Inflatable support

Abstract

An alternating pad comprises a first set and a second set of alternately inflatable cells. Both sets of inflatable cells are supplied with air from a pump via a rotary valve. A sensor is positioned under the pad to receive pressure exerted by a patient upon movement and to be compressible relative to the applied pressure. Any change in patient position or movement will cause an alteration in the airflow in the sensor pad tube and will reduce or increase the differential pressure measured at the pressure transducer. Based on this feedback the microprocessor directly controls the power level to the pump and increases or decreases the air flow to the cells to alter the amplitude of the cells and also controls the timing of the rotary valve to change the timing of the inflation and deflation cycle.

1 . An inflatable support comprising: 
 a pad effective to receive air from a pump by means of a valve, a sensor positioned under the pad effective to measure the movements of a patient on the pad to produce measurement valves, and control means effective to automatically adjust the inflation and/or deflation of the pad by the pump in response to the measurement values.    
   
   
       2 . An inflatable support as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the pad is an alternating pressure pad.  
   
   
       3 . An inflatable support as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the control means adjusts the inflation and/or deflation of the support by the pump and further controls the valve to adjust cycle times of the inflation and/or deflation in response to the measurement values.  
   
   
       4 . An inflatable support as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a display effective to display a representation of the measurement valves.  
   
   
       5 . The inflatable support as recited in  claim 1 , wherein 
 during the inflation, the valve allows at least part of the air to go to the sensor;    the movements of the patient produce a change in the air in the sensor; and    the movement values are produced based on the change in the air in the sensor.    
   
   
       6 . The inflatable support as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a pressure transducer.  
   
   
       7 . The inflatable support as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the pad is segmented into zones for a heel section, an upper leg section, a mid torso section and a head section.