Fluidized positioning and protection system

Abstract

The present invention provides a fluidized positioning system including an inner bladder formed of a medium that has no memory or substantially no memory. An outer bladder is placed adjacent to or coupled to the inner bladder. The outer bladder is partially filled with a composition. The composition can be beads, such as polystyrene beads, or beads made of a similar medium. A valve extending from the outer bladder permits the evacuation of all or some of the air from the outer bladder which causes the outer bladder to be reduced in size due to loss of air between the beads and adjusts the rigidity of the outer bladder to allow the outer bladder to form fit the inner bladder around whatever body extremity it is being used on.

1 . A system for providing positioning of a received body part comprising: 
 an inner bladder, said inner bladder being filled with a first composition which can retain its shape after sculpting;    an outer bladder positioned adjacent to said inner bladder, said outer bladder being filled with a second composition; and    a valve extending from said outer bladder, said valve permitting evacuation of air from said outer bladder wherein rigidity of said outer bladder is controlled by said valve to allow said system to form fit around a received body part.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said first composition is a composition having no memory or substantially no memory.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said first composition is a composition which flows in response to a deforming pressure and ceases to flow when there is no deforming pressure.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said first composition provides three dimensional contouring.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said first composition is formed of a mixture of microspheres and a lubricant.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said inner bladder has sufficient depth to provide an independent contour to said outer bladder.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said second composition comprises beads.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said second composition comprises polystyrene beads.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said second composition comprises open cell foam.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said second composition comprises open cell foam and beads.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said inner bladder comprises one or more compartments positioned within inner bladder, said one or more compartments being filled with said first composition for filling said inner bladder.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said one or more compartments are formed of a breathable and stretchable material.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said inner bladder comprises a plurality of compartments and each of said compartments having a predetermined contouring for altering the contouring ability of said inner bladder.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said valve is connected to a pump for manually evacuating said air.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said valve is connected to a pump for automatically evacuating said air.  
   
   
       16 . A method for providing positioning of a received body part comprising: 
 providing an inner bladder, said inner bladder being filled with a first composition which can retain its shape after sculpting;    providing an outer bladder positioned adjacent to said inner bladder, said outer bladder being filled with a second composition;    positioning a body part on said inner bladder; and    evacuating air from said outer bladder, wherein rigidity of said outer bladder is controlled by said valve to allow said outer bladder to form fit around a received body part.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said first composition is a composition having no memory or substantially no memory.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said first composition is a composition which flows in response to a deforming pressure and ceases to flow when there is no deforming pressure.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said first composition provides three dimensional contouring.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said first composition is formed of a mixture of microspheres and a lubricant.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said second composition comprises beads.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said second composition comprises polystyrene beads.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said second composition comprises open cell foam.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said second composition comprise open cell foam and beads.  
   
   
       25 . A system for providing positioning of a received leg and heel comprising: 
 a heel portion comprising a first inner bladder, said first inner bladder being filled with a first composition which can retain its shape after sculpting, a first outer bladder positioned adjacent to said first inner bladder, said first outer bladder being filled with a second composition, a first valve extending from said outer first bladder, said first valve permitting evacuation of air from said first outer bladder wherein rigidity of said first outer bladder is controlled by said first valve to allow said first outer bladder to form fit around a received heel;    a leg portion comprising a second inner bladder, said second inner bladder being filled with said first composition which can retain its shape after sculpting, a second outer bladder positioned adjacent to said second inner bladder, said second outer bladder being filled with said second composition, a second valve extending from said second outer bladder, said second valve permitting evacuation of air from said second outer bladder wherein rigidity of said second outer bladder is controlled by said second valve to allow said second outer bladder to form fit around a received leg portion and said heel portion being coupled to said leg portion.    
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25  wherein said heel portion is coupled to said leg portion using a coupler.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 25  wherein said heel portion is coupled to said leg portion with a connection bladder, said connection bladder being filled with said first composition.  
   
   
       28 . A system for providing positioning of a received face comprising: 
 an inner bladder, said inner bladder being filled with a first composition which can retain its shape after sculpting;    an outer bladder positioned adjacent to said inner bladder, said outer bladder being filled with a second composition; and    a valve extending from said outer bladder, said valve permitting evacuation of air from said outer bladder wherein rigidity of said outer bladder is controlled by said valve to allow said outer bladder to form fit around a received face.    
   
   
       29 . A mattress comprising: 
 an inner bladder, said inner bladder being filled with a first composition which can retain its shape after sculpting;    an outer bladder positioned adjacent to said inner bladder, said outer bladder being filled with a second composition; and    a valve extending from said outer bladder, said valve permitting evacuation of air from said outer bladder wherein rigidity of said outer bladder is controlled by said valve.    
   
