Methods for manufacturing attachment apparatuses for pressure-mitigation apparatuses and using the same

Abstract

Introduced here are pressure-mitigation apparatuses for mitigating the pressure applied to a human body by the support surface of an object. The pressure-mitigation apparatus can include a series of chambers that can be individually controlled to vary the pressure therein. By varying the chamber pressure, the main point of pressure applied by the support surface to the human body may be moved across the surface of the human body. An attachment apparatus may be used to securely adhere the pressure-mitigation apparatus to the support surface.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for manufacturing an attachment apparatus designed to secure, to an underlying surface, a pressure-mitigation apparatus that includes chambers whose pressure can be individually varied, the method comprising:
 cutting a pliable material that provides tackiness to naturally limit movement of the pressure-mitigation apparatus in relation to the underlying surface, so as to create a first segment and a second segment;   creating a cavity by forming an interconnection along a periphery of the first and second segments; and   inserting a pliable core into the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 applying an adhesive coating to an exterior surface of the first segment, the second segment, or the first and second segments.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 securing, to the adhesive coating, a cover that is to be removed (i) before the attachment apparatus is secured to the underlying surface or (ii) before the attachment apparatus is secured to the pressure-mitigation apparatus.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 forming perforations in the first segment to allow for the passage of fluids into the cavity.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second segments have a square form. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second segments have a rectangular form. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second segments have an elliptic form. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pliable core comprises polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam, latex, wool, cotton, woven fabric, non-woven fabric, natural fibers, or synthetic fibers. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 forming, in the first and second segments, one or more openings through which one or more securement components are able to extend to secure the attachment apparatus to the underlying surface.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more securement components are associated with the underlying surface, and wherein a position in which each opening is formed is based on a location of a corresponding securement component along the underlying surface. 
     
     
         11 . A method for manufacturing an attachment apparatus designed to secure, to an underlying surface, a pressure-mitigation apparatus that includes chambers whose pressure can be individually varied, the method comprising:
 cutting a pliable material that provides tackiness to naturally limit movement of the pressure-mitigation apparatus in relation to the underlying surface, so as to create a first segment and a second segment;   interconnecting a periphery of the first and second segments, so as to form a cavity therebetween; and   applying an adhesive coating to an exterior surface of the first segment, the second segment, or the first and second segments.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 securing, to the adhesive coating, a cover that is to be removed (i) before the attachment apparatus is secured to the underlying surface or (ii) before the attachment apparatus is secured to the pressure-mitigation apparatus.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the adhesive coating is applied only to the first segment that is to contact the underlying surface, and wherein the second segment relies on the tackiness provided by the pliable material, such that the pressure-mitigation apparatus is readily detachable from the attachment apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the adhesive coating is applied only to the first segment that is to contact the underlying surface, and wherein the method further comprises:
 permanently securing the second segment to the pressure-mitigation apparatus, such that the pressure-mitigation apparatus and the attachment apparatus are joined as a single item.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 positioning, in the cavity, one or more magnets in a predetermined arrangement to allow the attachment apparatus to be connected to magnetically complementary objects that are connected to, or embedded in, the underlying surface.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 positioning, in the cavity, one or more magnets in a predetermined arrangement to allow the attachment apparatus to be connected to magnetically complementary objects that are connected to, or embedded in, the pressure-mitigation apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . A method for manufacturing an attachment apparatus designed to secure, to an underlying surface, a pressure-mitigation apparatus that includes chambers whose pressure can be individually varied, the method comprising:
 cutting a pliable material that provides tackiness to naturally limit movement of the pressure-mitigation apparatus in relation to the underlying surface, so as to create a first segment and a second segment;   interconnecting a periphery of the first and second segments, so as to form a cavity therebetween; and   positioning, in the cavity, one or more magnets in a predetermined arrangement.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the predetermined arrangement allows the attachment apparatus to be connected to magnetically complementary objects that are connected to, or embedded in, the underlying surface. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the predetermined arrangement allows the attachment apparatus to be connected to magnetically complementary objects that are connected to, or embedded in, the pressure-mitigation apparatus. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 interconnecting the first and second segments along a pair of parallel lines that extend between opposing peripheral sides of the first and second segments, so as to form (i) a pair of lateral portions and (ii) a central portion that is disposed between the pair of lateral portions.