Patent Publication Number: US-8122546-B2

Title: Adjustable width mattress with relief portions

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/486,181, filed on Jun. 17, 2009, entitled Support Surface with Inflatable Core Zones now U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,039, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 11/775,083, filed on Jul. 9, 2007, entitled “Support Surface With Inflatable Width Adjustment Portion” now U.S. Pat. No. 7,565,710, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/073,795, filed Mar. 7, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,260,860 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/598,817, filed on Aug. 4, 2004, titled “Mattress Assembly”, to Chambers et al., and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/598,714, filed on Aug. 4, 2004, titled “Method and Apparatus for Securing a Mattress” to Chambers, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/890,357, filed on Jul. 13, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,348 which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/254,343, filed Sep. 25, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,760,939, which is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/946,886, filed on Sep. 5, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,113, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/465,872, filed on Dec. 16, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,675, which is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/917,145 filed on Aug. 25, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,533, are all expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/073,811 filed on Mar. 7, 2005 entitled “Hospital Bed” is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a hospital bed, and more particularly to a hospital bed for a heavy or large patient, including a bariatric or obese patient. The present invention furthermore relates to at least one mattress assembly including an adjustable patient support surface for use on the hospital bed. An air mattress and a foam mattress are each provided having an adjustable width. 
     Bariatric beds typically include a larger than average heavy duty frame to support the patient size and weight. Mattresses for use on the frame must also adequately support the obese patient to prevent “bottoming out”. “Bottoming out” describes the condition where a portion of the patient is not sufficiently supported to prevent contact with the support structure beneath the mattress. Bariatric patients confined to a bed for a long period of time may be susceptible to decubitus ulcers (bedsores) or to skin chafing which can lead to skin sores. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, a patient support includes a support deck, a mattress, including an identifying feature, supported by the support deck, and a controller, coupled to the mattress, including an input device to select the identifying feature. 
     According to another illustrative embodiment of the invention, a mattress assembly is configured to support a patient on a patient support frame and includes a core portion, and an inflatable width adjustment portion positioned between the core portion and a perimeter of the mattress assembly. The perimeter has a first width when the width adjustment portion is inflated and a second width when the width adjustment portion is deflated. The second width is less than the first width. The core portion defines a majority of the width and maintains a patient in a preferred position above the bed frame when the inflatable width adjustment portion is inflated and deflated. An air supply is in fluid communication with the inflatable width adjustment portion. 
     According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a mattress assembly is configured to support a patient on a patient support frame and includes a core portion having a first side edge and a second side edge. A first width adjustment portion includes at least one bladder coupled to the first side edge of the core portion, wherein the mattress assembly includes independently inflatable head, seat, and foot zones. A second width adjustment portion includes at least one bladder coupled to the second side edge of the core portion, wherein the mattress assembly includes independently inflatable head, seat, and foot zones. 
     According to another illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a mattress assembly configured to support a patient on a patient support frame includes a foam layer including a first side and a second side. A first width adjustment bladder is coupled to the first side, and a second width adjustment bladder is coupled to the second side. A fluid supply is coupled to the first width adjustment bladder and the second width adjustment bladder. 
