DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING A USER'S BODY
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device for supporting at least a portion of a patient'"'"'s body, the device comprising:
- a plurality of cells comprising;
a plurality of bladders capable of containing a fluid, the plurality of bladders including at least a first bladder and a second bladder; and
a plurality of support elements adjacent to and supporting the plurality of bladders, such that at least one support element is positioned adjacent to and supports each of the plurality of bladders,wherein the plurality of support elements include at least a first support element and a second support element, with the first support element positioned adjacent to and supporting the first bladder and the second support element positioned adjacent to and supporting the second bladder, and wherein the first and second bladders each forms a rolling diaphragm portion with the first and second support elements, respectively, such that when a force is applied to the first bladder, the rolling diaphragm portion of the first bladder rolls along the first support element decreasing the volume of the first bladder, and when a force is applied to the second bladder, the rolling diaphragm portion of the second bladder rolls along the second support element decreasing the volume of the second bladder.
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Abstract
A device for at least a portion of a patient'"'"'s body is provided. The device comprises a plurality of bladders capable of containing a fluid and a plurality of support elements adjacent to and supporting the plurality of bladders. At least one support element is positioned adjacent to and supports each of the plurality of bladders. Bladders form a rolling diaphragm portion with the support elements such that when a force is applied to a bladder, the rolling diaphragm portion rolls along the associated support element.
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Citations
138 Claims
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1. A device for supporting at least a portion of a patient'"'"'s body, the device comprising:
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a plurality of cells comprising; a plurality of bladders capable of containing a fluid, the plurality of bladders including at least a first bladder and a second bladder; and a plurality of support elements adjacent to and supporting the plurality of bladders, such that at least one support element is positioned adjacent to and supports each of the plurality of bladders, wherein the plurality of support elements include at least a first support element and a second support element, with the first support element positioned adjacent to and supporting the first bladder and the second support element positioned adjacent to and supporting the second bladder, and wherein the first and second bladders each forms a rolling diaphragm portion with the first and second support elements, respectively, such that when a force is applied to the first bladder, the rolling diaphragm portion of the first bladder rolls along the first support element decreasing the volume of the first bladder, and when a force is applied to the second bladder, the rolling diaphragm portion of the second bladder rolls along the second support element decreasing the volume of the second bladder. - View Dependent Claims (134)
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2. The device of any other device claim wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of:
- a gas such as air;
a liquid such as water; and
combinations thereof.
- a gas such as air;
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3. The device of any other device claim wherein the internal pressure in one or more of the plurality of cells is maintained at a pressure between 0.1 psig and 10 psig.
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4. The device of any other device claim wherein the internal pressure in one or more of the plurality of cells varies from cell to cell.
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5. The device of any other device claim wherein the plurality of cells are arranged in a honeycomb configuration.
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6. The device of any other device claim wherein the plurality of cells are arranged in a rectangular configuration.
- 7. The device of any other device claim wherein the plurality of cells are arranged in a configuration providing a surface density ranging from 60% to 100%.
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9. The device of any other device claim wherein each of the plurality of cells comprise at least one of a round, square or hexagonal shape.
- 10. The device of any other device claim wherein the plurality of cells are grouped into one or more sections.
- 17. The device of any other device claim wherein the plurality of cells are fluidically interconnected such that the pressure within a first cell is capable of reaching an equilibrium with the pressure within a second cell.
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19. The device of any other device claim wherein the plurality of cells comprise one or more sensors configured to provide feedback to a pressure distributor such that the pressure within a first cell reaches an equilibrium with the pressure within a second cell.
- 20. The device of any other device claim wherein a space between adjacent cells of the plurality of cells ranges from 0.0 inches to 0.25 inches.
- 22. The device of any other device claim wherein a bladder diameter ranges from 0.5 inches to 5.0 inches.
- 24. The device of any other device claim wherein a bladder wall thickness ranges from 0.01 inches to 0.08 inches.
- 26. The device of any other device claim wherein a bladder functional length ranges from 3.0 inches to 12.0 inches.
- 28. The device of any other device claim wherein a bladder burst pressure is greater than 80 mmHg.
- 30. The device of any other device claim wherein a bladder operating strain at the rolling diaphragm portion ranges from 5% to 100%.
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32. The device of any other device claim wherein one or more of the plurality of bladders comprise neoprene.
