Patient support structure and variable flow valves therefor

Claim 2

An improved patient support structure, comprising: (a) a frame (30); (b) a plurality of elongated inflatable sacks (70) atop said frame (30); (c) means (96,98) for supplying gas to said sacks (70), said gas supply means being in communication with said sacks; (d) means (502) for preventing interruption of the supply of gas to said sacks, said gas supply interruption prevention means being associated with said gas supply means (96, 98); and (e) control means (130, 174) associated with said gas supply means (96, 98) and said sacks (70), for controlling supply of gas to each of said sacks according to a predetermined pressure profile across said plurality of sacks and according to a plurality of predetermined combinations of said sacks, each said combination of sacks defining a separate support zone (zone 1, zone 2, .... etc.).

Claim 3

A structure according to claim 1, wherein (a) said gas supply means includes: (i) a blower (96) for generating gas flow for supplying gas to said sacks; (ii) a brushless direct current motor (506) connected to said blower (96) for powering same; and (iii) means (508) for transforming alternating electric current from an AC electric power source to DC power for providing a DC power source for powering said brushless DC motor; (b) said gas supply interruption prevention means including: (i) means (502) for producing electric power for said brushless DC motor, said electric power production means being self-contained by and carried by said patient support structure, the power production means for example comprising a battery; (ii) means (536) for selectively and automatically switching between connecting said transformer means (508) to said brushless DC motor (506) and connecting said self-contained electric power production means (502) to said brushless DC motor, said power source switching means being electrically connected to said brushless DC electric motor, said transformer means, and said self-contained electric power production means.

Claim 4

A structure according to claim 2, wherein said power source switching means comprises an electric circuit (536) for connecting said transformer means (508) to said brushless DC motor (506) when at least a predetermined amount of power from an AC source is supplied to said transformer means (508) and connecting said self-contained electric power production means (502) to said brushless DC motor when said transformer means (508) is supplied with less than said predetermined amount of power from an AC source.

Claim 5

An improved patient support structure, comprising : (a) a frame (30); (b) a plurality of elongated inflatable sacks (70) atop said frame; (c) gas supply means (96, 98) in communication with each of said sacks (70) for supplying gas to same; and (d) control means (130, 174) associated with said gas supply means (96, 98) and said sacks (70), for controlling supply of gas to each of said sacks according to a predetermined pressure profile across said plurality of sacks and according to a plurality of predetermined combinations of said sacks, each said combination of sacks defining a separate support zone (zone 1, zone 2,.... etc.), and said control means comprising means (310) for adjusting zonal gas loss.

Claim 6

An improved patient support structure, comprising : (a) a frame (30); (b) a plurality of elongated inflatable sacks (70) atop said frame; (c) gas supply means (96, 98) in communication with each of said sacks (70) for supplying gas to same; and (d) control means (130, 174) associated with said gas supply means (96, 98) and said sacks (70), for controlling supply of gas to each of said sacks according to a predetermined pressure profile across said plurality of sacks and according to a plurality of predetermined combinations of said sacks, each said combination of sacks defining a separate support zone (zone 1, zone 2,.... etc.), and said control means comprising means (310) for adjusting zonal gas loss.

Claim 7

A structure according to claim 4, wherein said means for adjusting zonal gas loss comprises a gas flow muffler in communication with said gas supply means.

Claim 8

A structure according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said gas supply means includes a gas flow manifold (166, 194, 196, etc.) for supplying gas to all of said sacks (70) in one of said separate support zones, each of said sacks in said one of said separate support zones (e.g. zone 1) being connected to said manifold and said manifold being connected to a gas flow muffler (310).

Claim 9

A structure according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein said gas flow muffler (310) defines a gas flow tube (320) having a gas flow restriction 342 adjacent one end thereof, said gas flow restriction space (342) being variable to vary the gas flow through said muffler.

Claim 10

A structure according to claim 7, wherein the restriction space (342) has a linear dimension extending parallel to the direction of gas flow immediately before the gas flow leaves said gas flow tube (320) defining the length of said gas flow restriction space, said length being variable to vary the gas flow exhausted from said muffler (310).

