Vibrating patient support apparatus with a spring loaded percussion device

Abstract

A vibrating patient support apparatus has a spring loaded percussion device preferably for treatment of pulmonary problems of a patient. Preferably, the percussion device is part of a bed mattress and is located beneath an upper cushioning member of the mattress for patient comfort. The percussion device preferably has a resilient pad in contact with the cushioning member, a rigid member disposed below the pad, a plurality of springs engaged between the pad and rigid member, a cam in biased contact with the rigid member by the springs and an electric motor for rotating the cam.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 677,732, filed May 4, 2005, the advantages and disclosure of this application is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to a patient support apparatus and more particularly to a spring loaded percussion device of a vibrating patient support apparatus. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Patient support systems are well known in the art for providing therapy to a patient. A typical patient support apparatus comprises a mattress having a plurality of air bladders for supporting the patient against the bias of gravitational forces, a percussion device that alternates inflation and deflation of air bladders to provide percussion and vibration therapy to the patient, and a rotation device, usually positioned beneath the mattress, to rotate the patient from side to side. Percussion, vibration, an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] Objects, features and advantages of the present invention include a patient support apparatus that has a relatively lightweight and manageable mattress having numerous devices for therapeutic treatment including an electrically operated percussion device capable of tightly controlled vibration frequencies and amplitudes. Other advantages of the apparatus include a relatively simple and robust design that is inexpensive to manufacture, reduces wear and warranty costs and reduces energy consumption.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, in some applications air controlled percussion devices with inflating / deflating bladders is not practical because of manufacturing cost or the absence of pressurized air.

This control can be difficult to design into bladder devices utilizing air pressure transients alone.

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