An alternating pressure bed includes first and second sets of closely spaced rollers mounted in a roller frame to be mutually parallel and co-planar along a preferably horizontal plane and each being rotatable about its individual longitudinal axis, and a first drive mechanism for rotating each of the rollers in the first set in a clockwise direction and a second drive mechanism for rotating each of the rollers in the second set in a counter-clockwise direction. A mattress shielding sheet extends across and rests on the rollers, and a mattress extends across and rests on the mattress shielding sheet. Each roller has at least one surface protrusion, so that when the roller is rotated the protrusion applies alternating and varying upward pressure through the mattress.

The present invention is generally directed to systems related to sleeping, playing and provision of non-toxic environments, components related to those systems, and methods involving the systems or components. It is more particularly directed to systems, components and methods that aid early infant cognitive development, improve ventilation inside a crib, promote fresh and/or odor free air, promote thermoregulation and homeostasis, protect the person using the systems, components and methods from biological toxins, and create healthy sleeping environments for infants, toddlers, children and adults. One sleep system according to the present invention includes a cover, a core, and a bottom. The cover includes at least two raised areas. The raised areas have one or more heights ranging from 0.125 inch to 5.0 inches and diameters ranging of 0.25 to 10.0 inches.

Systems and methods for effecting posture of a subject who is to be positioned on a support surface having an inclinable portion such that the subject's thorax is inclinable relative to the subject's legs, are provided. An example system includes a detachedly coupleable thoracic harness having at least an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface being contoured to fit over shoulders of the subject. The outer surface having a fastening surface that releasable attaches to a corresponding fastening surface disposed on the inclinable portion of the support surface.

The present invention is generally directed to systems related to sleeping, playing and provision of non-toxic environments, components related to those systems, and methods involving the systems or components. It is more particularly directed to systems, components and methods that aid early infant cognitive development, improve ventilation inside a crib, promote fresh and/or odor free air, promote thermoregulation and homeostasis, protect the person using the systems, components and methods from biological toxins, and create healthy sleeping environments for infants, toddlers, children and adults. One sleep system according to the present invention includes a cover, a core, and a bottom. The cover includes at least two raised areas. The raised areas have one or more heights ranging from 0.125 inch to 5.0 inches and diameters ranging of 0.25 to 10.0 inches.

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.

A mat includes a back support part. The back support part includes: a spine support part configured to continuously support three or more continuous lumbar vertebrae and thoracic vertebrae and including a first lumbar vertebra to a twelfth thoracic vertebra of a spine of a person's body in a supine position; and serratus posterior inferior muscle corresponding parts which are on respective sides of the spine support part and below a portion configured to correspond to left and right serratus posterior inferior muscles of the person's body in the supine position. The serratus posterior inferior muscle corresponding parts and the spine support part are configured such that a first body pressure from the serratus posterior inferior muscle corresponding parts is lower than a second body pressure from the spine support part.