US4279044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid support system for a medical patient
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-11-16
•
Granted: 1981-07-21
•
Expires: 1999-11-16
Abstract
Abstract Medical patients, such as those having burns or bed sores, are supported fully or in part by this fluid system, which is available in many embodiments. All embodiments are directed to reducing local bearing pressure on body tissue. Multiple flexible elements or cells of differing embodiments are filled with a pressurized fluid, usually air. These multiple flexible cells are generally supported on a fully adjustable hospital bed frame. When all the cells are inflated by internal fluid pressure, upper portions of the cells contact one another to form an overall seal which substantially prevents the escape of any fluid under equal or lower pressure, which may be thereafter introduced into the spaces between the lower portions of the cells. By using selective fluid pressurization and supply systems, automatic valving action occurs whereby the patient's body weight is beneficially distributed and supported on fluid, substantially reducing the values of supporting pressures. Adjustment of the external fluid supply to the point where it slightly exceeds that in the interior of the cells causes the flexible cells below the patient to be deflated and to collapse. This results in the patient being supported upon a deep cushion of pressurized fluid, with the minimum possible values of pressure exerted upon the patient's skin. The flexible cells located beyond the periphery of the patient will remain inflated.
Inventors
- 👤 Owen Douglas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61G; A61G7/00; A61G7/05; A61G7/057; A61G7/05761; A43; A43B; A43B3/00; A43B3/0036; A43B3/0078; A43B3/0084; A61G5/00; A61G5/10; A61G5/1043; A61G5/1045; A61G5/1091; A61G7/05784
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
A fluid support system comprising a plurality of flexible inflatable cells, the cells arranged in at least one group, each cell having a top portion, a central portion and a lower portion, the top portion being substantially hemispherical in vertical cross-section, the central portion being generally cylindrical and the lower portion tapering downward and inward; a board positioned beneath the cells, each cell connected at its bottom end to the board; a plurality of apertures in the board, an aperture aligned with each cell; means for supplying pressurized fluid to said apertures for inflation of said cells; the cells positioned relative to each other whereby upon inflation, the cells abut at their central portions and deform to a polygonal cross-section when viewed from the top; means for feeding pressurized fluid into spaces between said lower portions of said cells; and a boundary means surrounding a number of cells to define a group, the boundary means forming a lateral seal around the group, whereby the pressure in the sealed spaces between the lower portions of the cells can be made equal to or greater than the pressure on the interior of the cells, causing the cells below a patient resting on the support system to be deflated and to collapse to a level near the board.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
A fluid support system comprising a plurality of flexible inflatable cells, the cells arranged in at least one group, each cell having a top portion, a central portion and a lower portion, the top portion being substantially hemispherical in vertical cross-section, the central portion being generally cylindrical and the lower portion tapering downward and inward; a board positioned beneath the cells, each cell connected at its bottom end to the board; a plurality of apertures in the board, an aperture aligned with each cell; means for supplying pressurized fluid to said apertures for inflation of said cells; the cells positioned relative to each other whereby upon inflation, the cells abut at their central portions and deform to a polygonal cross-section when viewed from the top; means for feeding pressurized fluid into spaces between said lower portions of said cells; and a boundary means surrounding a number of cells to define a group, the boundary means forming a lateral seal around the group, whereby the pressure in the sealed spaces between the lower portions of the cells can be made equal to or greater than the pressure on the interior of the cells, causing the cells below a patient resting on the support system to be deflated and to collapse to a level near the board.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A support system as claimed in claim 1, including separate means for feeding pressurized fluid to said apertures in said board and to said spaces between said cells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A support system as claimed in claim 1, including apertures in at least some of the lower portions of said cells, for feeding pressurized fluid to said spaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A support system as claimed in claim 1, including two sets of apertures in said board, a first set of apertures forming said apertures aligned with the lower portions of said cells, and a second set of apertures communicating with said spaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A support system as claimed in claim 1, said pressurized fluid supply for said cells and said pressurized fluid supply for said spaces connected to a common pressurized fluid source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A support system as claimed in claim 1, said pressurized fluid supply for said cells and said pressurized fluid supply for said spaces connected to separate pressurized fluid sources.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A support system as claimed in claim 1, said cells arranged in a plurality of groups, each group defined by a peripheral boundary.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A support system as claimed in claim 7, including a common fluid pressure supply to said groups.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A support system as claimed in claim 7, said peripheral boundary being common to adjacent groups.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A support system as claimed in claim 7, including separate pressurized fluid supply sources for each group.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A support system as claimed in claims 8 or 10, including an independent means for supplying pressurized fluid to said cells and to said spaces in each group.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
A support system as claimed in claim 1, including a fluid supply duct extending for at least part of the periphery of a group and forming at least part of said boundary means, and apertures for supplying pressurized fluid from said duct to said spaces.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A support system as claimed in claim 1, said board concave in side view, said cell tops in a group having a generally concave configuration.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A support system as claimed in claim 1, said board flat in side view.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A support system as claimed in claim 1, said top portion connected to said lower portion, said center portion formed by the congruence of the top and lower portions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A support system as claimed in claim 1, said center portion extending between said top portion and said lower portion and having a constant cross-section.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A support system as claimed in claim 16, said center portion having a polygonal cross-section.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A support system as claimed in claim 16, said center portion having a circular cross-section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-07-20 | 1985-01-19 | 1985-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-07-20 | 1989-01-19 | 1989-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-07-20 | 1993-01-19 | 1993-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |