformation.
  • there is at least one dispersion unit in each section and each dispersion unit provides a fluid, obtained from the fluid source, to a conduit which directs the fluid into the inflatable bladder positioned in the section of the dispersion unit.
  • the control system is positioned in one of the sections and interconnected to each dispersion unit to control the dispersion of the fluid to the inflatable bladders in each section.
  • FIG. 1 is a prior art illustration of a conventional inclinable and/or horizontal mattress system.
  • FIG. 2 is a prior art schematic of how the mattress system of FIG. 1 operates.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the schematic of how the present invention operates.
  • FIGS. 5 a - e illustrate alternative embodiments of the present invention.
  • the present invention is directed to a mattress system 10 capable of being converted from the horizontal position 201 to a chair-like position 205 , which has an angle of greater than 75° relative to the horizontal position 201 and the bend point 203 . That in itself is not novel. There are plenty of such Conversion mattress systems and the mechanics of how the system moves from one position to another position is well known to those of skill in the art and therefore is not a part of the scope of this application. None of the conversion mattress systems, however, are self-contained systems that use inflatable bladders. The reasons are simple, self-contained mattress systems that use conduits kink, and disrupt the fluid dynamics in the conduits 230 to the inflatable bladders 210 . That problem is solved by the present invention.
  • the present Conversion mattress system 10 has at least two inflatable bladders 210 a, 210 b and each is capable of performing an Objective, the same or different.
  • the first inflatable bladder 210 a is located at and/or between the distal end 235 and at least one of the bend point(s) 203 ; while the second inflatable bladder 210 b is located at and/or between the proximal end 240 and at least one of the bend point(s) 203 .
  • the inflatable bladders 210 a, 210 b are capable of performing the Objective when each inflatable bladder receives a fluid.
  • Each inflatable bladder 210 a, 210 b receives the fluid through a conduit 230 a,b from at least one of two fluid dispersion units 227 a, 227 b.
  • the fluid is obtained from a reservoir 224 a,b.
  • the reservoirs 224 a,b can be the same or different and can provide the same or different fluids.
  • the fluids can be an aqueous solution and/or
  • the dispersion units 227 a is positioned at or near the distal end 235
  • the dispersion unit 227 b is positioned at or near the proximal end 240 . They are positioned near the ends 235 , 240 because the normal human being who will be using the Stand alone integrated mattress system 10 applies and receives the least amount of pressure at these positions.
  • the present invention (1) decreases the length of the conduit 230 a,b to the respective bladder(s) 210 a,b from the dispersion unit 227 a,b, (2) generates less vibration, heat, and noise (less distance to push and/or pull the fluid), (3) decreases the chances of kinks and air occlusion in the conduits 230 a,b, and (4) increases the reliability of the inflatable bladders 210 a,b in the self-contained with inflatable bladder stand alone integrated mattress system 10 .
  • the two dispersion units 227 a,b are interconnected together through a control system 229 .
  • the control system 229 merely incorporates the input system 221 and the microprocessor unit 222 of the conventional control unit 220 . Except in the present system 10 , the control system 229 transmits its signals that control the units 223 a,b through respective transmission lines 228 a,b. Transmission lines 228 a,b can become kinked and not adversely affect (1) the transmission of the signal from the microprocessor 222 to the dispersion units 227 a,b, and (2) the operation of the system 10 when it converts from the horizontal position 201 to anything up to and including the chair-like position 205 . Obviously, the control system 229 can be incorporated with the either dispersion unit 227 a or dispersion unit 227 b. Alternatively, each dispersion unit 227 a,b could have control system 229 , but that is undesired because it increases the cost of the unit and the technical ability to operate the system.
  • the input system 221 can have various designs.
  • the input system 221 can be an integrated part of a control system box 229 a which contains at least the microprocessor 222 and possibly the dispersion units 227 a,b, as illustrated in FIG. 5 a.
  • This type of system is commonly used in conventional self-contained incline mattress systems, FIG. 1.
