A support device including a plurality of cells, each cell being at least partially defined by a cell wall, a chamber, and a plurality of valves. Each valve is movable between an open position where the valve provides fluid communication between an associated cell and the chamber, and a closed position wherein the valve generally blocks fluid communication between the associated cell and the chamber. Each valve is configured to be biased to a closed position during use of the device. The device is configured such that when a predetermined force is applied to each cell during use the associated valve moves to the open position.

Described herein are various embodiments of differential air pressure systems and methods of using and calibration such systems for individuals with impaired mobility. The differential air pressure systems may include an access assist device configured to help a mobility impaired user to stand in a pressure chamber configured to apply a positive pressure on a portion of the user's body in the sealed pressure chamber. The system may also include load sensors configured to measure the user's weight exerted inside and outside the chamber. The system may be calibrated by determining a relationship between the actual weight of the user and the pressure in the chamber, where the actual weight of the user may be measured by more than one load sensor and at least one load sensor is not in the pressure chamber.

A massage system includes a frame, a first massage mechanism connected to a first region of the frame to massage a first portion of a user, a second massage mechanism connected to a second region of the frame to massage a second portion of a user, and memory and a processor. The memory is programmed with instructions executable by the processor to determine a massage plan for massaging the at least one of first portion and the second portion.

A treatment device for medical and/or cosmetic therapy includes a negative-pressure chamber receiving a lower half of a person's body. The negative-pressure chamber is designed as a tube and has an admission opening sealed off from the person's body by a closure element. A first part of a table is arranged in the interior of the negative-pressure chamber. A second part of the table is arranged outside the negative-pressure chamber. The first part and the second part are each guided longitudinally on a linear guide. The first part can be moved at least partially out of the negative-pressure chamber and the second part can be moved away from the admission opening. A synchronization between the first part and the second part allows the first and second parts to be moved at the same speed in the same direction.

A vehicle seat of the present invention has: a seat main body that has a seat cushion and a seatback; a concave portion that is provided in at least one of the seat cushion and the seatback, and that is provided at a region supporting a seated vehicle occupant, and that is formed in a shape that is recessed in a direction of moving away from the seated vehicle occupant; and a biometric signal detecting section having an airbag, which is mounted so as to extend over the concave portion and is capable of inflating and contracting, and a pressure sensor, which detects pressure applied to the airbag in a state in which the airbag is inflated.

Post-scar formation reduction apparatus comprises a biocompatible scar interface layer, a compressible pressure chamber overlying the scar interface layer, and an at least substantially uniformly compressible pressure element in the pressure chamber which extends over the scar interface layer. The pressure element has a bulk modulus enabling a predetermined uniform or substantially uniform compression of the pressure element in at least a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the scar interface layer on application of a specific pressure. Evacuator is also provided which at least partially evacuates the pressure chamber, whereby the pressure element is uniformly or substantially uniformly compressed in the direction of the scar interface layer and the pressure chamber positively urges the compressed pressure element towards the scar interface layer.

A relief valve in which a valve body is automatically properly opened/closed by pressure of gas while having a simple device structure, and a device including the relief valve. In a valve-closed state, a first pressure receiving surface portion receives pressure of gas from a valve hole to smoothly open a valve body, and in an open position after the valve is opened, a pressure receiving area is enlarged to a second pressure receiving surface portion, and the first pressure receiving surface portion and the second pressure receiving surface portion are surrounded by a peripheral wall portion formed on a back surface of the valve body. Thus, the valve body continuously receives the pressure with the pressure of the gas being reduced, thereby allowing the valve-opened state of the valve body to be stably maintained to set pressure.

A venous compression element is provided which is useful in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency, such as varicose veins. The compression element comprises a central core of fluid filled cells and an outer layer of soft material suitable for maintaining contact with skin for a prolonged period of time and which covers the core. A particular embodiment comprises a folded or rolled cylindrical core of air or nitrogen filled bubble wrap sheet material covered by a skin compatible bandaging material. The compression elements described are particularly useful in providing consistent compression to a blood vessel after endovenous endothelial wall damaging techniques.

A vehicle seat (1), in particular utility vehicle seat, has a seat cushion (2), a backrest (3), and a massage system (10), which has a plurality of pressurizable elements (12) and a controller (14) for a targeted activation of the pressurizable elements (12) to achieve a massage effect. The pressurizable elements (12) are each separately pressurizable via connecting lines (16). The massage system (10) connects to a connection (22) of an external compressed air supply, in particular a compressed air supply of a vehicle, for a supply of a pressurized medium. The pressurizable elements (12) are arranged on an occupant-facing side of a foam part of a padding of the backrest (3). This is particularly in a region between the foam part and a cover of the padding. Further pressurizable elements (12) are arranged on an occupant-averted side of a foam part of a padding of the backrest (3).

A system such as a hospital bed provides capability to monitor and alleviate the pressure points and provides oxygen and water jets to prevent and treat bed sores in bed-ridden patients. An array of balloons touching each other form a mattress of unstitched but contiguous balloons like in a conventional mattress with stitched puffs. Individual pressure sensors placed within each balloon measure and monitor pressure. Furthermore, horizontal rods which lay between the balloons perform oxygenation and provide water massage to the back of the patient body from the interstitial spaces within the unstitched mattress of contiguous balloons. The rods are elevated to raise the patient above the mattress to relieve overall pressure and enable cleaning and wipe down of the back of the patient body. The rods can elevate the entire patient body or its torso alone or the lower extremities alone to clean as desired.