Support apparatus with a plurality of thermal zones providing localized cooling
First Claim
1. An apparatus for supporting a human or animal body, while selectively cooling weight-bearing areas of the body, the apparatus comprising:
- a cooling layer having a plurality of zones;
a surface disposed over the cooling layer,each zone of the cooling layer being disposed for cooling a respective portion of the surface;
means for selectively operating one or more zones of the plurality of zones to cool a portion of the surface that receives pressure from a weight-bearing area of the body; and
means for sensing a location of pressure applied to the surface by the body, the means for selectively operating being coupled to the means for sensing and responsive to an indication of pressure for operating at least one zone.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for supporting a human or animal body, while selectively cooling weight-bearing areas of the body in order to prevent or reduce damage from ischemia includes a cooling layer that is partitioned into a plurality of zones, and a surface disposed over the cooling layer to support the body. Each zone of the cooling layer is disposed for cooling a respective portion of the surface. A mechanism is provided to selectively operate one or more zones of the plurality of the zones to cool a portion of the surface that receives pressure from a weight-bearing surface of the body being supported.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for supporting a human or animal body, while selectively cooling weight-bearing areas of the body, the apparatus comprising:
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a cooling layer having a plurality of zones; a surface disposed over the cooling layer, each zone of the cooling layer being disposed for cooling a respective portion of the surface; means for selectively operating one or more zones of the plurality of zones to cool a portion of the surface that receives pressure from a weight-bearing area of the body; and means for sensing a location of pressure applied to the surface by the body, the means for selectively operating being coupled to the means for sensing and responsive to an indication of pressure for operating at least one zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for supporting a body on an apparatus that includes a cooling layer with a plurality of zones, while selectively cooling areas of the body, comprising the steps of:
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disposing a surface over the cooling layer; applying a pressure against the surface by disposing at least a portion of the body on the surface; sensing a location on the surface at which the pressure is applied; and operating one or more zones to cool the location.
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Specification