  • the input system 221 can be electrically hinged 250 to the system box 229 a, as illustrated in FIG. 5 b.
  • the input system 221 can be electrically tethered 255 to the system box 229 a, as illustrated in FIG. 5 c.
  • the input system 221 can be electronically slaved to the system box 229 a.
  • An example of being electrically slaved to the system box 229 a includes and not limited to the input system 221 having a daughter SIMM board unit 270 extending from therefrom that is keyed only to fit into a particular SIMM socket 272 of control box 229 a, and a master SIMM socket 274 to reprogram through a computer system 99 , if necessary, the input of the input unit 221 , as illustrated in FIG. 5 d. It is understood that the mattress system 10 , 200 will not operate if the input unit 221 is not installed in the particular SIMM socket 272 .
  • Another alternative embodiment has the input unit 221 transmit a conventional remote signal 281 , like rf or ir, to a respective receiver 280 on the control box 229 a, as illustrated in FIG. 5 e.

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a stand alone integrated mattress. The system has a self-contained mattress unit, at least one inflatable bladder, at least one fluid source, at least one dispersion unit and at least one control unit. The self-contained mattress unit has at least a head section and a foot section, and is capable of converting from a horizontal position or an inclined position to a chair-like conformation. There is at least one inflatable bladder in each section of the self-contained mattress unit. There is also at least fluid source. In addition there is at least one dispersion unit in each section and each dispersion unit provides a fluid, obtained from the fluid source, to a conduit which directs the fluid into the inflatable bladder positioned in the section of the dispersion unit. The control system is positioned in one of the sections and interconnected to each dispersion unit to control the dispersion of the fluid to the inflatable bladders in each section.

Description

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention is directed to a cushion unit capable of having a portion of the cushion raised and lowered in relation to at least other portions of the cushion. [0001]
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Gaymar Industries, Inc., the assignee of this application, is a manufacturer of cushion like devices. These cushions which have at least one bladder are designed to contain fluids. In many cases the fluid is aqueous solutions and/or air. These cushions are used as seat cushions, mattresses, overlays and any other cushion designed to have a patient positioned thereon. Most of the cushions made by Gaymar are designed for therapeutic purposes. [0002]
  • Inflatable therapeutic cushions for patients have been known for many years. Many therapeutic cushions are designed to reduce “interface pressures”; the pressure encountered between a cushion and a patient's skin positioned on the cushion. It is known that interface pressures can significantly affect the well-being of immobile patients in that higher interface pressures can reduce local blood circulation, tending to cause bed sores and other complications. With inflatable cushions, such interface pressures depend (in part) on the air pressure within the inflatable support cushions. [0003]
  • There are numerous types of inflatable cushion designs. These designs have combinations of bladders that can (1) vibrate, (2) rotate, (3) create wave motions, (4) provide percussion, (5) provide support, and (6) combinations thereof (hereinafter referred to as “Objectives”) to a user of the cushion. These designs have been incorporated in numerous cushion designs by Gaymar Industries, Inc. as of the filing of this application. [0004]
  • In particular, those cushion designs have been used in numerous Gaymar mattress systems. Those [0005] mattress systems 200, as illustrated in FIG. 1, have at least one inflatable bladder capable of performing an Objective 210, a control unit 220, and a conduit 230 that interconnects the control unit 220 to the inflatable bladder(s) 210. The control unit 220 can be outside the mattress system 200 (not shown) or within the mattress system 200, as illustrated in FIG. 1. For purposes of this application, we will only address those mattress systems that have the control unit within the mattress system.
  • We are making this limitation because the present invention is directed solely to self-contained mattress systems. Self-contained mattress systems are preferred in hospital settings because they are easier to clean—no disconnecting of hoses from the control unit and the bladder(s). [0006]
  • Self-contained mattress systems have the [0007] control unit 220 normally and preferably at the foot of the system 240, a plurality of bladders 210 designed to accomplish at least one Objective, and a plurality of conduits 230 that interconnect the bladders 210 to the control unit 230. In all prior Gaymar mattress systems and those known to Gaymar, there is a single control unit 220.