Claim 11

A structure according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein said gas flow muffler (310) comprises a gas flow path including a sudden exit from said tube (320) into the said restriction space (342), a 180° turn, sound deadening material (316), and a collimated outlet port (314).

Claim 12

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, the or each said articulatable section defining a joint (32) for articulating movement thereabout by each said articulatable section, said frame having a planar upper surface (64) defining a plurality of openings (66), each said opening having a depressed portion (63) therearound; (b) a plurality of elongated inflatable sacks (70) atop said frame (30), each said sack having a gas inlet opening (80); (c) gas supply means (96, 98) in communication with each of said sacks (70) for supplying gas to same; (d) control means (130, 174) associated with said gas supply means and said sacks, for controlling supply of gas to each of said sacks (70) according to a predetermined pressure profile across said plurality of sacks and according to a plurality of predetermined combinations of said sacks, each said combination of sacks defining a separate support zone (e.g. zone 1, zone 2, .... etc.); (e) said gas supply means including an individual gas conduit means for each said sack (70) and means (e.g. 82, 114) for detachably connecting each said sack to each said individual gas conduit means, each said conduit means including a length of flexible pipe (108), each said detachable connecting means comprising a conduit connector means (114) at one end of said gas conduit means (108) and a sack connection adaptor (82) fitted in a gas impervious manner to each said sack gas inlet opening (80), each said conduit connector means at least partially passing through one of said openings (66) of said frame upper surface (64) and being received within said depressed portion (68) surrounding said opening in said upper surface so as not to project above said planar upper surface (64); and (f) each said sack connection adaptor (82) forming a gas impervious seal when connected to one of said conduit connector means (114).

Claim 13

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, the or each said articulatable section defining a joint (32) for articulating movement thereabout by each said articulatable section, said frame having a planar upper surface (64) defining a plurality of openings (66), each said opening having a depressed portion (63) therearound; (b) a plurality of elongated inflatable sacks (70) atop said frame (30), each said sack having a gas inlet opening (80); (c) gas supply means (96, 98) in communication with each of said sacks (70) for supplying gas to same; (d) control means (130, 174) associated with said gas supply means and said sacks, for controlling supply of gas to each of said sacks (70) according to a predetermined pressure profile across said plurality of sacks and according to a plurality of predetermined combinations of said sacks, each said combination of sacks defining a separate support zone (e.g. zone 1, zone 2, .... etc.); (e) said gas supply means including an individual gas conduit means for each said sack (70) and means (e.g. 82, 114) for detachably connecting each said sack to each said individual gas conduit means, each said conduit means including a length of flexible pipe (108), each said detachable connecting means comprising a conduit connector means (114) at one end of said gas conduit means (108) and a sack connection adaptor (82) fitted in a gas impervious manner to each said sack gas inlet opening (80), each said conduit connector means at least partially passing through one of said openings (66) of said frame upper surface (64) and being received within said depressed portion (68) surrounding said opening in said upper surface so as not to project above said planar upper surface (64); and (f) each said sack connection adaptor (82) forming a gas impervious seal when connected to one of said conduit connector means (114).

Claim 14

The structure according to claim 10, wherein each said individual gas conduit means comprises a length of flexible pipe (108) and wherein each said detachable connecting means is freely received in each said depressed portion (68) located around each said opening (66) of said upper surface (64).

Claim 15

The structure according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein said detachable connecting means is completely received within said depressed portion (68) around said opening (66) defined in said planar upper surface (64) of said frame (30).

Claim 16

13 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, said frame (30) having a planar upper surface (64), the or each articulatable section defining a joint (32) for articulating movement thereabout by each said articulatable section; (b) a plurality of elongated inflatable sacks (70) atop said frame (30); (c) gas supply means (96, 98) in communication with each of said sacks (70) for supplying gas to same; (d) a flexible fluid impervious membrane (120) received atop said upper surface (64) of said frame (30) and extending across said upper planar surface at least in the vicinity of each joint (32) of each section thereof; and (e) a plurality of force sensitive switches (204) for detecting a bottoming condition produced by excessive deflation of predetermined ones of said plurality of sacks (70), said switches (204) being disposed between said planar upper surface (64) and said membrane (120).

