US5606754A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Vibratory patient support system
Assignee: Hill Rom Services Inc
•
Filing: 1995-07-17
•
Granted: 1997-03-04
•
Expires: 2015-07-17
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a vibratory patient support system for providing therapeutic vibrational action or forces to a patient suffering from a respiratory ailment. The vibratory patient support system includes a rigid support frame such as a bed frame, a plurality of inflatable sacs supported upon the support frame with each sac having an upper surface so that the plurality of sacs forms a patient support surface. The inflatable sacs are pressurized and maintained at a predetermined pressure. This predetermined pressure may be a patient height and weight specific pressure profile. A vibrating component is provided separate from the apparatus for pressurizing and maintaining the air sacs at the predetermined pressure. The vibrating component vibrates at least a portion of the patient support surface at a predetermined frequency. In this manner, the plurality of air sacs are maintained at their predetermined pressure and the portion of the patient support surface is simultaneously vibrated at the predetermined frequency. The vibrating means are further variably controllable so that an operator can vary the frequency, magnitude or amplitude, and duration of the vibrating therapy. The vibratory patient support system may include a specialty low air loss bed configuration including vibrating means for vibrating a portion of the patient support surface of the low air loss sacs at the predetermined frequency.
Inventors
- 👤 Barry D. Hand
- 👤 Robert C. Novack
- 👤 Donald E. Williamson
- 👤 James R. Stolpmann
- 👤 Kenith W. Chambers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61G; A61G7/00; A61G7/001; A61G7/05; A61G7/0527; A61G7/057; A61G7/05769; A61G7/05776; A61G2203/00; A61G2203/30; A61G2203/34; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S5/00; Y10S5/915; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/2544; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7758; Y10T137/7761; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86389; Y10T137/86405; Y10T137/86421; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86574; Y10T137/86622; Y10T137/87169; Y10T137/87217
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A vibratory patient support system, comprising: a rigid support frame; a plurality of inflatable sacs supported upon said support frame, each said sac having an upper surface whereby said plurality of sacs forms a patient support surface; means for pressurizing and maintaining said sacs at a predetermined pressure; vibrating means separate from said pressurizing and maintaining means and operably configured generally adjacent at least a portion of said patient support surface for vibrating said portion of said patient support surface at a predetermined frequency within a predetermined frequency range, so that while said plurality of sacs are maintained at said predetermined pressure, said portion of said patient support surface is simultaneously vibrated at said predetermined frequency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A vibratory patient support system, comprising: a rigid support frame; a plurality of inflatable sacs supported upon said support frame, each said sac having an upper surface whereby said plurality of sacs forms a patient support surface; means for pressurizing and maintaining said sacs at a predetermined pressure; vibrating means separate from said pressurizing and maintaining means and operably configured generally adjacent at least a portion of said patient support surface for vibrating said portion of said patient support surface at a predetermined frequency within a predetermined frequency range, so that while said plurality of sacs are maintained at said predetermined pressure, said portion of said patient support surface is simultaneously vibrated at said predetermined frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The patient support system as in claim 1, wherein said sacs are disposed to extend transversely across said support frame generally along the length thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The patient support system as in claim 2, wherein said support frame is articulatable in sections with at least one said section corresponding to the general area of a patient's chest, said vibrating means being disposed within at least one said sac located in said section corresponding to the general area of a patient's chest.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The patient support system as in claim 1, wherein said inflatable sacs are low air loss sacs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
183 words
The patient support system as in claim 1, wherein said means for pressurizing and maintaining said sacs at a predetermined pressure further comprises: means for pressurizing said inflatable sacs in a first constant pressure mode so that said inflatable sacs are maintained at a relatively constant predetermined pressure whereby a patient resting upon said support surface is supported at a predetermined relatively constant pressure; means for pressurizing said inflatable sacs in a second pulsation mode whereby at least two alternate sets of said inflatable sacs are alternately inflated and deflated so as to provide alternating pressure point relief to a patient resting upon said support surface; means for pressurizing said inflatable sacs in a third turning mode whereby generally oppositely disposed portions of said inflatable sacs are alternately inflated and deflated so that a patient resting upon said sacs can be automatically tilted from side-to-side; whereby said patient support system is switchable from one of said modes of operation to any other of said modes of operation with said vibrating means being independently actuable and controllable from any of said modes of operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The patient support system as in claim 1, further comprising a means for variably controlling said vibrating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The patient support system as in claim 6, wherein said means for variably controlling said vibrating means comprises means for varying the frequency of vibration of said patient support surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The patient support system as in claim 6, wherein said means for variably controlling said vibrating means comprises means for varying the magnitude of vibration of said patient support surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The patient support system as in claim 6, wherein said means for variably controlling said vibrating means comprises means for varying the frequency and magnitude of vibration of said patient support surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The patient support system as in claim 6, wherein said vibrating means comprises a pneumatic vibrating system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The patient support system as in claim 6, wherein said means for variably controlling said vibrating means comprises means for varying the sequence of vibration of said patient support surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
241 words
A vibratory patient support system, comprising: a rigid support frame; a plurality of inflatable sacs supported by said support frame, each said sac having an upper surface whereby said plurality of sacs forms a patient support surface; means for pressurizing and maintaining said sacs at a predetermined pressure; a pneumatic vibrating system separate from said pressurizing and maintaining means for vibrating at least a portion of said patient support surface at a predetermined frequency, so that while said plurality of sacs are maintained at said predetermined pressure, said portion of said patient support surface is simultaneously vibrated at said predetermined frequency, said pneumatic vibrating system further comprising a source of pressurized air; at least one inflatable cell disposed within at least one said inflatable sac generally at the top thereof, said inflatable cell being supported within said sac, said inflatable cell being in pneumatic communication with said source of pressurized air; controllable valve means between said source of pressurized air and said inflatable cell, said valve means operating to alternately supply pressurized air from said pressurized air source to said inflatable cell and to vent pressurized air from said inflatable cell at said predetermined frequency, whereby said inflatable cell pneumatically pulsates just below said upper surface of said sac thereby imparting vibrational forces to said patient support surface; and a control circuit for controlling the operational frequency of said controllable valve means; and means for variably controlling said pneumatic vibrating system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
241 words
A vibratory patient support system, comprising: a rigid support frame; a plurality of inflatable sacs supported by said support frame, each said sac having an upper surface whereby said plurality of sacs forms a patient support surface; means for pressurizing and maintaining said sacs at a predetermined pressure; a pneumatic vibrating system separate from said pressurizing and maintaining means for vibrating at least a portion of said patient support surface at a predetermined frequency, so that while said plurality of sacs are maintained at said predetermined pressure, said portion of said patient support surface is simultaneously vibrated at said predetermined frequency, said pneumatic vibrating system further comprising a source of pressurized air; at least one inflatable cell disposed within at least one said inflatable sac generally at the top thereof, said inflatable cell being supported within said sac, said inflatable cell being in pneumatic communication with said source of pressurized air; controllable valve means between said source of pressurized air and said inflatable cell, said valve means operating to alternately supply pressurized air from said pressurized air source to said inflatable cell and to vent pressurized air from said inflatable cell at said predetermined frequency, whereby said inflatable cell pneumatically pulsates just below said upper surface of said sac thereby imparting vibrational forces to said patient support surface; and a control circuit for controlling the operational frequency of said controllable valve means; and means for variably controlling said pneumatic vibrating system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The patient support system as in claim 12, further comprising a plurality of said inflatable cells disposed within at least two said sacs.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The patient support system as in claim 12, further comprising a plurality of said inflatable cells, whereby at least two of said inflatable cells are disposed within at least one said inflatable sac.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The patient support system as in claim 12, wherein said inflatable cell is generally tubular in shape and disposed lengthwise relative said inflatable sac.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The patient support system as in claim 12, wherein said pneumatic vibrating system is in operative communication with said means for pressurizing and maintaining said sacs at a predetermined pressure, said pneumatic vibrating system and pressurizing and maintaining means sharing said source of pressurized air.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
The patient support system as in claim 12, wherein said controllable valve means comprises a first solenoid valve for pressurizing said inflatable cell from said source of pressurized air, and a second solenoid valve for venting said inflatable cell, said control circuit signaling said solenoid valves to alternately pressurize and vent said inflatable cell at said predetermined frequency.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The patient support system as in claim 12, wherein said controllable valve means comprises a three-way valve for alternately pressurizing and venting said inflatable cell, said control circuit signaling said three-way valve to cycle between a pressurizing and venting condition at said predetermined frequency.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The patient support system as in claim 12, further comprising means for variably controlling said source of pressurized air so that the magnitude of vibrational forces imparted to said patient support surface can be varied.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The patient support system according to claim 19, wherein said source of pressurized air is a variable speed blower, whereby said variably controlling means operates to control the speed of said blower.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
