Europiisches Patentamt
`
`a)
`
`EWOPGBH Patent Office
`
`Office européen des brevets
`
`® Publication number:
`
`0 1 68 21 3
`
`A2
`
`®
`
`EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
`
`@ Application number: 853047483
`
`@ Date offiling: 03.07.35
`
`@ Int. CL‘: A 61 G 7/04
`A 47 C 27/10
`
`(39 Priority: 10.07.04 cs 3417511
`
`
`
`@ Applicant: TALLEY MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LTD.
`47 Theobald Street
`Borehamwood Herb. W06 4RT(GB)
`
`® Inventor: Evans,RonsldJames Peter
`11 FlorldsClose
`Bushey Heath HertfordshireiGB)
`
`@ Representative: Sommervllle,John Henry at al.
`SOMMERVlLLE ll RUSHTON 11 Holywsll Hill
`St. Albans Hertfordshirs. AU 1llGB)
`
`
`
`-
`
`@ Date of publication of application:
`15.01.86 Bulletin 86/3
`
`Designated Contracting States:
`ATBECHDEFRGBITLILUNLSE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`@ Control systems for air pads «mattresses.
`
`® The operation of an air pad or mattress of the kind
`having one or more sets of air cells (AB) that are selectively
`inflatable and defletable to change from time to time areas of
`the pad or mattress providing support to a person’s body is
`controlled by a system (10,11,12) including an air pump (14),
`a series of valves (18 to 21) operable by a control unit (30) to
`inflate and deflate selectively the cells, and a pressure sensor
`(25) for sensing sir pressures within the cells, information
`derived therefrom dependent on body weight and weight
`distribution being used by the control unit to determine
`operating air pressure values to which selected ones of the
`cels or sets of cells are to be inflated.
`
`Thus the system serves to adius’t automatically air
`pressure within the cells according to current individual
`requirements.
`Sets of cells may be inflated alternately. Where the pad
`or mattress is provided with a single set of cells. the cells
`may be inflated sequentially, either in groups or individually.
`
`EP0168213A2
`
`Croydon Printing Company Ltd.
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 1
`
`./...
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 1
`
`
`
`a)
`
`EWOPGBH Patent Office
`
`Office européen des brevets
`
`® Publication number:
`
`0 1 68 21 3
`
`A2
`
`®
`
`EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
`
`@ Application number: 853047483
`
`@ Date offiling: 03.07.35
`
`@ Int. CL‘: A 61 G 7/04
`A 47 C 27/10
`
`(39 Priority: 10.07.04 cs 3417511
`
`
`
`@ Applicant: TALLEY MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LTD.
`47 Theobald Street
`Borehamwood Herb. W06 4RT(GB)
`
`® Inventor: Evans,RonsldJames Peter
`11 FlorldsClose
`Bushey Heath HertfordshireiGB)
`
`@ Representative: Sommervllle,John Henry at al.
`SOMMERVlLLE ll RUSHTON 11 Holywsll Hill
`St. Albans Hertfordshirs. AU 1llGB)
`
`
`
`-
`
`@ Date of publication of application:
`15.01.86 Bulletin 86/3
`
`Designated Contracting States:
`ATBECHDEFRGBITLILUNLSE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`@ Control systems for air pads «mattresses.
`
`® The operation of an air pad or mattress of the kind
`having one or more sets of air cells (AB) that are selectively
`inflatable and defletable to change from time to time areas of
`the pad or mattress providing support to a person’s body is
`controlled by a system (10,11,12) including an air pump (14),
`a series of valves (18 to 21) operable by a control unit (30) to
`inflate and deflate selectively the cells, and a pressure sensor
`(25) for sensing sir pressures within the cells, information
`derived therefrom dependent on body weight and weight
`distribution being used by the control unit to determine
`operating air pressure values to which selected ones of the
`cels or sets of cells are to be inflated.
`
`Thus the system serves to adius’t automatically air
`pressure within the cells according to current individual
`requirements.
`Sets of cells may be inflated alternately. Where the pad
`or mattress is provided with a single set of cells. the cells
`may be inflated sequentially, either in groups or individually.
`
`EP0168213A2
`
`Croydon Printing Company Ltd.
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 1
`
`./...
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 1
`
`
`
`
`
`I—'
`
`
`J
`
`7
`
`.————-.———._——..——— >‘
`
`'_‘
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 2
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 2
`
`
`
`O1 6821 3
`
`CONTROL sgsggnfim AIR PAQ§;[EE§§§§§
`
`This invention relates to control systems for air pads
`
`or mattresses and their methods of operation.
`
`The
`
`invention is concerned particularly with control
`
`systems
`
`for air
`
`pads
`
`or mattresses
`
`of
`
`the
`
`alternating
`
`pressure kind manufactured by Applicants under the Registered
`
`Trade mark "Ripple", especially, but not exclusively, for bed
`
`or
`
`chair-bound patients,
`
`as
`
`used
`
`for
`
`example
`
`for
`
`the
`
`prevention of pressure sores and other conditions resulting
`
`from restricted circulation when the patient
`
`is capable of
`
`only limited movement.
`
`One
`
`such
`
`kind of pad or mattress
`
`comprises essentially a number of sets of collapsible air
`
`cells which together provide a surface for supporting the
`
`patient,
`
`the arrangement being such that
`
`from time to time
`
`some of
`
`the cells are inflated and others are deflated, with
`
`the result that
`
`the patient
`
`is supported by pressure exerted
`
`at different areas of the body at different times, and no one
`
`area of the body remains permanently under pressure.
`
`In
`
`one
`
`known constructional
`
`form,
`
`for
`
`example
`
`as
`
`described in the Applicants' British Patent Specification No.
`
`'1286197,
`
`the pad or mattress has two sets of cells comprising
`
`generally
`cylindrical
`flexible plastics
`tubes
`extending
`transversely of
`the pad or mattress withfla'lternate tubes
`
`connected
`
`together
`
`and constituting a\ respective set of
`
`cells.
`
`Each set of alternate tubes are inter-connected at
`
`their one
`
`end
`
`through a
`
`respective header
`
`tube extending
`
`lengthwise of
`
`the pad or mattress,
`
`the header tubes for the
`
`respective set of cells being disposed along opposite sides
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 3
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 3
`
`
`
`0168213
`
`of
`
`the pad or mattress. Air
`
`is supplied to and exhausted
`
`from each
`
`header
`
`tube
`
`by means
`
`of
`
`a
`
`pump
`
`and
`
`valve
`
`arrangement
`
`in such a manner
`
`that
`
`one
`
`set
`
`of cells is
`
`inflated whilst
`
`the other is deflated and vice-versa.
`
`This
`
`inflation and deflation of each set of cells alternates in a
`
`cyclical
`
`fashion so
`
`that
`
`the portions of
`
`the pad or
`
`mattress providing support
`
`to the patient are constantly
`
`alternating.
`
`At any given time therefore,
`
`the patient
`
`is
`
`supported by the inflated tubes of one set of cells whereas
`
`the parts of
`
`the patient's body overlying the deflated and
`
`collapsed tubes of
`
`the other set of cells are not subjected
`
`to any significant pressure. Before the pressure of the one
`
`set of cells acting on those parts of the patient's body sup-
`
`ported thereby can
`
`cause
`
`any
`
`harm as
`
`a
`
`result of,
`
`for
`
`example,
`
`the constriction of capillaries in the skin at those
`
`parts,
`
`the
`
`one
`
`set of cells
`
`is deflated and the other
`
`inflated so as
`
`to transfer support of
`
`the patient
`
`to other
`
`parts of the body.
`
`In another known constructional
`
`form of
`
`this kind of
`
`pad or mattress,
`
`two sheets of plastic material are secured,
`
`for
`
`example welded,
`
`at
`
`selected areas, so
`
`as
`
`to define
`
`therebetween two sets of cells, each set comprising a number
`of
`transversely extending arrays of
`interconnected diamond—
`
`shape segments with one array of each set being connected
`
`with the 'next array of
`
`that set by a U-shape tube defined
`
`between the two sheets at a respective edge of
`
`the pad or
`
`mattress.
`
`The two sets of cells are, as with the previous
`
`arrangement,
`
`interdigitated such that
`
`an array of one set
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 4
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 4
`
`
`
`-t.
`
`0168213
`
`lies
`
`adjacent
`
`to
`
`an
`
`array of
`
`the other
`
`set with
`
`the
`
`respective diamond-shape
`
`segments of each adjacent pair of
`
`arrays intermeshing with one another.
`
`As before, a pump and
`
`valve arrangement repetitively inflates and deflates alterna—
`
`tively the two
`
`sets of cells, and may be arranged to pump
`
`air
`
`into one set of cells whilst venting the other set
`
`to
`
`atmosphere or, alternatively,
`
`to transfer air from one set of
`
`cells to the other.
`
`The invention is applicable also to mattresses or pads
`
`of
`
`the so—called sequentially-operated kind,
`
`for example as
`
`described in British Patent Specification No. 1499938.
`
`Such
`
`a pad or mattress comprises an assembly of
`
`'flexible-walled
`
`cells disposed side by side so as
`
`to be contactable by an
`
`area of
`
`the
`
`body
`
`for
`
`supporting the
`
`body,
`
`and a valve
`
`arrangement
`
`for ensuring in a
`
`:first group of
`
`the cells a
`
`fluid pressure greater than atmospheric and in one or more
`
`second cells a lesser fluid pressure,
`
`the cells constituting
`
`the first group and the second cell or cells being changed
`
`periodically,
`
`and the ratio of
`
`the number of cells of
`
`the
`
`first group to the number of the second cell or cells being
`
`always greater than unity.
`
`; By way of example,
`
`the mattress or pad may have a
`
`plurality of elongated cells arranged parallel in a row, only
`
`a
`
`single one of
`
`such cells, or an' adjacent group, or
`
`a
`
`dispersed group,
`
`being made
`
`non—supporting at
`
`any given
`
`moment.
`
`For
`
`instance,
`
`the cells may all be connected to a
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 5
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 5
`
`
`
`-4-
`
`0168213
`
`source of pressure air by a cyclical valve which allows each
`
`cell
`
`to become deflated in turn whilst keeping the others
`
`inflated,
`
`the deflated cell
`
`"moving"
`
`sequentially or non-
`
`sequentially in the row, e.g.
`
`from head to foot or from side
`
`to side of a support bed or the like. Again,
`
`the selection
`
`of cells for deflation may be entirely at random, i.e.
`
`in an
`
`irregular pattern.
`
`It has been customary with all such kinds of air pads
`
`or mattresses to provide a pressure regulator in association
`
`with the pump and valve arrangement whereby the air pressure
`
`supplied to the set of cells can be appropriately adjusted to
`
`meet
`
`the
`
`individual
`
`requirements,
`
`for
`
`example
`
`size
`
`and
`
`weight, of
`
`the patient concerned.
`
`In this way, it is pos—
`
`sible to adjust the pressure of air in the pad or mattress so
`that optimum comfort of the patient is approached without
`the
`
`pad
`
`or mattress
`
`feeling unduly hard for
`
`example.
`
`The
`
`adjustment of air pressure would normally be
`
`the respon-
`
`siblity of a nurse using guideline settings provided by the
`
`mattress manufacturers
`
`in conjunction with medical advice.
`
`The dependency on a nurse in this respect
`
`is
`
`not_ always
`
`satisfactory.
`
`1 It is also intended with this kind of pad or mattress
`
`that
`
`the pressure be adjusted also to take account of any
`
`changes
`
`in the patient's bodily position.
`
`Although the
`
`pressure adjustment may be set initially at a value providing
`
`satisfactory’ comfort
`
`for the patient
`
`iJI
`
`a supine position,
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 6
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 6
`
`
`
`01 68213
`
`the patient may subsequently change position by sitting up or
`
`rolling onto one side.
`
`In these circumstances it will be
`
`appreciated that
`
`the effective body supporting areas are
`
`altered with the patient's body weight being concentrated
`
`through less body surface area.
`
`The resulting increase in
`
`body pressure on smaller areas of
`
`the pad or mattress may be
`
`such as to force air from those areas of
`
`the pad or mattress
`
`intended
`
`to
`
`support
`
`the
`
`body with the
`
`result
`
`that
`
`the
`
`patient's body may then actually be supported by the surface,
`
`for example a bed, on which the pad or mattress is disposed.
`
`Obviously this negates the advantage of using an air pad or
`
`mattress
`
`The problem could be obviated by suitably increasing
`
`the pressure of
`
`the pad or mattress to accommodate accord-
`
`ingly the change in patient weight distribution.
`
`It is not
`
`always pmssible, or convenient,
`
`for
`
`a nurse to monitor a
`
`patient regularly and effect any necessary pressure adjust-
`
`ment.
`
`In the intervening time before such adjustment can be
`
`made, harm may be caused to the patient. Also,
`
`it is not
`
`easy for a nurse to assess the amount of pressure adjustment
`necessary in view of
`the individual size and weight charact-
`
`eristics of patients so that
`
`any adjustment which may be
`
`effected might not prove adequate.
`
`It is an object of
`
`the present invention to provide a
`
`method
`mattress
`
`and
`of
`
`control
`system for operating an air
`pad or
`the
`aforementioned kind which
`is capable of
`
`adjusting automatically the pressure of air supplied to the
`
`pad or mattress
`
`in accordance with the individual size,
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 7
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 7
`
`
`
`0168213
`
`weight and bodily position of the patient.
