An air inflatable mattress and mattress coverlet are provided for the prevention and treatment of decubitus ulcers (i.e., pressure sores or bedsores). The mattress incorporates a user selectable static or alternating air powered support surface for more uniformly redistributing pressure exerted on a patient's skin. The mattress coverlet encompasses a low air loss feature independent of the mattress's user selectable air powered support surface. Such low air loss feature provides a patient contact surface exhibiting a high moisture vapor transfer ratio in conjunction with a forced air flow to aid in reducing the moisture and heat near the patient's body. Both the mattress and mattress coverlet are driven by an external control system which houses the user controls, as well as the necessary pumps, regulators, and valving.

A moisture control system includes a moisture control coverlet (10) and a fluid pump (18). The moisture control coverlet (10) includes a fluid pathway therein for moisture removal fluid. The fluid pump (18) is coupled to the fluid pathway for pumping fluid out of the fluid pathway by negative pressure at a fluid pump rate. The fluid pump rate can be adjustable and/or can be greater than 1 CFM.

An inflatable convective pad for warming a person during surgery has two ends, two sides, and at least two openings, each located in an area of the pad between the two ends and between a respective side and the center of the pad. The openings, which may be in the form of slits, allow the threading of a sheet or the person's arms through the pad to restrain the arms during surgery.

A patient support includes a cover defining an interior region, an air permeable first layer located in the interior region, and a support layer located beneath the air permeable first layer. A pressure sensing layer is located underneath the support layer. At least one air supply is coupled to the support layer. A controller is coupled to the air supply and to the pressure sensing layer. The controller controls inflation and deflation of the support layer in response to a signal from the pressure sensing layer.

An air supply supplies air to multiple different inflatable devices. The air supply includes an air compressing device, and at least two pressure valves. The air supply operates to introduce air from the first pressure valve to a first inflatable device at a first pressure that is within a first air pressure range. The air supply also operates to introduce air, on demand, from the second pressure valve to a second inflatable device at a second pressure within a second air pressure range while continuing to supply air to the first inflatable device at a pressure within the first air pressure range. The second pressure and/or the second pressure range is different from the first pressure and/or the first pressure range.

According to certain arrangements, a conditioner mat for use with a bed assembly includes an upper layer comprising a plurality of openings, a lower layer being substantially fluid impermeable, at least one interior chamber defined by the upper layer and the lower layer and a spacer material positioned within the interior chamber. In one embodiment, the spacer material is configured to maintain a shape of the interior chamber and to help with the passage of fluids within a portion of interior chamber. The conditioner mat can be configured to releasably secure to a top of a bed assembly.

A bedding system is provided that includes a fan box layer having a plurality of ducts, each of the ducts being in communication with a fan configured to move air out of the duct and into an area surrounding the bedding system. A capacitor layer is positioned above the fan box layer. The capacitor layer includes a plurality of outlet ports, each of the outlet ports being in communication with one of the ducts. A mattress layer is positioned above the capacitor layer. The mattress layer includes a bottom portion having a plurality of first holes that are each in communication with at least one of the outlet ports and a top portion having a plurality of second holes that are each in communication with one of the first holes. The top portion defines a sleep surface.

A multi-purpose system for a bed includes a number of vertically movable lifting members that are parallel and spaced-apart elongated parts transversally connected to the bed. Furthermore, a mattress assembly that has spaced-apart transversal accommodating spaces thereon that are sized to receive the corresponding movable lifting members therein, and an actuating mechanism coupled with the movable lifting members to vertically move the lifting members between a lowered position and a raised position.

A microclimate system includes an air box, a disposable incontinence pad, and a mattress. The incontinence pad serves as an incontinent event detector. The disposable incontinence pad may be configured to conduct air along an interface of the disposable incontinence pad to withdraw heat and moisture from a patient and cools and dries the patient's skin in order to reduce the risk of bed sore formation. The mattress may include a microclimate management layer that provides conditioned air to withdraw heat and moisture from the disposable incontinence pad thereby keeping the patient's skin cool and dry in order to reduce the risk of bed sore formation.

A medical mattress for determining a position and/or a change in position of a patient supported on the mattress is provided. The mattress includes a number of fluid channels that are distributed in a matrix, such that a first part of the fluid channels extends parallel to each other and a second part of the fluid channels extends parallel to each other. The first part is orthogonal to the second part. Each of the fluid channels at an output is connected to a respective fluid supply hose. The mattress also includes a fluid supply device that pumps fluid into the fluid channels via the fluid supply hoses, sensors for measuring flow parameters and/or flow change parameters in the fluid channels, and an evaluation unit for evaluation of the flow parameters and/or flow change parameters with respect to a position and/or change in position of the patient supported on the mattress.