Patient support structure

Claim 2

An improved patient support structure comprising: (a) a frame (30); (b) a plurality of elongated inflatable sacks (70) atop the frame (30); (c) gas supply means (96) in communication with each of the sacks for supplying gas to same; (d) control means (124 to 132) associated with the gas supply means (96) and the sacks (70) for controlling supply of gas to each of the sacks according to a predetermined pressure profile across the plurality of sacks and according to a plurality of predetermined combinations of the sacks, each combination of sacks defining a separate support zone; and (e) gas flow switching means (186 to 192) associated with certain of said sacks for switching these sacks between adjacent zones for accommodation of patients of differing heights and weights.

Claim 3

A structure according to claim 1, wherein: the gas flow switching means comprises at least two manifolds (194, 196) each having one inlet and at least two outlets; at least four valve means (186 to 192), one said valve means being in communication with each one of said outlets of the manifolds and each valve means having an inlet port and an outlet port; and at least four gas pipes, one said gas pipe extending from each outlet port of each of said valve means; wherein one of said gas pipes extending from one of said valve means of one of said manifolds communicates with the second of said gas pipes of the second of said valve means from said other manifold, and the third of said gas pipes extending from the third of said valve means of one of said manifolds communicates with the fourth of said gas pipes connected to the fourth of said valve means from said other manifold.

Claim 4

A structure according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein; the said control means comprises; i) a variable autotransformer (124) for supplying power to said gas supply means (96): ii) autotransformer adjustment means (126) for adjusting the power output of the autotransformer; and iii) an autotransformer control circuit (128) for controlling the autotransformer adjustment means at a predetermined power output of the autotransformer.

Claim 5

A structure according to claim 3, wherein: the autotransformer adjustment means comprises a motor (126) mechanically communicating with the autotransformer (124) for adjusting the output setting thereof.

Claim 6

A structure according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein: the autotransformer control circuit (128) comprises a preset variable resistor (R1), a power supply for driving the autotransformer adjustment means (126), a reference resistor (R2) at the voltage supplied by said autotransformer, and a comparator circuit (C1, C2) for comparing voltages, wherein said comparator circuit compares the voltage output of the reference resistor (R2) with the voltage output of the preset variable resistor (R1), and wherein the power supply is connected to the auto­transformer adjustment means (126) to adjust the output of the autotransformer only when the compared voltages are out of balance.

Claim 7

An improved patient support structure, comprising: (a) a frame (30); (b) a plurality of elongated gas-inflatable sacks (70) disposed side by side atop said frame (30), the sacks having opposing side walls (76), opposing top and bottom walls (72, 74), and opposing end walls (78), the latter walls having upper and lower attachment means (88) thereon; (c) frame attachment means (90) located on said frame (30) near the end walls (78) of the sacks; (d) gas supply means (96) in communication with each of the sacks for supplying gas to same; (e) control means (124 to 132) associated with the gas supply means (96) and the sacks (70) for controlling supply of gas to each of the sacks according to a predetermined pressure profile across the plurality of sacks and according to a plurality of predetermined combinations of sacks, each combination of sacks defining a separate support zone; and (f) sack retaining means (92) for retaining the sacks (70) in a disposition when inflated such that their side walls (76) are substantially vertically oriented, with the side walls of adjacent sacks being in contact along at least a significant portion of the heights thereof, the retaining means having attachment means (94) thereon matable with the upper and lower sack attachment means (88) for removable securement of the sacks thereto, and the retaining means attachment means (94) being matable with the frame attachment means (90) whereby the sacks when inflated are generally maintained in said disposition irrespective of pressure variance between sacks.