`
`According to one aspect of the present
`
`invention there
`
`is provided a method of controlling operation of an air pad
`
`or mattress of
`
`the kind having one or more sets of air cells
`
`which,
`
`in use, are
`
`selectively inflatable and deflatable so
`
`as
`
`to change from time to time the portions of
`
`the pad or
`
`mattress providing support to a body thereon,
`
`the one or more
`
`sets of cells being connected to a source of pressurised air
`
`through valve means operable by control means to inflate and
`
`deflate
`
`selectively the cells,
`
`comprising
`
`the
`
`steps
`
`of
`
`sensing by pressure sensing means connected with the control
`
`means operational air pressure characteristics of
`
`the cells
`
`and deriving information dependent upon a body's weight and
`
`disposition acting on the cells, selecting an operating air
`pressure
`value
`in
`accordance
`therewith,
`and
`thereafter
`
`controlling the valve means so as to inflate selected ones of
`
`the cells or sets of cells of
`
`the pad or mattress to around
`
`the selected operating air pressure value.
`
`In the
`
`case where
`
`a
`
`number of
`
`sets
`
`of cells is
`
`provided, said sets are preferably inflated alternately.
`
`On
`
`the other hand, where a single set of cells is provided,
`
`the
`
`cells
`of
`that
`set may
`individually or in groups.
`
`be
`
`inflated sequentially, either
`
`Thus,
`
`the method serves to adjust automatically the
`
`value of the air pressure within the cells of the one or more
`
`sets of cells of
`
`the pad or mattress
`
`in accordance with
`
`individual patient body weight and posture requirements and
`
`eliminates
`
`the difficulties
`
`associated with
`
`arrangements
`
`known
`
`heretofore where pressure
`
`adjustment
`
`is
`
`effected
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 8
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 8
`
`
`
`O1 6821 3
`
`manually.
`
`In the case of
`
`a pad or mattress having two sets of
`
`cells,
`
`each
`
`selectively inflatable
`
`and deflatable,
`
`the
`
`selected air pressure value may be
`
`selected by the control
`
`means, which may comprise a microprocessor operable under the
`
`control of
`
`a stored program, by inflating the sets of cells
`
`to a_ predetermined air' pressure value, venting one set of
`
`cells until a preselected sensing pressure value is reached,
`
`venting the other set of cells until the air pressure in the
`
`one set of cells begins to rise as a result of body weight
`
`acting thereon, measuring the air pressure in the other set
`
`of cells at this point, performing a first calculation within
`
`the control means using this measurement
`
`to derive a first
`
`pressure value,
`
`inflating the one set of cells and deflating
`
`the other until they reach said first pressure value and said
`
`sensing pressure value respectively,
`
`inflating the one set of
`
`cells until
`
`the pressure in the other set of cells begins to
`
`decrease, measuring the pressure in the one set of cells at
`
`this point,
`
`performing
`
`a
`
`second
`
`calculation using
`
`this
`
`second, measured pressure value within the one set of cells
`
`and
`
`the said first pressure value to derive the selected
`
`operating air pressure value.
`
`Following derivation of
`
`the selected operating air
`
`pressure value,
`
`the control means may operate the valve means
`
`so as to inflate and deflate alternately the sets of cells to
`
`around respectively the selected operating air pressure value
`
`and a lower air pressure value, which may be the preselected
`
`sensing pressure value.
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 9
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 9
`
`
`
`‘8'
`
`0168213
`
`The step of deriving a selected operating air pressure
`
`value
`
`is preferably repeated by the control means after a
`
`period of
`
`time, and advantageously at
`
`intervals, for example
`
`following
`
`a
`
`predetermined
`
`number
`
`of
`
`inflation/deflation
`
`cycles of
`
`the sets of cells.
`
`In this way, any change or
`
`changes
`
`in bodily position of
`
`the patient on the pad or
`
`mattress, and thus weight distribution, which may occur from
`
`time to time are catered for automatically by the system with
`
`a fresh selected operating air pressure value being suitably
`
`derived to meet requirements existing at the time or times of
`
`derivation.
`
`According to another aspect of
`
`the present
`
`invention,
`
`there is provided a control system for an air pad or mattress
`
`of
`
`the kind having one or more
`
`sets of air cells which in
`
`use are
`
`selectively inflatable and deflatable so
`
`as
`
`to
`
`change from time to time the portions of the pad or mattress
`
`supporting a body thereon, comprising a pump for delivering
`
`pressurised air, valve means operable through control means
`
`to control selectively the feeding of pressurised air from
`
`the pump to the cells and the exhausting of air therefrom in
`
`order
`
`to
`
`inflate and deflate
`
`respectively the
`
`cells,
`
`pressure sensing means connected with the control means for
`
`sensing
`
`air pressures within the
`
`cells,
`
`the control means
`
`being arranged to sense operational air pressure characteris‘
`
`tics of
`
`the
`
`cells and derive information dependent upon a
`
`body's weight and disposition acting on the cells,
`
`and to
`
`select
`
`an
`
`operating
`
`air
`
`pressure
`
`value
`
`in
`
`accordance
`
`therewith, and thereafter to control the valve means in order
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 10
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 10
`
`
`
`-9-
`
`0168213
`
`to inflate selected ones of
`
`the cells or
`
`sets of cells to
`
`around the selected air pressure value.
