INFLATABLE MATTRESS FOR A BED

• US 20100306924A1
• Filed: 08/18/2010
• Published: 12/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brad Wilson, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, Jeffrey A. Heyser, Jim Stolpmann, John Vodzak, Joseph A. Kummer, Ken Chambers, Ken Smith, Mike Frondorf, Roger Dalton, Tanya Taber
• Original Assignee: Brad Wilson, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, Jeffrey A. Heyser, Jim Stolpmann, John Vodzak, Joseph A. Kummer, Ken Chambers, Ken Smith, Mike Frondorf, Roger Dalton, Tanya Taber
• Inventors: Smith, Ken, Wilson, Brad, Stolpmann, Jim, Kummer, Joseph A., Vodzak, John, Branson, Gregory W., Meyer, Eric R., Chambers, Ken, Dalton, Roger, Taber, Tanya, Heyser, Jeffrey A., Frondorf, Mike
• Granted Patent: US 8,056,165 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 5/710
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/34 for pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/36 for motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/42 for inclination
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/00 Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons stretchers with facilities for picking up patients or disabled persons A61G1/003
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/002 having adjustable mattress frame
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/005 tiltable around transverse horizontal axis, e.g. for Trendelenburg position rocking beds for physical therapy A61H1/003; hanging patient inclined downwardly for drawing him out A61H2203/0493
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/008 tiltable around longitudinal axis, e.g. for rolling
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/012 raising or lowering of the whole mattress frame A61G7/005, A61G7/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/015 divided into different adjustable sections, e.g. for Gatch position
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/018 Control or drive mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0507 Side-rails
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0514 mounted to individual mattress supporting frame sections
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0527 Weighing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/053 Aids for getting into, or out of, bed, e.g. steps, chairs, cane-like supports
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05776 with at least two groups of alternately inflated chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1021 Inflatable cushions

Abstract

A support apparatus includes a rotation therapy device, a pulsation therapy device, a dynamic therapy device, and a control system for operating the devices.

Claims

1. A patient support apparatus comprising

an inflatable support assembly including a plurality of inflatable therapy devices,

a supply of pressurized air, and

a control system including a master processor, a first therapy control portion including a first slave processor in communication with the master processor, the first slave processor controlling hardware associated with a first therapy device to deliver a first therapy, a second therapy control portion including a second slave processor in communication with the master processor, the second slave processor controlling hardware associated with a second therapy device to deliver a second therapy, wherein the master processor provides data to the first slave processor and the second slave processor and the first slave processor controls the operation of the first therapy portion utilizing the data and the second slave processor controls the operation of the second therapy portion utilizing the data.

2. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first therapy device comprises a plurality of first bladders that selectively receive pressurized air from the source of pressurized air, the first slave processor controlling the flow of pressurized air to the plurality of first bladders.

3. The patient support apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second therapy device comprises a second bladder that selectively receives pressurized air from the source of pressurized air, the second slave processor controlling the flow of pressurized air to the second bladder.

4. The patient support apparatus of claim 3, wherein the master processor is a node on a first communication network.

5. The patient support apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first communication network is a peer-to-peer network.

6. The patient support apparatus of claim 5, wherein the control system comprises a second communication network and the master processor is the master of the second communication network.

7. The patient support apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first slave processor and the second slave processor communicate with the master processor over the second communication network.

8. The patient support apparatus of claim 7, wherein the control system comprises a third slave processor controlling hardware associated with a plurality of third bladders, the third slave processor in direct communication with the master processor but not in communication with either of the first communication network or the second communication network.

9. The patient support apparatus of claim 8, wherein the master processor communicates to the peer-to-peer network through a network interface device.

10. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the master processor is in communication with a plurality of networks.

11. The patient support apparatus of claim 10, wherein the master processor is in communication with both a peer-to-peer network and a master/slave network.

12. The patient support apparatus of claim 11, wherein the master processor communicates with the peer-to-peer network through a network interface.

13. The patient support apparatus of claim 12, wherein the master processor also communicates directly to a slave processor that is not in communication with a network.

14. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the master processor is in communication with at least one slave processor that is not part of a network.

15. A patient support apparatus comprising

a control system including a first portion including hardware that controls the inflation of the first bladder, the first portion including a first processor, a second portion including hardware that controls inflation of the second bladder, and a third processor that provides instructions to the first and second processors to control the first and second portions of the control system.

16. The patient support apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first and second processors are slave processors and the third processor is a master processor.

17. The patient support apparatus of claim 16, wherein the third processor is a peer on a peer-to-peer network.

18. The patient support apparatus of claim 17, wherein the third processor is also a master of a master/slave network.

19. The patient support apparatus of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first and second processors is in direct communication with the third processor.

20. The patient support apparatus of claim 19, wherein the patient support apparatus comprises a mattress having means for supporting a human body and means for controlling the firmness of the means for supporting a human body.