  • That [0008] single control unit 220, as illustrated in FIG. 2, has a plurality of input keys 221 interconnected to at least a microprocessor 222. That microprocessor 222 is at least interconnected to pumps, fans, valves and/or switches 223 that push, pull and/or allow (by potential energy contained in the bladder(s)) a fluid through the conduits 230 and the bladder(s) 210. The fluid is contained within a reservoir and/or ambient environment 224. In any case, the fluid is used in the respective bladder to obtain the desired Objective.
  • There are numerous problems with such self-contained [0009] mattress systems 200. One of these problems is that such mattress systems can remain horizontal 201 and/or incline from the horizontal position 201 to about a 45° incline 202 relative to the horizontal position 201 and from a bend point 203. The mattress systems with the above-identified technology is unable to effectively and reliably continue to obtain the Objectives and simultaneously convert the mattress system from a horizontal position to a chair-like position (having an angle greater than 75° (line 75) and less than 180° (line 180) relative to the horizontal position and taken from the bend point 203, and hereinafter referred to as the “Conversion”).
  • Conventional mattress systems are unable to reliably make the Conversion because the one control unit, normally positioned at and/or near one of the [0010] ends 235, 240, has a plurality of conduits extending the length (L) of the mattress system 200. When the mattress system is converted from the horizontal position 201 and/or the inclined position 201 to a chair like conformation (greater than 75°) the conduits 230 kink, become deformed, and do not properly transfer the desired amount of fluid to the bladder(s) 210. And if the bladder(s) 210 fail to receive the desired amount of fluid, the bladder(s) 210 do not complete its Objective.
  • The present invention solves this problem and others. [0011]
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention is directed to a stand alone integrated mattress. The system has a self-contained mattress unit, at least one inflatable bladder, at least one fluid source, at least one dispersion unit and at least one control unit. The self-contained mattress unit has at least a head section and a foot section, and is capable of converting from a horizontal position or an inclined position to a chair-like conformation. There is at least one inflatable bladder in each section of the self-contained mattress unit. There is also at least fluid source. In addition there is at least one dispersion unit in each section and each dispersion unit provides a fluid, obtained from the fluid source, to a conduit which directs the fluid into the inflatable bladder positioned in the section of the dispersion unit. The control system is positioned in one of the sections and interconnected to each dispersion unit to control the dispersion of the fluid to the inflatable bladders in each section.[0012]
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a prior art illustration of a conventional inclinable and/or horizontal mattress system. [0013]
  • FIG. 2 is a prior art schematic of how the mattress system of FIG. 1 operates. [0014]
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the present invention. [0015]
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the schematic of how the present invention operates. [0016]
  • FIGS. 5[0017] a-e illustrate alternative embodiments of the present invention.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
  • The present invention is directed to a [0018] mattress system 10 capable of being converted from the horizontal position 201 to a chair-like position 205, which has an angle of greater than 75° relative to the horizontal position 201 and the bend point 203. That in itself is not novel. There are plenty of such Conversion mattress systems and the mechanics of how the system moves from one position to another position is well known to those of skill in the art and therefore is not a part of the scope of this application. None of the conversion mattress systems, however, are self-contained systems that use inflatable bladders. The reasons are simple, self-contained mattress systems that use conduits kink, and disrupt the fluid dynamics in the conduits 230 to the inflatable bladders 210. That problem is solved by the present invention.