57 words
The patient support system as in claim 12, wherein said inflatable cell further comprises a diaphragm generally at the top thereof just below said upper surface of said inflatable sac, said diaphragm acting to snap against said upper surface upon said inflatable cell being pressurized and retract from said upper surface upon said inflatable cell being deflated.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
97 words
A low air loss patient support system of the type having a plurality of alternately disposed low air loss sacs supported on a bed frame, means for pressurizing the sacs, and control means for maintaining the sacs at a predetermined pressure, the upper surfaces of the low air loss sacs forming a patient support surface, said low air loss patient support system further comprising means disposed within certain of said low air loss sacs for imparting vibrational forces to at least a portion of said patient support surface while said sacs are maintained at said predetermined pressure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
97 words
A low air loss patient support system of the type having a plurality of alternately disposed low air loss sacs supported on a bed frame, means for pressurizing the sacs, and control means for maintaining the sacs at a predetermined pressure, the upper surfaces of the low air loss sacs forming a patient support surface, said low air loss patient support system further comprising means disposed within certain of said low air loss sacs for imparting vibrational forces to at least a portion of said patient support surface while said sacs are maintained at said predetermined pressure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
83 words
The low air loss patient support system as in claim 22, wherein said low air loss sacs are divided into sections and said control means for maintaining said sacs at a predetermined pressure comprises means for computing and maintaining a height and weight specific pressure profile for each said section, said vibrational forces imparting means disposed internal to at least one said low air loss sac and independently actuable and controllable relative said control means for maintaining said sacs at a predetermined pressure.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
66 words
The low air loss patient support system as in claim 22, wherein at least one said section is an upper torso section corresponding to the general area of a patient's upper torso when said patient is placed upon said support system, said vibrational forces imparting means operating to impart vibrational forces to at least a portion of said patient support surface of said upper torso section.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
The low air loss patient support system as in claim 24, wherein said patient support system can function in at least two operational modes, said vibrational forces imparting means being independently actuable and controllable in any of said operational modes.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
95 words
A vibratory therapy device, comprising: an inflatable patient support surface; means for maintaining said inflatable patient support surface at a predetermined pressure profile, said maintaining means controlling the internal relative pressure of said inflatable patient support surface; and means independent of said maintaining means and operably configured generally adjacent at least a portion of the upper surface of said patient support surface for simultaneously imparting vibrational forces to at least said portion of said patient support surface while at least the remainder of said patient support surface is separately maintained at said predetermined pressure profile.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
95 words
A vibratory therapy device, comprising: an inflatable patient support surface; means for maintaining said inflatable patient support surface at a predetermined pressure profile, said maintaining means controlling the internal relative pressure of said inflatable patient support surface; and means independent of said maintaining means and operably configured generally adjacent at least a portion of the upper surface of said patient support surface for simultaneously imparting vibrational forces to at least said portion of said patient support surface while at least the remainder of said patient support surface is separately maintained at said predetermined pressure profile.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vibratory therapy device as in claim 26, wherein said inflatable patient support surface comprises a plurality of inflatable low air loss sacs supported upon a rigid support structure.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
117 words
A vibratable inflatable sac for use with an inflatable patient support system having a plurality of said inflatable sacs forming at least a portion of a patient support surface, said vibratable inflatable sac comprising: at least one internal chamber; means for connecting said internal chamber to a source of pressurized air so that said inflatable sac can be pressurized and maintained at a predetermined pressure; pneumatic vibrating means disposed generally at the top of said inflatable sac; and means for connecting said vibrating means to a source of pressurized air so that said vibrating means can be alternately pressurized and vented at a predetermined frequency, thereby imparting a vibrational force to the top of said inflatable sac.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
117 words