Claim 8

An improved patient support structure, comprising: (a) a frame (30); (b) a plurality of elongated gas-inflatable sacks (70) disposed side by side atop said frame (30), the sacks having opposing side walls (76), opposing top and bottom walls (72, 74), and opposing end walls (78), the latter walls having upper and lower attachment means (88) thereon; (c) frame attachment means (90) located on said frame (30) near the end walls (78) of the sacks; (d) gas supply means (96) in communication with each of the sacks for supplying gas to same; (e) control means (124 to 132) associated with the gas supply means (96) and the sacks (70) for controlling supply of gas to each of the sacks according to a predetermined pressure profile across the plurality of sacks and according to a plurality of predetermined combinations of sacks, each combination of sacks defining a separate support zone; and (f) sack retaining means (92) for retaining the sacks (70) in a disposition when inflated such that their side walls (76) are substantially vertically oriented, with the side walls of adjacent sacks being in contact along at least a significant portion of the heights thereof, the retaining means having attachment means (94) thereon matable with the upper and lower sack attachment means (88) for removable securement of the sacks thereto, and the retaining means attachment means (94) being matable with the frame attachment means (90) whereby the sacks when inflated are generally maintained in said disposition irrespective of pressure variance between sacks.

Claim 9

A structure according to claim 6, further comprising: deflation valve means (198) for venting predetermined sacks (70) of gas, wherein at least the sacks in certain support zones have deflation valve means associated therewith for total deflation of said sacks in said certain support zones (1, 2) so that upon total deflation, the patient can be seated on the frame (30) of the support structure and alternatively the patient can be manipulated for facilitating a predetermined patient treatment procedure.

Claim 10

A structure according to claim 6 or claim 7, further comprising: (g) means (204) for detecting deflation of predetermined ones of the plurality of sacks (70).

Claim 11

A structure according to claim 8, wherein the deflation detection means comprises at least one force sensitive switch (204) disposed at least partially beneath at least one of the sacks (70).

Claim 12

A structure according to claim 8 or claim 9, further comprising: indicator means communicating with the deflation detection means for actuation thereby when the deflation detection means is actuated in response to a predetermined degree of deflation in at least one of the plurality of sacks.

Claim 13

A structure according to any of claims 6 to 10, wherein the sack retaining means comprises a fabric panel (92) having a length dimension corresponding to a whole number multiple of the widths of the end walls (78) of said sacks attached thereto, there being one panel attached at each of the opposite ends of the sacks (70) and at the opposite sides of the frame (30) via the retaining means attachment means (94).

Claim 14

A structure according to claim 11, wherein the sack attachment means (88) and frame attachment means (90) both comprise a plurality of snap members and wherein the retaining means attachment means (94) comprises a plurality of snap members matable with the said snap members (88 and 90).

Claim 15

An improved patient support structure, comprising: (a) a frame (30) which is articulatable to vary the position of a patient lying on the support structure; (b) a plurality of elongated gas-inflatable sacks (70) disposed side by side atop the frame, the sacks having opposing side walls (76), opposing top and bottom walls (72, 74), and opposing end walls (78) and the sacks assuming a disposition when inflated such that side walls (78) thereof are generally vertically oriented with side walls of adjacent sacks being in contact along at least a significant portion of the heights thereof, the end walls (78) having upper and lower attachment means (88) thereon; (c) gas supply means (96) in communication with each of the sacks for supplying gas to same; (d) control means (124 to 132) associated with the gas supply means (96) and the sacks, for controlling supply of gas to each of the sacks according to a predetermined pressure profile across the plurality of sacks and according to a plurality of predetermined combinations of said sacks, each combination of sacks defining a separate support zone; and (e) sack retaining means (92) located along said frame (30) adjacent opposite ends of the sacks (70), the retaining means having attachment means (94) thereon matable with said upper and lower sack attachment means (88) for removable securement of the sacks whereby the sacks when inflated are generally maintained in the said disposition irrespective of any pressure variance between adjacent sacks.

Claim 16

An improved patient support structure, comprising: (a) a frame (30) which is articulatable to vary the position of a patient lying on the support structure; (b) a plurality of elongated gas-inflatable sacks (70) disposed side by side atop the frame, the sacks having opposing side walls (76), opposing top and bottom walls (72, 74), and opposing end walls (78) and the sacks assuming a disposition when inflated such that side walls (78) thereof are generally vertically oriented with side walls of adjacent sacks being in contact along at least a significant portion of the heights thereof, the end walls (78) having upper and lower attachment means (88) thereon; (c) gas supply means (96) in communication with each of the sacks for supplying gas to same; (d) control means (124 to 132) associated with the gas supply means (96) and the sacks, for controlling supply of gas to each of the sacks according to a predetermined pressure profile across the plurality of sacks and according to a plurality of predetermined combinations of said sacks, each combination of sacks defining a separate support zone; and (e) sack retaining means (92) located along said frame (30) adjacent opposite ends of the sacks (70), the retaining means having attachment means (94) thereon matable with said upper and lower sack attachment means (88) for removable securement of the sacks whereby the sacks when inflated are generally maintained in the said disposition irrespective of any pressure variance between adjacent sacks.