     In a further illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a mattress assembly includes a core portion including a first side edge and a second side edge. A first width adjustment portion includes at least one bladder coupled to the first side edge of the core portion. A second width adjustment portion includes at least one bladder coupled to the second side edge of the core portion. A fluid supply is coupled to the first width adjustment portion and the second width adjustment portion. A controller is configured to control the supply of fluid to the core portion based upon the characteristics of the core portion. Illustratively, the fluid supply is in communication with the core portion when the controller determines that the core portion includes at least one bladder. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment patient support configured to receive a mattress assembly according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of an illustrative embodiment mattress assembly according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a further illustrative embodiment mattress assembly according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial end cut-away elevational view of the mattress assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view, with a partial cut-away, of the mattress assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating communication with the control system of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are a simplified schematic diagram of the control system and the mattress assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of the display of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating a method of selecting the type of mattress assembly and a method of operating the mattress assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating the mattress assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating a method of indicating a detected alarm condition; and 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating a method of indicating a filter replacement condition. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The embodiments described below and shown in the figures are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Instead, the embodiments were selected for description to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a patient support  10  is illustrated as including a base frame  12  supported by a plurality of casters  14 . An intermediate frame  16  is supported by the base frame  12  and is coupled to an articulating support deck  18 . The support deck  18  is of conventional design and illustratively includes a plurality of sections configured to articulate relative to one another, including a head section  20  pivotally coupled to a seat section  22 , and a foot section  24  pivotally coupled to the seat section  22 . In the illustrative embodiment, a thigh section  26  is pivotally coupled intermediate the seat section  22  and the foot section  24 . Further illustratively, the seat section  22  may be rigidly mounted to the intermediate frame  16  to prevent movement therebetween. 
     The support deck  18  includes sliding panels  27  and siderail sliding panels  29  which may be moved laterally, either manually or though an electrical control device, to expand and retract the width of the deck  18 . Examples of expanding support decks are provided in U.S. patent application 60/591,838 entitled “Bariatric Bed”, filed Jul. 28, 2004 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,212,714 and 6,357,065, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     A headboard  28  is mounted to the intermediate frame  16  adjacent a head end  30  of patient support  10 , and a footboard  32  is mounted to the intermediate frame  16  adjacent a foot end  34  of patient support  10 . The patient support  10  further includes a pair of head end siderails  36  and a pair of foot end siderails  38  coupled to the support deck  18  through the associated sliding panels  29  on opposite sides of the patient support  10 . Details of the siderails are disclosed in U.S. patent application 60/659,221 entitled “Siderail for a Hospital Bed” filed on Mar. 7, 2005, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a mattress assembly  40  according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. While the mattress assembly  40  is designed to accommodate bariatric or other patients of any weight of up to 1000 pounds, it is within the scope of the present invention to accommodate patients of greater than 1000 pounds. As detailed below, the mattress assembly  40  includes a perimeter having an adjustable width. Mattress assembly  40  includes an outer cover  42  including a top cover portion  44  and a bottom cover portion  46  configured to encapsulate an inner core assembly  48 . Both the top cover portion  44  and the bottom cover portion  46  of the outer cover  42  are illustratively formed from a ticking material, such as a urethane coated nylon which is resistant to fluids and chemical stains and which may be washable. 
     Mattress restraints (not shown) are illustratively coupled to the bottom cover portion  46  and are configured to secure the mattress assembly  40  to the support deck  18 . Details of the mattress restraints are disclosed in entitled U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/598,714, titled “Method and Apparatus for Securing a Mattress”, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     The inner core assembly  48  includes a core portion  49 , illustratively a plurality of transversely extending air cushions or bladders  50  defining first and second sides  52  and  54 , respectively. A first width adjustment portion  56  is coupled to the first side  52 , and a second width adjustment portion  58  is coupled to the second side  54 . Each of the first and second width adjustment portions  56  and  58  include a plurality of first and second width extension bladders  60  and  62 , respectively. The width extension bladders  60  and  62  in the illustrative embodiment are configured to extend the mattress by approximately 5 inches on either side and include a depth of approximately 8 inches. Consequently, the bladders  60  and  62  may provide support to the patient. 
     In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the width extension bladders  60  and  62  do not extend to the foot end  64  of the core portion  49 . More particularly, the last two width extension bladders  60  and  62  are missing thereby defining first and second side relief portions  66  and  68 . The relief portions  66  and  68  provide user access below the mattress assembly  40  while providing an area for patient heel pressure relief. It is within the scope of the present invention to include the last two width extension bladder  60  and  62 , such that relief portions  66  and  68  are not present. The core portion  49  also includes a head end  70 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the bladders  50 ,  60 , and  62  are all retained in position by a retainer assembly  72 . The retainer assembly  72  includes a base  74  upon which a plurality of loops or tubes  76  are secured. The various bladders  50 ,  60 , and  62  are slidably received within the tubes  76  and thereby retained in relative positions. Illustratively, the tubes  76  comprise a urethane film. 
