Support enhancing device and associated method
First Claim
1. A method for supporting an animate object, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a structure defining a configurable contoured support surface;
(b) placing a part of the object in contact with said support surface;
(c) automatically measuring an input parameter to determine a pressure distribution on the part of the animate object in contact with the support structure;
(d) automatically determining an optimal pressure distribution wherein comfort of the object'"'"'s part is maximized according to an empirical regression equation or table;
(e) automatically subjecting said support surface, in response to the selected optimal comfort pressure, to forces tending to modify a contour of said support surface ; and
(f) periodically and automatically altering said forces exerted on said support surface so as to provide a cyclic massage to the object'"'"'s part.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for supporting a human being comprises a superstructure defining a support surface in contact with a body part of a person and measurement componentry on the superstructure for periodically measuring a predetermined biomechanical parameter of the person'"'"'s body part to determine a load distribution on the body part. The measurement componentry includes a fluid filled reservoir at the support surface and a pressure detector in operative engagement with fluid in the reservoir for monitoring changes in the pressure of the fluid, due, for example, to varying loads caused by physical activity. Control circuitry is operatively coupled to the pressure detector for monitoring and characterizing changes in pressure of the fluid over time. Form control componentry is disposed on the superstructure and is operatively connected to the measurement componentry for automatically subjecting the support surface, in response to the determined load distribution, to forces tending to modify a contour of the support surface. The form control componentry may include a pressurization source for modifying a base pressure of the reservoir fluid. The control circuitry also controls or operates the form control componentry to periodically alter the forces exerted on the contour so as to provide a cyclic massage to the person'"'"'s body part.
33 Citations
32 Claims
-
1. A method for supporting an animate object, comprising the steps of:
-
(a) providing a structure defining a configurable contoured support surface; (b) placing a part of the object in contact with said support surface; (c) automatically measuring an input parameter to determine a pressure distribution on the part of the animate object in contact with the support structure; (d) automatically determining an optimal pressure distribution wherein comfort of the object'"'"'s part is maximized according to an empirical regression equation or table; (e) automatically subjecting said support surface, in response to the selected optimal comfort pressure, to forces tending to modify a contour of said support surface ; and (f) periodically and automatically altering said forces exerted on said support surface so as to provide a cyclic massage to the object'"'"'s part. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A device for supporting an animate object, comprising:
-
a structure having a configurable contoured support surface; a sensing device associated with said structure, said sensing device configured to measure an input parameter reflective of a pressure distribution of parts of the animate object contacting said structure; a memory device for storing optimal comfort data and said pressure distributions determined by said sensing device; a surface configuration device associated with said structure; and a processor associated with said sensing device, said memory and said surface configuration device, wherein said processor; determines an optimal pressure distribution for the parts supported by said structure using a predetermined formula; operates said surface configuration device so as to change a contour of said support surface so that the optimal pressure distribution is enacted on the parts; and operates the surface configuration device so as to periodically alter the configuration of the contoured surface in accordance with a predetermined protocol stored in said memory so that a cyclic massage is provided to the parts. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
-
-
25. The device defined in claim wherein said comparator circuit is incorporated in said processor.
Specification