Patent ID: 7036171
Filing Date: 2006-05-02
Classification: A47C,A61G,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A system for supplying air and controlling the flow of air into and out of a plurality of chambers of a patient-supporting low air loss air mattress, the system comprising: a controllable blower having an intake port and an exhaust port; air supply lines leading to the chambers of the air mattress; pressure sensors operatively connected to the air supply lines; and a gate member, the gate member being operable from, and limited to, one of two positions by which the flow of air is selectively diverted, a first position in which air is permitted to flow substantially completely from the blower exhaust port to the chambers of the air mattress, and a second position in which the flow of air is routed substantially completely from the air mattress into the blower intake port, the system being configured to effect substantial and rapid evacuation of air from the air mattress when the gate member is in the second position, an amount of air flow being controllable from within the air supply lines.