Patient support appratus and method

Abstract

A patient support is provided. The patient support may include a plurality of inflatable members. The plurality of inflatable members may include a core including a resilient material. The patient support may be controlled with a first controller positioned within an envelope of the patient support. The patient support may include a detector to detect when an external controller is coupled to the patient support, the patient support being controlled by the second controller when the second controller is present.

1 . A patient support, comprising:
 a cell which is inflatable with a fluid to a pressure above an ambient pressure;   a core positioned within the inflatable cell, the core including an elongated resilient member; and   a valve in fluid communication with an interior of the cell, the valve being configured to permit fluid to egress from the interior of the cell when the pressure is greater than a threshold pressure and to maintain the fluid in the interior of the cell when the pressure is lower than the threshold pressure, the valve being a one way valve.   
     
     
         2 . The patient support of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated resilient member is a foam core. 
     
     
         3 . The patient support of  claim 2 , wherein the foam core includes at least one cavity extending through the foam core from a first side of the foam core to a second side of the foam core, the second side being opposite the first side. 
     
     
         4 . The patient support of  claim 3 , further comprising a member positioned in a first cavity of the at least one cavity, the member maintains the first cavity in an open configuration when the resilient member is compressed. 
     
     
         5 . The patient support of  claim 3 , wherein the foam core includes a first foam core and a second foam core, the first foam core includes the at least one cavity and the second foam core surrounds the first foam core. 
     
     
         6 . The patient support of  claim 5 , wherein the second foam core has a constant outer diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The patient support of  claim 6 , wherein the second foam core includes a plurality of radially inward extending recesses. 
     
     
         8 . The patient support of  claim 6 , wherein the foam core further comprises a third foam core provided between the first foam core and the second foam core, a plurality of voids being formed between the second foam core and one of the first foam core and the second foam core. 
     
     
         9 . The patient support of  claim 2 , wherein the foam core includes a central body and a plurality of protrusions extending from the central body. 
     
     
         10 . The patient support of  claim 9 , wherein the central body is cylindrical and the plurality of protrusions extend radially outward from the central body. 
     
     
         11 . The patient support of  claim 1 , wherein the cell includes a cell wall, the patient support further comprising a first fluid connector passing through the cell wall and being in fluid communication with the interior of the cell, wherein the first fluid connector is in fluid communication with the valve. 
     
     
         12 . The patient support of  claim 11 , wherein valve is an analog pressure relief valve. 
     
     
         13 . The patient support of  claim 11 , further comprising a second fluid connector passing through the cell wall and being in fluid communication with the interior of the cell, the second fluid connector being spaced apart from the first fluid connector. 
     
     
         14 . The patient support of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor monitoring a fluid pressure in the interior of the cell and a controller, the controller based on the fluid pressure in the interior of the cell determining if the fluid pressure corresponds to a low pressure condition. 
     
     
         15 . The patient support of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one notification device operatively coupled to the controller to provide a first notification if the low pressure condition exists. 
     
     
         16 . The patient support of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one notification device provides a second notification if the low pressure condition does not exist. 
     
     
         17 . The patient support of  claim 16 , wherein a first notification device provides the first notification and a second notification device provides the second notification. 
     
     
         18 . A method of supporting a patient, comprising:
 inflating an inflatable cell comprising a core including an elongated resilient member with a fluid to a pressure above an ambient pressure;   evacuating a portion of the fluid from an interior of the inflatable cell when the pressure is greater than a threshold pressure through a one-way valve; and   maintaining the fluid in the interior of the inflatable cell when the pressure is less than the threshold pressure.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising providing a notification when the pressure is below a second threshold pressure. 
     
     
         20 . A patient support, comprising:
 a cell which is inflatable with a fluid to a pressure above an ambient pressure;   a core positioned within the inflatable cell, the core including an elongated resilient member including at least one cavity; and   a member positioned in a first cavity of the at least one cavity of the elongated resilient member, the member maintains the first cavity in an open configuration when the resilient member is compressed.   
     
     
         21 . The patient support of  claim 20 , wherein the first cavity extends through the resilient member from a first side of the resilient member to a second side of the resilient member, the second side being opposite the first side. 
     
     
         22 . The patient support of  claim 21 , further comprising a valve in fluid communication with an interior of the cell, the valve being configured to permit fluid to egress from the interior of the cell when the pressure is greater than a threshold pressure and to maintain the fluid in the interior of the cell when the pressure is lower than the threshold pressure, the valve being a one way valve. 
     
