Methods for manufacturing 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 a pressure-mitigation apparatus to be used to systematically alleviate pressure applied to a living body by an underlying surface, the method comprising:
 acquiring a first sheet that comprises a first material that is air permeable and liquid impermeable;   acquiring a second sheet that comprises a second material that is air impermeable and liquid impermeable;   creating a cavity by forming an interconnection along a periphery of the first and second sheets;   forming additional interconnections between the first and second sheets so as to segment the cavity into a geometric pattern of chambers; and   applying a coating to an exterior surface of the first sheet, the second sheet, or the first and second sheets.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 forming perforations in the first sheet to allow for the passage of liquid into the chambers during use.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 forming perforations in the second sheet to allow for the passage of the liquid out of the chambers during use.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second material provides tackiness to naturally limit movement of the pressure-mitigation apparatus in relation to the underlying surface. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interconnection and additional interconnections are formed via application of heat. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interconnection and additional interconnections are formed via application of an adhesive. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chambers are intertwined to form the geometric pattern that is designed to accommodate internal anatomy of an anatomical region on which the pressure is to be alleviated. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises:
 applying, to an exterior surface of the second sheet, an adhesive coating that is configured to inhibit movement of the pressure-mitigation apparatus in relation to the underlying surface, and   applying, to an exterior surface of the first sheet, an antimicrobial coating that is configured to inhibit growth of fungi, mold, and bacteria.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 securing an impervious lining along an interior surface of the first sheet to inhibit passage of liquid into the chambers during use.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the impervious lining comprises polyurethane. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second sheet comprises polyurethane, polypropylene, silicone, or a rubber compound. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additional interconnections further segment the cavity the cavity into a pair of supports that extend longitudinally along opposing sides of the chambers. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 filling each support of the pair of supports with a pliable material.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the pliable material comprises cotton, latex, polyurethane foam, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . A method for manufacturing a pressure-mitigation apparatus to be used to systematically alleviate pressure applied to a living body by an underlying surface, the method comprising:
 forming an interconnection along a periphery of a first sheet comprised of an air-permeable material and a second sheet comprised of an air-impermeable material, so as to create a cavity therebetween;   forming additional interconnections between the first and second sheets, so as to segment the cavity into a geometric pattern of chambers; and   fluidly coupling valves to the chambers to allow for control of airflow into each chamber to vary pressure therein during use.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the chambers are intertwined such that the valves are arranged along a single side of the pressure-mitigation apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 applying, to an exterior surface of the second sheet, an adhesive coating that is configured to inhibit movement of the pressure-mitigation apparatus in relation to the underlying surface.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the adhesive coating comprises a material that provides tackiness to naturally limit movement of the pressure-mitigation apparatus in relation to the underlying surface. 
     
     
         19 . A method for manufacturing a pressure-mitigation apparatus to be used to systematically alleviate pressure applied to a living body by an underlying surface, the method comprising:
 forming an interconnection along a periphery of a first sheet comprised of an air-permeable material and a second sheet comprised of an air-impermeable material, so as to create a cavity therebetween;   forming additional interconnections between the first and second sheets, so as to segment the cavity into at least three chambers that are intertwined in a geometric pattern; and   applying, to an exterior surface of the second sheet, an adhesive coating that is configured to inhibit movement of the pressure-mitigation apparatus in relation to the underlying surface.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 forming perforations in the first sheet to allow for the passage of liquid into the chambers during use; and   forming perforations in the second sheet to allow for the passage of the liquid out of the chambers during use.