Patent ID: 6721980
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: A61B,A61G,G01G

Abstract:
A method of minimizing a force between a modifiable support surface and a patient located thereon, the method comprising the steps of:establishing an initial recorded force between the patient and the support surface; performing a first procedure including modifying the support surface in a first manner for a predetermined time increment, measuring the current force between the patient and the surface, comparing the current force to the recorded force, and replacing the recorded force with the current force, repeating the first procedure so long as the current force is less than the recorded force, then performing a second procedure including modifying the support surface in a second manner for a predetermined time increment, measuring the current force between the patient and the support surface, comparing the current force to the recorded force, and replacing the recorded force with the current force, and repeating the second procedure so long as the current force is less than the recorded force.