초록

An apparatus for regulating a temperature of a body support structure including at least one bladder. A temperature modulator is coupled to the at least one bladder for varying the temperature of fluid within the bladder.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for regulating a temperature of a body support structure comprising:a plurality of air bladders defining a plurality of control zones, each of the plurality of air bladders having, an air inlet and an air outlet; a plurality of temperature sensors, wherein at least one temperature se

1. An apparatus for regulating a temperature of a body support structure comprising:a plurality of air bladders defining a plurality of control zones, each of the plurality of air bladders having, an air inlet and an air outlet; a plurality of temperature sensors, wherein at least one temperature sensor is coupled to each of the plurality of control zones to detect a temperature of air passing through the control zones and provide an output signal indicative thereof, a circulator coupled to the air bladders and configured to move air from the air outlets to the air inlets; a temperature modulator coupled to the air bladders and configured to alter the temperature of air moved by the circulator, and a controller coupled to the circulator, the temperature modulator and the temperature sensors to control the temperature in each of the plurality of control zones based on the output signals from the temperature sensors. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the temperature modulator is coupled between the air outlet and the air inlet of the air bladders so that the temperature modulator controls the temperature of air supplied to the air bladders from the circulator.3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the temperature modulator is a heat exchanger.4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the temperature modulator is a heating element.5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the temperature modulator is a cooling element.6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air circulator is a compressor.7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air circulator is a blower.8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air circulator is adapted to be connected to a facility air system.9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air bladders have an outer surface and the sensor is coupled to the outer surface of the air bladder.10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air bladders have an interior region and the sensors are located in the interior region of the air bladder.11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air bladders include a low air loss material.12. An apparatus for regulating a temperature of a body support structure comprising:an air bladder having an air inlet and an air outlet; a temperature sensor coupled to the air bladder to detect a temperature of air passing through the air bladder and provide an output signal indicative thereof, a circulator coupled to the air bladder and configured to move air from the air outlet to the air inlet; a temperature modulator coupled to the air bladder and configured to alter the temperature of air moved by the circulator; a controller coupled to the circulator, the temperature modulator and the temperature sensor to control the temperature of the air bladder based on the output signal from the temperature sensor; a first manifold positioned longitudinally along a first side of the air bladder; and a second manifold positioned longitudinally along a second side of the air bladder, the first and second manifolds being coupled to the air bladder. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first manifold and second manifold are positioned transverse to the air bladder.14. An apparatus for regulating a temperature of a body support structure comprising:an air bladder having an air inlet and an air outlet; a temperature sensor coupled to the air bladder to detect a temperature of air passing through the air bladder and provide an output signal indicative thereof, a circulator coupled to the air bladder and configured to move air from the air outlet to the air inlet; a temperature modulator coupled to the air bladder and configured to alter the temperature of air moved by the circulator; a controller coupled to the circulator, the temperature modulator and the temperature sensor to control the temperature of the air bladder based on the output signal from the temperature sensor; a base positioned below the air bladder, and wherein the base includes a plurality of base sections, each having a different indention load deflection rating. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the base further includes a seat zone and a head zone, the seat zone having a higher indention load deflection rating than the head zone.16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the base further includes a foot zone having a lower indention load deflection rating than the seat zone.17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the base further includes a knee zone, the knee zone having the same indention load deflection ratings as the head zone.18. An apparatus for regulating a temperature of a body support structure comprising:an air bladder having an air inlet and an air outlet; a temperature sensor coupled to the air bladder to detect a temperature of air passing through the air bladder and provide an output signal indicative thereof, a circulator coupled to the air bladder and configured to move air from the air outlet to the air inlet; a temperature modulator coupled to the air bladder and configured to alter the temperature of air moved by the circulator; a controller coupled to the circulator, the temperature modulator and the temperature sensor to control the temperature of the air bladder based on the output signal from the temperature sensor; a base positioned below the air bladder, and wherein the base includes a plurality of base sections, each comprising a polyurethane foam. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the polyurethane foam is omalized.20. An apparatus for regulating a temperature of a body support structure comprising:an air bladder having an air inlet and an air outlet; a temperature sensor coupled to the air bladder to detect a temperature of air passing through the air bladder and provide an output signal indicative thereof, a circulator coupled to the air bladder and configured to move air from the air outlet to the air inlet; a temperature modulator coupled to the air bladder and configured to alter the temperature of air moved by the circulator; a controller coupled to the circulator, the temperature modulator and the temperature sensor to control the temperature of the air bladder based on the output signal from the temperature sensor; and a heat reflective covering adapted to be positioned over the body support structure. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the covering comprises air-permeable material.22. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of a body support structure, the apparatus comprising:a first bladder coupled to a fluid supply; a second bladder coupled to a fluid supply; at least one temperature modulator coupled to the first and second bladders, the at least one temperature modulator including a heating element and a cooling element; and a controller coupled to the at least one temperature modulator to control a temperature of the fluid supply in the first and second bladders independently. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the at least one temperature modulator includes first and second temperature modulators coupled to the first and second bladders, respectively.24. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising first and second temperature sensors coupled to the first and second bladders, respectively, to detect first and second temperatures within the first and second bladders independently, the first and second temperature sensors being coupled to the controller to permit the controller to maintain temperatures within the first and second bladders at preselected temperatures.25. An apparatus for regulating a temperature of a body support structure, the apparatus comprising:a plurality of support zones, each support zone being coupled to a fluid supply and configured to be inflated by the fluid supply for supporting a user; a plurality of temperature modulators, each temperature modulator being coupled to one of the support zones; and a controller coupled to the plurality of temperature modulators to maintain a temperature in each of the plurality of support zones at an independent, preselected temperature. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a plurality of temperature sensors coupled between the fluid supply and the plurality of support zones to detect a temperature of the fluid supplied to the plurality of support zones.27. An apparatus for regulating a temperature of a body support structure, the apparatus comprising:a plurality of support zones, each support zone being coupled to a fluid supply and configured to be inflated by the fluid supply for supporting a user; a plurality of temperature modulators, each temperature modulator being coupled to one of the support zones; a controller coupled to the plurality of temperature modulators to maintain a temperature in each of plurality of support zones at an independent, preselected temperature; and wherein the fluid supply is an air supply. 28. A system for regulating the temperature and pressure of a body support structure, the support structure including a plurality of air bladder zones, the system comprising:an air bladder inflation system including an air supply and a plurality of pressure sensors, each pressure sensor being configured to detect a pressure in an associated air bladder zone, a closed temperature regulation system including a temperature modulator coupled to each of the plurality of air bladder zones and a plurality of temperature sensors, each temperature sensor being configured to detect a temperature of air in an associated air bladder zone, each temperature modulator positioned intermediate an air outlet of the associated air bladder and an air inlet of the associated air bladder; and a controller coupled to both the air bladder inflation system and the temperature regulation system to regulate both the pressure and temperature of air in the plurality of air bladder zones. 29. The system of claim 28, wherein the controller regulates the pressure and temperature of air in each of the plurality of air bladder zones separately from the other air bladder zones.30. An system for regulating a temperature of a body support structure, the system comprising:a low air loss air bladder having an air inlet, an air outlet, and an upper support surface formed to include a plurality of holes, a temperature sensor coupled to the air bladder to detect a temperature of air passing through the air bladder, a blower coupled to the air bladder and configured to move air from the air outlet to the air inlet, an air temperature modulator coupled to the blower and configured to alter the temperature of air moved by the blower, and a controller coupled to the temperature modulator and the temperature sensor to maintain a temperature of air provided to the air bladder at a preselected temperature based on an output from the temperature sensor. 31. The system of claim 30, further comprising a blanket positioned above the body and the support structure to maintain the preselected temperature.32. The system of claim 30, wherein the air bladder has a lower support surface and an anti-skid pad coupled to the lower support surface.