Apparatus for controlling the inflation pressure of a mattress in response to deformation of the mattress using impedance measurement
First Claim
1. Apparatus for supporting a patient comprising:
- a mattress having at least one flexible, inflatable, closed or controlled release chamber, said chamber having a top face for supporting the patient and a bottom face structured to rest on a base;
a flexible film of thin metallic foil linked to the top face of said chamber;
an impedance varying element linked to said bottom face of said chamber and cooperating with said flexible film of thin metallic foil for measuring a position of said top face with respect to said bottom face;
a measuring electronic bridge, said impedance varying element being an integral part of said measuring electronic bridge; and
apparatus for controlling an inflation pressure of said chamber as a function of said position of said top face with respect to said bottom face.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for supporting a patient on a mattress. The apparatus includes a mattress which has at least one controlled release chamber with a top face and a bottom face. A flexible film of a thin metal foil is linked to the top face, while at least one impedance varying device is linked to the bottom face of the chamber. The impedance varying device is an integral part of a measuring electronic bridge. Changes in the impedance as a result of movement of the top face with respect to the bottom face activates a servo control which increases or decreases the inflation pressure within the chamber to make certain that the distance between the top face and the bottom face of the chamber is maintained at a predetermined distance. The method of this invention includes the steps of providing a mattress having at least one closed or controlled release chamber having a top face and a bottom face, providing a measurement device which includes a flexible film of a thin metal foil linked to the top face of the chamber and cooperating with at least one impedance varying element linked to the bottom face of the chamber, the impedance varying element being integral with a measuring electronic bridge, and measuring spacing between the top face and the bottom face to provide control of the supporting action of the mattress as a function of the patient'"'"'s morphology and position on the mattress.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for supporting a patient comprising:
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a mattress having at least one flexible, inflatable, closed or controlled release chamber, said chamber having a top face for supporting the patient and a bottom face structured to rest on a base; a flexible film of thin metallic foil linked to the top face of said chamber; an impedance varying element linked to said bottom face of said chamber and cooperating with said flexible film of thin metallic foil for measuring a position of said top face with respect to said bottom face; a measuring electronic bridge, said impedance varying element being an integral part of said measuring electronic bridge; and apparatus for controlling an inflation pressure of said chamber as a function of said position of said top face with respect to said bottom face. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of treating bedsores or preventing or lowering the risk of bedsores of a patient lying on a mattress, said method comprising:
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a) providing a mattress comprising at least one closed or controlled release chamber, said chamber being flexible and inflatable at an adjustable predetermined initial inflation pressure, said chamber having a top face for supporting said patient and a bottom face which may rest on a base; b) providing a measurement device comprising a flexible film of a thin metal foil linked to the top face of said chamber and cooperating with at least one impedance varying element linked to the bottom face of said chamber, said impedance varying element being an integral part of a measuring electronic bridge; c) measuring a position and deformation in space of said flexible film of said thin metal foil with respect to said impedance varying element; and d) adjusting an inflation pressure of said chamber as a function of said measuring step, thereby providing control of the supporting action of said mattress as a function of the patient'"'"'s morphology and positioning with respect to said mattress. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification