US3428973A - Fluidized supporting apparatus - Google Patents
Fluidized supporting apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- US3428973A US3428973A US535129A US3428973DA US3428973A US 3428973 A US3428973 A US 3428973A US 535129 A US535129 A US 535129A US 3428973D A US3428973D A US 3428973DA US 3428973 A US3428973 A US 3428973A
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- granular material
- gas
- patient
- bed
- fluidized
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
- A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
- A61G7/057—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor
- A61G7/05738—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor with fluid-like particles, e.g. sand, mud, seeds, gel, beads
- A61G7/05746—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor with fluid-like particles, e.g. sand, mud, seeds, gel, beads fluidised by air flow
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S297/00—Chairs and seats
- Y10S297/01—Foam
Definitions
- A47c 27/00 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for and method of supporting and treating a hospital patient by a fluidized bed which includes a tank portion which is partially filled with a mass of granular material which is covered by a gas permeable flexible supporting member upon which the patient is disposed while the granular material is fluidized by the passage of air upwardly through the granular mass at a rate which will fluidize the granular mass to reduce the specific gravity thereof to a predetermined value best suited to float the patient disposed on the supporting member.
- the gas permeable supporting member permits the gas to pass around and in contact with the body of the patient and the temperature, humidity and character of the gas may be controlled as best suits the needs of the patient.
- This invention relates to a hospital bed particularly adapted for use by patients inflicted with severe burns or other injuries where it is painful or not conducive to recovery to lie on an ordinary bed.
- a container partially filled with a granular material.
- the granular material is supported in the container on a diffuser which allows gas to pass upwardly through it and into the granular material.
- the container is covered by a sheet of porous material which allows gas to pass through it while preventing the granular material from also passing through it.
- Means for blowing a gas upwardly through the granular material causing it to be fluidized and act as a liquid.
- the patient will float on the bed as though he is floating on a dense liquid.
- the gas passes through the porous covering sheet and aerates the patient which is important in the healing of burned areas of the body. If the blowing gas is shut off, the granular material will gradually settle and conform to the shape of the patient thus forming a natural contour bed.
- the temperature, humidity and character of the gas passing around the patient may be regulated before its entry into the fluidized bed as best suits the need of the patient.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bed constructed in accordance with this invention and showing a patient floating on the bed;
- FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-section of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the bed of this invention.
- 1 designates an open-topped tank, receiver or container which is preferably made out of some material which can be, easily cleaned and sterilized and sufliciently strong to support the components of the bed. It must also be fluid tight. Some possible materials are fiber glass, steel and epoxy-coated wood.
- An expanded metal grate 5 having legs 6 fits into the tank 1 and rests on the bottom of the tank.
- a porous sheet material 3 fits into the tank and lays on top of the grate 5. This acts as a diffuser and is sufliciently porous to allow the passage of gas and sufriciently nonporous to prevent the passage of a fine granular material.
- This sheet material 3 should be of such a nature that when a gas passes through it, there is a low pressure drop across it.
- An air chamber or plenum 4 is formed between the sheet and the bottom of the tank. Above the diffuser 3, the tank is partially filled with a granular material 9 as best shown in FIG. 2.
- a flexible sheet of material 10 is placed over the top of the tank and allowed to settle onto the granular material as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
- This sheet 10 should be loosely fastened to the tank so that as it is raised and lowered, it will not become tight or be under tension. Any suitable fastening means (not shown) may be used.
- This pliable sheet material is sufliciently porous to allow the passage of gas and sufficiently non-porous to prevent the passage of granular material.
- An ordinary bed sheet may be used but the material used as dressing for burned areas of the body may be preferred.
- a gas inlet 11 is placed in the tank 1 between the bottom of the tank and the grate 5 so that gas will enter the chamber 4.
- a hose 12 connects a compressor (not shown) with the gas inlet and supplies gas under pressure to the chamber 4.
- the gas then passes through the sheet 3 which acts as a diffuser to prevent jets of air from reaching the granular material.
- a diffuser 3 the gas delivered from the compressor will be evenly distributed throughout the granular material.
- the gas flows into the chamber 4 from the compressor, through the diifuser 3, fluidizes the granular material and then passes upwardly through porous sheet 10.
- the gas flows through the granular material 9, it is suspended or floats in the air and thus is fluidized.
- This phenomenon is widely used in chemical processes in the use of catalysts as shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,625,442.
- the amount of gas passed through the granular material in this invention should not be such as to reach the dispersion stage. That is, the granular material should float in the gas which is passed through it, not be exhausted out the top of the container 1. Therefore, the proper air flow should be determined from the size of the bed, the size of the granular material and the size of the patient to be supported as well as other factors which will become apparent.
- the patient lies in the bed and air or other gas is sup plied so that the granular material is fluidized.
- the granular material acts as a liquid and the patient will float. Due to the buoyant force provided by this liquid-like medium, the weight of the patient is evenly distributed over all parts of his body. There is less pressure on the injured area, and recovery is hastened.
- the fluidized material should have a specific gravity greater than one (1).
- the granular material should, therefore, be fluidized until its specific gravity is somewhere between that of water, one (1), and the granular material when it is not fluidized.
- the specific gravity of the fluidized material is dependent on the amount of granular material and the amount of air or gas.
- a granular material is wide. Possible materials include sand, plastic beads and glass beads. Fluidization works best if a regular shaped material is used and a spherical shape seems to work best. A material should be used that will retain its shape; it should be inert so that when air or other gas is passed through it, the patients health will not be endangered. The material should be capable of being sterilized. The weight of the material becomes important in determining the final specific gravity of the fluidized granular material, the pressure drop across it and thus the amount of air flow required to fluidize it, and the strength of the container necessary to hold the material. The needs of the patient are also important when choosing a material.
- glass beads seem to work best.
- the size of these beads should be uniform in any one application. Glass beads in the range of .002 to .050 inch have been successfully used in the hospital bed.
- a screen 7, shown in FIG. 3, may be passed through the granular material when it is in a fluidized state by lifting on handles 8. This method is useful for picking up any large objects which may have fallen into the granular material and for separating beads which have stuck together.
- the other method of cleaning is to remove the granular material and sterilize it.
- One method for removing the material is sucking it out by use of a vacuum cleaner or the like.
- Another method is to have a port 2 in the side of the container 1 between the diffuser 3 and the porous sheet 10. When it is desired to remove the granular material, it is fluidized and the port 2 is opened. The granular material will then flow out of the port like any liquid.
- Other methods of cleaning may be better suited for different materials or applications.
- the compressor should also be equipped with slow opening valves to prevent rupture of the sheet material and air regulators to prevent pressure surges in the bed.
- the bed may be used in orthopedic applications for fixation and traction.
- the bed can be used to support patients in a prone position when it is not advisable in a. standard bed.
- the hospital bed of this invention has many uses in the treatmetnt of patients which would otherwise require many pieces of equipment.
- the bed of this invention can also be used in non-medical areas. The considerations of weightlessness in space can be tested by using this bed since the patient becomes essentially weightless when the bed is fluidized. There are also many cases in industry when it is desired to float an object but not in a liquid.
- a bed for supporting a person comprising:
- means including a gas permeable and pliable material enclosing said open container above said granular material for preventing said granular material from leaving said container and providing the upper surface of the bed upon which a person may be floated on said fluidized granular material.
- said means for supporting the granular material comprises a dilfuser which is sufliciently porous to allow the passage of gas and sufliciently non-porous to prevent the passage of the granular material.
- a plenum chamber is for-med between the bottom of the container and the supporting means and further including means for connecting said means for blowing a gas through said granular material to said plenum chamber.
- said means for blowing a gas through said granular material comprises a compressor; said compressor having means for controlling the humidity of said gas and means for controlling the type of gas; said plenum chamber having means for controlling the temperature of said gas.
- the bed of claim 1 further including screen means for cleaning said granular material.
- the bed of claim 1 further including port means in the side of said container for removing said granular material.
- a device for supporting an object comprising:
- a non-wetting fluidized supporting medium providing uniform reaction against an article supported thereon comprising:
- Apparatus for uniformly supporting an object placed thereon comprising:
- a therapeutic apparatus for supporting and treating a convalescing patient comprising:
- the therapeutic apparatus of claim 12 further including means for controlling the temperature of said flow of gas injected into said granular mass to that needed by the patient.
- the therapeutic apparatus of claim 12 further including means for controlling the humidity of the gas injected into said granular mass.
- the therapeutic apparatus of claim 12 further including means for controlling the character of said gas injected into said granular mass to provide a healing and medicinal medium of gas passing about the body of the patient.
- a therapeutic bed for uniformly supporting a .person comprising:
- a receiver for said granular mass for maintaining said granular mass within said predetermined bounds during fiuidization thereof including at least a pliable upper member on which the person to be treated is placed which is capable of generally conforming to the configuration of the person thereon.
- the method of claim 17 further including the step of controlling the temperature of the gas fluidizing s-aid granular material and passing around the body of the patient to the temperature best suited for the needs of the patient.
- the method of claim 17 further including the step of controlling the humidity of the gas fluidizing said granular mass and passing about the body of the patient to that best suited to the needs of the patient.
- the method of claim 17 further including the step of controlling the character of the gas utilized for fluidizing the medium and passing around the body of the patient so as to provide a healing medium.
- a hospital bed for supporting a patient comprismg:
- porous wall structure spaced above the bottom of the tank and forming a diffuser throughout substantially the length .and breadth of the container, the space between said porous wall and the bottom of said container forming a plenum chamber;
- a pliable sheet attached at its peripheral portion to the upper portion of said container having a width and length to permit said sheet to lie loosely on the top of said mass of granular material;
- porous wall structure and said pliable sheet being impermeable to said granular material but permeable to gaseous material;
Description
'Feb. 25, 1969 FLUIDIZED T.. S. HARGEST E AL SUPPORTING APPARATUS Sheet of 2 I I0 q j b 9 7 n. 5 a v I I 7 6 .11 I I I I I I I I I I J! H l 2 INVENTORS THOMAS 3.,HAR6E'5'T CURTIS P. ARTZ CHARLES D. THOMPSON TRUMAN 6. BLOC/(ER, JR.
Feb. 25, 1969 T, 5, HARGEST ET AL 3,428,973
FLUIIDIZED SUPPORTING APPARATUS Sheet Filed March 17, 1966 INVENTORS FIG. 3
w WM 5 8 6 P n R m AZWC H770 R L 5 M 5 s L A THR w M rwcm United States Patent 3,428,973 FLUIDIZED SUPPORTING APPARATUS Thomas S. Hargest, 1078 Winslow Drive 29407, and
Curtis P. Artz, 13 Church St. 29401, both of Charleston, S.C.; and Charles D. Thompson, Austin, and Truman G. Blocker, Jr., Galveston, Tex.; said Thompson and said Blocker, assignors to said Hargest and said Artz Filed Mar. 17, 1966, Ser. No. 535,129 US. Cl. 5347 23 Claims Int. Cl. A47c 27/00 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for and method of supporting and treating a hospital patient by a fluidized bed which includes a tank portion which is partially filled with a mass of granular material which is covered by a gas permeable flexible supporting member upon which the patient is disposed while the granular material is fluidized by the passage of air upwardly through the granular mass at a rate which will fluidize the granular mass to reduce the specific gravity thereof to a predetermined value best suited to float the patient disposed on the supporting member. The gas permeable supporting member permits the gas to pass around and in contact with the body of the patient and the temperature, humidity and character of the gas may be controlled as best suits the needs of the patient.
Summary of invention This invention relates to a hospital bed particularly adapted for use by patients inflicted with severe burns or other injuries where it is painful or not conducive to recovery to lie on an ordinary bed.
When a conventional mattress is used, the full weight of the patient is unevenly distributed over the areas of the patients body contacting the mattress causing relatively high pressure areas on portions of the patients body. In liquid-filled mattresses, such as that shown in US. Patent No. 3,108,293, a cover must be used to keep the patient out of contact with the liquid. This cover acts as a hammock and itself distributes pressure unevenly over the patients body which the buoyant force of the liquid is unable to overcome. In addition, both conventional and liquid-filled mattresses prevent air from circulating freely over areas of the patients body resting on the mattress. A liquid-filled mattress also presents a problem of heating the patient. Although the liquid can be heated and thus the patient, this requires a great deal of time and heat and is not easily regulated.
It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide a fluidized bed which allows the weight of a patient to be evenly distributed on the supporting surface of the bed.
It is another object of this invention to minimize concentration of pressure on any localized parts of the body of a patient due to his own weight by means of a fluidized bed.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a bed which forms a natural contour bed from particulate material which has been fluidized.
It is a still further object of this invention to provide a fluidized hospital bed which provides circulation of air and other gases around the patient while resting in the bed.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a fluidized hospital bed including provisions for the control of the temperature and humidity of gas circulating around the patient.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a "ice method of supporting a patient by means of a gas-fluidized particulate material and, as well, a method of treating the patient by controlling the composition and charac teristics of the gas fluidizing the medium to that prescribed for a given patient.
These and other objects are carried out generally speaking by providing a container partially filled with a granular material. The granular material is supported in the container on a diffuser which allows gas to pass upwardly through it and into the granular material. The container is covered by a sheet of porous material which allows gas to pass through it while preventing the granular material from also passing through it.
Means is provided for blowing a gas upwardly through the granular material causing it to be fluidized and act as a liquid. The patient will float on the bed as though he is floating on a dense liquid. The gas passes through the porous covering sheet and aerates the patient which is important in the healing of burned areas of the body. If the blowing gas is shut off, the granular material will gradually settle and conform to the shape of the patient thus forming a natural contour bed.
Further, the temperature, humidity and character of the gas passing around the patient may be regulated before its entry into the fluidized bed as best suits the need of the patient.
These and other objects will become apparent from the description which is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention.
Description: of drawings In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bed constructed in accordance with this invention and showing a patient floating on the bed;
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-section of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the bed of this invention.
Referring to the drawings, 1 designates an open-topped tank, receiver or container which is preferably made out of some material which can be, easily cleaned and sterilized and sufliciently strong to support the components of the bed. It must also be fluid tight. Some possible materials are fiber glass, steel and epoxy-coated wood.
An expanded metal grate 5 having legs 6 fits into the tank 1 and rests on the bottom of the tank. A porous sheet material 3 fits into the tank and lays on top of the grate 5. This acts as a diffuser and is sufliciently porous to allow the passage of gas and sufriciently nonporous to prevent the passage of a fine granular material. This sheet material 3 should be of such a nature that when a gas passes through it, there is a low pressure drop across it. An air chamber or plenum 4 is formed between the sheet and the bottom of the tank. Above the diffuser 3, the tank is partially filled with a granular material 9 as best shown in FIG. 2.
A flexible sheet of material 10 is placed over the top of the tank and allowed to settle onto the granular material as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This sheet 10 should be loosely fastened to the tank so that as it is raised and lowered, it will not become tight or be under tension. Any suitable fastening means (not shown) may be used. This pliable sheet material is sufliciently porous to allow the passage of gas and sufficiently non-porous to prevent the passage of granular material. An ordinary bed sheet may be used but the material used as dressing for burned areas of the body may be preferred.
A gas inlet 11 is placed in the tank 1 between the bottom of the tank and the grate 5 so that gas will enter the chamber 4. A hose 12 connects a compressor (not shown) with the gas inlet and supplies gas under pressure to the chamber 4. The gas then passes through the sheet 3 which acts as a diffuser to prevent jets of air from reaching the granular material. By using a diffuser 3, the gas delivered from the compressor will be evenly distributed throughout the granular material.
In operation, the gas flows into the chamber 4 from the compressor, through the diifuser 3, fluidizes the granular material and then passes upwardly through porous sheet 10. When the gas flows through the granular material 9, it is suspended or floats in the air and thus is fluidized. This phenomenon is widely used in chemical processes in the use of catalysts as shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,625,442. However, unike chemical processes, the amount of gas passed through the granular material in this invention should not be such as to reach the dispersion stage. That is, the granular material should float in the gas which is passed through it, not be exhausted out the top of the container 1. Therefore, the proper air flow should be determined from the size of the bed, the size of the granular material and the size of the patient to be supported as well as other factors which will become apparent.
The patient lies in the bed and air or other gas is sup plied so that the granular material is fluidized. When fluidized, the granular material acts as a liquid and the patient will float. Due to the buoyant force provided by this liquid-like medium, the weight of the patient is evenly distributed over all parts of his body. There is less pressure on the injured area, and recovery is hastened.
The greater the specific gravity of the liquid, the greater the buoyant force and the better a person or other object will float. Since not all people are able to float with ease in water, having a specific gravity of one (1), the fluidized material should have a specific gravity greater than one (1). The granular material should, therefore, be fluidized until its specific gravity is somewhere between that of water, one (1), and the granular material when it is not fluidized. The specific gravity of the fluidized material is dependent on the amount of granular material and the amount of air or gas.
The choice of a granular material is wide. Possible materials include sand, plastic beads and glass beads. Fluidization works best if a regular shaped material is used and a spherical shape seems to work best. A material should be used that will retain its shape; it should be inert so that when air or other gas is passed through it, the patients health will not be endangered. The material should be capable of being sterilized. The weight of the material becomes important in determining the final specific gravity of the fluidized granular material, the pressure drop across it and thus the amount of air flow required to fluidize it, and the strength of the container necessary to hold the material. The needs of the patient are also important when choosing a material.
For certain requirements, glass beads seem to work best. The size of these beads should be uniform in any one application. Glass beads in the range of .002 to .050 inch have been successfully used in the hospital bed.
In a child-size bed measuring 5 feet by 2.5 feet, glass beads measuring .0041 inch to a depth of 8 inches were used. About 40 c.f.m. of air at 25 psi. was used to fluidize the bed. A different granular material, different size bed, different patient or application will require dilferent amounts of air at different pressures.
In order to maintain sterility, the granular material must be periodically cleaned. This may be done by two methods. A screen 7, shown in FIG. 3, may be passed through the granular material when it is in a fluidized state by lifting on handles 8. This method is useful for picking up any large objects which may have fallen into the granular material and for separating beads which have stuck together.
The other method of cleaning is to remove the granular material and sterilize it. One methodfor removing the material is sucking it out by use of a vacuum cleaner or the like. Another method is to have a port 2 in the side of the container 1 between the diffuser 3 and the porous sheet 10. When it is desired to remove the granular material, it is fluidized and the port 2 is opened. The granular material will then flow out of the port like any liquid. Other methods of cleaning may be better suited for different materials or applications.
For the treatment of burned patients, it may be desirable to use different types of gases to fluidize the bed. It is a recognized treatment of burned and other patients to surround the injured area with air, nitrogen or carbon dioxide enriched air. Other gases may be desirable for treatment. With this invention, uniform aeration of the patient may be achieved. Treatment becomes very flexible. Attached to the compressor (not shown) there may be supplies of pure gases for treatment. Temperature and humidity controls should also be attached to the compressor as well as means for sterilizing the air or other gas. Since a patient will have to sleep in the bed, temperature and humidity must be controllable to keep the patient comfortable as well as control treatment. It may be desirable to provide a temperature control 13 within the chamber 4. Although the temperature control may be located at the compressor, heat loss between the compressor and the chamber is eliminated by locating the temperature control in the air chamber 4.
The compressor should also be equipped with slow opening valves to prevent rupture of the sheet material and air regulators to prevent pressure surges in the bed.
Although this invention is particularly applicable to burned patients, it may be used for control of infections by using various gases, hypothermia and humidity control. The bed may be used in orthopedic applications for fixation and traction. The bed can be used to support patients in a prone position when it is not advisable in a. standard bed.
From the above description, it can be seen that the hospital bed of this invention has many uses in the treatmetnt of patients which would otherwise require many pieces of equipment. The bed of this invention can also be used in non-medical areas. The considerations of weightlessness in space can be tested by using this bed since the patient becomes essentially weightless when the bed is fluidized. There are also many cases in industry when it is desired to float an object but not in a liquid.
Having described a preferred embodiment, what we claim is:
1. A bed for supporting a person comprising:
an open container;
a mass of granular material disposed within said container;
means for supporting said granular material in said container;
means for passing a gas through said granular material at a rate suflicient to fluidize said granular material, and
means including a gas permeable and pliable material enclosing said open container above said granular material for preventing said granular material from leaving said container and providing the upper surface of the bed upon which a person may be floated on said fluidized granular material.
2. The bed of claim 1 wherein said means for supporting the granular material comprises a dilfuser which is sufliciently porous to allow the passage of gas and sufliciently non-porous to prevent the passage of the granular material.
3. The bed of claim 1 wherein a plenum chamber is for-med between the bottom of the container and the supporting means and further including means for connecting said means for blowing a gas through said granular material to said plenum chamber.
4. The bed of claim 3 wherein said means for blowing a gas through said granular material comprises a compressor; said compressor having means for controlling the humidity of said gas and means for controlling the type of gas; said plenum chamber having means for controlling the temperature of said gas.
5. The bed of claim 1 wherein said granular material is uniform in size, shape and Weight.
6. The bed of claim 5 wherein said granular material is spherical glass beads.
7. The bed of claim 1 further including screen means for cleaning said granular material.
8. The bed of claim 1 further including port means in the side of said container for removing said granular material.
9. A device for supporting an object comprising:
a container having an open upper end;
a mass of granular material disposed within said container;
a pliable sheet of material covering said open end of said container and lying in contact with said granular material, and
means for blowing gas through said granular material to fiuidize said granular material without forcing said granular material out of said container whereby an object placed on said sheet of material will be supported thereon by said fluidized material.
10. A non-wetting fluidized supporting medium providing uniform reaction against an article supported thereon comprising:
a granular mass of material;
means pliable at least in the area of the article to be supported enclosing said granular mass and permeable to air but impermeable to said granular mass for restricting said granular mass within predetermined bounds, and
means for injecting a flow of gas through said granular mass of suflicient volume to fiuidize said mass and reduce the specific gravity thereof to a value best suited to provide conforming support for any given object disposed on said means enclosing said granular mass.
11. Apparatus for uniformly supporting an object placed thereon comprising:
a gas impermeable base portion,
a supporting cover affixed to said base portion and closing said base portion to define an enclosure,
a mass of granular material disposed within said enclosure, and
means for injecting a flow of gas through said mass of granular material of sufiicient volume to fiuidize said mass and reduce the specific gravity thereof to a value determined by that necessary to support a given object on said supporting cover.
12. A therapeutic apparatus for supporting and treating a convalescing patient comprising:
a base portion defining an upright tank,
a mass of granular material disposed within and partially filling said tank,
a soft pliable and gas permeable supporting member enclosing the upper portion of said tank and lying in engagement with said granular mass, and
means for injecting a flow of gas through said granular mass of volume sufficient to cause fiuidization of said mass to reduce the specific gravity thereof to a predetermined value best suited to float a given patient disposed on said supporting member.
13. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 12 further including means for controlling the temperature of said flow of gas injected into said granular mass to that needed by the patient.
14. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 12 further including means for controlling the humidity of the gas injected into said granular mass.
15. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 12 further including means for controlling the character of said gas injected into said granular mass to provide a healing and medicinal medium of gas passing about the body of the patient.
16. A therapeutic bed for uniformly supporting a .person comprising:
a granular mass of material capable of fiuidization under the influence of a gas circulated therethrough,
means for flowing a gas through said granular mass at a rate suflicient to fiuidize said mass to a degree at which the specific gravity thereof reduces to a value slightly greater than that of the person, and
a receiver for said granular mass for maintaining said granular mass within said predetermined bounds during fiuidization thereof including at least a pliable upper member on which the person to be treated is placed which is capable of generally conforming to the configuration of the person thereon.
17. The method of therapeutically supporting and treating a convalescent patient comprising:
enclosing a mass of granular material within a receiver,
the upper portion of which is formed of a soft pliable and gas permeable material capable of conforming to the contour of the patient, and
fluidizing the granular mass by injection of gas therethrough to reduce the specific gravity of the granular mass to a value greater than that of the patient but low enough to uniformly support the patient.
18. The method of claim 17 further including the step of controlling the temperature of the gas fluidizing s-aid granular material and passing around the body of the patient to the temperature best suited for the needs of the patient.
19. The method of claim 17 further including the step of controlling the humidity of the gas fluidizing said granular mass and passing about the body of the patient to that best suited to the needs of the patient.
20. The method of claim 17 further including the step of controlling the character of the gas utilized for fluidizing the medium and passing around the body of the patient so as to provide a healing medium.
21. A hospital bed for supporting a patient comprismg:
an open-top fluid-tight container having substantial depth and a length and breadth substantially corresponding with those of a conventional bed;
porous wall structure spaced above the bottom of the tank and forming a diffuser throughout substantially the length .and breadth of the container, the space between said porous wall and the bottom of said container forming a plenum chamber;
a mass of granular material, the particles of which are of substantially uniform shape partially filling that part of the container above said porous wall structure;
a pliable sheet attached at its peripheral portion to the upper portion of said container having a width and length to permit said sheet to lie loosely on the top of said mass of granular material;
said porous wall structure and said pliable sheet being impermeable to said granular material but permeable to gaseous material; and
means for supplying gaseous material under pressure to said plenum chamber for flow upwardly through said difluser and granular mass of sufficient volume to fiuidize said granular mass and reduce its specific gravity to take on the properties of a liquid to float a patient upon said pliable sheet and fiuidize granular material thus supporting the patient evenly over all parts of his body in avoidance of concentrated pressure on restricted areas thereof.
22. The hospital bed of claim 21 in which said pliable sheet is sufliciently loose fitting within said container that upon failure of said source of gaseous materials under pressure, the bed will lose its fluidity with the patients body supported on a partial enveloping body of said granular material.
23. The hospital bed of claim 21 in which said granular material has particle sizes in the range of from .002 inch to .050 inch.
(References on following page) References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Crondal 5-361 Maddison 5-347 Hogin 34-57 King 5-348 Gates et a1. 34-57 Munro et a1 34-57 8 FOREIGN PATENTS 7/1963 Great Britain.
BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner.
US. Cl. X.R.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
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US53512966A | 1966-03-17 | 1966-03-17 |
Publications (1)
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US3428973A true US3428973A (en) | 1969-02-25 |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US535129A Expired - Lifetime US3428973A (en) | 1966-03-17 | 1966-03-17 | Fluidized supporting apparatus |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3428973A (en) |
BE (1) | BE835772Q (en) |
DE (1) | DE1566439B2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES443213A3 (en) |
FR (1) | FR1516528A (en) |
GB (1) | GB1174109A (en) |
Cited By (50)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3629882A (en) * | 1968-12-17 | 1971-12-28 | Edward P Thorne | Energy dissipating support device |
US3667073A (en) * | 1970-12-18 | 1972-06-06 | Hiram H Renfroe | Patient transporter |
US3689945A (en) * | 1969-09-03 | 1972-09-12 | Laerdal A S | Stretchers |
US3866606A (en) * | 1973-09-04 | 1975-02-18 | Thomas S Hargest | Cyclically produced contoured support |
US4088124A (en) * | 1975-12-10 | 1978-05-09 | The Board Of Trustees Of Leland Stanford Junior University | Method for treating premature infants |
JPS54128196A (en) * | 1978-03-28 | 1979-10-04 | Sapooto Shisutemuzu Intern | Bed for hospital that use solid particle medium fluidized |
EP0072240A1 (en) * | 1981-08-10 | 1983-02-16 | Support Systems International, Inc. | Improved fluidized supporting apparatus |
US4481686A (en) * | 1982-03-25 | 1984-11-13 | Lacoste Francois R | Air fluidized bed for therapeutic use |
US4498205A (en) * | 1981-12-01 | 1985-02-12 | Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. | Medical bed with sheet retaining means |
US4541418A (en) * | 1982-08-25 | 1985-09-17 | J. A. Preston Corporation | Simulated hydrotherapy bath |
US4637083A (en) * | 1985-03-13 | 1987-01-20 | Support Systems International, Inc. | Fluidized patient support apparatus |
US4663516A (en) * | 1983-11-23 | 1987-05-05 | Manfred Blum | Heating bed |
US4686723A (en) * | 1985-11-14 | 1987-08-18 | The University Of Toronto Innovations Foundation | Semi-fluidized bed |
US4723328A (en) * | 1985-07-30 | 1988-02-09 | Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. | Fluidized bead bed |
US4794659A (en) * | 1984-12-19 | 1989-01-03 | Fuji Electric Company Ltd. | Fluid bed system |
EP0317009A1 (en) * | 1987-11-12 | 1989-05-24 | Kci Medical B.V. | Bed for therapeutic treatment of a patient |
EP0350979A1 (en) * | 1988-07-13 | 1990-01-17 | Christian Guilhem | Method and apparatus for covering an object with a fabric by means of at least one flexible cover piece |
WO1990000381A1 (en) * | 1988-07-11 | 1990-01-25 | Kci Medical United Kingdom Limited | Improved fluidized bead bed |
US4914760A (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1990-04-10 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Fluidized bed with collapsible side |
EP0375206A2 (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1990-06-27 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Patient support systems |
US4967431A (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1990-11-06 | SSI Medical Servies, Inc. | Fluidized bed with modular fluidizable portion |
US5029352A (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1991-07-09 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Dual support surface patient support |
WO1991018578A1 (en) * | 1990-05-28 | 1991-12-12 | Reditac B.V. | Equipment to inactivate matrix at the fluidization therapy |
US5074000A (en) * | 1991-01-11 | 1991-12-24 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Apparatus for performing head and foot Trendelenburg therapy |
US5103517A (en) * | 1990-08-18 | 1992-04-14 | The Institute For Rehabilitation And Research | Disposable surgical pad |
US5165141A (en) * | 1991-01-11 | 1992-11-24 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Spring loaded heavy duty caster system for supporting a fluidized patient support system |
US5168591A (en) * | 1990-12-17 | 1992-12-08 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Method for patient elevation above a fluidized surface |
US5175898A (en) * | 1984-03-19 | 1993-01-05 | Advanced Sleep Products | Sculptured, stretchable waterbed mattress with aesthetic appearance |
US5235713A (en) * | 1990-11-06 | 1993-08-17 | Bio Clinic Corporation | Fluid filled flotation mattress |
EP0569057A2 (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1993-11-10 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Patient support systems |
EP0569056A2 (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1993-11-10 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Patient support system and method |
WO1995033431A1 (en) * | 1994-06-07 | 1995-12-14 | Kirkland Contracts Limited | Improvements in or relating to beds |
US5540651A (en) * | 1994-04-20 | 1996-07-30 | Thomas M. Risch | Waterproof hydrotherapy bed |
US5539943A (en) * | 1994-03-08 | 1996-07-30 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Apparatus and method for percussion of fluidized support surface |
US5640728A (en) * | 1993-09-30 | 1997-06-24 | Graebe; Robert H. | Ventilated access interface and cushion support system |
US5649331A (en) * | 1994-06-03 | 1997-07-22 | Span-America Medical Systems, Inc. | Self-adjusting pressure relief support system and methodology |
WO2000057830A1 (en) * | 1999-03-29 | 2000-10-05 | Kinetic Concepts, Inc. | Fluidized bead bed with inflatable bead diffuser |
US6308353B1 (en) * | 1999-04-09 | 2001-10-30 | The Or Group, Inc. | Method and apparatus for positioning a patient |
US6721979B1 (en) | 1995-04-25 | 2004-04-20 | Kci Licensing, Inc. | Air bed with fluidized bead surface and related methods |
US20060112489A1 (en) * | 2004-04-30 | 2006-06-01 | Bobey John A | Patient support |
US20070100261A1 (en) * | 2004-10-29 | 2007-05-03 | Turell Gary R | Systems & methods for providing dry hydrotherapy to a reclined human subject |
US20070266499A1 (en) * | 2006-05-09 | 2007-11-22 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Pulmonary mattress |
US20110099721A1 (en) * | 2009-10-30 | 2011-05-05 | Howell Charles A | Weight efficient fluidized person-support apparatus |
US9060908B2 (en) | 2013-01-21 | 2015-06-23 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Varying depth fluidized bed |
US9329076B2 (en) | 2012-06-21 | 2016-05-03 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Patient support systems and methods of use |
US9549865B2 (en) | 2009-09-02 | 2017-01-24 | Allen Medical Systems, Inc. | Surgical positioning system |
US9833369B2 (en) | 2012-06-21 | 2017-12-05 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Patient support systems and methods of use |
US10238560B2 (en) | 2013-03-13 | 2019-03-26 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Air fluidized therapy bed having pulmonary therapy |
US10531996B2 (en) | 2015-11-06 | 2020-01-14 | Andrei Cernasov | Supporting surface with programmable supports and method to reduce pressure on selected areas of a body |
CN110680646A (en) * | 2019-11-07 | 2020-01-14 | 陕西中医药大学 | 360-degree turn-over sickbed |
Families Citing this family (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS5431595Y2 (en) * | 1975-05-15 | 1979-10-02 | ||
JPS5779519U (en) * | 1980-10-31 | 1982-05-17 | ||
FR2546404B1 (en) * | 1983-05-27 | 1989-03-31 | Fuji Electric Co Ltd | DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A FLUIDIZED BED FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS |
JPS59218152A (en) * | 1983-05-27 | 1984-12-08 | 富士電機株式会社 | Hardness controller of flow bed |
JPS60116351A (en) * | 1983-11-30 | 1985-06-22 | 富士電機株式会社 | Beads flowing type bed apparatus |
NL8800792A (en) * | 1988-03-29 | 1989-10-16 | Redactron Bv | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING MOISTURE FROM ONE OR MORE BODIES |
FR2682293B1 (en) * | 1991-10-11 | 1994-03-11 | Georges Roux | FLUIDIZED MEDICAL BED PROVIDED WITH A DEVICE FOR EVACUATING ITS CONTAMINATED GRANULAR CONSTITUENTS. |
FR2682291B1 (en) * | 1991-10-11 | 1999-03-05 | Georges Roux | FLUIDIZED MEDICAL BED COMPRISING A CLEANING DEVICE. |
FR2689393B1 (en) * | 1992-04-02 | 1994-07-08 | Victor Katz | PERFECTED FLUIDIZED BED. |
GB2306881B (en) * | 1995-11-09 | 1999-12-15 | David House | Articles of bedding |
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US40024A (en) * | 1863-09-22 | Improved stuffing for matresses, pillows | ||
US2462984A (en) * | 1944-10-27 | 1949-03-01 | Horace P Maddison | Air-conditioned mattress |
US2668365A (en) * | 1949-12-31 | 1954-02-09 | Standard Oil Dev Co | Apparatus for determining densities of finely divided solid materials in a fluidized body of such materials |
GB932779A (en) * | 1961-05-23 | 1963-07-31 | Frankenstein & Sons Manchester | Improvements in or relating to liquid-filled mattresses |
US3108293A (en) * | 1961-10-04 | 1963-10-29 | Benny I King | Relaxing couch |
US3214844A (en) * | 1961-12-11 | 1965-11-02 | Midland Ross Corp | Apparatus and method for drying particulate matter |
US3277582A (en) * | 1963-07-15 | 1966-10-11 | Dorr Oliver Inc | Fluidized bed method and apparatus |
-
1966
- 1966-03-17 US US535129A patent/US3428973A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1967
- 1967-03-13 GB GB01587/67A patent/GB1174109A/en not_active Expired
- 1967-03-15 DE DE1967H0062144 patent/DE1566439B2/en active Granted
- 1967-03-17 FR FR99355A patent/FR1516528A/en not_active Expired
-
1975
- 1975-11-20 BE BE162039A patent/BE835772Q/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1975-12-04 ES ES443213A patent/ES443213A3/en not_active Expired
Patent Citations (7)
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US40024A (en) * | 1863-09-22 | Improved stuffing for matresses, pillows | ||
US2462984A (en) * | 1944-10-27 | 1949-03-01 | Horace P Maddison | Air-conditioned mattress |
US2668365A (en) * | 1949-12-31 | 1954-02-09 | Standard Oil Dev Co | Apparatus for determining densities of finely divided solid materials in a fluidized body of such materials |
GB932779A (en) * | 1961-05-23 | 1963-07-31 | Frankenstein & Sons Manchester | Improvements in or relating to liquid-filled mattresses |
US3108293A (en) * | 1961-10-04 | 1963-10-29 | Benny I King | Relaxing couch |
US3214844A (en) * | 1961-12-11 | 1965-11-02 | Midland Ross Corp | Apparatus and method for drying particulate matter |
US3277582A (en) * | 1963-07-15 | 1966-10-11 | Dorr Oliver Inc | Fluidized bed method and apparatus |
Cited By (76)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3629882A (en) * | 1968-12-17 | 1971-12-28 | Edward P Thorne | Energy dissipating support device |
US3689945A (en) * | 1969-09-03 | 1972-09-12 | Laerdal A S | Stretchers |
US3667073A (en) * | 1970-12-18 | 1972-06-06 | Hiram H Renfroe | Patient transporter |
US3866606A (en) * | 1973-09-04 | 1975-02-18 | Thomas S Hargest | Cyclically produced contoured support |
DE2440887A1 (en) * | 1973-09-04 | 1975-03-06 | Thomas Sewell Hargest | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR BEDDING THE HUMAN BODY |
US4088124A (en) * | 1975-12-10 | 1978-05-09 | The Board Of Trustees Of Leland Stanford Junior University | Method for treating premature infants |
JPS54128196A (en) * | 1978-03-28 | 1979-10-04 | Sapooto Shisutemuzu Intern | Bed for hospital that use solid particle medium fluidized |
EP0072240A1 (en) * | 1981-08-10 | 1983-02-16 | Support Systems International, Inc. | Improved fluidized supporting apparatus |
US4483029A (en) * | 1981-08-10 | 1984-11-20 | Support Systems International, Inc. | Fluidized supporting apparatus |
US4498205A (en) * | 1981-12-01 | 1985-02-12 | Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. | Medical bed with sheet retaining means |
US4481686A (en) * | 1982-03-25 | 1984-11-13 | Lacoste Francois R | Air fluidized bed for therapeutic use |
US4541418A (en) * | 1982-08-25 | 1985-09-17 | J. A. Preston Corporation | Simulated hydrotherapy bath |
US4663516A (en) * | 1983-11-23 | 1987-05-05 | Manfred Blum | Heating bed |
US5175898A (en) * | 1984-03-19 | 1993-01-05 | Advanced Sleep Products | Sculptured, stretchable waterbed mattress with aesthetic appearance |
US4794659A (en) * | 1984-12-19 | 1989-01-03 | Fuji Electric Company Ltd. | Fluid bed system |
US4637083A (en) * | 1985-03-13 | 1987-01-20 | Support Systems International, Inc. | Fluidized patient support apparatus |
US4723328A (en) * | 1985-07-30 | 1988-02-09 | Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. | Fluidized bead bed |
US4686723A (en) * | 1985-11-14 | 1987-08-18 | The University Of Toronto Innovations Foundation | Semi-fluidized bed |
EP0317009A1 (en) * | 1987-11-12 | 1989-05-24 | Kci Medical B.V. | Bed for therapeutic treatment of a patient |
WO1990000381A1 (en) * | 1988-07-11 | 1990-01-25 | Kci Medical United Kingdom Limited | Improved fluidized bead bed |
US5008965A (en) * | 1988-07-11 | 1991-04-23 | Kinetic Concepts, Inc. | Fluidized bead bed |
EP0350979A1 (en) * | 1988-07-13 | 1990-01-17 | Christian Guilhem | Method and apparatus for covering an object with a fabric by means of at least one flexible cover piece |
FR2634190A1 (en) * | 1988-07-13 | 1990-01-19 | Guilhem Christian | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR POSITIONING AN OBJECT WITH A VIEW IN PARTICULAR OF ITS DRESSING USING A FLEXIBLE PART AND / OR ITS ASSEMBLY |
WO1990000519A1 (en) * | 1988-07-13 | 1990-01-25 | Christian Guilhem | Process and device for covering an object using at least one flexible piece |
AU622198B2 (en) * | 1988-07-13 | 1992-04-02 | Christian Guilhem | Process and device for covering an object using at least one flexible piece |
EP0569057A2 (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1993-11-10 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Patient support systems |
EP0569058A2 (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1993-11-10 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Patient support systems |
EP0375206A3 (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1990-09-26 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Patient support systems |
US5029352A (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1991-07-09 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Dual support surface patient support |
US5036559A (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1991-08-06 | SSI Medical Sevices, Inc. | Method of dual mode patient support |
US4967431A (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1990-11-06 | SSI Medical Servies, Inc. | Fluidized bed with modular fluidizable portion |
EP0569058A3 (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1993-12-01 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Patient support systems |
