Temperature modulated inflated and deflated support cushion

Abstract

The invention disclosed herein is directed to a temperature modulated, inflated and deflated support cushion and methods of use for providing comfort and reducing or alleviating the development of pressure sores for persons confined to wheelchairs or beds for extended time periods. The disclosed invention is particularly adaptable as a support cushion in the form of a mattress, mattress cover, seat cushion, or seat cushion cover and can be combined with any mattress or seat to provide temperature modulated, inflating and deflating cellular support cushions. Two components of the disclosed invention are critical. Utilizing a plurality of flexible and hollow cells capable of being repeatedly filled and depleted with a fluid, preferable air, the cells being arranged so that (1) the cells being depleted are next to or contiguous only with cells that are not being depleted, those cells being depleted of fluid must not be in contact with the individual such that a pocket of air exists between the depleted cell(s) and the individual, and (2) the temperature of the cells is maintained at or about an average of about 5 degrees Fahrenheit less than the average body temperature of a healthy human, but not less than about 25 degrees Celsius. The phrase “pocket of air” as used herein is intended to convey a gap or space between deflated cell(s) and the skin (even in circumstances where a sheet or other cover is between the cushion and the skin) such that skin surrounding the pocket or air is supported by non-depleted cells, and the skin directly above or on the region of depleted cells is not in contacted with the depleted cells. In this manner, those portions of the skin above the pocket of air created by the fully depleted cell(s) are, in essence, not in contact with the cushion to allow complete disassociation between those portions of the skin and the depleted cell(s). The term “average” in reference temperature of the cells is intended to convey that the temperature can be regulated so as not to be uncomfortable for the individual using the cushion, and need not be maintained at a constant temperature.

1 . A temperature modulated inflated and deflated cushion comprising:
 a. a plurality of flexible and hollow cells capable of being repeatedly filled and depleted with a fluid, the cells being arranged so that the cells that are being depleted are next to or contiguous only with cells that are not being depleted, whereby when depleted, a pocket of air exists between the upper most portion of the depleted cells and the body of a person sitting thereon;   b. one or more manifolds capable of directing the fluid to and from the plurality of flexible and hollow cells;   c. one or more pumping means connected to one or more manifolds for filing and depleting the plurality of flexible and hollow cells with the fluid; and   d. means for adjusting the temperature of the fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The cushion of  claim 1  wherein the temperature of the fluid is maintained at a temperature of about 5 degrees Fahrenheit less than the average body temperature of a healthy human. 
     
     
         3 . The cushion of  claim 2  wherein the temperature of the fluid is maintained at a temperature of about 25 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         4 . A method of providing cushioning support comprising:
 a. providing a plurality of flexible and hollow cells capable of being repeatedly filled and depleted with a fluid, the cells being arranged so that the cells that are being depleted are next to or contiguous only with cells that are not being depleted, whereby when depleted, a pocket of air exists between the upper most portion of the depleted cells and the body of a person sitting thereon;   b. providing one or more manifolds capable of directing the fluid to and from the plurality of flexible and hollow cells;   c. providing one or more pumping means connected to one or more manifolds for filing and depleting the plurality of flexible and hollow cells with the fluid;   d. providing means for adjusting the temperature of the fluid;   e. depleting the fluid from a fraction of the plurality of flexible and hollow cells for a period of time;   f. filling with the fluid the depleted fraction of the plurality of flexible and hollow cells after the period of time   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the temperature of the fluid is maintained at a temperature of about 5 degrees Fahrenheit less than the average body temperature of a healthy human. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the temperature of the fluid is maintained at a temperature of about 25 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the period of time of step (e) is not greater than about six minutes. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the period of time of step (e) is about two minutes.