Independently adjustable support system

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for adjusting a support to a body are described in which a portable support assembly may be worn or used by a bed-stricken or wheel-chair restricted individual around particular regions of the body where pressure ulcers tend to form. The portable support assembly may generally include adjustable supports which conform the assembly to the patient's body and which also help to distribute one or more fluid pad assemblies relative to the body. The support assembly may be incorporated into a design for a wheelchair or a bed.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A support assembly comprising:
 first fluid-filled pods;   second fluid-filled pods; and   a pad positionable over the first fluid-filled pods and the second fluid-filled pods,   wherein the first fluid-filled pods have a greater thickness than a thickness of the pad.   
     
     
         4 . The support assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the second fluid-filled pods have a greater thickness than the thickness of the pad. 
     
     
         5 . The support assembly of  claim 4 , wherein when the pad is positioned over the first fluid-filled pods and the second fluid-filled pods, a height of the pad between the first fluid-filled pods and the second fluid-filled pods is less than the height of the first fluid-filled pods. 
     
     
         6 . The support assembly of  claim 5 , wherein when the pad is positioned over the first fluid-filled pods and the second fluid-filled pods, the height of the pad between the first fluid-filled pods and the second fluid-filled pods is less than the height of the second fluid-filled pods. 
     
     
         7 . The support assembly of  claim 3 , wherein when the pad is positioned over the first fluid-filled pods and the second fluid-filled pods, the first fluid-filled pods are moveable toward and away from the second fluid-filled pods and the second fluid-filled pods are moveable toward and away from the first fluid-filled pods. 
     
     
         8 . The support assembly of  claim 3 , wherein when the pad is positioned over the first fluid-filled pods and the second fluid-filled pods, a first longitudinal end of the pad is moveable toward and away from a second longitudinal end of the pad. 
     
     
         9 . The support assembly of  claim 3 , wherein when the pad is positioned over the first fluid-filled pods and the second fluid-filled pods, the first fluid-filled pods are in a first recess defined by the pad and the second fluid-filled pods are in a second recess defined by the pad. 
     
     
         10 . The support assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising a pressure sensor, wherein the first fluid-filled pods are independent of the second fluid-filled pods, wherein the pad comprises fluid, and wherein the first fluid-filled pods and the second fluid-filled pods comprise a liquid. 
     
     
         11 . A support assembly comprising:
 first fluid-filled pods;   second fluid-filled pods; and   a pad positionable over the first fluid-filled pods and the second fluid-filled pods,   wherein the first fluid-filled pods and the second fluid-filled pods are compressible.   
     
     
         12 . The support assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first fluid-filled pods and the second fluid-filled pods are expandable. 
     
     
         13 . The support assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first fluid-filled pods are thicker than the pad. 
     
     
         14 . The support assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the second fluid-filled pods are thicker than the pad. 
     
     
         15 . The support assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first fluid-filled pods are independent of the second fluid-filled pods, wherein the pad comprises fluid, and wherein the first fluid-filled pods and the second fluid-filled pods comprise a liquid. 
     
     
         16 . A support assembly comprising:
 first fluid-filled pods;   second fluid-filled pods; and   a pad positionable over the first fluid-filled pods and the second fluid-filled pods,   wherein the first fluid-filled pods are restricted from moving away from each other and are movable toward and away from the second fluid-filled pods.   
     
     
         17 . The support assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the second fluid-filled pods are restricted from moving away from each other and are movable toward and away from the first fluid-filled pods. 
     
     
         18 . The support assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the first fluid-filled pods are restricted from moving away from each other such that the first fluid-filled pods are constrained in an arrangement defining a first row, and wherein the second fluid-filled pods are restricted from moving away from each other such that the second fluid-filled pods are constrained in an arrangement defining a second row. 
     
     
         19 . The support assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the first row has a linear shape, and wherein the second row has a linear shape. 
     
     
         20 . The support assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the first fluid-filled pods are restricted from moving away from each other such that an order of the first fluid-filled pods is maintainable in the first row, and wherein the second fluid-filled pods are restricted from moving away from each other such that an order of the second fluid-filled pods is maintainable in the second row. 
     
     
         21 . The support assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the first fluid-filled pods are restricted from moving away from each other such that the first fluid-filled pods are maintainable in a single row, and wherein the second fluid-filled pods are restricted from moving away from each other such that the second fluid-filled pods are maintainable in a single row. 
     
     
         22 . The support assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the first fluid-filled pods are restricted from moving away from each other such that the first fluid-filled pods are in a row having a linear shape,
 wherein the second fluid-filled pods are restricted from moving away from each other such that the second fluid-filled pods are in a row having a linear shape,   wherein the pad has a first end, a second end, and center between the first end and the second end, and   wherein the pad is positionable over the first fluid-filled pods and the second fluid-filled pods such that the first end is positionable over the first fluid-filled pods, the second end is positionable over the second fluid-filled pods, and the center is positionable between the first fluid-filled pods and the second fluid-filled pods.