Patent ID: 6094762
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: A61G

Abstract:
A method of dynamically and automatically or essentially automatically regulating the inflation pressure in at least one first chamber that is flexible and inflatable, and that is provided in or that constitutes a support device, the method comprising a step of detecting the inflation pressure P.sub.1 (t) in said chamber at a given instant, and a step of correcting said pressure P.sub.1 (t) as a function of predetermined support characteristics, wherein the improvement comprises providing at least one physical pressure sensor comprising at least one second inflatable chamber inflated to a predetermined initial pressure P.sub.2, wherein disposing said pressure sensor relative to said support device in a location where the second chamber in the pressure sensor has its pressure influenced by any change in the pressure P.sub.1 (t) in the first chamber, in the support device, detecting the instantaneous pressure P.sub.2 (t) in the second chamber in the sensor at a given instant, comparing the pressure P.sub.1 (t) as measured in the first chamber with the pressure P.sub.2 (t) as measured in the second chamber, and correcting the pressure in the first chamber when the measured pressure difference exceeds a predetermined setpoint pressure value or a predetermined range of setpoint pressure values.