The invention relates to a mattress comprising at least one layer (31) having a multiplicity of elastic elevations. Said elastic elevations together form at least one supporting surface for the user of the mattress.

According to the invention, the elastic elevations are designed, or arranged, such that an uneven supporting surface is formed.

At least two types of elastic elevations with different elasticity are preferably provided. The elastic elevations are formed in particular on elastic bodies (21, 22, 23, 24), wherein each elastic elevation can be formed on a respective elastic body.

An anti-bedsore mattress with the improved weight-bearing component consists of a mattress comprising triple layer of natural latex foam. The uppermost layer made of natural latex foam, with a density of 55-70 kilograms per cubic meter. The middle layer made of natural latex foam coated fabric, with a density of the natural latex foam of 100-120 kilograms per cubic meter. This layer contains at least one opening to reduce the pressure on the body when in use. The bottom layer consists of natural latex foam with the highest density between 70 to 100 kilograms per cubic meter with an opening positioned to accommodate the breech of the user and with a distributed placement of natural latex foam bars, combined with additional openings positioned to accommodate the heels of the user feet.

A support cushion liner includes a liner body having a cavity disposed between an outer layer and an inner layer and a plurality of artificial muscles disposed in the cavity of the liner body. Each of the plurality of artificial muscles include a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode fixed to a first surface of the housing and a second electrode fixed to a second surface of the housing. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region thereby applying pressure to the outer layer of the liner body.

A disinfecting cover for use in disinfecting a weight bearing upper surface of a resilient medical patient pressure redistribution support includes a thin barrier membrane drapable on top of the weight bearing upper surface of the resilient support, and a peripherally-extending edge terminating between the peripherally-extending side of the resilient support between the weight bearing upper surface and the bottom surface of the support. The thin barrier membrane comprises an anti-microbial disinfectant, and being non-fibrous, and impervious to the transfer of fluid from the first main surface to the second main surface. The thin barrier membrane comprises a thickness operable to maintain the weight distribution of a patient on the weight bearing upper surface of the resilient medical patient pressure redistribution support substantially the same compared to the weight distribution without the thin barrier membrane.

A patient support includes a conformable layer having a lattice of cells. Each cell having a base and extending to a top portion disposed opposite the base to form a column, and at least some of the cells within the lattice having a fluid passage extending from the base through the top portion of the cell. The patient support having a fluid flow path defined by a port connector configured to direct a fluid to a low air loss manifold, the low air loss manifold configured to direct and release the fluid towards the fluid passages of the conformable layer with the fluid passages configured to direct the fluid into a reduced zone having a surface area, and a spacer layer configured to receive the fluid in the reduced zone and disperse the fluid underneath a cover across a surface area larger than the surface area of the reduced zone.

A mattress for institutional use provides upper and lower surfaces offering different levels of firmness through the use of gradiated firmness in multiple polymer foam layers.

An inflatable device includes a top sheet, a bottom sheet, a cavity formed by the top sheet and the bottom sheet, wherein the top sheet and the bottom sheet are coupled together along a peripheral edge, a port in communication with the cavity and with an exterior of the device, and a valve, including a pocket located in a cavity having an entrance opening and an exit opening to deliver air to the cavity. The pocket is formed by a first and a second layer of material and is positioned along a first portion of the peripheral edge. The device further includes a second port in communication with the cavity, and a second valve in communication with the second port and the cavity. The second valve comprises a second pocket located within the cavity and positioned along at least a second portion of the peripheral edge.

A patient support apparatus includes a frame and a mattress positioned on the frame. The mattress has an electronic component positioned within an interior of the mattress. An inductive power transmitter is coupled to the frame. An inductive power receiver is positioned within the interior of the mattress and electrically coupled to the electronic component.

An occupant support structure for supporting an occupant includes an orientation adjustable torso section, a lower body section, and a control system. The lower body section includes a heel region subsection which supports the heel region of an occupant of the occupant support. The control system is adapted to A) cause the heel region subsection to temporarily substantially disengage from the heel region of the occupant in response to a change of angular orientation of the torso section which begins at a time t.sub.0, and B) cause the heel region subsection to subsequently re-engage with the heel region of the occupant, the re-engagement occurring at a time t.sub.B which is later than t.sub.0.

The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent pad comprising multiple layers. In particular, the absorbent pad of the present invention maintains skin dryness by absorbing moisture while preventing leakage to the skin or the bed linens, allowing air circulation at the surface of the patient's skin to prevent heat buildup, and is strong enough to allow the patient to be repositioned, even when the pad is wet. In a particular embodiment the first layer is comprised of a fluid-permeable, porous material, the second layer is disposed under the first layer and is comprised of at least one super absorbent material, and a base layer disposed under the second layer.