   
       30 . A system for providing attenuation of forces from a received body part comprising: 
 an outer layer, said outer layer being filled with a first composition which can retain its shape after sculpting;    one or more inner layer positioned adjacent to said outer layer, said one or more inner layers being filled with a second composition; and    a valve extending from each of said one or more inner layers, each said valve permitting evacuation of air from one of said one or more said inner layers wherein rigidity of each of said one or more inner layers is controlled by a respective said valve.    
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 30  wherein said system comprises two said inner layers and further comprising a support layer positioned between a first said inner layer and a second said inner layer, said support layer being formed of a foam material.  
   
   
       32 . A system for providing attenuation of forces for supporting a head of a user comprising: 
 an outer layer, said outer layer being filled with a first composition which can retain its shape after sculpting;    one or more inner layers positioned adjacent to said outer layer, said one or more inner layers being filled with a second composition, and a valve extending from each of said one or more inner layers, each said valve permitting evacuation of air from one of said one or more said inner layers wherein rigidity of each of said one or more inner layers is controlled by a respective said valve.    
   
   
       33 . A seat for providing positioning of a received body part comprising: 
 an inner bladder, said inner bladder being filled with a first composition which can retain its shape after sculpting;    an outer bladder positioned adjacent to said inner bladder, said outer bladder being filled with a second composition; and    a valve extending from said outer bladder, said valve permitting evacuation of air from said outer bladder wherein rigidity of said outer bladder is controlled by said valve.    
   
   
       34 . A system for providing positioning of a received body part comprising: 
 a housing;    a plurality of rows of one or more containers positioned in said housing;    said one or more containers being filled with a composition; and    a valve extending from said housing, said valve permitting evacuation of air from said rows of one or more containers.    
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 34  further comprising a manifold coupled to said valve, each of said rows of said one or more containers being coupled to an inlet port, each of said inlet ports being coupled to said manifold, a stop cock positioned within said manifold before each of said inlet ports, each stop cock being regulated to allow a predetermined amount of vacuum from said valve to be applied to each of said one or more containers.  
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 34  wherein each of said containers is formed of a stretchable and breathable material.  
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 34  wherein a plurality of said containers are connected to one another.  
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 34  further comprising a base for supporting said plurality of rows of said one or more containers, said base being received in said housing.  
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 35  wherein said composition comprises beads and/or open cell foam.  
   
   
       40 . A mattress comprising: 
 a housing;    a plurality of rows of one or more containers positioned in said housing;    said one or more containers being filled with a composition; and    a valve extending from said housing, said valve permitting evacuation of air from said rows of one or more containers.    
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 40  further comprising a manifold coupled to said valve, each of said rows of said one or more containers being coupled to an inlet port, each of said inlet ports being coupled to said manifold, a stop cock positioned within said manifold before each of said inlet ports, each stop cock being regulated to allow a predetermined amount of vacuum from said valve to be applied to each of said rows of one or more containers.  
   
   
       42 . The system of  claim 34  wherein each of said containers is formed of a stretchable and breathable material.  
   
   
       43 . The system of  claim 34  wherein a plurality of said containers are connected to one another.  
   
   
       44 . The system of  claim 40  further comprising a base for supporting said plurality of rows of said one or more containers, said base being received in said housing.  
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 34  wherein said composition comprises beads and/or open cell foam.  
   
   
       46 . A stretcher comprising: 
 a stretcher surface;    a plurality of rows of one or more containers positioned in a housing;    said one or more containers being filled with a composition; and    a valve extending from said housing, said valve permitting evacuation of air from said rows of one or more containers.    
   
   
       47 . The system of  claim 46  further comprising a manifold coupled to said valve, each of said rows of said one or more containers being coupled to an inlet port, each of said inlet ports being coupled to said manifold, a stop cock positioned within said manifold before each of said inlet ports, each stop cock being regulated to allow a predetermined amount of vacuum from said valve to be applied to each of said rows of one or more containers.  
   
   
       48 . The system of  claim 46  wherein each of said containers is formed of a stretchable and breathable material.  
   
   
       49 . The system of  claim 46  wherein a plurality of said containers are connected to one another.  
   
   
       50 . The system of  claim 46  further comprising a base for supporting said plurality of rows of said one or more containers, said base being received in said housing.  
   
   
       51 . The system of  claim 46  wherein said composition comprises beads and/or open cell foam.  
   
   
       52 . The stretcher of  claim 46  further comprising an anti-slip surface formed on a bottom surface of said housing.  
   
   
       53 . The stretcher of  claim 46  wherein said housing is attached to said stretcher surface with one or more straps.  
   