Claim 17

An improved patient support structure, comprising: (a) a frame (30) including at least one articulatable section for varying the position of a patient lying on the support structure; (b) a plurality of elongated inflatable sacks (70) atop the frame; (c) gas supply means (96) in communication with each of the sacks for supplying gas thereto; (d) control means (124 to 132) associated with the gas supply means (96) and the sacks (70) for controlling supply of gas to each of the sacks according to a predetermined pressure profile across the plurality of sacks and according to a plurality of predetermined combinations of said sacks, each combination of sacks defining a separate support zone; (e) means (176, 180, 182) associated with the frame (30) for sensing the degree of articulation of one of said articulatable sections of said frame; and (f) the control means being operatively associated with the articulation sensing means to vary gas pressure in predetermined sacks (70), the control means varying the gas pressure according to the degree of articulation of said one of the articulatable sections of the frame, as determined by the articulation sensing means

Claim 18

An improved patient support structure, comprising: (a) a frame (30) including at least one articulatable section for varying the position of a patient lying on the support structure; (b) a plurality of elongated inflatable sacks (70) atop the frame; (c) gas supply means (96) in communication with each of the sacks for supplying gas thereto; (d) control means (124 to 132) associated with the gas supply means (96) and the sacks (70) for controlling supply of gas to each of the sacks according to a predetermined pressure profile across the plurality of sacks and according to a plurality of predetermined combinations of said sacks, each combination of sacks defining a separate support zone; (e) means (176, 180, 182) associated with the frame (30) for sensing the degree of articulation of one of said articulatable sections of said frame; and (f) the control means being operatively associated with the articulation sensing means to vary gas pressure in predetermined sacks (70), the control means varying the gas pressure according to the degree of articulation of said one of the articulatable sections of the frame, as determined by the articulation sensing means

Claim 19

A structure according to claim 14, wherein the articulation sensing means operates in stepwise fashion to sense when said one articulatable section attains at least one predetermined articulated position, the articulation sensing means comprising: i) a rod (176) having one end communicating with one of the articulatable sections of the frame (30) whereby articulating movement of the articulatable section displaces the rod along the longitudinal axis thereof, the rod having a cam (180) on the opposite end thereof; and ii) at least one cam-actuatable switch (182) whereby upon the displacement of the rod (176) the cam (180) actuates the switch (182).

Claim 20

A structure according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the control means comprises a valve control circuit (174) and a multi-outlet, variable flow, gas valve (136) having at least one motor (160) for varying the flow through one of the outlets of the gas valve and having at least one potentiometer associated therewith and yielding an output voltage corresponding to the flow through the said at least one outlet of the valve.

Claim 21

A structure according to claim 16, wherein the valve control circuit (174) comprises a preset variable resistor (R3), a power supply for driving said at least one motor (160) of said valve, and a comparator circuit (C3, C4), wherein the comparator circuit compares the voltage output of said potentiometer (R8) with the voltage output of said preset variable resistor (R3) and the power supply is connected to said motor (160) to drive same and adjust the flow of said at least one outlet only when said compared voltages are out of balance.

Claim 22

A structure according to claim 17, wherein the control circuit (174) further comprises articulation pressure adjustment means, including at least a second preset variable resistor (R4-R7) and means (S1) for selecting which of the preset variable resistors is compared voltaically by the comparator circuit (C3, C4), with the voltage of said potentiometer.

Claim 23

A structure according to claim 18, wherein the preset variable resistor selection means selects said preset variable resistor depending upon the degree of articulation of said one of said articulatable sections of said frame, as determined by said articulation sensing means (176, 180, 182), the preset variable resistor selection means comprises an integrated circuit (IC2) communicating with said articulation sensing means, the integrated circuit selecting one of the preset variable resistors (R4-R7) according to the degree of articulation determined by the articulation sensing means.