     A vapor barrier  78  is positioned above the plurality of bladders  50 ,  60 , and  62 . The vapor barrier  78  is of conventional design and is configured to prevent soiling of the inner core assembly  48 . Illustratively, the vapor barrier  78  may comprise a polyurethane coated material with a nylon substrate. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3-5 , a further illustrative embodiment mattress assembly  80  according to the present invention includes an inner core assembly  82  having a core portion  84 , illustratively formed by a plurality of foam layers  86 ,  88 ,  90 . It is within the scope of the present invention to have a single foam layer as well as more than one foam layer. The mattress assembly  80  generally accommodates bariatric or other patients of up to 1,000 pounds, although it is within the scope of the present invention to accommodate patients of greater weights. The core portion  84  includes a first side  92  and a second side  94  wherein a first width adjustment portion  96  is coupled to the first side  92  and a second width adjustment portion  98  is coupled to the second side  94 . The first width adjustment portion  96  and second width adjustment portion  98  may provide support to the patient. Illustratively, both the first width adjustment portion  96  and the second width adjustment portion  98  comprise an inflatable bladder  100 . The bladder  100  may form a substantially cylindrical shape when inflated. Alternatively, the bladder  100  may receive a web (not shown) configured to pull in the opposing sides of the bladder  100  upon inflation to make it taller and narrower. It is also envisioned that the bladder  100  may take the form of a bellows including a plurality of folds (not shown) which are collapsible into a substantially flat condition when the bladder  100  is deflated. Furthermore, the bladders  100  may include a length less than the mattress assembly  80  and positioned such that relief portions are provided, similar to the relief portions  66  and  68  previously described. 
     Connecting webs  102   a  and  102   b  extend outwardly from the first and second sides  92  and  94  of the core portion  84  and are configured to be secured to mating webs  104   a  and  104   b  extending inwardly from the respective width adjustment bladders  100 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the connecting web  102   a  may be positioned intermediate foam layers  86  and  88  and secured thereto by conventional means, such as adhesive or double sided tape. In the illustrative embodiment, a plurality of nylon snap rivets  106 , each having a female portion  108  and cooperating male portion  110 , are utilized to couple the webs  102  and  104  together. Each width adjustment bladder  100  is in fluid communication with a fluid supply through tubes  112  and  114 . Tubes  112  and  114  illustratively pass between vertically adjacent foam layers  88  and  90  to the longitudinal center of a foot end  116  of mattress assembly  80 . Such routing of tubes  112  and  114  prevents contact therewith by the patient while simultaneously providing hose management and kink prevention. 
     The foam layers  86 ,  88 , and  90  of the core portion  84  include a laterally extending slit  118  defining a hinge to assist in bending of the mattress assembly  80  during articulation of the support deck  18 . Similarly, each width adjustment bladder  100  includes a slit  120  positioned longitudinally adjacent the slit  118  to define a hinge point. A tube  121  may be positioned within each bladder  100  at the hinge point to prevent the air flow path from being sealed when the mattress assembly  80  is bent. 
     The core portion  84  and width adjustment portions  96  and  98  are received within a fire barrier  122  of conventional design. Illustratively, the fire barrier  122  comprises a fire-resistant mesh material, such as a fiberglass knit. Similarly, a shear liner  124  is received over the fire barrier  122 . The shear liner  124  is illustratively formed of a polyurethane material. An outer cover  126 , substantially the same as that detailed above, is received over the inner core assembly  82 , fire barrier  122 , and shear liner  124 . 
