Patent ID: 6079068
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: A61G

Abstract:
A method of supporting a body element, comprising:providing at least one support device comprising at least one closed or controlled-release flexible chamber located between a top face for receiving the body element and a bottom face;providing inlet and outlet means via which a filling fluid can be fed into said chamber or removed therefrom,providing a control device, separate and independent from said at least one support device, comprising a flexible wall disposed in contact under said bottom face of said at least one support device and including a control member arranged to regulate filling and emptying means for filling said at least one flexible chamber with said filling fluid or for emptying said fluid therefrom,penetrating said at least one flexible chamber by said body element and thereby partially changing a shape of said flexible wall of the control device,measuring a penetration distance into said at least one support device by detecting said partial shape change of said control device and providing said partial shape change to said control member, andfilling and emptying said at least one chamber with said filling fluid by said filling and emptying means, respectively, based on regulation from said control member.