`
`A
`
`control
`
`system and
`
`its method of operation in
`
`accordance with the present
`
`invention will now be described,
`
`by way
`
`of
`
`example, with
`
`reference
`
`to
`
`the
`
`accompanying
`
`drawings in which:—
`
`Figure l
`
`is a block schematic diagram of
`
`the control
`
`system; and
`
`Figures 2 and 3 are simplified consecutive flow charts
`
`illustrating the operation of the control system.
`
`As already mentioned,
`
`the control system is intended
`
`for use with supportive air pads or mattresses of
`
`the kind
`
`having,
`
`for example,
`
`two sets of
`
`interlaced air cells which
`
`are inflated and deflated sequentially such that the two sets
`
`of cells
`
`are alternately used to provide support
`
`for
`
`a
`
`person's body.
`
`Such pressure pads or mattresses are already well
`
`known and as such will not be described here in great detail.
`
`Briefly though,
`
`a
`
`typical
`
`constructional
`
`form of
`
`such
`
`mattresses and pads is disclosed in British Patent Specifica-
`
`tion 1286197 and the description of
`
`this specification in
`
`this
`
`respect
`
`is
`
`incorporated herein by reference.
`
`This
`
`particular specification describes a mattress construction
`
`in which
`
`the
`
`two
`
`sets
`
`of cells comprise pluralities of
`
`interlaced cells of frusto-conical section, but
`
`it will be
`
`appreciated that
`
`the invention is equally applicable to air
`
`pads or mattresses whose cells are of a different size, shape
`
`or
`
`form,
`
`for example, of plain cylindrical
`
`form extending
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 11
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 11
`
`
`
`_N_
`
`0168213
`
`transversely of.
`
`the pad or mattress with alternate cells
`
`pneumatically connected by means of header
`
`tubes
`
`running
`
`adjacent
`
`to a
`
`respective peripheral
`
`edge,
`
`each group of
`
`interconnected cells constituting a respective set. Alterna-
`
`tively,
`
`the cells may be
`
`in the form of
`
`linear' arrays of,
`
`serially interconnected, generally diamond—shape air bags or
`
`pockets.
`
`In this case the cells may again be arranged
`
`transversely of
`
`the pad or mattress, again with alternate
`
`ones being pneumatically connected together with the diamond
`
`shape
`
`air
`
`bags
`
`or
`
`pockets
`
`of
`
`adjacent
`
`linear
`
`arrays
`
`intermeshing with one another.
`
`The pad or mattress may be formed using any convenient
`
`constructional
`
`technique.
`
`As
`
`an example,
`
`the two sets of
`
`cells may be formed separately as mouldings and held in the
`
`desired configuration either on a single flexible base sheet
`
`or sandwiched between two flexible sheets.
`
`The sets of cells
`
`may be of any convenient flexible, air—tight material, such
`
`as rubber coated canvas or plastics. As another example,
`
`the
`
`pad (n: mattress may be formed by two superimposed sheets of
`
`flexible plastic material welded together at selected regions
`
`such that
`
`the
`
`sheets define therebetween the two sets of
`
`cells,
`
`In both cases,
`
`the pad or mattress also includes any
`
`suitable connection means
`
`for connecting pneumatic tubes to
`
`the respective sets of cells.
`
`Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows schema—
`
`tically the pneumatic and electronic circuits of the control
`
`system of
`
`the invention.
`
`The circuits may conveniently be
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 12
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 12
`
`
`
`4.
`
`0168213
`
`divided into three sections,
`
`an electronic control section,
`
`referenced 10,
`
`a pneumatic control section,
`
`referenced 11,
`
`and a display section,
`
`referenced 12. The
`
`two sets of air
`
`cells of the pad or mattress are represented in the figure by
`
`the boxes A and B respectivelyo
`
`The output of an electric motor driven air pump 14 in
`
`the pneumatic circuit 11 is connected to the cell sets A and
`
`B through respective pneumatic lines 15 and 16
`
`in which a
`
`respective pair of series connected solenoid—operated valves
`
`18, 19, and 20, 21 is disposed.
`
`The solenoid operated valves
`
`18
`
`to
`
`21
`
`are
`
`selectively energisable
`
`both
`
`to
`
`supply
`
`pressurised air delivered by the pump 14 to the cell sets A
`
`and B in order to inflate the cell sets and to vent
`
`the cell
`
`sets to atmosphere in order to deflate the cell sets. Thus,
`
`considering cell
`
`set A for example,' solenoid valve 20
`
`is
`
`energised to allow pressurised air delivered by pump 14 to
`
`pass therethrough and thence to line 15 and so to cell set A.
