A thermoelectric device comprising an elongated panel of two foam layers, and having an inserted thermoelectric string is incorporated into a seat cushion, planting pot, and battery thermal manager. Several enhancements to the string and the panel improve its durability, visual appeal, and tactile appeal over the prior art.

Disclosed herein is a cushioning device that includes a first foam layer including a first top surface and a first bottom surface, the first foam layer including a plurality of first channels located in the first top surface. Further disclosed is a support fluid cell located in each of the plurality of first channels. Moreover, a second foam layer including a second top surface and a second bottom surface is disclosed, the second foam layer including a second channel located in the second top surface. The cushioning device includes a counterbalance fluid cell located in the second channel. The second foam layer is located underneath the first foam layer. The first foam layer, in combination with the support fluid cells, create a support surface configured to support a load of a person.

An inventive decubitus prevention device comprises a thermal support member disposed upon a massage member. The massage member comprises at least one manipulation element disposed within a housing component and is configured such that the manipulation element is in contact with the bottom side of the thermal support member. The thermal support member comprises at least one thermal element at least partially encased within a polymeric member. In some embodiments, the inventive decubitus prevention device can further comprise a therapeutic member disposed upon the thermal support member. The therapeutic member comprises a cushioning polymer disposed at least upon the top side of a mitigation member. The inventive decubitus prevention device can provide a therapeutic force to a user, and can additionally provide a heating effect and/or a cooling effect to a user. The inventive decubitus prevention device can be utilized with a bed (such as a mattress combination), a wheelchair, a lounge chair, a couch, an office chair, an examination table, and the like.

A compressible or retractable support (10, 80, 90, 100) is installed inside an air blower cavity (36) of a body support system (30), such as a medical mattress with forced air flow. The support is compressed or retracted within the cavity when the air blower (40) is inserted in the dynamic configuration of the body support system. The support rebounds to an uncompressed state to fill a greater portion of the air blower cavity when the air blower is removed to convert the body support system to a static configuration.

A mattress including: substrates configured to support a human body; and a plurality of cells arranged on an upper face of each substrate, the cells including respective fluid chambers. The substrates are divided from each other at a location corresponding to a folding part provided to a portion of a bed in a length direction thereof such that cell units are constituted by the respective substrates and the cells arranged thereon. The cell units are disposed such that the cell units are adjacent to each other with the folding part interposed therebetween. A connecting body is disposed between the cell units such that the connecting body straddles the cell units and is supported by the cells of the cell units.

An automatically adjusting comfort method includes measuring pressure applied by a user via a pressure-sensor array, determining a pressure profile based on measurements from the pressure-sensor array, comparing the pressure profile to a first limit, determining a cumulative pressure profile over a predetermined duration, comparing the cumulative pressure profile to a second limit, and adjusting one or more of a plurality of adjusting mechanisms configured to alter the pressure profile for increased comfort of the user when the pressure profile exceeds the first limit or the second limit. An automatically adjusting comfort system includes a pressure-sensor array communicatively coupled to a controller for determining a cumulative pressure profile over time, and a plurality of adjusting mechanisms configured to alter the pressure profile to increase a user's comfort, wherein the controller automatically adjusts one or more of the plurality of adjusting mechanisms based on the cumulative pressure profile.

A wheelchair is provided. The wheelchair includes supports for supporting a user. The supports are configured to reduce or prevent ischemia or pressure sores of the user. In another aspect, a system of supports for supporting a user is presented. A group of the supports is arranged along the perimeter of the shape. At least some of the group of the supports have different vertical positions. In another aspect, the supports are arranged as a repeating pattern of shapes, the individual supports being peripherally disposed along perimeters of the shapes. The repeating pattern of shapes includes a first shape overlapping with a second shape, and some of the individual supports are disposed along perimeters of both the first and second shapes.

A mattress including: substrates configured to support a human body; and a plurality of cells arranged on an upper face of each substrate, the cells including respective fluid chambers. The substrates are divided from each other at a location corresponding to a folding part provided to a portion of a bed in a length direction thereof such that cell units are constituted by the respective substrates and the cells arranged thereon. The cell units are disposed such that the cell units are adjacent to each other with the folding part interposed therebetween. A connecting body is disposed between the cell units such that the connecting body straddles the cell units and is supported by the cells of the cell units.

A dynamic support apparatus. The dynamic support apparatus includes a cushion, at least one actuator wherein the at least one actuator defines an interior volume and wherein the interior volume may be configured to be at least partially filled with a fluid, and a support disposed in the interior volume wherein the support configured to support an occupant when the interior volume is not filled with the fluid such that the support is sufficient to support the occupant.

The invention concerns a bedsore prevention device (20) designed to be equipped to a support element of a piece of receiving furniture. The prevention device (20) has a bearing surface (22), intended to be flush with a surface of the support element and to be in direct or indirect contact with a body part of the subject on which the subject is likely to develop bedsores, at least three electromechanical transducers arranged to urge the bearing surface (22) to move, the at least three transducers being arranged along the bearing surface (22), a control unit (26) for the at least three transducers, the control unit (26) being configured to control the at least three transducers to urge the bearing surface in a phase-shifted manner in order to simulate a mechanical traveling wave along the bearing surface.