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33. The device of any other device claim wherein one or more of the plurality of bladders comprise a lubricious material.
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34. The device of any other device claim wherein one or more of the plurality of bladders comprise a material selected from the group consisting of:
- rubber;
plastic;
non-latex elastomer such as neoprene or urethane;
polyethylene film;polypropylene blends;
silicone;
urethane laminates;
latex laminates; andcombinations thereof.
- rubber;
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35. The device of any other device claim wherein one or more of the plurality of bladders comprise a porous portion configured to controllably release a contained fluid.
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36. The device of any other device claim wherein one or more of the plurality of bladders comprise a reinforcing layer and/or element.
- 37. The device of any other device claim wherein one or more of the plurality of bladders comprise a patient-contacting finish or layer.
- 39. The device of any other device claim wherein one or more of the plurality of bladders comprise a coating.
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44. The device of any other device claim wherein one or more of the plurality of bladders comprises a conical shape.
- 45. The device of any other device claim wherein one or more of the plurality of bladders comprises a taper such that interference between a rolled portion and an unrolled portion is limited.
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48. The device of any other device claim wherein one or more of the plurality of bladders comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of:
- round;
oval;
square;
rectangular;
trapezoidal;
polygonal; and
combinations thereof.
- round;
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49. The device of any other device claim wherein the device comprises one or more sections wherein each section comprises a plurality of bladders and wherein a bladder material and/or size and/or shape varies from one section to a second, different section.
- 50. The device of any other device claim wherein each of the plurality of support elements comprises a post configured to support an adaptor.
- 60. The device of any other device claim wherein each of the plurality of support elements comprises an adaptor configured to initiate rolling of the rolling diaphragm portion of its respective bladder.
- 63. The device of any other device claim wherein each of the plurality of support elements comprises a collar configured to provide a smooth transition as the rolling diaphragm portion of its respective bladder rolls from an adaptor to the collar.
- 67. The device of any other device claim further comprising a manifold configured to fluidly connect each cell of the plurality of cells to a pressure distributor such that the pressure in each cell can be independently controlled.
- 74. The device of any other device claim further comprising one or more valves configured to control the flow of fluid within the device.
- 81. The device of any other device claim further comprising a pressure distributor comprising a fluid delivery assembly configured to supply fluid to each cell of the plurality of cells.
- 93. The device of any other device claim further comprising a controller configured to control one or more components of the device.
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120. The device of any other device claim further comprising one or more sensors selected from the group consisting of:
- a pressure sensor;
a temperature sensor;
a vibration sensor;
a strain sensor;
an acoustic sensor;
a magnetic sensor;
an optical sensor;
a moisture sensor; and
combinations thereof. - View Dependent Claims (121)
- a pressure sensor;
- 122. The device of any other device claim further comprising a position switch configured to indicate when a bladder of the plurality of bladders has traveled a predetermined distance.
- 125. The device of any other device claim further comprising a frame configured to support the plurality of cells and the plurality of support elements.
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133. A system for supporting at least a portion of a patient'"'"'s body, the system comprising:
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a device comprising; a plurality of cells comprising; a plurality of bladders capable of containing a fluid, the plurality of bladders including at least a first bladder and a second bladder; and a plurality of support elements adjacent to and supporting the plurality of bladders, such that at least one support element is positioned adjacent to and supports each of the plurality of bladders, wherein the plurality of support elements include at least a first support element and a second support element, with the first support element positioned adjacent to and supporting the first bladder and the second support element positioned adjacent to and supporting the second bladder, wherein the first and second bladders each forms a rolling diaphragm portion with the first and second support elements, respectively, such that when a force is applied to the first bladder, the rolling diaphragm portion of the first bladder rolls along the first support element decreasing the volume of the first bladder, and when a force is applied to the second bladder, the rolling diaphragm portion of the second bladder rolls along the second support element decreasing the volume of the second bladder; a pressure distributor configured to control a pressure in each of the plurality of cells; at least one manifold configured to fluidly connect each cell of the plurality of cells to the pressure distributor such that the pressure in each cell can be independently controlled; and a controller configured to control at least the pressure distributor.
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- 135. The system of any other system claim wherein the system further comprises a frame configured to support the device.
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137. A device as shown in reference to the figures.
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138. A system as shown in reference to the figures.
Specification