`
`The solenoid valve 21 being de—energised is closed,
`
`thereby
`
`preventing the venting of
`
`line 15.
`
`In order to deflate cell
`
`set A,
`
`solenoid valve 20 is de—energised,
`
`thus blocking the
`
`supply of pressurised air from pump 14, and solenoid valve 21
`
`energised to vent line 15 to atmosphere,
`
`thereby causing cell
`
`set A to deflate by virtue of
`
`the cells inherent resilience
`
`and a person's body weight acting thereon.
`
`The solenoid valves 18 and 19 associated with cell set
`
`B are operated in an identical and complimentary fashion in
`
`order
`
`to inflate and deflate cell set B.
`
`During normal
`
`operation of
`
`the control system,
`
`the two pairs of valves 18
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 13
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 13
`
`
`
`"”'
`
`6163213
`
`and 19,
`
`and
`
`20
`
`and 21,
`
`are controlled in an inverse, or
`
`opposite,
`
`sense
`
`such
`
`that whilst valves
`
`20
`
`and
`
`21
`
`are
`
`operative to inflate cell set A, valves 18 and 19 function to
`
`deflate cell set B and vice—versa.
`
`It will be appreciated
`
`that with the solenoid valves being continuously cyclically
`
`operated to inflate and deflate sequentially the cell sets in
`
`this manner,
`
`the set of cells actually serving to support a
`
`person's body,
`
`and hence
`
`the areas of
`
`the body actually
`
`carrying the person's weight, are repeatedly changed.
`
`The
`
`frequency of
`
`this cyclical mode of operation, which can be
`
`varied as will be described,
`
`is selected in the case of an
`
`immobile hospital patient
`
`for example, using medical
`
`recom-
`
`mendations.
`
`Typically the transfer of
`
`the function of body
`
`support
`
`from one set of cells to the other may occur every
`
`several minutes.
`
`The pump is arranged during normal use of
`
`the pad or
`
`mattress to be driven continuously and is so designed that no
`
`harm is caused even if both valves 18 and 20 are closed.
`
`Also contained within the pneumatic section 11 is an
`
`electrically operable change over valve 24 which serves when
`
`repetitively energised and de-energised correspondingly to
`
`connect alternately the two pneumatic lines 15 and 16 to a
`
`piezo-electric pressure sensor
`
`25
`
`in order
`
`to sense sep—
`
`arately air pressure within the two cell sets A and B.
`
`The
`
`change over valve 24
`
`is connected via pneumatic lines and
`
`T—junctions to points in the lines 15 and 16 intermediate to
`valves 18 and 19 and 20 and 21 respectively and is operable
`by the electronic control section 10 to connect
`the pressure
`
`sensor
`
`25 alternately with both sets of cells at
`
`a
`
`rate
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 14
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 14
`
`
`
`’L-
`
`0168213
`
`controlled by
`
`the control
`
`section '10.
`
`In this way,
`
`the
`
`pressure sensor 25 is regularly switched between the two sets
`
`of cells to sense the pressure of air therein and provides an
`
`electrical signal
`
`to the electronic control section 10 along
`
`output
`
`line 26 which varies in accordance with those air
`
`pressures. Although in operation cell sets A and B appear to
`
`be inflated or deflated in a continuous manner, actuation of
`
`the solenoid valves to achieve inflation or deflation is in
`
`fact carried out
`
`by the electronic unit
`
`10 using pulsing
`
`techniques so that air pressure sensing by the sensor 25 may
`
`be
`
`accomplished
`
`at
`
`regular
`
`intervals
`
`determined
`
`by
`
`the
`
`pulsing rates.
`
`The electronic control section 10
`
`includes a central
`
`processing unit
`
`30, viz.
`
`a microprocessor,
`
`together with
`
`customary associated circuits such as timing and power supply
`
`circuits. Operation of
`
`the processing unit 30 is controlled
`
`by a program stored in an EPROM 31.
`
`Information from the
`
`pressure sensor 25 is fed to the unit 30, having first been
`converted to digital form by an analogue to digital convertor
`
`32, via an input/output unit 35 which also contains a random
`
`access memory (RAM). The unit 30 provides control signals in
`
`dependence upon the requirements of both the program running
`and the sensed air pressure values of the sets of cells A and
`B.
`to an
`interface unit
`36 which suitably amplifies
`and
`
`conditions the signals for use by the solenoid valves 18 to
`
`21 and change over valve 24.
`
`'Two ten segment LED bargraph displays 40 on a front
`
`panel of display section 12 are used to provide a visual
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 15
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 15
`
`
`
`"”‘
`
`0168213
`
`indication of
`
`the pressure in both sets of cells.
`
`Each of
`
`the bargraph displays is controlled by the processing unit 30
`
`via a digital shift register and an interface 33.