Claim 24

An improved patient support structure, comprising: (a) a frame (30) including at least one articulatable section to vary the position of a patient lying on the support structure, each articulatable section defining a joint (32) for articulating movement thereabout by the articulatable section, the frame having a planar upper surface defining a plurality of openings (66) each having a depressed portion (68) therearound; (b) a plurality of elongated inflatable sacks (70) atop said frame (30); (c) gas supply means (96) in communication with each of sacks (70) for supplying gas to same; (d) control means (124 to 132) associated with the gas supply means (96) and sacks (70), for controlling supply of gas to each of the sacks according to a predetermined pressure profile across the plurality of sacks and according to a plurality of predetermined combinations of said sacks, each combination of sacks defining a separate support zone; (e) said gas supply means including an individual gas conduit means (108) for each said sack (70) each said conduit means (108) having a conduit connector means (112, 114) communicating with one end thereof, each connector means at least partially passing through one of said openings (66) of the frame upper surface; and (f) each sack comprising a plurality of walls and having an inlet opening (80) extending through one wall thereof and further comprising an adaptor (82) attached to the inlet opening in a gas impervious manner, the adaptor forming a gas impervious seal when connected to one of the conduit connector means (112, 114).

Claim 25

An improved patient support structure, comprising: (a) a frame (30) including at least one articulatable section to vary the position of a patient lying on the support structure, each articulatable section defining a joint (32) for articulating movement thereabout by the articulatable section, the frame having a planar upper surface defining a plurality of openings (66) each having a depressed portion (68) therearound; (b) a plurality of elongated inflatable sacks (70) atop said frame (30); (c) gas supply means (96) in communication with each of sacks (70) for supplying gas to same; (d) control means (124 to 132) associated with the gas supply means (96) and sacks (70), for controlling supply of gas to each of the sacks according to a predetermined pressure profile across the plurality of sacks and according to a plurality of predetermined combinations of said sacks, each combination of sacks defining a separate support zone; (e) said gas supply means including an individual gas conduit means (108) for each said sack (70) each said conduit means (108) having a conduit connector means (112, 114) communicating with one end thereof, each connector means at least partially passing through one of said openings (66) of the frame upper surface; and (f) each sack comprising a plurality of walls and having an inlet opening (80) extending through one wall thereof and further comprising an adaptor (82) attached to the inlet opening in a gas impervious manner, the adaptor forming a gas impervious seal when connected to one of the conduit connector means (112, 114).

Claim 26

The structure according to claim 20, wherein each of the individual gas conduit means comprises a length of flexible pipe and wherein each connector means is freely received within the depressed portion (88) located around each opening (66) of the said upper surface.

Claim 27

The structure according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein when the adaptor is connected to one of the individual gas conduit connector means, the connected adaptor and conduit connector means are received within the depressed portion (88) around the opening (60) defined in the planar upper surface of the frame.

Claim 28

An improved patient support structure, comprising: (a) a frame (30) having a planar upper surface; (b) a plurality of elongated inflatable sacks (70) atop the frame (30); (c) gas supply means (96) in communication with each of the sacks (70) for supply of gas thereto; (d) control means (124 to 132) associated with the gas supply means (96) and sacks (70), for controlling supply of gas to each of the sacks according to a predetermined pressure profile across the plurality of sacks and according to a plurality of predetermined combinations of said sacks, each combination of sacks defining a separate support zone; and (e) means (204) for detecting deflation of predetermined ones of the plurality of sacks.

Claim 29

An improved patient support structure, comprising: (a) a frame (30) having a planar upper surface; (b) a plurality of elongated inflatable sacks (70) atop the frame (30); (c) gas supply means (96) in communication with each of the sacks (70) for supply of gas thereto; (d) control means (124 to 132) associated with the gas supply means (96) and sacks (70), for controlling supply of gas to each of the sacks according to a predetermined pressure profile across the plurality of sacks and according to a plurality of predetermined combinations of said sacks, each combination of sacks defining a separate support zone; and (e) means (204) for detecting deflation of predetermined ones of the plurality of sacks.

