Patent ID: 8051516
Filing Date: 2011-11-08
Classification: A61F,A61G

Abstract:
1. A clinical support pad, comprising: a plurality of support cells formed in a first film layer of material sufficiently impermeable to a fluid contained in the cells such that each cell is configured to be alternately and repeatedly inflated and deflated with respect to one or more adjacent cells; and a number of channels formed in the first film layer, wherein each cell is in fluid communication with at least one of the number of channels; wherein each of the plurality of support cells is configured such that a surface of each cell has a continuous curvature across a length direction and across a width direction of the cell; wherein the plurality of support cells are spaced such that a distance between a center of each cell and a center of at least one adjacent cell is not more than a two-point discrimination threshold distance associated with a patient; wherein the plurality of support cells are arranged in rows and columns, with the cells of adjacent columns being staggered such that cells of next adjacent columns are aligned as rows of cells; wherein the plurality of support cells include: a second column of support cells adjacent to a first column of support cells; and a third column of support cells adjacent to the second column of support cells; and wherein a distance between an edge of a particular support cell of the first column and an edge of a particular support cell of the third column is less than a greatest width of the particular support cell of the first column and of the particular support cell of the third column, in relation to an axis perpendicular to the first column and third column.