`
`By means
`
`of
`
`this circuit,
`
`a pulsed,
`
`serial digital data
`
`stream,
`
`generated by the processing unit 30,
`
`is converted to parallel
`
`data by three 8-bit serial to parallel shift registers.
`
`The
`
`parallel data, so generated, controls the on/off state of the
`
`individual elements of
`
`the bargraph displays 40, via the
`
`interface 33 which provides the necessary drive current for
`
`the
`
`LED elements.
`
`The
`
`LED drive current
`
`is
`
`limited by
`
`resistor arrays which are connected into the interface 33 -
`
`LED drive circuit.
`
`A four character,
`
`seven segment digital LED display
`
`also
`
`housed
`
`in
`
`the
`
`front
`
`display panel
`
`alongside
`
`the
`
`bargraphs 40 is arranged to be driven by a multiplexed output
`
`of
`
`a display driver circuit within unit
`
`35
`
`to display
`
`simultaneously on respective pairs of the four characters the
`
`values of air pressure in cell sets A and B, as measured by
`
`the pressure sensor 25,
`
`in terms of, for example mm Hg.
`
`Operation of
`
`the control system will now be described
`
`with reference also to Figures 2 and 3 which are simplified
`
`flow charts illustrating the main stages of operation of the
`
`system.
`
`It will be assumed for the purpose of the following
`
`description that
`
`the pad or mattress is being supported on a
`
`firm bed or the like with a person sitting or lying on top.
`
`Upon start—up,
`
`the central processing unit 30 imple—
`
`ments, under the control of its aSSociated program in EPROM
`
`31, an initialisation (calibration) procedure.
`
`In accordance
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 16
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 16
`
`
`
`-15-
`
`0168213
`
`with the steps of
`
`this procedure,
`
`the unit
`
`30 generates
`
`firstly control signals to operate the solenoids valves 18
`
`and 20 such that both sets of cells A and B are supplied with
`
`pressurised air delivered by the pump 14, and hence inflated,
`
`simultaneously.
`
`Inflation of
`
`the cell
`
`sets A and B
`
`is
`
`continued until such time as the pressure of air within each
`
`set,
`
`as measured by sensor
`
`25
`
`in synchronism With pulsed
`
`operation of
`
`the valve 24,
`
`reaches a predetermined maximum
`
`value (Pmax) stored in the processor's memory. This predeter-
`
`mined maximum pressure is above normal operating pressure
`
`levels,
`
`i.e. more than sufficiently high to lift and support
`
`adequately any expected body weight.
`
`Pmax is the same for
`
`each set. Typically the value of Pmax will be around 60—70mm
`
`Hg. for a small seat pad'and around 40 mm Hg
`
`Upon achieving this predetermined pressure, valves 18
`
`and 20 are de-energised to prevent further air being supplied
`
`to cell sets A and B and valve 21 energised so as to vent
`
`cell set A to atmosphere whilst cell set B is held at
`
`the
`
`predetermined pressure.
`
`The weight of
`
`the person's body
`
`acting, at
`
`this stage, on both sets of cells serves to expel
`
`air,
`
`and deflate, cell set A. During deflation of cell set
`
`A, cell
`
`set
`
`B may be
`
`I'topped—up" with air
`
`if necessary.
`
`Naturally, it is expected that there will be some increase in
`
`air pressure in cell set B as cell set A continues to deflate
`
`and cell set
`
`B begins
`
`to provide a greater proportion of
`
`support
`
`to the person's body.
`
`Cell set A is allowed to continue to deflate until a
`
`preselected “sensing pressure'
`
`level value (Psense), which is
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 17
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 17
`
`
`
`-16-
`
`0168213
`
`also stored in-the memory of unit 35 of electronic control
`
`section 10,
`
`is
`
`reached.
`
`Typically Psense will be around
`
`6—12mmHg. At this stage solenoid valve 21 is de-energised to
`
`hold cell set A at
`
`this sensing pressure level and valve 19
`
`is energised so as to vent cell set E to atmosphere.
`
`Whilst cell set B deflates,
`
`the pressure of air within
`
`cell set A is continually monitored by the unit 30 through
`
`the
`
`sensor
`
`25.
`
`If at
`
`any point during this phase
`
`the
`
`measured pressure of set E
`
`is less than that of set A,
`
`the
`
`procedure is returned to the beginning.
`
`Eventually, with
`
`continued deflation of cell set B,
`
`a state will be reached
`
`where cell set A will again come under the influence of
`
`the
`
`person's body weight as
`
`support provided by cell set B is
`
`reduced.