  • The present [0019] Conversion mattress system 10 has at least two inflatable bladders 210 a, 210 b and each is capable of performing an Objective, the same or different. The first inflatable bladder 210 a is located at and/or between the distal end 235 and at least one of the bend point(s) 203; while the second inflatable bladder 210 b is located at and/or between the proximal end 240 and at least one of the bend point(s) 203. The inflatable bladders 210 a, 210 b are capable of performing the Objective when each inflatable bladder receives a fluid. Each inflatable bladder 210 a, 210 b receives the fluid through a conduit 230 a,b from at least one of two fluid dispersion units 227 a, 227 b. The fluid is obtained from a reservoir 224 a,b. The reservoirs 224 a,b can be the same or different and can provide the same or different fluids. The fluids can be an aqueous solution and/or a gas, like air.
  • The dispersion units [0020] 227 a is positioned at or near the distal end 235, and the dispersion unit 227 b is positioned at or near the proximal end 240. They are positioned near the ends 235, 240 because the normal human being who will be using the Stand alone integrated mattress system 10 applies and receives the least amount of pressure at these positions.
  • By having two dispersion units [0021] 227 a,b the present invention (1) decreases the length of the conduit 230 a,b to the respective bladder(s) 210 a,b from the dispersion unit 227 a,b, (2) generates less vibration, heat, and noise (less distance to push and/or pull the fluid), (3) decreases the chances of kinks and air occlusion in the conduits 230 a,b, and (4) increases the reliability of the inflatable bladders 210 a,b in the self-contained with inflatable bladder stand alone integrated mattress system 10. The two dispersion units 227 a,b are interconnected together through a control system 229. The control system 229 merely incorporates the input system 221 and the microprocessor unit 222 of the conventional control unit 220. Except in the present system 10, the control system 229 transmits its signals that control the units 223 a,b through respective transmission lines 228 a,b. Transmission lines 228 a,b can become kinked and not adversely affect (1) the transmission of the signal from the microprocessor 222 to the dispersion units 227 a,b, and (2) the operation of the system 10 when it converts from the horizontal position 201 to anything up to and including the chair-like position 205. Obviously, the control system 229 can be incorporated with the either dispersion unit 227 a or dispersion unit 227 b. Alternatively, each dispersion unit 227 a,b could have control system 229, but that is undesired because it increases the cost of the unit and the technical ability to operate the system.
  • In addition, the [0022] input system 221 can have various designs. The input system 221 can be an integrated part of a control system box 229 a which contains at least the microprocessor 222 and possibly the dispersion units 227 a,b, as illustrated in FIG. 5a. This type of system is commonly used in conventional self-contained incline mattress systems, FIG. 1. The input system 221 can be electrically hinged 250 to the system box 229 a, as illustrated in FIG. 5b. Alternatively, the input system 221 can be electrically tethered 255 to the system box 229 a, as illustrated in FIG. 5c. In another embodiment, the input system 221 can be electronically slaved to the system box 229 a. An example of being electrically slaved to the system box 229 a includes and not limited to the input system 221 having a daughter SIMM board unit 270 extending from therefrom that is keyed only to fit into a particular SIMM socket 272 of control box 229 a, and a master SIMM socket 274 to reprogram through a computer system 99, if necessary, the input of the input unit 221, as illustrated in FIG. 5d. It is understood that the mattress system 10, 200 will not operate if the input unit 221 is not installed in the particular SIMM socket 272. Another alternative embodiment, has the input unit 221 transmit a conventional remote signal 281, like rf or ir, to a respective receiver 280 on the control box 229 a, as illustrated in FIG. 5e.
  • While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. [0023]

Claims (17)

1. A stand alone integrated mattress comprising:
a self-contained mattress unit having at least a head section and a foot section, and capable of converting from a horizontal position or an inclined position to a chair-like conformation;
at least one inflatable bladder in each section of the self-contained mattress unit;
at least one fluid source;
at least one dispersion unit in each section and each dispersion unit provides a fluid, obtained from the fluid source, to a conduit which directs the fluid into the inflatable bladder positioned in the section of the dispersion unit;
a control system positioned in one of the sections and interconnected to each dispersion unit to control the dispersion of the fluid to the inflatable bladders in each section.
