A variable-pressure support, a patient bed having such a variable-pressure support, and a method for operating such a variable-pressure support. A plurality of supporting elements is provided. A guiding arrangement is provided which has two guides arranged opposite one another in a transverse direction and extend in a longitudinal direction. The supporting elements are movably mounted at opposite ends in the guides.

The present invention is a modular mattress assembly that can prevent the appearance of bed sores and can heal the developed sores by spreading the weight of the body on the mattress using an array of motorized support. The modular mattress is an array of small cushionettes each placed on top of a linear motion mechanism. Each cushionette can be adjusted in height independently of any other cushionettes through the electrical linear motion mechanism. This actively adjustable array mechanism of the mattress which can extend infinitely in Z-axis through motorized linear actuator brings a high resolution of the shape of the mattress. The array can change position in XYZ axis to accurately accommodate the patients medically required shape and skin contact points. The device uses predefined and amended algorithms to adapt the patients' situations individually or provide personalized treatment.

A pressure sore prevention mattress is provided alternating pressure points on the body of an occupant that is easily transformable between two stable configurations. The four-layer mattress construction has a top foam pad, a webbing layer, a dynamic layer of deformable panels trapezoid-shaped four-bar mechanisms that deform to produce an undulating pattern of peaks, and a base. Panel geometry can determine peak height. The mattress has a spatially hollow geometry that allows natural air convection through the breathable top foam pad to enable drying of moisture as well as the use of forced air convective drying or cooling. The mattress can be transformed from one configuration to the other while the occupant is on the mattress.