Vacuum/heat formed cushion supported on a fluid permeable manifold
First Claim
1. In combination(a) a support structure having a support surface,(b) an integral inflatable cushion located above the support surface,(c) a manifold positioned between the support surface and the cushion,(d) the cushion comprising a flexible thermoplastic gas impervious bottom wall, a preformed flexible gas imperious thermoplastic top sheet defining a series of air cells, said air cells having been vacuum or heat formed into molds, seals attaching the top sheet to the bottom wall at the edges of the air cells except for limited interconnections between selected air cells whereby air from one cell is moveable to adjacent cells, and valve means connected to at least one air cell to allow air to be added to or released from the cell, openings through the base of the cushion adjacent to the corners of the cells to allow body fluids of the user to pass through the cushion and conditioned air to be supplied from a remote source to the body of the user,(e) the manifold having an upper surface on which the cushion rests, side walls engaging the support structure, an open area beneath the cushion accommodating a series of open segments in the top of the manifold aligned with the openings through the cushion base to allow air to be passed to and withdrawn from the area of the patient and to allow patient body fluids to drain into the manifold, and a connection to a remote source of conditioned air.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vacuum or heat formed cushion having upstanding cells of thin (15-40 mil) wall thickness and having rectangular body sections with upwardly inclined (10°-40°) triangular top panels. The cushions can be attached together to form a mattress or used individually as a wheelchair or other chair or back cushion. The cells of the cushion can all be interconnected or the cushion can be divided in two or more independently inflated compartments. A special wheelchair cushion has cells of different shapes, sizes and heights to promote positioning of a user on a wheelchair. The cushion has openings through the base to allow it to be placed on a manifold so that body fluids can drain away from the patient and conditioned air can be supplied to the patient. The manifold has a top surface on which the cushion rests, side walls engaging the support surface to define an open area beneath the cushion, and a series of open segments in the top of the manifold aligned with the openings through the cushion base to allow air to be passed to and withdrawn from the area of the patient and to allow patient body fluids to drain into the manifold. The top surfaces of the cells are textured to prevent sealing off the pores of the user'"'"'s skin.
216 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. In combination
(a) a support structure having a support surface, (b) an integral inflatable cushion located above the support surface, (c) a manifold positioned between the support surface and the cushion, (d) the cushion comprising a flexible thermoplastic gas impervious bottom wall, a preformed flexible gas imperious thermoplastic top sheet defining a series of air cells, said air cells having been vacuum or heat formed into molds, seals attaching the top sheet to the bottom wall at the edges of the air cells except for limited interconnections between selected air cells whereby air from one cell is moveable to adjacent cells, and valve means connected to at least one air cell to allow air to be added to or released from the cell, openings through the base of the cushion adjacent to the corners of the cells to allow body fluids of the user to pass through the cushion and conditioned air to be supplied from a remote source to the body of the user, (e) the manifold having an upper surface on which the cushion rests, side walls engaging the support structure, an open area beneath the cushion accommodating a series of open segments in the top of the manifold aligned with the openings through the cushion base to allow air to be passed to and withdrawn from the area of the patient and to allow patient body fluids to drain into the manifold, and a connection to a remote source of conditioned air.
-
3. In combination
(a) support structure having a support surface, (b) a cushion located above the support surface, (c) a manifold positioned between the support surface and the cushion, (d) the cushion comprising a base and a series of upstanding flexible cellular members extending upwardly from the base, openings through the base to allow body fluids of the user to pass through the cushion and conditioned air to be supplied to the body of the user, (e) the manifold having a top surface on which the cushion rests, side walls engaging the support structure, an open area beneath the cushion accommodating a series of open segments in the top of the manifold aligned with the openings through the cushion base to allow air to be passed to and withdrawn from the area of the patient and to allow patient body fluids to drain into the manifold.
Specification