Support apparatus with a plurality of thermal zones providing localized cooling
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for cooling weight-bearing areas of a body, 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; and
each zone being selectively operable to cool a portion of the surface that receives pressure from a weight-bearing area of the body.
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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. Means are 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.
65 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for cooling weight-bearing areas of a body, 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; and each zone being selectively operable to cool a portion of the surface that receives pressure from a weight-bearing area of the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for selectively cooling areas of a body using an apparatus that includes a cooling layer with a plurality of zones, comprising:
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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