2. The stand alone integrated mattress of claim 1 wherein the at least one fluid source is ambient air.
3. The stand alone integrated mattress of claim 1 wherein the at least one fluid source is selected from the group consisting of a reservoir, ambient air and combinations thereof.
4. The stand alone integrated mattress of claim 1 wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of air and an aqueous solution.
5. The stand alone integrated mattress of claim 1 wherein the inflatable bladders are capable of vibrating, rotating, creating wave motions, providing not direct percussion, providing support, and combinations thereof to a user of the mattress.
6. The stand alone integrated mattress of claim 1 wherein the control system has an input unit that allows an operator to input data to control at least the inflation and/or deflation of the inflatable bladders.
7. The stand alone integrated mattress of claim 6 wherein the input unit is interconnected to the control unit as an integrated component thereof.
8. The stand alone integrated mattress of claim 6 wherein the input unit is interconnected to the control unit by a tethered electrical connection.
9. The stand alone integrated mattress of claim 6 wherein the input unit is interconnected to the control unit through an electrically connected hinge.
10. The stand alone integrated mattress of claim 6 wherein the input unit has a SIMM daughter board that interconnects to the control unit.
11. The stand alone integrated mattress of claim 6 wherein the input unit transmits a remote wireless signal to a receiver on the control unit.
12. A stand alone integrated mattress comprising:
a mattress unit having at least a head section and a foot section;
at least one inflatable bladder in each section of the self-contained mattress unit;
at least one fluid source;
at least one dispersion unit in the mattress and the dispersion unit provides a fluid, obtained from the fluid source, to a conduit which directs the fluid into the inflatable bladder;
a control system positioned in one of the sections and interconnected to each dispersion unit to control the dispersion of the fluid to the inflatable bladders
wherein the control system has an input unit that allows an operator to input data to control at least the inflation and/or deflation of the inflatable bladders
wherein the input unit is selected from the group consisting of the input unit (1) is interconnected to the control unit by a tethered electrical connection, (2) transmits a remote signal to a receiver on the control unit, (3) has a SIMM daughter board that interconnects to the control unit, or (4) is interconnected to the control unit through an electrically connected hinge.
13. The mattress of claim 12 wherein the mattress unit is a self-contained capable of converting from a horizontal position or an inclined position to a chair-like conformation;
wherein each section has at least one dispersion unit and each dispersion unit provides the fluid, obtained from the fluid source, to the conduit which directs the fluid into the inflatable bladder positioned in the section of the dispersion unit;
the control system positioned in one of the sections and interconnected to each dispersion unit to control the dispersion of the fluid to the inflatable bladders in each section.
14. The mattress of claim 13 wherein at least one fluid source is ambient air.
15. The mattress of claim 13 wherein the at least one fluid source is selected from the group consisting of a reservoir, ambient air and combinations thereof.
16. The mattress of claim 13 wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of air and an aqueous solution.
17. The mattress of claim 13 wherein the inflatable bladders are capable of vibrating, rotating, creating wave motions, providing percussion, providing support, and combinations thereof to a user of the mattress.
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Cited By (6)

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US20070289067A1 (en) * 2006-06-14 2007-12-20 Gaymar Industries, Inc. Bladder control system with software
US20080097259A1 (en) * 2003-03-26 2008-04-24 Gaymar Industries, Inc. Vibrational and Pulsating Cushion Device
US8046625B2 (en) 2008-02-22 2011-10-25 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Distributed fault tolerant architecture for a healthcare communication system
US20140223665A1 (en) * 2013-02-13 2014-08-14 William Lawrence Chapin Traveling Wave Air Mattresses And Method And Apparatus For Generating Traveling Waves Thereon
US10136815B2 (en) 2012-09-24 2018-11-27 Physio-Control, Inc. Patient monitoring device with remote alert
US11504061B2 (en) 2017-03-21 2022-11-22 Stryker Corporation Systems and methods for ambient energy powered physiological parameter monitoring

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