A vibratable inflatable sac for use with an inflatable patient support system having a plurality of said inflatable sacs forming at least a portion of a patient support surface, said vibratable inflatable sac comprising: at least one internal chamber; means for connecting said internal chamber to a source of pressurized air so that said inflatable sac can be pressurized and maintained at a predetermined pressure; pneumatic vibrating means disposed generally at the top of said inflatable sac; and means for connecting said vibrating means to a source of pressurized air so that said vibrating means can be alternately pressurized and vented at a predetermined frequency, thereby imparting a vibrational force to the top of said inflatable sac.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vibratable inflatable sac as in claim 28, wherein said sac is a low air loss inflatable sac.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
144 words
A vibratory therapy device, comprising: an inflatable patient support surface comprising a plurality of inflatable low air loss sacs supported upon a rigid support structure; means for maintaining said inflatable patient support surface at a predetermined pressure profile, said maintaining means controlling the internal relative pressure of said inflatable patient support surface; and means independent of said maintaining means for simultaneously imparting vibrational forces to at least a portion of said patient support surface while said patient support surface is separately maintained at said predetermined pressure profile, said means for imparting vibrational forces comprising at least one pressurizable cell disposed internal to one of said low air loss sacs, said pressurizable cell being separately inflatable and ventable from said low air loss sac so as to expand and contract within said low air loss sac thereby imparting vibrational forces to said patient support surface.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
144 words
A vibratory therapy device, comprising: an inflatable patient support surface comprising a plurality of inflatable low air loss sacs supported upon a rigid support structure; means for maintaining said inflatable patient support surface at a predetermined pressure profile, said maintaining means controlling the internal relative pressure of said inflatable patient support surface; and means independent of said maintaining means for simultaneously imparting vibrational forces to at least a portion of said patient support surface while said patient support surface is separately maintained at said predetermined pressure profile, said means for imparting vibrational forces comprising at least one pressurizable cell disposed internal to one of said low air loss sacs, said pressurizable cell being separately inflatable and ventable from said low air loss sac so as to expand and contract within said low air loss sac thereby imparting vibrational forces to said patient support surface.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
209 words
A vibratory patient support system, comprising: a rigid support frame; a plurality of inflatable sacs supported by said support frame, each said sac having an upper surface whereby said plurality of sacs form a patient support surface; means for pressurizing and maintaining said sacs at a predetermined pressure; a pneumatic vibrating system separate from said pressurizing and maintaining means for vibrating at least a portion of said patient support surface at a predetermined frequency, so that while said plurality of sacs are maintained at said predetermined pressure, said portion of said patient support surface is simultaneously vibrated at said predetermined frequency, said pneumatic vibrating system further comprising: a source of pressurized air; at least one inflatable cell disposed generally adjacent said upper surface of at least one said inflatable sac, said inflatable cell being in pneumatic communication with said source of pressurized air; controllable valve means between said source of pressurized air and said inflatable cell, said valve means operating to alternately supply pressurized air from said pressurized air source to said inflatable cell and to vent pressurized air form said inflatable cell at a predetermined frequency, whereby said inflatable cell pneumatically pulsates imparting vibrational forces to said patient support surface; and means for controlling said controllable valve means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
209 words
A vibratory patient support system, comprising: a rigid support frame; a plurality of inflatable sacs supported by said support frame, each said sac having an upper surface whereby said plurality of sacs form a patient support surface; means for pressurizing and maintaining said sacs at a predetermined pressure; a pneumatic vibrating system separate from said pressurizing and maintaining means for vibrating at least a portion of said patient support surface at a predetermined frequency, so that while said plurality of sacs are maintained at said predetermined pressure, said portion of said patient support surface is simultaneously vibrated at said predetermined frequency, said pneumatic vibrating system further comprising: a source of pressurized air; at least one inflatable cell disposed generally adjacent said upper surface of at least one said inflatable sac, said inflatable cell being in pneumatic communication with said source of pressurized air; controllable valve means between said source of pressurized air and said inflatable cell, said valve means operating to alternately supply pressurized air from said pressurized air source to said inflatable cell and to vent pressurized air form said inflatable cell at a predetermined frequency, whereby said inflatable cell pneumatically pulsates imparting vibrational forces to said patient support surface; and means for controlling said controllable valve means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-03-03 | 2000-09-02 | 2001-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-03 | 2004-09-02 | 2005-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-03 | 2008-09-02 | 2009-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |