Patent•
Climate controlled bed assembly
17 Jul 2009-
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose an upper portion comprising a core with a top core surface and a bottom core surface, where the core includes at least one passageway extending from the top surface to the bottom surface.
Abstract: According to certain arrangements, a climate controlled bed includes an upper portion comprising a core with a top core surface and a bottom core surface. The core includes at least one passageway extending from the top core surface to the bottom core surface. The upper portion of the bed further includes at least one fluid distribution member positioned above the core, wherein the fluid distribution member is in fluid communication with at least one passageway of the core. The fluid distribution member is configured to at least partially distribute fluid within said fluid distribution member. The upper portion of the bed further comprises at least one comfort layer positioned adjacent to the fluid distribution member. The bed also includes a lower portion configured to support the upper portion and at least one fluid module configured to selectively transfer air to or from the fluid distribution member of the upper portion. In some arrangements, the fluid module includes a fluid transfer device and a thermoelectric device for selectively thermally conditioning fluids being transferred by the fluid transfer device.
Citations
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Patent•
30 Aug 2010TL;DR: In this article, 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.
Abstract: 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 additionally includes an inlet in fluid communication with the interior chamber, at least one fluid module comprising a fluid transfer device and a conduit placing an outlet of the at least one fluid module in fluid communication with the inlet. In some arrangements, the fluid module selectively delivers fluids to the interior chamber through the conduit and the inlet. In one embodiment, fluids entering the chamber through the inlet are generally distributed within the chamber by the spacer material before exiting through the plurality of openings along the upper layer. The conditioner mat can be configured to releasably secure to a top of a bed assembly.
97 citations
Patent•
06 May 2010TL;DR: In this paper, a control module is configured to adjust at least one operational parameter of the fluid module based on, at least in part, the setting or mode selected by an occupant using the input device, and the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor.
Abstract: A climate-conditioned bed includes an upper portion having at least a first climate zone and at least one fluid module associated with such a first climate zone. The fluid module comprises a fluid transfer device for selectively moving a fluid and a thermoelectric device for selectively heating or cooling a fluid. The bed additionally includes one or more control modules configured to regulate the operation of the fluid module, at least one input device configured to allow an occupant to select a setting or mode associated with the first climate zone and at least a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature associated with the first climate zone of the thermally-conditioned bed. In some embodiments, the fluid module is operatively connected to the control module. The control module is configured to adjust at least one operational parameter of the fluid module based on, at least in part, the setting or mode selected by an occupant using the at least one input device, and the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor.
93 citations
Patent•
23 Jul 2008TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe a thermoelectric system consisting of a plurality of thermal elements, each of which has a cooling side and a heating side, with the heat exchanger being in thermal communication with at least some of the elements.
Abstract: According to some embodiments, a thermoelectric system includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements forming a thermoelectric array, the thermoelectric elements having a cooling side and a heating side. The system further includes at least one heat exchanger on at least one of the cooling side and the heating side, the heat exchanger being in thermal communication with at least some of the thermoelectric elements. In addition, the system includes a substrate generally positioned between the thermoelectric elements and the heat exchange element. The substrate comprises an electrical isolation layer, a support element configured to receive the heat exchanger and a plurality of interconnecting tabs configured to place adjacent thermoelectric elements in electrical communication with one another.
90 citations
Patent•
02 Jul 2008TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose to use a scrim layer over the spacer fabric to help direct and/or distribute air or other fluid to an exterior surface of the seating assembly, which can also be configured to receive one or more films, occupant sensory devices, comfort layers, scrims, temperature sensors, heating devices, etc.
Abstract: A seat portion or a backrest portion of seating assembly comprises a recessed area or wide groove along its exterior surface. The recessed area can be configured to receive a spacer (e.g., spacer fabric, member, module, etc.) that helps maintains the spatial and structural integrity of the recessed area. The spacer can be generally air and fluid permeable. In addition, a scrim layer can be positioned over the spacer fabric to help direct and/or distribute air or other fluid to an exterior surface of the seating assembly. The recessed area can also be configured to receive one or more films, occupant sensory devices, comfort layers, scrims, temperature sensors, heating devices and/or the like. Thus, air or other fluid can be delivered into the recessed area of a seat or backrest portion of a seating assembly, and subsequently delivered through the spacer fabric and scrim layer towards or away from an occupant. In some embodiments, the air or fluid is conditioned (e.g., heated or cooled) prior to entering the recessed area.
86 citations
Patent•
31 May 2011TL;DR: In this article, a distribution system is adapted for use with a mattress and a personal comfort system with an air conditioning system operable for outputting a conditioned air flow, which has a cooling or heating effect on a body on the mattress.
Abstract: A distribution system is adapted for use with a mattress and a personal comfort system with an air conditioning system operable for outputting a conditioned air flow. The distribution system includes at least top and bottom layers of fabric material and a spacer structure disposed between the bottom and top layers. The spacer structure defines an internal volume within the distribution layer and is configured to enable the received conditioned air flow to flow therethrough. This flow of conditioned air has a cooling or heating effect on a body on the mattress. A system and method for controlling ventilation in a bed (mattress) includes an user-controlled air conditioning control system for generating and supplying a conditioned air flow to a distribution layer/system located on or near the mattress. The distribution layer/system includes a spacer structure surrounded by fabric material(s) and configured to receive the conditioned air flow and provide a cooling or heating effect to a body adjacent the mattress.
79 citations
References
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Patent•
10 Nov 1998
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe a seat apparatus consisting of a seat cushion, a seat back associated with the seat cushion and an air vent extending from the bottom side of the cushion towards the sitting side.
Abstract: A seat apparatus includes a seat cushion, a seat back associated with the seat cushion, an air vent extending from the bottom side of the cushion towards the sitting side of the cushion, and an air producing device which blows air, preferably temperature controlled air, to the air vent and to a groove facing the sitting side of the cushion The seat apparatus is thus able to distribute air, preferably temperature controlled air, to the seated individual
128 citations
Patent•
10 Jul 1997
Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing asphyxiation of an infant due to breathing of exhaled carbon dioxide. A mattress with optional mattress pad provides an even air flow that removes exhaled carbon dioxide that accumulates at or near the surface of the mattress or mattress pad. The infant may be located anywhere on the surface of the mattress or mattress pad as the even air flow disperses carbon dioxide across the entire surface. In a preferred embodiment, the even air flow is accomplished by forcing air into a cavity, or plenum chamber, in the body of the mattress which air distributes equally to air flow holes on the top surfaces of the mattress and mattress pad. Optional temperature regulating or medicine dispensing devices respectively heat or cool the air flow, or introduce medicine into the air flow. In another embodiment, the mattress is itself a mattress pad. That is, the mattress pad provides an even air flow as described and may be placed on the sleeping surface of a conventional mattress.
128 citations
Patent•
19 Apr 2003
TL;DR: In this paper, a heating mattress or pad for warming a patient during a hospital procedure can include a heating element positioned between a first foam portion and a second foam portion, at least partially enclosed in a fluid-resistant cover.
Abstract: Personal warming systems and apparatuses for use in hospitals and other settings. In one embodiment, a heating mattress or pad for warming a patient during a hospital procedure can include a heating element positioned between a first foam portion and a second foam portion. The heating element and the foam portions can be at least partially enclosed in a fluid-resistant cover. The heating element can be operably connected to a control unit that allows an operator to select between a plurality of temperature options for the heating pad. In another embodiment, the heating pad can include one or more radiolucent, or at least generally radiolucent, features that will not appreciably obscure x-ray images taken of a patient positioned on the heating pad. In one aspect of this embodiment, the radiolucent features can include one or more of a carbon-based heating element, an optical temperature sensing device, and/or a thermally responsive state-changing device.
126 citations
Patent•
01 Apr 1992
TL;DR: A disposable patient heating or cooling blanket having three layers of flexible sheeting two of which form an air chamber, the third layer is a comfortable layer for contact with the patient and which, having a greater friction characteristic, aids in keeping the blanket in place on the patient as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: A disposable patient heating or cooling blanket having three layers of flexible sheeting two of which form an air chamber, the third of which is a comfortable layer for contact with the patient and which, having a greater friction characteristic, aids in keeping the blanket in place on the patient. The patient is bathed in conditioned air through a multiplicity of orifices in the bottom layers of the blanket and the size and location of the orifices are such that sufficient pressure exists within the blanket to prevent crimping blockage and to insure a uniform flow of air through the orifices throughout the blanket area. Conditioned air is introduced horizontally through an external nozzle which is inserted into a low cost foldable fitting plate bonded to the blanket which permits the blanket to be concisely folded and packaged.
123 citations
Patent•
28 Dec 2001
TL;DR: In this paper, an open cell foam pad is wetted, and a blower circulates air through the air flow passage and evaporatively cools the pad by removing warm water vapor.
Abstract: Cooling pads, mattresses, and limb-conforming sleeves reduce a person's temperature by evaporative and/or conductive cooling. An open cell foam pad defines an internal air flow passages proceeding according to serpentine or other desired routing. The pad is wetted, and a blower circulates air through the air flow passage and evaporatively cools the pad by removing warm water vapor. By contacting the cooled structure, the person is conductively cooled. The pad also employs evaporative cooling if water is permitted to seep from the foam pad onto the person's skin and subsequently evaporate. Another cooling device is a multi-layer evaporative cooling mattress. The mattress comprises an open cell foam structure having a person-receiving side and a base side. At the person-receiving side lies an absorbent layer with internal liquid delivery lines, and optionally having an outer film applied thereto. Beneath the absorbent layer is an air manifold comprising air flow passages defined in a cushion layer, or an open mesh layer interposed between the absorbent layer and cushion layer. Another cooling device is a thermal cooling sleeve, with a series of multiple elongated, parallel ridges. Pairs of adjacent ridges are separated by intervening channels, and each ridge has a lateral liquid passage through it. When the first and last ridges are brought around to meet each other, the ridges form a contiguous sleeve. Within the sleeve's body, the passages cooperatively define a continuous conduit proceeding from ridge to ridge inside the sleeve.
120 citations