       FIG. 5  further illustrates the mattress assembly  80  of  FIG. 3  with a partial cutaway view. The outer cover  126  includes a first cover section  128  and a second cover section  130 . Each of the cover sections  128  and  130  are mated together with an ultrasonic weld or sealing type of attachment  132 . The foam layer  86  includes a body portion  134  and a heel portion  136 . The indentation load deflection (ILD) of the body portion and the heel portion may be selected to achieve desired properties of pressure relief. For instance, the ILD of the heel portion  136  can be selected to provide for desired heel pressure relief to prevent pressure sores of the heel region. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a block diagram of a control system  140  for controlling the supply of fluid or air to either of the mattress options, the mattress  40  or the mattress  80 , as well as for controlling certain features of the base frame  12 . The control system  140  is housed within a control box  142  (see  FIG. 1 ) which is coupled to the foot board  32  through a mounting apparatus. Details of the mounting apparatus are disclosed in U.S. patent application 60/659,368 entitled “Footboard for a Hospital Bed” filed on Mar. 7, 2005, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     The control box  142  includes a control panel  144  having a display  146  and an input device associated with the display for inputting or selecting a variety of features to be described herein. The control system  140  further includes a controller  147 , which may include a microprocessor and associated memory, is configured not only to receive and to send signals or instructions to the control panel  144  but also to vary control of a fluid supply  148 . The controller includes control algorithms to accommodate both the foam and air mattress. The amount of fluid supplied by the fluid supply  148 , to either the bladders  50 , width adjustment portions  56  and  58  or width adjustment portions  96 ,  98  is determined according to signals generated by the controller  147 . These signals are generated in response to control software, including executable instructions, which is incorporated into the controller  147 , as well as in response to inputs received through the control panel  144 . 
     The fluid supply  148 , in response to signals received from the controller  147 , supplies fluid to the first width adjustment portion  56  and the second width adjustment portion  58 . The fluid supply  148  also supplies fluid to a length adjustment portion  150 . The fluid supply  148  is also coupled to the bladders  50  to be described with respect to  FIG. 7 . The controller  147  also generates signals which may control the width of the frame through the adjustment of the sliding panels  27  in response to an input received from the control panel  144 . A plurality of support deck width sensors  152  are located on the deck to sense the location of the panels  27  which can be moved through the use of an actuating device, such as motors, as would be understood by one skilled in the art. The controller may be configured to cause the fluid supply to inflate the width adjustment bladder when the sensor detects the extended positions of the sliding panels. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate the connection of the control system  140  ( FIG. 7A ) to the mattress assembly  40  ( FIG. 7B ). As previously described in  FIG. 6 , the control panel  144  is coupled to the controller  147 . The fluid supply  148  includes a first air compressor  154  and a second air compressor  156  which may be connected in parallel. While two compressors are shown to provide for a faster filling of the mattress assembly  40 , a single air compressor could also be used. The controller  147  is also coupled to a transformer  158  which is controlled by a power switch  160  which receives power from a power cord  162 . 
     The first compressor  154  and second compressor  156  generate air pressure which is controlled by a pressure air valve  164  coupled thereto. The pressure air valve  164  divides the air flow into three paths and is coupled to an A-air valve  166 , a B-air valve  168 , and a low air loss topper  170  illustrated in  FIG. 7B . The controller  147  controls the amount of air pressure moving through respective air lines according to signals controlling flow through control line  172  for the pressure air valve  164 , control line  174  for the air valve  166  and control line  176  for the B-air valve  168 . These valves, as well as other valves coupled to a control line, as described herein, are typically solenoid operated control valves. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7B , each of the bladders  50  may be designated as an A bladder and a B bladder. The A bladders and the B bladders may be inflated simultaneously to create a uniformly inflated mattress. The A bladders and B bladders may also be inflated alternately in a variety of different sequences to provide an alternating pressure mattress. 
     The inner core assembly  49  includes a head section or zone  180 , a seat section or zone  182 , and a foot section or zone  184 . Each of the zones is individually controlled by the controller  147  of  FIG. 7A  such that the pressure within the A bladders and B bladders are separately adjustable as a group as well as individually within each zone. For instance, the A-air valve  166  is coupled to the A bladders of the head zone  180  through the A head zone valve  186 , the A seat zone valve  188  and the A foot zone valve  190 . Likewise, the B-air valve  168  is coupled to the B bladders of the head zone  180  through B head zone valve  192 . The B bladders of the seat section  182  are coupled through the B air valve  168  through the B seat zone valve  194 . The B bladders of the foot section or zone  184  are coupled to the B-air valve  168  through the B foot zone valve  196 . Each of the valves for the A and B bladders  186 ,  188 ,  190 ,  192 ,  194 , and  196 , selectively deliver air to the respective bladders under control of the controller  147  through the control lines as shown. 
     The valves described herein are known as on-off valves which may be in an open or closed position. The related instructions utilized by the controller may be appropriately designed to take into account the characteristics of the on-off valves. It is within the scope of the present invention to use other types of valves, such as proportional control valves, where the size of the opening is adjustable. When such valves are used, the controller instructions may be appropriately determined. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the first width extension bladder  60  and second width extension bladder  62  are also each comprised of A and B bladders. The width extension bladders are also known as bolsters or bolster bladders within the art. The A bolster bladders of either the first or second extensions  60  and  62  are coupled to the A-air valve  166  through the A bolster valve  198 . The B bladders of each of the width extensions  60  and  62  are controlled by the B bolster valve  200  which is coupled to the B-air valve  168 . Each of these valves  198  and  200  are also coupled to control lines connected to the controller  147 . It is within the scope of the present invention to have a single bladder for each of the first width extension bladder  60  and second width extension bladder  62 . In this instance, a single valve may be coupled to both of the bladders  60  and  62  to control inflation at the same time or one valve may be coupled to the bladder  60  and one valve may be coupled to the bladder  62 . 
     The control system  140  may apply a vacuum to certain selected bladders of the mattress assembly  40  and to the mattress assembly  80 . For instance, when the foam mattress assembly  80  is coupled to the control system, the control lines from the controller  147  coupled to the valve  198 , the valve  200 , and to the topper  170  would be utilized. The remaining control lines to the remaining valves utilized for the head, seat, and foot zones of the air mattress, are not utilized since the foam mattress does not include bladders in these zones. Likewise, when the air mattress assembly  40  is coupled to the control system, the controller  147  may utilize each of the control lines coupling the controller to the various bladders of the mattress assembly  40 . Additional details of this control scheme is described later herein. 
     To apply a vacuum to the selected bladders, the control system  140  includes a vacuum air valve  202  coupled to the air compressor  154  and the air compressor  156 , the operating direction of which is reversed to create a vacuum. An inlet air filter  204  provides the necessary air inlet for creating the vacuum through the vacuum air valve  202 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the display  147  located on the control box  142 . The display  146  or patient set-up screen, includes a plurality of user accessible input devices, such as buttons or a keypad, to select the various modes or operations of the present device. These buttons are typically selected manually by a user. Other input devices are also possible and include touch screens, voice recognition devices, infrared receivers receiving infrared signals from a remote transmitter, a processor sensing pressure, or wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) devices. Handheld remotes are also possible. Buttons include up, down, left and right arrows  206  which are used to select settings on the display  146 . A help button  208  when selected brings a help screen to the display  146 . 
     A plurality of buttons  210  are used to select various functions or options when displayed on the display  146  as described later. Indicia or displayed markings indicate the selected function or option. The function or option shown by appropriate indicia is displayed on the display while an adjacent button may be depressed to select the appropriate function or option to which the button points. Once selections are made by the buttons  210 , an enter button  212  is used to enter the selected options into the controller  147  for effecting the desired result. The display  146  includes a digital LCD screen  214  which displays a variety of features, functions, and options which are selected by the buttons described. In addition, the display  214  provides a real time display of air pressure for the head section  180 , the seat section  182  and the foot section  184  if desired. 
