| SPAN-AMERICA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20110131733 | SHEAR REDUCING MATTRESS COVER - A mattress cover is disclosed for redirecting shear on a patient's skin away from the areas of the body relatively more likely to develop decubitus ulcers. The mattress cover includes an upper portion designed to cover the topside of a mattress, and at least one shear transfer zone attached to an underside of the upper portion of the mattress cover. The shear transfer zone(s) may be made of a low shear material so as to create a low friction interface between the mattress and the mattress cover to reduce shear forces exerted by the mattress. Additionally, the shear transfer zone(s) may be arranged such that a large portion of the shear forces exerted by the mattress can be redirected to areas of the body that are relatively less likely to develop decubitus ulcers. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20100281618 | INTERNAL STRUCTURAL CONFIGURATIONS OF BLADDERS USED IN PATIENT SUPPORT SYSTEMS - A bladder comprising an outer and inner surface having a length, height and width, first and second ends, and an internal volume. A support structure is disposed within the bladder and has a length, width, height as well as an inner and outer region. The outer region of the support structure comprises support projections which define openings in the outer region of the support structure. The support projections have an engaging end which contacts the inner surface of the bladder and exerts force upon the inner surface of the bladder. The support projections maintain the internal volume of the bladder in a no-load sate. The openings in the support structure allow air to move freely in the bladder versus a solid support structure lacking openings. This aids in distribution of air within the bladder and provides air-like pressure management and comfort in addition to the structural support provided by foam inserts. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100043143 | LOW AIR LOSS MOISTURE CONTROL MATTRESS OVERLAY - Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for controlling humidity (i.e., moisture) within and/or adjacent a coverlet associated with a multi-layer air mattress. Humidity sensors may be incorporated at selected locations within the coverlet and coupled to a controller that is configured to provide a closed-loop control signal to vary air flow rate through the coverlet to control the rate of moisture adjustment, such as removal. In part, present subject matter may include a combination of a Low-Air-Loss (LAL) topper, having a pair of humidity sensors, one of which is at an inlet to the LAL topper and the other of which is at a selected one of existing outlets of the LAL topper. Air flow through the LAL topper is kept constant, in accordance with its basic operation, while the two humidity sensors are part of a closed-loop feedback control system, which adjusts the humidity of the air being input at the inlet. Additionally portions of a closed-loop feedback control system may depend on the sensed rate of change of moisture, to facilitate more rapid response to changing moisture conditions. Separately, and not as part of the control feedback loop, a temperature sensor may be provided for simply indicating the temperature of the air relative to the LAL topper. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20080263776 | LOW AIR LOSS MOISTURE CONTROL MATTRESS OVERLAY - Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for controlling humidity (i.e., moisture) within and/or adjacent a coverlet associated with a multi-layer air mattress. Humidity sensors may be incorporated at selected locations within the coverlet and coupled to a controller that is configured to provide a closed-loop control signal to vary air flow rate through the coverlet to control the rate of moisture adjustment, such as removal. In part, present subject matter may include a combination of a Low-Air-Loss (LAL) topper, having a pair of humidity sensors, one of which is at an inlet to the LAL topper and the other of which is at a selected one of existing outlets of the LAL topper. Air flow through the LAL topper is kept constant, in accordance with its basic operation, while the two humidity sensors are part of a closed-loop feedback control system, which adjusts the humidity of the air being input at the inlet. Additionally portions of a closed-loop feedback control system may depend on the sensed rate of change of moisture, to facilitate more rapid response to changing moisture conditions. Separately, and not as part of the control feedback loop, a temperature sensor may be provided for simply indicating the temperature of the air relative to the LAL topper. | 10-30-2008 |