Claim 30

An improved patient support structure, comprising: (a) a frame (30); (b) a plurality of elongated inflatable sacks (70) atop the frame (30); (c) gas supply means (96) in communication with each of the sacks for supplying gas to same; (d) control means (124 - 132) associated with the gas supply means (96) and the sacks (70), for controlling supply of gas to each of the sacks according to a predetermined pressure profile across the plurality of sacks and according to a plurality of predetermined combinations of sacks, each combination of sacks defining a separate support zone; the gas control means comprising: i) a housing (136) defining an inlet (140) and a passageway (138) with which said inlet communicates, ii) at least one cylinder chamber (142) defined within the housing (136) and communicating with the passageway (138), iii) a discrete outlet (144) for each cylinder chamber (142), each outlet being defined in the housing (136) and communicating with the cylinder chamber, and iv) means (146) for variably controlling communication of the inlet (140) with each outlet (144) through said passageway (138) and each cylinder chamber (142); and (e) gas flow switching means (186 to 192) associated with certain of the sacks for switching the said certain sacks between adjacent support zones for accommodation of patients of differing heights and weights.

Claim 31

An improved patient support structure, comprising: (a) a frame (30); (b) a plurality of elongated inflatable sacks (70) atop the frame (30); (c) gas supply means (96) in communication with each of the sacks for supplying gas to same; (d) control means (124 - 132) associated with the gas supply means (96) and the sacks (70), for controlling supply of gas to each of the sacks according to a predetermined pressure profile across the plurality of sacks and according to a plurality of predetermined combinations of sacks, each combination of sacks defining a separate support zone; the gas control means comprising: i) a housing (136) defining an inlet (140) and a passageway (138) with which said inlet communicates, ii) at least one cylinder chamber (142) defined within the housing (136) and communicating with the passageway (138), iii) a discrete outlet (144) for each cylinder chamber (142), each outlet being defined in the housing (136) and communicating with the cylinder chamber, and iv) means (146) for variably controlling communication of the inlet (140) with each outlet (144) through said passageway (138) and each cylinder chamber (142); and (e) gas flow switching means (186 to 192) associated with certain of the sacks for switching the said certain sacks between adjacent support zones for accommodation of patients of differing heights and weights.

Claim 32

A multi-outlet, variable flow gas valve, comprising: (a) a housing (136) defining an inlet (140) and a passageway (138), the inlet communicating with the passageway; (b) at least two cylinder chambers (142) defined within the housing and communicating with the passageway (138); (c) a discrete outlet (144) defined in the housing for each of the cylinder chambers (142) and communicating therewith; and (d) means (146) for variably controlling communication of the inlet (140) with each of the outlets (144) through the passageway and the said cylinder chambers.

Claim 33

A multi-outlet, variable flow gas valve, comprising: (a) a housing (136) defining an inlet (140) and a passageway (138), the inlet communicating with the passageway; (b) at least two cylinder chambers (142) defined within the housing and communicating with the passageway (138); (c) a discrete outlet (144) defined in the housing for each of the cylinder chambers (142) and communicating therewith; and (d) means (146) for variably controlling communication of the inlet (140) with each of the outlets (144) through the passageway and the said cylinder chambers.

Claim 34

A valve according to claim 25 wherein the variable communication control means comprises a piston (146) slidably received within each cylinder chamber (142); means (150) for orienting the said piston (146) at a predetermined location within the cylinder chamber (142); the piston serving to block all communication between each said outlet (144) and the inlet when the piston is oriented at at least one predetermined location within its cylinder chamber (142), the piston (146) permitting maximum communication between the outlet and inlet through the cylinder chamber when the said piston is oriented at another predetermined loation within the cylinder chamber, the piston permitting a predetermined degree of communication between the outlet and inlet through the cylinder chamber depending on the orientation of the piston within the cylinder chamber, the valve optionally further including means (162) for indicating the degree of communication between each outlet and the passageway being permitted by the piston.

Claim 35

A valve according to claim 26, wherein the means for orienting the piston (146) at a predetermined location comprises: a threaded opening (148) extending through the piston and concentric with the longitudinal centerline thereof; a rotatable shaft (150) having a threaded exterior portion (152) engaging the threaded opening (148); means (154) for precluding full rotation of the piston; and means (160) for rotating the shaft (150) to cause displacement of the piston (146) along the shaft in the cylinder chamber (142), the direction of displacement depending on the direction of rotation of the shaft.

