Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A low air loss bed comprising: a frame; a first set of air bags for supporting a patient thereon mounted transversely on said frame; a second set of air bags for supporting a patient thereon mounted transversely on said frame; means for connecting each of said air bags to a gas source; means on each of the air bags of said first set of air bags for moving a patient supported thereon toward a first side of said frame when the air bags of said first set of air bags are inflated; means on each of the air bags of said second set of air bags for moving a patient supported thereon toward the second side of said frame when the air bags of said second set of air bags is inflated and the air bags of said first set of air bags are deflated; and means on said air bags for retaining the patient supported thereon on said first or said second set of said air bags when the patient is moved toward the first or second sides of said frame, respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A low air loss bed comprising: a frame; a first set of air bags for supporting a patient thereon mounted transversely on said frame; a second set of air bags for supporting a patient thereon mounted transversely on said frame; means for connecting each of said air bags to a gas source; means on each of the air bags of said first set of air bags for moving a patient supported thereon toward a first side of said frame when the air bags of said first set of air bags are inflated; means on each of the air bags of said second set of air bags for moving a patient supported thereon toward the second side of said frame when the air bags of said second set of air bags is inflated and the air bags of said first set of air bags are deflated; and means on said air bags for retaining the patient supported thereon on said first or said second set of said air bags when the patient is moved toward the first or second sides of said frame, respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
116 words
An air bag for use on a low air loss bed having a plurality of transversely mounted air bags mounted thereon comprising: an enclosure for supporting a patient and distributing pressure to prevent pressure points; means for connecting the inside of said enclosure with a source of gas for inflating said enclosure with gas; means for releasably securing said enclosure to a low air loss bed; means for moving a patient supported on said air bag toward one end of said enclosure when said air bag is inflated; and integral means on said enclosure for retaining the patient on the top surface of said enclosure when the patient is moved toward the end of said enclosure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
116 words
An air bag for use on a low air loss bed having a plurality of transversely mounted air bags mounted thereon comprising: an enclosure for supporting a patient and distributing pressure to prevent pressure points; means for connecting the inside of said enclosure with a source of gas for inflating said enclosure with gas; means for releasably securing said enclosure to a low air loss bed; means for moving a patient supported on said air bag toward one end of said enclosure when said air bag is inflated; and integral means on said enclosure for retaining the patient on the top surface of said enclosure when the patient is moved toward the end of said enclosure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The air bag of claim 2 wherein said securing means comprises a flap on said enclosure having releasable fastening means mounted thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The air bag of claim 2 wherein said connecting means comprises a nipple having an elongate shank extending through the wall of said enclosure and a flange by which the shank of said nipple is retained in place in the wall of said enclosure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The air bag of claim 4 wherein the shank of said nipple is said securing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The air bag of claim 4 wherein said nipple is provided with a tab for engaging a flange on the low air loss bed to which said enclosure is releasably secured.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The air bag of claim 2 wherein said enclosure comprises a top surface, a bottom, side walls and end walls and said connecting means is mounted in the bottom thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The air bag of claim 7 wherein said means for moving the patient toward one end of said rectangular enclosure comprises a cutout located in the top surface thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The air bag of claim 7 wherein said means for retaining the patient on the top surface of said enclosure comprises a pillar integral with the end of said enclosure toward which the patient is moved.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The air bag of claim 7 additionally comprising a hump in the top surface thereof.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of preventing pressure points and bed sores in an immobile patient comprising the steps of: (a) inflating a plurality of air bags to a selected pressure for supporting a patient thereon; (b) inflating a first set of the air bags to a pressure higher than the selected pressure to cause the patient to be rolled in a first direction on the air bags; (c) thereafter deflating the first set of air bags while inflating a second set of the air bags to a pressure higher than the selected pressure to cause the patient to be rolled in a second direction on the air bags; and (d) alternately repeating steps (b) and (c).
Claim 14
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of preventing pressure points and bed sores in an immobile patient comprising the steps of: (a) inflating a plurality of air bags to a selected pressure for supporting a patient thereon; (b) inflating a first set of the air bags to a pressure higher than the selected pressure to cause the patient to be rolled in a first direction on the air bags; (c) thereafter deflating the first set of air bags while inflating a second set of the air bags to a pressure higher than the selected pressure to cause the patient to be rolled in a second direction on the air bags; and (d) alternately repeating steps (b) and (c).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11 additionally comprising maintaining the pressure in a third set of the air bags at the selected pressure.