Body conforming particle bed

Abstract

A system to support a human body is disclosed which includes a case comprising, a top layer having a top surface and a bottom surface and a bottom layer having an inner top surface and an outer bottom surface, a plurality of particles filling the space between the top and bottom layers within the case, a fluid dispense system coupled to the case and adapted to move a working fluid between the plurality of particles, at least one pressure sensor coupled to the case and adapted to provide a signal corresponding to a load placed thereon, and a controller adapted to continually receive the signal from the at least one pressure sensor, actuate the fluid dispensing system for a predetermined amount of time, in response to a change in the signal from the at least one pressure sensor, and receive input from a user control panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system to support a human body, comprising:
 a case comprising, a top layer having a top surface and a bottom surface and a bottom layer having an inner top surface and an outer bottom surface;   a plurality of particles filling the space between the top and bottom layers within the case,   a fluid dispense system coupled to the case and adapted to move a working fluid between the plurality of particles,   at least one pressure sensor coupled to the case and adapted to provide a signal corresponding to a load placed thereon,   and a controller adapted to
 continually receive the signal from the at least one pressure sensor, 
 actuate the fluid dispensing system for a predetermined amount of time, in response to a change in the signal from the at least one pressure sensor, and 
 receive input from a user control panel. 
   
     
     
         2 . The plurality of particles of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of particles are selected from the group consisting of ceramic beads, glass beads, polymer beads, sand, salt, rice, beans, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The system to support a human body from  claim 1 , wherein the case material is a polymer or a fabric. 
     
     
         4 . The system to support a human body from  claim 1 , wherein the fluid dispense system comprises a pump and one or more channels in fluid communication between the pump and the plurality of particles. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid dispense system of  claim 4 , wherein the channels are adapted to recirculate the fluid in a closed system. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid dispense system of  claim 4 , wherein the channels are adapted to release the fluid in an open system. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid dispense system of  claim 4 , wherein the fluid dispense system further comprises a heat exchanger and a temperature sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes with a coolant fluid disposed therein and wherein the coolant fluid is (i) heated, or (ii) cooled. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , the controller further configured to receive temperature data from the temperature sensor and in response thereto activate the heat exchanger to (i) heat, or (ii) cool the working fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The system to support a human body of  claim 1 , further comprising an ultraviolet (UV) source coupled to the case. 
     
     
         11 . The system to support a human body of  claim 10 , the UV source is disposed in the case. 
     
     
         12 . The system to support a human body of  claim 10 , the UV source is coupled to the fluid dispense system. 
     
     
         13 . The system to support a human body of  claim 12 , the UV source is coupled to the outlet of the fluid dispense system.