     The controller  147 , receiving various input signals from the control panel  144 , maybe configured to provide various control signals responsive thereto to control the fluid supply  148  as previously discussed. As shown in  FIG. 9 , upon powering up of the control system  140  through selection of a power up button at block  220 , the controller  147  examines the input device or control panel  144  to determine whether the help button or key  208  has been selected at decision block  215 . If the help key  208  has not been selected, then operation of the entire mattress system simply defaults to its previous settings at block  217 . If, however, the help key  208  has been selected, the display  146  prompts the user, through display of the appropriate screen, to select the type of mattress, either a foam mattress or an air mattress at block  224 . Depending upon the type of mattress selected, the controller  147  generates control signals appropriate to either control inflation of the mattress assembly  40  including bladders  50  and first and second width extension bladders  52  and  54 , or the inflation of first width adjustment portion  96 , and the second width adjustment portion  98  of mattress assembly  80 . For example, the controller  147  would select the A bolster valve  198  and the B bolster valve  200  in the case of a foam mattress through the appropriate control lines as illustrated but would not select each of the A and B head, seat, and foot zone valves. 
     The user, which may include a service technician or a caregiver, would select either the foam or air option depending on which type of mattress is placed on the base frame  12 . Each mattress type includes an identifying feature which distinguishes one type of mattress from another. Without the cover, foam mattresses may be visually identified by the foam inner core and air mattresses identified by the air bladder inner core. Since both mattress types are typically enclosed by a cover, the mattress type may also be identified by a label or tag or by the number of hoses extending from the mattress. 
     The hoses, which include connectors, may be detachably connected to the control box  142  through a plurality of control box connectors  222  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . While only six connectors are shown in  FIG. 1 , the current embodiment of the control box includes nine connectors, at least one of which is used when the foam mattress is coupled to the control box  142 . It is within the scope of the present invention to have a core including both foam and air bladders. It is also within the scope of the present invention, to have automatic identification of the mattress by the control system. The control system may include a sensing device to sense an identifying tag coupled to the mattress. Upon sensing the tag, the sensing device sends a signal to the controller indicating the type of identifying tag, and therefore the type of mattress. 
     Upon selection of the foam mattress assembly  80  at block  224 , by pressing the menu button  210  corresponding to the word “FOAM” displayed on the display screen  146 , the screen at block  226  is displayed on the display screen  146 . Display screen at block  226  queries the user to select the deflation of side bolster mode. If the user selects “DEFLATE SIDE BOLSTER”, then at block  228 , the display screen provides for a selection of whether or not the user desires to deflate the side bolster. If the user selects “YES” at block  228 , the screen at block  230  appears indicating that the side deflate function is active. If it is later determined that the user would like to inflate the side bolsters, the user would select the “INFLATE AND EXIT” selection at block  230  which causes the display of block  232  to be displayed asking whether or not it is desired to inflate the side bolsters. If “YES” is selected, the sides inflate as shown at block  233 . 
     If, however, the user had selected the “AIR” selection at block  224  of  FIG. 9 , the display screen  146  provides the display shown at block  240  of  FIG. 10 . Block  240  indicates that the air mattress defaults to a continuous low pressure mode. The display provides for real time display of air pressures for inflated and deflated cells for each of the head, seat, and foot zones. In this mode, when the unit is first turned on, the seat zone pressure is automatically set to the “FOWLER” pressure where the standard pressure is increased by a certain percentage. 
     An initial pressure for each of the head, seat, and foot zones may be set by the control system according to the patient&#39;s height and/or weight. Entering the patient&#39;s height and weight into the control system causes the controller to establish an initial pressure for that particular patient for each zone. The “FOWLER” pressure is then determined based on the initial pressure for the seat zone. In the current embodiment, the selected “FOWLER” pressure is selected to be thirty percent above the initial seat pressure. It is within the scope of the present invention to use a different percentage as the amount to increase the initial seat pressure to achieve the “FOWLER” pressure. The “FOWLER” pressure is maintained at all times after the device is turned on, unless adjusted with the “FOWLER” button through the “OPTIONS” button described herein. 
