Patent ID: 6571825
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: A61G,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A rotary valve for controlling air supply to an alternating pressure patient support system which comprises of body member having a planar surface and at least two apertures for communication with cells or sets of cells in the patient support system, and a further aperture for connection to a pressurized air source, an actuator member which is rotatable in face to face contact with said planar surface, said actuator member having a recessed portion which forms an air supply chamber when in contact with said planar surface and is positioned to be constantly supplied with air from said further aperture, drive means for rotating the actuator member with respect to the body member and detector means for detecting the position of the actuator relative to the body member and, in conjunction with control means, for controlling the timing and duration of air supply to the cells or sets of cells, wherein the drive means are capable of rotating the actuator in either of two directions.