US4942635A (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1990-07-24 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Dual mode patient support system |
EP0569057A3 (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1993-12-01 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Patient support systems |
EP0569056A3 (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1993-12-01 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Patient support system and method |
EP0569056A2 (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1993-11-10 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Patient support system and method |
EP0375206A2 (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1990-06-27 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Patient support systems |
US4914760A (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1990-04-10 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Fluidized bed with collapsible side |
WO1991018578A1 (en) * | 1990-05-28 | 1991-12-12 | Reditac B.V. | Equipment to inactivate matrix at the fluidization therapy |
US5103517A (en) * | 1990-08-18 | 1992-04-14 | The Institute For Rehabilitation And Research | Disposable surgical pad |
US5235713A (en) * | 1990-11-06 | 1993-08-17 | Bio Clinic Corporation | Fluid filled flotation mattress |
US5168591A (en) * | 1990-12-17 | 1992-12-08 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Method for patient elevation above a fluidized surface |
US5165141A (en) * | 1991-01-11 | 1992-11-24 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Spring loaded heavy duty caster system for supporting a fluidized patient support system |
US5074000A (en) * | 1991-01-11 | 1991-12-24 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Apparatus for performing head and foot Trendelenburg therapy |
US5640728A (en) * | 1993-09-30 | 1997-06-24 | Graebe; Robert H. | Ventilated access interface and cushion support system |
US5539943A (en) * | 1994-03-08 | 1996-07-30 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Apparatus and method for percussion of fluidized support surface |
US5540651A (en) * | 1994-04-20 | 1996-07-30 | Thomas M. Risch | Waterproof hydrotherapy bed |
US5649331A (en) * | 1994-06-03 | 1997-07-22 | Span-America Medical Systems, Inc. | Self-adjusting pressure relief support system and methodology |
US5652985A (en) * | 1994-06-03 | 1997-08-05 | Span-America Medical Systems, Inc. | Self-adjusting pressure relief support system and methodology |
WO1995033431A1 (en) * | 1994-06-07 | 1995-12-14 | Kirkland Contracts Limited | Improvements in or relating to beds |
US6721979B1 (en) | 1995-04-25 | 2004-04-20 | Kci Licensing, Inc. | Air bed with fluidized bead surface and related methods |
WO2000057830A1 (en) * | 1999-03-29 | 2000-10-05 | Kinetic Concepts, Inc. | Fluidized bead bed with inflatable bead diffuser |
US6308353B1 (en) * | 1999-04-09 | 2001-10-30 | The Or Group, Inc. | Method and apparatus for positioning a patient |
US8146191B2 (en) | 2004-04-30 | 2012-04-03 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Patient support |
US7698765B2 (en) | 2004-04-30 | 2010-04-20 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Patient support |
US20100095462A1 (en) * | 2004-04-30 | 2010-04-22 | Bobey John A | Patient support |
US20060112489A1 (en) * | 2004-04-30 | 2006-06-01 | Bobey John A | Patient support |
US20070100261A1 (en) * | 2004-10-29 | 2007-05-03 | Turell Gary R | Systems & methods for providing dry hydrotherapy to a reclined human subject |
US7311683B2 (en) * | 2004-10-29 | 2007-12-25 | Turell Gary R | Systems and methods for providing dry hydrotherapy to a reclined human subject |
US20070266499A1 (en) * | 2006-05-09 | 2007-11-22 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Pulmonary mattress |
US7975335B2 (en) | 2006-05-09 | 2011-07-12 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Pulmonary mattress |
US8474074B2 (en) | 2006-05-09 | 2013-07-02 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Pulmonary mattress |
US9549865B2 (en) | 2009-09-02 | 2017-01-24 | Allen Medical Systems, Inc. | Surgical positioning system |
US10391014B2 (en) | 2009-09-02 | 2019-08-27 | Allen Medical Systems, Inc. | Surgical positioning system |
US20110099721A1 (en) * | 2009-10-30 | 2011-05-05 | Howell Charles A | Weight efficient fluidized person-support apparatus |
US9329076B2 (en) | 2012-06-21 | 2016-05-03 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Patient support systems and methods of use |
US9655457B2 (en) | 2012-06-21 | 2017-05-23 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Patient support systems and methods of use |
US9833369B2 (en) | 2012-06-21 | 2017-12-05 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Patient support systems and methods of use |
US10391008B2 (en) | 2012-06-21 | 2019-08-27 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Patient support system and methods of use |
US10555850B2 (en) | 2012-06-21 | 2020-02-11 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Patient support systems and methods of use |
US10806655B2 (en) | 2012-06-21 | 2020-10-20 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Mattress bladder control during patient bed egress |
US11116681B2 (en) | 2012-06-21 | 2021-09-14 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Patient support systems and methods of use |
US9060908B2 (en) | 2013-01-21 | 2015-06-23 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Varying depth fluidized bed |
US10238560B2 (en) | 2013-03-13 | 2019-03-26 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Air fluidized therapy bed having pulmonary therapy |
US10531996B2 (en) | 2015-11-06 | 2020-01-14 | Andrei Cernasov | Supporting surface with programmable supports and method to reduce pressure on selected areas of a body |
CN110680646A (en) * | 2019-11-07 | 2020-01-14 | 陕西中医药大学 | 360-degree turn-over sickbed |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
BE835772Q (en) | 1976-03-16 |
ES443213A3 (en) | 1977-04-16 |
DE1566439A1 (en) | 1970-10-22 |
DE1566439B2 (en) | 1976-07-08 |
GB1174109A (en) | 1969-12-10 |
FR1516528A (en) | 1968-03-08 |
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