`
`At
`
`the instant
`
`the air pressure in cell set ’A
`
`begins to increase,
`
`indicating that both cell set A and cell
`
`set 8 are supporting the person's body,
`
`the value of the air
`
`pressure in cell set B, determined by pressure sensor 25,
`
`is
`
`read by the unit 30 and stored in the memory of unit 35 as a
`
`“Preliminary Support Pressure“ value.
`
`It will be appreciated
`
`that
`
`the point at which this happens
`
`is dependent upon the
`
`patient‘s body weight and posture and hence that
`
`the read
`
`Preliminary Support Pressure value in cell set B
`
`provides
`
`information indicative of body weight and posture for use by
`
`the processor unit 30.
`
`The processing unit,
`
`30 acting on instructions from
`
`the program in EPROM unit 31,then performs a first mathemati—
`
`cal
`
`calculation using
`
`the
`
`read
`
`pressure
`
`value
`
`in its
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 18
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 18
`
`
`
`-17...
`
`01 68213
`
`operation to derive a selected air pressure value to suit the
`
`individual's weight and posture requirements. More precisely,
`
`the unit calculates a “Half Inflation Pressure" (Phalf) which
`
`is given by Phalf 2 (Support Pressure - Psense)/2 + Psense.
`
`Thereafter,
`
`the unit 30 operates the solenoid valves 19 and
`
`20,
`
`through input/output unit 35 and interface 36,
`
`to inflate
`
`cell
`
`set
`
`A whilst
`
`continuing
`
`to
`
`vent cell
`
`set
`
`E
`
`to
`
`atmosphere. When both the air in cell set E has reached the
`
`preset sensing pressure level Psense and the air in cell set
`
`A has increased to the aforementioned selected pressure level
`
`Phalf,
`
`the processor unit 30 reverses the solenoid valves so
`
`that cell set E is held at
`
`that pressure and cell set A is
`
`supplied with inflating air
`
`from the pump.
`
`The unit
`
`30
`
`continues to hold set B and inflate set A, simultaneously
`
`monitoring the pressure in both the sets of cells. When a
`
`decrease
`
`in
`
`the pressure
`
`of
`
`set
`
`B
`
`is
`
`first detected,
`
`indicating that set A begins to take over the support of the
`
`person,
`
`that is,
`
`the degree of support of the person's weight
`
`previously afforded by set E is effectively being transferred
`
`from set
`
`B
`
`to
`
`set A,
`
`the unit
`
`30
`
`performs
`
`a
`
`second
`
`calculation using the value of
`
`the pressure in set A at this
`
`point.
`
`in order
`
`to derive
`
`a
`
`final,
`
`operating,
`
`"Support
`
`Pressure" value suited to the person's weight
`
`and posture
`
`requirements.
`
`This final Support Pressure is given by the
`
`expression Support Pressure (final)
`
`=
`
`(Preliminary Support
`
`Pressure + pressure of set A)/2.
`
`The derivation of
`
`this
`
`value
`
`marks
`
`the
`
`termination
`
`of
`
`the
`
`initialisation
`
`(calibration) routine.
`
`If the pressure of set A is found to
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 19
`
`Petitioner Tempur Sealy - Ex. 1019, p. 19
`
`
`
`~18—
`
`0168213
`
`have exceeded the Preliminary Support Pressure,
`
`then the unit
`
`30 continues with the Support Pressure (final) = Preliminary
`
`Support Pressure.
`
`Thereafter the unit 30 operates to control the supply
`
`of air
`
`to and
`
`from the
`
`sets
`
`A
`
`and
`
`B
`
`sequentially and
`
`alternately for a period of normal cyclical operation of the
`
`pad or mattress, (referred to as the I'Dumb Cycle"). Thus cell
`
`set
`
`A,
`
`is vented and cell set
`
`E
`
`inflated until
`
`the preset
`
`sensing pressure
`
`level Psense
`
`and Support Pressure level
`
`respectively are
`
`obtained and held,
`
`at which
`
`stage,
`
`or
`
`possibly after a certain time delay if desired,
`
`the processor
`
`unit again reverses operation of
`
`the valves 18 to 21 whereby
`
`cell set A is inflated to Support Pressure and cell set B
`
`deflated to Psense. This operation with the cell set A being
`
`deflated and then inflated and the cell set B being inflated
`
`and deflated to the aforementioned pressure values represents
`
`one cycle.
`
`This cycle is then repeated by the unit 30 a number of
`
`times
`
`such that
`
`the cell sets A and B of
`
`the air pad or
`
`mattress
`
`are
`
`repeatedly,
`
`and
`
`alternately,
`
`inflated and
`
`deflated, whereby
`
`the portions
`
`of
`
`the
`
`pad
`
`or mattress
`
`providing support are continually
`
`changed.
`
`The function of
`
`the
`
`initialisation procedure of
`
`the system is such as
`
`to
`
`adjust automat
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