Patent ID: 6047424
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: A61G

Abstract:
A control apparatus for a plurality of air therapy devices stored on a bed which includes an electrical communication network, and an air handling unit, the apparatus comprising:a manifold coupled to the bed, the manifold being formed to include a chamber coupled to the air handling unit and a plurality of module receiving portions, each module receiving portion having an electrical connector coupled to the communication network, an outlet coupled to the chamber, and a connector coupled to a selected air therapy device on the bed; anda plurality of control modules, each control module being configured to be connected to a predetermined module receiving portion on the manifold, each control module including a valve having an inlet configured to be coupled to the outlet of the manifold, and an outlet configured to be coupled to the connector, each control module also including a controller and an electrical connector configured to mate with the electrical connector of the manifold to connect the controller to the electrical communication network on the bed, the controller being coupled to the valve, each module receiving portion on the manifold, and each control module, being formed to include an indicator to identify the predetermined module receiving portion on the manifold for each control module.