Claim 17

13 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, said frame (30) having a planar upper surface (64), the or each articulatable section defining a joint (32) for articulating movement thereabout by each said articulatable section; (b) a plurality of elongated inflatable sacks (70) atop said frame (30); (c) gas supply means (96, 98) in communication with each of said sacks (70) for supplying gas to same; (d) a flexible fluid impervious membrane (120) received atop said upper surface (64) of said frame (30) and extending across said upper planar surface at least in the vicinity of each joint (32) of each section thereof; and (e) a plurality of force sensitive switches (204) for detecting a bottoming condition produced by excessive deflation of predetermined ones of said plurality of sacks (70), said switches (204) being disposed between said planar upper surface (64) and said membrane (120).

Claim 18

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, 98) in communication with each of said sacks (70) for supplying gas to same; (d) gas control means (130, 174) associated with gas supply means and said sacks, for controlling supply of gas to each of said sacks according to a predetermined pressure profile across said plurality of sacks and according to a plurality of predetermined combinations of said sacks, each said combination of sacks defining a separate support zone (e.g. zone 1, zone 2, .... etc.); (e) said gas control means comprising: (i) a valve housing (136) defining a valve inlet (140) and a valve passageway (138), said valve inlet communicating with said valve passageway, (ii) at least one valve cylinder chamber (142) defined within said valve housing (136) and communicating with said valve passageway (138), (iii) a discrete valve outlet (144) for each said valve cylinder chamber (142), each said valve outlet being defined in said valve housing (136) and communicating with said valve cylinder chamber, and (iv) means (146) for variably controlling communication of said valve inlet (140) with each said valve outlet (144) through said valve passageway (138) and each said valve cylinder chamber (142); and (f) means (97) for substantially reducing the noise of gas flow exiting at least one of said discrete valve housing outlets (144), said noise reduction means being connected to said discrete valve housing outlet.

Claim 19

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, 98) in communication with each of said sacks (70) for supplying gas to same; (d) gas control means (130, 174) associated with gas supply means and said sacks, for controlling supply of gas to each of said sacks according to a predetermined pressure profile across said plurality of sacks and according to a plurality of predetermined combinations of said sacks, each said combination of sacks defining a separate support zone (e.g. zone 1, zone 2, .... etc.); (e) said gas control means comprising: (i) a valve housing (136) defining a valve inlet (140) and a valve passageway (138), said valve inlet communicating with said valve passageway, (ii) at least one valve cylinder chamber (142) defined within said valve housing (136) and communicating with said valve passageway (138), (iii) a discrete valve outlet (144) for each said valve cylinder chamber (142), each said valve outlet being defined in said valve housing (136) and communicating with said valve cylinder chamber, and (iv) means (146) for variably controlling communication of said valve inlet (140) with each said valve outlet (144) through said valve passageway (138) and each said valve cylinder chamber (142); and (f) means (97) for substantially reducing the noise of gas flow exiting at least one of said discrete valve housing outlets (144), said noise reduction means being connected to said discrete valve housing outlet.

Claim 20

A structure according to claim 14, wherein said valve noise reduction means (97) is a primary silencer comprising: (i) a noise reduction gas passageway (402) having an entranceway (404) connected to said discrete valve housing outlet (144) and an exitway (406) at the end of said noise reduction gas passage- way (402) opposite said entranceway (404); (ii) a noise reduction housing (410) surrounding said exitway (406) and a portion of said noise reduction gas passageway (402) without contacting said exitway (406) and forming a space between said noise reduction housing and said noise reduction gas passageway; (iii) means (408) for deadening the sound of flowing gas, said sound deadening means being disposed in said space between the exterior of said noise reduction gas passageway (402) and the interior of said noise reduction housing (410), said sound deadening means allowing passage of gas flow thereby; and (iv) said noise reduction housing (410) defining a noise reduction gas flow outlet (422) disposed such that gas flowing from said exitway (404) must pass through said sound deadening means (408) to reach said noise reduction gas flow outlet.