Claim 36

A valve according to claim 27 having means for indicating the degree of communication between the outlet and passageway, the indicating means including a potentiometer (162) having a rotatable axle (164) associated with said rotatable shaft (150), for varying the voltage output of the potentiometer depending upon the number of rotations of the shaft and axle attached thereto.

Claim 37

A valve according to claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the said means for rotating the shaft (150) comprises a motor (162) attached thereto.

Claim 38

A valve according to claim 27, 28 or 29, further comprising a flow restriction means (156) for each outlet, each flow restriction means being defined by the housing (136) between each cylinder chamber (142) and each outlet (144), each said flow restriction means having an elongagted-shaped opening, the longitudinal axis of which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Claim 39

A valve according to any of claims 27 to 30, wherein the means for precluding full rotation of each piston (146) comprises a projection (154) associated therewith having a free end extending into the associated outlet (144) of the housing (136).

Claim 40

A valve according to claim 30, wherein the means for precluding full rotation of each piston (146) comprises a projection (154) having one end fixed to the piston and the opposite end extending into the elongated opening (156) of the housing (136).

Claim 41

A single-outlet, variable flow, gas valve, comprising: (a) a housing (136) defining an inlet (140) and a passageway (138), the inlet communicating with the passageway; (b) a cylinder chamber (142) defined within the housing and communicating with the passageway; (c) a discrete outlet (144) defined in the housing and communicating with the cylinder chamber (142); and (d) means (146) for variably controlling communication of the inlet with the outlet through the passageway and cylinder chamber.

Claim 42

A single-outlet, variable flow, gas valve, comprising: (a) a housing (136) defining an inlet (140) and a passageway (138), the inlet communicating with the passageway; (b) a cylinder chamber (142) defined within the housing and communicating with the passageway; (c) a discrete outlet (144) defined in the housing and communicating with the cylinder chamber (142); and (d) means (146) for variably controlling communication of the inlet with the outlet through the passageway and cylinder chamber.

Claim 43

A valve according to claim 33, wherein the variable communication control means comprises; a piston (146) slidably received within said cylinder chamber (142); means for orienting the piston at a predetermined location within the cylinder chamber; the piston serving to block all communication between the outlet (144) and inlet (142) when the piston is oriented at at least one predetermined location within the cylinder chamber, the piston permitting maximum communication between the outlet and inlet through the cylinder chamber when it is oriented at another predetermined location within the cylinder chamber, and the piston permitting a predetermined degree of communication between the outlet and inlet through the cylinder chamber depending on the orientation of the piston within the cylinder chamber.

Claim 44

A valve according to claim 34, wherein the means for orienting said piston at a predetermined location comprises: a threaded opening (148) extending through the piston (146) concentric with the longitudinal centerline thereof; a rotatable shaft (150) having a threaded exterior portion (152) engaging the threaded opening (148); means (154) for precluding full rotation of the piston; and means (160) such as a motor for rotating the shaft (150) thereby to cause displacement of the piston along said shaft in the cylinder chamber (142), the direction of displacement depending on the direction of rotation of the shaft.

Claim 45

A valve according to claim 34 or claim 35, further including means (162) for indicating the degree of communication between the outlet (144) and passageway, being permitted by the said piston (146), the said indicating means for example comprising a potentiometer having a rotatable axle (164) associated with a rotatable shaft (150) provided for displacing the piston, for varying the voltage across the potentiometer (162) depending upon the number of rotations of the shaft and axle attached thereto.

Claim 46

A valve according to claim 35 or claim 36 further including a flow restriction means for the outlet (144) the flow restriction means being defined by the housing (136) between the cylinder chamber (142) and the outlet and having an elongated-shaped opening (156), the longitudinal axis of which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of said shaft.

Claim 47

A valve according to claim 35 or claim 36, wherein the said means for precluding full rotation of the piston (146) comprises a projection (154) associated therewith and having a free end extending into the outlet (144).

Claim 48

A valve according to claim 37, wherein the said means for precluding full rotation of said piston (146) comprises a projection (154) having one end fixed to the piston and the opposite end extending into the elongated opening (156).