     
         23 . The patient support of  claim 20 , wherein the elongated resilient member is a foam core. 
     
     
         24 . The patient support of  claim 23 , wherein the foam core includes a first foam core and a second foam core, the first foam core includes the at least one cavity and the second foam core surrounds the first foam core. 
     
     
         25 . The patient support of  claim 24 , wherein the second foam core has a constant outer diameter. 
     
     
         26 . The patient support of  claim 25 , wherein the second foam core includes a plurality of radially inward extending recesses. 
     
     
         27 . The patient support of  claim 24 , wherein the foam core further comprises a third foam core provided between the first foam core and the second foam core, a plurality of voids being formed between the second foam core and one of the first foam core and the second foam core. 
     
     
         28 . The patient support of  claim 23 , wherein the foam core includes a central body and a plurality of protrusions extending from the central body. 
     
     
         29 . The patient support of  claim 28 , wherein the central body is cylindrical and the plurality of protrusions extend radially outward from the central body. 
     
     
         30 . A patient support, comprising:
 a plurality of inflatable cells, each inflatable cell including a cell wall surrounding an interior to be pressurized above an ambient pressure, at least one port to communicate fluid into the interior to be pressurized to pressurize the inflatable cell, and a core including an elongated resilient member within the interior to be pressurized; and   at least one valve configured to maintain the inflatable cells at at least one pressure above ambient pressure when the inflatable cells are pressurized, wherein the at least one valve includes at least one fill valve to pressurize the plurality of inflatable cells and at least one pressure relief valve which sets at least one upper threshold pressure for the plurality of inflatable cells.   
     
     
         31 . The inflatable patient support, of  claim 30 , wherein the interiors of the plurality of inflatable cells are at the ambient pressure. 
     
     
         32 . The inflatable patient support, of  claim 30 , wherein the interiors of the plurality of inflatable cells are pressurized above the ambient pressure. 
     
     
         33 . The inflatable patient support, of  claim 32 , wherein an interior of a first cell of the plurality of cells is pressurized to a first pressure above the ambient pressure and a second cell of the plurality of cells is pressurized to a second pressure above the ambient pressure, the second pressure being greater than the first pressure. 
     
     
         34 . The inflatable patient support, of  claim 30 , wherein the plurality of inflatable cells includes a first group of inflatable cells and a second group of inflatable cells, the first group of inflatable cells having a first pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the interiors of the first group of inflatable cells and the second group of inflatable cells having a second pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the interiors of the second group of inflatable cells. 
     
     
         35 . The patient support of  claim 30 , wherein the elongated resilient member includes at least one cavity and further comprising a member positioned in a first cavity of the at least one cavity of the elongated resilient member, the member maintains the first cavity in an open configuration when the resilient member is compressed. 
     
     
         36 . The patient support of  claim 35 , wherein the first cavity extends through the resilient member from a first side of the resilient member to a second side of the resilient member, the second side being opposite the first side. 
     
     
         37 . The patient support of  claim 35 , wherein the elongated resilient member is a foam core. 
     
     
         38 . The patient support of  claim 37 , wherein the foam core includes a first foam core and a second foam core, the first foam core includes the at least one cavity and the second foam core surrounds the first foam core. 
     
     
         39 . The patient support of  claim 38 , wherein the second foam core has a constant outer diameter. 
     
     
         40 . The patient support of  claim 39 , wherein the second foam core includes a plurality of radially inward extending recesses. 
     
     
         41 . The patient support of  claim 38 , wherein the foam core further comprises a third foam core provided between the first foam core and the second foam core, a plurality of voids being formed between the second foam core and one of the first foam core and the second foam core. 
     
     
         42 . The patient support of  claim 37 , wherein the foam core includes a central body and a plurality of protrusions extending from the central body. 
     
     
         43 . The patient support of  claim 42 , wherein the central body is cylindrical and the plurality of protrusions extend radially outward from the central body. 
     
     
         44 . A patient support, comprising:
 at least one inflatable cell inflated with a fluid;   at least one pressure sensor monitoring a fluid pressure within the at least one inflatable cell;   at least one valve in fluid communication with an interior of the at least one inflatable cell to communicate fluid relative to the interior of the at least one inflatable cell;   at least one controller operating the patient support in a plurality of modes of operation, the plurality of modes of operation including:
 a passive mode of operation wherein the at least one controller monitors the fluid pressure of the at least one inflatable cell and does not actively cause fluid to be communicated to the interior of the at least one inflatable cell; and 
 an active mode of operation wherein the at least one controller actively causes fluid to be communicated to the interior of the at least one inflatable cell. 
   
     
     
         45 . The patient support of  claim 44 , wherein the at least one controller includes a first controller which monitors the fluid pressure of the at least one inflatable cell in the passive mode of operation and a second controller which actively causes fluid to be communicated to the interior of the at least one inflatable cell in the active mode of operation. 
     
     
         46 . The patient support of  claim 45  wherein the first controller is positioned within an envelope of the patient support and the second controller is positioned outside of the envelope of the patient support. 
     
     
         47 . The patient support of  claim 46 , further comprising an interface including at least one fluid connection in fluid communication with the interior of the at least one inflatable cell through the at least one valve, the interface being accessible from an exterior of the patient support. 
     
     
         48 . The patient support of  claim 45 , further comprising a sensor which detects a presence of the second controller, the sensor being operatively coupled to the first controller, the at least one controller operating the patient support in the passive mode of operation when the sensor indicates that the second controller is not present and the at least one controller operating the patient support in the active mode of operation when the sensor indicates that the second controller is present. 
     
     
         49 . The patient support of  claim 48 , wherein the sensor is a proximity sensor. 
     
     
         50 . The patient support of  claim 44 , further comprising at least one low pressure notification device operatively coupled to the at least one controller, the at least one controller in the passive mode of operation causing the at least one low pressure notification devices to provide a notification when the at least one controller determines that the fluid pressure of the at least one inflatable cell is below a threshold value. 
     
     
         51 . The patient support of  claim 50 , wherein the notification is at least one of a visual indicator, an audio indicator, and a signal to a remote device. 
     
     
         52 . The patient support of  claim 50 , wherein the at least one inflatable cell defines a plurality of zones along a longitudinal length of the patient support and the notification is a visual indicator which provides an indication of which zone of the plurality of zones has a fluid pressure below the threshold value. 
     
     
         53 . The patient support of  claim 44 , wherein the at least one inflatable cell includes a first plurality of cells which are monitored in the passive mode of operation and a second plurality of cells which are not monitored in the passive mode of operation. 
     
     
         54 . The patient support of  claim 44 , wherein the at least one inflatable cell includes a first plurality of cells which include a foam core within each of the cells. 
     
     
         55 . The patient support of  claim 54 , wherein the at least one inflatable cell provides one of an alternating therapy during the active mode of operation and a turning therapy during the active mode of operation. 
     
     
         56 . The patient support of  claim 55 , wherein the first plurality of cells provide the alternating therapy during the active mode of the operation. 
     
     
         57 . A method of operating a patient support, the method comprising the steps of:
 operating the patient support with a controller provided within an envelope of the patient support;   determining if an external controller is connected to the patient support; and   if the external controller is connected to the patient support, operating the patient support with the external controller instead of the controller.   
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the step of operating the patient support with the controller includes the steps of:
 monitoring a fluid pressure of a plurality of inflatable cells; and   providing a notification if the fluid pressure is less than a threshold pressure.   
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the step of operating the patient support with the external controller includes the step of activating a fluid supply to provide a low air loss therapy through an upper surface of the patient support. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the step of operating the patient support with the external controller includes the step of activating a fluid supply to provide a turning therapy with a plurality of inflatable cells of the patient support. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the step of operating the patient support with the external controller includes the step of activating a fluid supply to provide an alternating therapy with a plurality of inflatable cells of the patient support. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the step of determining if an external controller is connected to the patient support includes the steps of
 providing a sensor in an interface of the patient sensor, the interface coupling the external controller to a plurality of inflatable cells of the patient support; and   monitoring the sensor with the controller.   
     
     
         63 . A patient support adapted to be coupled to an external device, comprising:
 at least one component positioned within an envelope of the patient support;   a first controller operatively coupled to the at least one component;   a detection device operatively coupled to the controller and adapted to detect a presence of a second controller operable to control the external device; and   an interface provided through the envelope of the patient support, the interface being adapted to operatively couple the external device to the at least one component, wherein the first controller monitors the at least one component in an absence of a detection of the presence of the second controller.   
     
     
         64 . The patient support of  claim 63 , wherein the first controller is positioned within the envelope of the patient support. 
     
     
         65 . The patient support of  claim 64 , wherein the at least one component includes a plurality of inflatable cells, each inflatable cell including a cell wall surrounding an interior to be pressurized above an ambient pressure and at least one port to communicate fluid into the interior to be pressurized to pressurize the inflatable cell, the first controller monitoring a pressure of the plurality of inflatable cells. 
     
     
         66 . The patient support of  claim 65 , wherein the interiors of the plurality of inflatable cells are at the ambient pressure. 
     
     
         67 . The patient support of  claim 65 , wherein the interiors of the plurality of inflatable cells are pressurized above the ambient pressure. 
     
     
         68 . The patient support of  claim 65 , wherein an interior of a first cell of the plurality of cells is pressurized to a first pressure above the ambient pressure and a second cell of the plurality of cells is pressurized to a second pressure above the ambient pressure, the second pressure being greater than the first pressure. 
     
     
         69 . The patient support of  claim 63 , wherein the detection device is a sensor operatively coupled to the first controller. 
     
     
         70 . The patient support of  claim 63 , wherein the detection device is positioned at the interface, the detection device being adapted to detect a connection of the external device to the interface. 
     
     
         71 . The patient support of  claim 70 , wherein the detection device is a sensor operatively coupled to the first controller. 
     
     
         72 . The patient support of  claim 70 , wherein the interface includes an exhaust port, the exhaust port being in fluid communication with a pressure relief valve which is in fluid communication with the interior of a first inflatable cell. 
     
     
         73 . The patient support of  claim 72 , wherein when the external device is coupled to the interface, the exhaust port is plugged. 
     
     
         74 . The patient support of  claim 63 , wherein the detection device is positioned at the interface, the detection device being adapted to detect a connection of the external device to the interface, the interface including a connector interface and a communication interface. 
     
     
         75 . The patient support of  claim 74 , wherein the communications interface includes at least one input device to adapted to receive an input command for the first controller and at least one output device adapted to communicate status information regarding the patient support. 
     
     
         76 . The patient support of  claim 74 , wherein the connector interface is adapted to operatively couple the external device to the at least one component. 
     
     
         77 . The patient support of  claim 74 , the communication interface surrounds the connector interface. 
     
     
         78 . The patient support of  claim 74 , the connector interface is recessed relative to the communication interface. 
     
     
         79 . A patient support having a head end, a foot end, a right side, and a left side, comprising:
 a cover including an upper surface;   a plurality of inflatable cells positioned below the upper surface of the cover and extending in a first direction from proximate a left side of the patient support towards a right side of the patient support;   at least one inflatable side bolster positioned below the upper surface of the cover and adjacent at least one side of the patient support and generally extending in a second direction from proximate a head end of the patient support towards a foot end of the patient support; and   a controller operatively coupled to the plurality of inflatable cells and the at least one inflatable side bolster, wherein the controller provides a first non-turning therapy mode of operation and a second turning therapy mode of operation with the plurality of inflatable cells, the at least one inflatable side bolster having a first bolster height in the non-turning therapy mode of operation and a second bolster height in the turning therapy mode of operation, the second bolster height being greater than the first bolster height due to fluid being communicated to an interior of the at least one inflatable side bolster.   
     
     
         80 . The patient support of  claim 79 , wherein the at least one inflatable side bolster includes a core including an elongated resilient member. 
     
     
         81 . The patient support of  claim 80 , wherein the elongated resilient member includes at least one cavity and further comprising a member positioned in a first cavity of the at least one cavity of the elongated resilient member, the member maintains the first cavity in an open configuration when the resilient member is compressed. 
     
     
         82 . The patient support of  claim 81 , wherein the first cavity extends through the resilient member from a first side of the resilient member to a second side of the resilient member, the second side being opposite the first side. 
     
     
         83 . The patient support of  claim 81 , wherein the elongated resilient member is a foam core. 
     
     
         84 . The patient support of  claim 83 , wherein the foam core includes a first foam core and a second foam core, the first foam core includes the at least one cavity and the second foam core surrounds the first foam core. 
     
     
         85 . The patient support of  claim 84 , wherein the second foam core has a constant outer diameter. 
     
     
         86 . The patient support of  claim 85 , wherein the second foam core includes a plurality of radially inward extending recesses. 
     
     
         87 . The patient support of  claim 83 , wherein the foam core further comprises a third foam core provided between the first foam core and the second foam core, a plurality of voids being formed between the second foam core and one of the first foam core and the second foam core. 
     
     
         88 . The patient support of  claim 83 , wherein the foam core includes a central body and a plurality of protrusions extending from the central body. 
     
     
         89 . The patient support of  claim 88 , wherein the central body is cylindrical and the plurality of protrusions extend radially outward from the central body. 
     
     
         90 . A patient support for connection to an external device, comprising:
 an envelope;   at least one inflatable cell positioned within the envelope;   a component positioned within the envelope;   an interface to connect the component with the external device, the envelope having a foot end, a head end, and a first side, the interface being located in a corner portion of the envelope.   
     
     
         91 . The patient support of  claim 90 , wherein the interface is positioned through a second side intersecting the first side and one of the head end and the foot end. 
     
     
         92 . The patient support of  claim 90 , wherein the component is a fluid conduit in fluid communication with an interior of the at least one inflatable cell. 
     
     
         93 . The patient support of  claim 90 , wherein the interface includes a connector interface and a communication interface. 
     
     
         94 . The patient support of  claim 93 , wherein the communications interface includes at least one input device to adapted to receive an input command for the first controller and at least one output device adapted to communicate status information regarding the patient support. 
     
     
         95 . The patient support of  claim 93 , wherein the connector interface is adapted to operatively couple the external device to the component. 
     
     
         96 . The patient support of  claim 93 , the communication interface surrounds the connector interface. 
     
     
         97 . The patient support of  claim 93 , the connector interface is recessed relative to the communication interface. 
     
     
         98 . A patient support for connection to an external device, comprising:
 an envelope;   at least one inflatable cell positioned within the envelope;   a component positioned within the envelope;   an interface to connect the component with the external device, the envelope having a foot end, a head end, and a first side, the interface connecting the component to the external device, the interface including a connector interface and a communication interface positioned about the connector interface.   
     
     
         99 . The patient support of  claim 98 , wherein the component is a fluid conduit in fluid communication with an interior of the at least one inflatable cell. 
     
     
         100 . The patient support of  claim 98 , wherein the communications interface includes at least one input device to adapted to receive an input command for the first controller and at least one output device adapted to communicate status information regarding the patient support. 
     
     
         101 . The patient support of  claim 98 , wherein the connector interface is adapted to operatively couple the external device to the component. 
     
     
         102 . The patient support of  claim 98 , the communication interface surrounds the connector interface. 
     
     
         103 . The patient support of  claim 98 , the connector interface is recessed relative to the communication interface. 
     
     
         104 . A patient support, comprising:
 a first portion including a first fire barrier layer;   a second portion including a second fire barrier layer;   a coupler removably coupling at least a portion of the first portion and at least a portion of the second portion, when the first portion is coupled to the second portion the first portion and the second portion cooperate to define an interior space surrounded by the first fire barrier and the second fire barrier; and   at least one inflatable support member positioned within the interior space defined by the first portion and the second portion, the at least one inflatable support member includes an elongated resilient member core.   
     
     
         105 . The patient support of  claim 104 , further comprising at least one foam containing support member positioned with the interior space defined by the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         106 . The patient support of  claim 104 , wherein the elongated resilient member includes at least one cavity and further comprising a member positioned in a first cavity of the at least one cavity of the elongated resilient member, the member maintains the first cavity in an open configuration when the resilient member is compressed. 
     
     
         107 . The patient support of  claim 106 , wherein the first cavity extends through the resilient member from a first side of the resilient member to a second side of the resilient member, the second side being opposite the first side. 
     
     
         108 . The patient support of  claim 106 , wherein the elongated resilient member is a foam core. 
     
     
         109 . The patient support of  claim 108 , wherein the foam core includes a first foam core and a second foam core, the first foam core includes the at least one cavity and the second foam core surrounds the first foam core. 
     
     
         110 . The patient support of  claim 109 , wherein the second foam core has a constant outer diameter. 
     
     
         111 . The patient support of  claim 110 , wherein the second foam core includes a plurality of radially inward extending recesses. 
     
     
         112 . The patient support of  claim 108 , wherein the foam core further comprises a third foam core provided between the first foam core and the second foam core, a plurality of voids being formed between the second foam core and one of the first foam core and the second foam core. 
     
     
         113 . The patient support of  claim 108 , wherein the foam core includes a central body and a plurality of protrusions extending from the central body. 
     
     
         114 . The patient support of  claim 113 , wherein the central body is cylindrical and the plurality of protrusions extend radially outward from the central body. 
     
     
         115 . The patient support of  claim 104 , further comprising at least one turning inflatable cells. 
     
     
         116 . A patient support, comprising:
 at least one inflatable cell inflated with a fluid to a pressure above an ambient pressure;   at least one valve in fluid communication with the fluid within the at least one inflatable cell to permit fluid to egress from the at least one inflatable cell;   a muffler in fluid communication with the at least one valve, the muffler including a housing, at least one intake, an exhaust, and a sound reducing member positioned in the housing, the fluid which egresses from the at last one inflatable cell being communicated to the interior of the housing through the at least one intake and traverses the sound reducing member to reach the exhaust.   
     
     
         117 . The patient support of  claim 116 , wherein the at least one valve permits fluid to egress from the at least one inflatable cell when the pressure in the at least one inflatable cell is greater than a threshold pressure 
     
     
         118 . The patient support of  claim 116 , wherein the muffler is positioned within an envelope of the patient support. 
     
     
         119 . The patient support of  claim 116 , wherein the at least one inflatable cell includes an elongated resilient member core. 
     
     
         120 . The patient support of  claim 119 , wherein the elongated resilient member includes at least one cavity and further comprising a member positioned in a first cavity of the at least one cavity of the elongated resilient member, the member maintains the first cavity in an open configuration when the resilient member is compressed. 
     
     
         121 . A patient support for supporting a patient, the patient support having a head end, a foot end, a right side, and a left side, comprising:
 a low air loss assembly having a top surface proximate the patient;   a plurality of inflatable cells positioned below the low air loss assembly, the plurality of inflatable cells arranged to facilitate turning the patient; and   a foam support positioned below the low air loss assembly.   
     
     
         122 . The patient support of  claim 121 , further comprising a controller operatively coupled to the plurality of inflatable cells, wherein the controller includes a turning therapy mode of operation with the plurality of inflatable cells. 
     
     
         123 . The patient support of  claim 122 , further comprising at least one inflatable side bolster positioned above the plurality of inflatable cells and below the low air loss assembly. 
     
     
         124 . The patient support of  claim 123 , wherein the controller includes at least one non-turning therapy mode of operation, the at least one inflatable bolster having a first bolster height in the non-turning therapy mode of operation and a second bolster height in the turning therapy mode of operation, the second bolster height being greater than the first bolster height due to fluid being communicated to an interior of the at least one inflatable side bolster. 
     
     
         125 . A patient support apparatus, comprising:
 a patient support having an envelope, the envelope including an upper patient support surface;   a plurality of inflatable cells positioned within the envelope of the patient support;   a sensor positioned within the envelope of the patient support, the sensor monitoring a characteristic of at least one of the plurality of inflatable cells; and   an interface supported by the patient support, the interface including a connector interface and a communication interface, the connector interface including at least one connection operatively coupled to the plurality of inflatable cells and adapted to couple an external device and the communication interface providing a indication of the characteristic of the at least one inflatable cell.   
     
     
         126 . The apparatus of  claim 125 , wherein the interface is provided in a side of the patient support. 
     
     
         127 . The apparatus of  claim 125 , wherein the communication interface surrounds the connector interface. 
     
     
         128 . The apparatus of  claim 127 , wherein the connector interface is recessed relative to the communication interface. 
     
     
         129 . The apparatus of  claim 125 , wherein the plurality of inflatable cells include a first grouping grouping of inflatable cells and a second grouping of inflatable cells, the communication interface including a first representation of the first grouping of inflatable cells, a second representation of the second grouping of inflatable cells, a representation of a patient positioned on the patient support relative to the first grouping of cells and the second grouping of cells, an indication of a status of the first grouping of cells, and an indication of a status of the second grouping of cells. 
     
     
         130 . A patient support, comprising:
 a plurality of inflatable cells positioned within an envelope of the patient support;   a first sensor which provides a first indication of an interior pressure of a first inflatable cell of the plurality of inflatable cells;   a second sensor which provides a first indication of an interior pressure of a second inflatable cell of the plurality of inflatable cells; and   a controller operatively coupled to the first sensor and operatively coupled to the second sensor, the controller based on the first indication of the interior pressure of the first inflatable cell and the second indication of the interior pressure of the second inflatable cell determines if the patient has exited the patient support.   
     
     
         131 . The patient support of  claim 130 , wherein the controller compares a current pressure value associated with the first inflatable cell to at least one historical pressure value associated with the first inflatable cell and compares a current pressure value associated with the second inflatable cell to at least one historical pressure value associated with the second inflatable cell and determines that the patient has exited the patient support when the current pressure value associated with the first inflatable cell is less than the at least one historical value associated with the first inflatable cell and the current pressure value associated with the second inflatable cell is less than the at least one historical value associated with the second inflatable cell. 
     
     
         132 . The patient support of  claim 130 , further comprising a third sensor which provides a third indication of an interior pressure of a third inflatable cell of the plurality of inflatable cells and wherein the controller compares a current pressure value associated with the first inflatable cell to at least one historical pressure value associated with the first inflatable cell, compares a current pressure value associated with the second inflatable cell to at least one historical pressure value associated with the second inflatable cell, and a current pressure value associated with the third inflatable cell to at least one historical pressure value associated with the third inflatable cell and determines that the patient has exited the patient support when a threshold number of the first inflatable cell, the second inflatable cell, and the third inflatable cell have a lower current pressure value compared to the respective at least one historical value. 
     
     
         133 . The patient support of  claim 132 , wherein the threshold value is two. 
     
     
         134 . A patient support for supporting a patient, the patient support having a head end, a foot end, a right side, and a left side, comprising:
 a top patient support surface;   a plurality of elongated turning inflatable members positioned below the top patient support surface, each of the elongated turning inflatable members extending in a first direction extending from the left side of the patient support to the right side of the patient support and each of the elongated turning inflatable cells including a plurality of inflatable chambers;   a plurality of elongated inflatable members supporting the plurality of elongated turning inflatable members.   
     
     
         135 . The patient support of  claim 134 , wherein the plurality of elongated inflatable members extend along the first direction. 
     
     
         136 . The patient support of  claim 134 , wherein the plurality of elongated inflatable members extend along a second direction, the second direction being angled relative to the first direction. 
     
     
         137 . The patient support of  claim 134 , wherein each of the plurality of inflatable chambers of the elongated turning inflatable members includes at least two overlapping inflatable chambers. 
     
     
         138 . The patient support of  claim 137 , wherein each of the plurality of elongated turning inflatable members is part of an inflatable cell, the inflatable cell further including one of the plurality of elongated inflatable members. 
     
     
         139 . The patient support of  claim 134 , wherein each of the plurality of inflatable chambers of the elongated turning inflatable members includes at least two non-overlapping inflatable chambers. 
     
     
         140 . The patient support of  claim 139 , wherein each of the plurality of elongated turning inflatable members is part of an inflatable cell, the inflatable cell further including one of the plurality of elongated inflatable members. 
     
     
         141 . The patient support of  claim 134 , wherein each of the plurality of elongated turning inflatable members is part of an inflatable cell, the inflatable cell further including one of the plurality of elongated inflatable members. 
     
     
         142 . A combination, comprising:
 a patient support including a plurality of inflatable cells, each inflatable cell including a cell wall surrounding an interior to be pressurized above an ambient pressure and a core including an elongated resilient member positioned within the interior; and   a shipping container surrounding the patient support, wherein the interiors of the plurality of inflatable cells are pressurized above ambient pressure while the shipping container surrounds the patient support.   
     
     
         143 . The combination of  claim 142 , wherein an interior of a first cell of the plurality of cells is pressurized to a first pressure above the ambient pressure and a second cell of the plurality of cells is pressurized to a second pressure above the ambient pressure, the second pressure being greater than the first pressure. 
     
     
         144 . The combination of  claim 142 , wherein the plurality of inflatable cells includes a first group of inflatable cells and a second group of inflatable cells, the first group of inflatable cells having a first pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the interiors of the first group of inflatable cells and the second group of inflatable cells having a second pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the interiors of the second group of inflatable cells. 
     
     
         145 . The combination of  claim 142 , wherein the elongated resilient member includes at least one cavity and further comprising a member positioned in a first cavity of the at least one cavity of the elongated resilient member, the member maintains the first cavity in an open configuration when the resilient member is compressed. 
     
     
         146 . The combination of  claim 145 , wherein the first cavity extends through the resilient member from a first side of the resilient member to a second side of the resilient member, the second side being opposite the first side. 
     
     
         147 . The combination of  claim 142 , wherein the elongated resilient member is a foam core.