Claim 21

A multi-outlet, variable flow gas valve, comprising: (a) a housing (136) defining an inlet (140) and a passageway (138), said inlet communicating with said passageway; (b) at least two cylinder chambers (142) defined within said housing (136) and communicating with said passageway (138); (c) a discrete outlet (144) defined in said housing (136) for each said cylinder chamber (142) and communicating therewith; (d) means (146) for variably controlling communication of said inlet (140) with each said outlet (144) through said passageway (138) and each said cylinder chamber (142); and (e) means (97) for substantially reducing the noise of gas flow exiting at least one of said discrete housing outlets (144), said noise reduction means being connected to said discrete housing outlet.

Claim 22

A multi-outlet, variable flow gas valve, comprising: (a) a housing (136) defining an inlet (140) and a passageway (138), said inlet communicating with said passageway; (b) at least two cylinder chambers (142) defined within said housing (136) and communicating with said passageway (138); (c) a discrete outlet (144) defined in said housing (136) for each said cylinder chamber (142) and communicating therewith; (d) means (146) for variably controlling communication of said inlet (140) with each said outlet (144) through said passageway (138) and each said cylinder chamber (142); and (e) means (97) for substantially reducing the noise of gas flow exiting at least one of said discrete housing outlets (144), said noise reduction means being connected to said discrete housing outlet.

Claim 23

A valve according to claim 16, wherein said noise reduction means (97) is a primary silencer comprising: (i) a noise reduction gas passageway (402) having an entranceway (404) connected to said discrete housing outlet (144) and an exitway (406) at the end of said noise reduction gas passageway (402) opposite said entranceway; (ii) a noise reduction housing (410) surrounding said exitway (406) and a portion of said noise reduction gas passageway (402) without contacting said exitway and forming a space between said noise reduction housing and said noise reduction gas passageway; (iii) means (408) for deadening the sound of flowing gas, said sound deadening means being disposed in said space between the exterior of said noise reduction gas passageway (402) and the interior of said noise reduction housing (410), said sound deadening means allowing passage of gas flow thereby; and (iv) said noise reduction housing (410) defining a noise reduction gas flow outlet (422) disposed such that gas flowing from said exitway (406) must pass through said sound deadening means (408) to reach said noise reduction gas flow outlet.

Claim 24

A single-outlet, variable flow, gas valve, comprising: (a) a housing (136) defining an inlet (140) and a passageway (138), said inlet communicating with said passageway; (b) a cylinder chamber (142) defined within said housing (136) and communicating with said passageway (138); (c) a discrete outlet (144) defined in said housing (136) and communicating with said cylinder chamber (142); (d) means (146) for variably controlling communication of said inlet (140) with said outlet (144) through said passageway and said cylinder chamber (142); and (e) means (97) for substantially reducing the noise of gas flow exiting said outlet (144), said noise reduction means being connected to said discrete housing outlet.

Claim 25

A single-outlet, variable flow, gas valve, comprising: (a) a housing (136) defining an inlet (140) and a passageway (138), said inlet communicating with said passageway; (b) a cylinder chamber (142) defined within said housing (136) and communicating with said passageway (138); (c) a discrete outlet (144) defined in said housing (136) and communicating with said cylinder chamber (142); (d) means (146) for variably controlling communication of said inlet (140) with said outlet (144) through said passageway and said cylinder chamber (142); and (e) means (97) for substantially reducing the noise of gas flow exiting said outlet (144), said noise reduction means being connected to said discrete housing outlet.

Claim 26

A valve according to claim 18, wherein said noise reduction means (97) is a primary silencer comprising: (i) a noise reduction gas passageway (402) having an entranceway (404) connected to said discrete housing outlet (144) and an exitway (406) at the end of said noise reduction gas passageway (402) opposite said entranceway (404); (ii) a noise reduction housing (410) surrounding said exitway (406) and a portion of said noise reduction gas passageway (402) without contacting said exitway and forming a space between said noise reduction housing and said noise reduction gas passageway; (iii) means (408) for deadening the sound of flowing gas, said sound deadening means being disposed in said space between the exterior of said noise reduction gas passageway (402) and the interior of said noise reduction housing (410), said sound deadening means allowing passage of gas flow thereby; and (iv) said noise reduction housing (410) defining a noise reduction gas flow outlet (422) such that gas flowing from said exitway (144) must pass through said sound deadening means (408) to reach said noise reduction gas flow outlet (422).