   
       54 . A system for providing positioning of a received body part comprising: 
 a bladder;    a plurality of containers within said bladder, each of said containers being filled with a composition; and    a valve extending from said bladder, said valve permitting evacuation of air from said outer bladder wherein rigidity of said outer bladder is controlled by said valve.    
   
   
       55 . The system of  claim 54  wherein said containers are formed of a breathable and stretchable material.  
   
   
       56 . The system of  claim 54  wherein said bladder is formed of a non-breathable plastic material.  
   
   
       57 . The system of  claim 54  wherein said bladder is formed of urethane.  
   
   
       58 . A mattress comprising: 
 a head portion comprising a first inner bladder, said first inner bladder being filled with a first composition which can retain its shape after sculpting, a first outer bladder positioned adjacent to said first inner bladder, said first outer bladder being filled with a second composition, a valve extending from said first outer bladder, said valve permitting evacuation of air from said first outer bladder wherein rigidity of said first outer bladder is controlled by said valve to allow said first outer bladder to form fit around a received head; and    a foot portion comprising a second inner bladder, said second inner bladder being filled with said first composition which can retain its shape after sculpting.    
   
   
       59 . A system for providing support of an infant comprising: 
 an inner bladder, said inner bladder being filled with a first composition which can retain its shape after sculpting;    an outer bladder positioned adjacent to said inner bladder, said outer bladder being filled with a second composition; and    a valve extending from said outer bladder, said valve permitting evacuation of air from said outer bladder wherein rigidity of said outer bladder is controlled by said valve part.    
   
   
       60 . The system of  claim 59  wherein said first composition is a composition having no memory or substantially no memory.  
   
   
       61 . The system of  claim 59  wherein said first composition is a composition which flows in response to a deforming pressure and ceases to flow when there is no deforming pressure.  
   
   
       62 . The system of  claim 59  wherein said first composition provides three dimensional contouring.  
   
   
       63 . The system of  claim 59  wherein said first composition is formed of a mixture of microspheres and a lubricant.  
   
   
       64 . The system of  claim 59  wherein said second composition comprises beads.  
   
   
       65 . The system of  claim 59  wherein said second composition comprises polystyrene beads.  
   
   
       66 . The system of  claim 59  wherein said second composition comprises open cell foam.  
   
   
       67 . The system of  claim 59  wherein said second composition comprises open cell foam and beads.  
   
   
       68 . The system of  claim 59  wherein said inner bladder comprises one or more compartments positioned within inner bladder, said one or more compartments being filled with said first composition for filling said inner bladder.  
   
   
       69 . The system of  claim 68  wherein said one or more compartments are formed of a breathable and stretchable material.  
   
   
       70 . The system of  claim 59  wherein a plurality of said containers are connected to one another.  
   
   
       71 . The system of  claim 59  wherein said outer bladder comprises a plurality of compartments, each of said compartments being filled with said second composition.  
   
   
       72 . The system of  claim 59  wherein said first composition comprises first capsules formed of a composition having memory or substantially no memory, said second composition comprises capsules formed of a composition having memory or substantially no memory, a diameter of said second capsules being larger than a diameter of said first capsules.  
   
   
       73 . The system of  claim 59  wherein a cover is placed over said inner bladder.  
   
   
       74 . A method for providing support of an infant comprising: 
 providing an inner bladder, said inner bladder being filled with a first composition which can retain its shape after sculpting;    providing an outer bladder positioned adjacent to said inner bladder, said outer bladder being filled with a second composition;    positioning an infant or said inner bladder; and    evacuating air from said outer bladder to form a vacuum, wherein rigidity of said outer bladder is controlled by said valve to allow said system to form fit around a received infant.    
   
   
       75 . The method of  claim 74  further comprising the step of: 
 releasing at least a portion of the vacuum within said outer bladder.    
   
   
       76 . The method of  claim 74  further comprising the step of: 
 placing an object adjacent to said infant before said step of evacuating air from said outer bladder, wherein after air is evacuated from said outer bladder said positioned object remains adjacent said infant.    
   
   
       77 . A system for providing positioning of a body part comprising 
 a bladder, said bladder being filled with a first composition which can retain its shape after sculpting; and    a tab protruding from said bladder wherein said tab is movable into said bladder for increasing height of said bladder.    
   
   
       78 . The system of  claim 77  wherein said first composition is a composition having no memory or substantially no memory.  
   
   
       79 . The system of  claim 77  wherein said first composition is a composition which flows in response to a deforming pressure and ceases to flow when there is no deforming pressure.  
   
   
       80 . The system of  claim 77  wherein said first composition provides three dimensional contouring.  
   
   
       81 . The system of  claim 77  wherein said first composition is formed of a mixture of microspheres and a lubricant.  
   
   
       82 . The system of  claim 77  wherein said first composition is formed of a mixture of microspheres and a lubricant.