     If the enter button  212  is depressed at block  240 , the display screen  146  displays the information as illustrated in block  242 . Block  242  provides selections for either increasing or decreasing the pressures in each of the zones by the selection of the arrow keys  210 . This manual selection allows the user to adjust the pressure in each of the zones according to the requirements of the patient and/or the user. As can be seen, the pressure in each of the zones may be increased or decreased such that the patient can experience a desired comfort level. A “DEFAULT” mode button is provided to provide for automatically adjusting the pressures according to the height and weight of the patient which can be entered to the controller  147 . The control system remains in this mode at block  242  until there is a time out at which time the screen at block  240  is displayed. 
     If the enter key is not depressed at block  240 , but instead the “SEAT DEFLATE” key is depressed, the screen at block  244  is displayed. At this point, the user is given the option to select deflation of the seat section. If the user selects “YES” to deflate the seat section, then the screen at block  246  appears. During seat deflate, the controller  147  causes the air compressors  154  and  156  to operate in the vacuum mode and selects the vacuum air valve  202 . A vacuum is applied to the first width extension  60  and the second width extension  62  through the A bolster valve  198  and the B bolster valve  200 . The vacuum may be applied for a predetermined period of time, such as four minutes. In addition, the A-air valve  166  and the B-air valve  168  are opened to vent to atmosphere the A and B bladders  50  in the head section  180 , the seat section  182 , and the foot section  184 . Seat deflate may be used to reduce the effort required by the patient to exit or to enter the bed. Seat deflate reduces the height of the seat portion of the mattress with respect to the floor and may also reduce the risk of the patient slipping off of the bed while getting on or off the bed. By vacuuming the air from the side bolsters, difficulties related to moving off of or moving onto the bed may be eliminated or reduced. Also, by venting the head, seat, and foot sections to atmosphere, the sections where the patient is seated or lying partially deflates due to patient weight. Consequently, some air remains in the bladders. Then, when it is desired to reinflate the mattress at block  248 , quicker inflation results. The surface then inflates to the previously selected pressures so that the mattress returns to the last selected pressure profile. 
     In the illustrated embodiment during deflation, the vacuum is applied for approximately four minutes. An audible alarm is activated approximately 30 minutes after deflation is complete. This audible alarm remains on and reminds the user that the mattress is in the deflation mode, and that pressure relief is not provided to a patient lying on the mattress. The time periods for sounding the alarm may be preset in the system to any value or may be adjustable by the user. 
     Returning to block  240 , if the “FOWLER” button is selected, the controller will increase the air pressure in the seat zone of the mattress assembly  40 . The fowler seat boost may be used for patients resting in an inclined position to maintain some distance between the patient and the support deck to reduce or prevent bottoming out. Pressing the fowler button increases the pressure to 30% more than the seat section&#39;s set pressure. 
     Pressing the “MAX FIRM” selection at block  240  provides for the controller to illustrate the screen at block  250 . The air pressure is increased within the assembly  40  to a predetermined maximum pressure to provide the patient with a firm surface, here illustrated as a surface having a pressure of 65 millimeters of mercury. Inflation of the mattress in the “MAX FIRM” mode provides the caregiver or health care provider a firm surface which may be necessary or preferred during the performing of certain procedures to the patients such as patient transfer or medical treatment. In the case of the bariatric patient, medical procedures are often performed on the bed itself, since patient size makes it problematic or difficult to move the patient from the bed to another surface for the procedure. After being in the “MAX FIRM” mode for a predetermined period of time, such as thirty minutes, the system does not return to a previously selected mode or setting. An alarm sounds indicating that the bed is still in the “MAX FIRM” mode at the end of the time period. The alarm may be silenced for a predetermined time period, such as fifteen minutes, by pressing an “ALARM OFF” button. The mattress remains in the “MAX FIRM” mode until the “MAX FIRM” mode button is pressed a second time, at which time the mattress returns to a previous mode. 
     Returning to block  240 , if “OPTIONS” is selected, the controller  147  responding to the key selection displays the screen illustrated at block  252 . The “SELECT OPTIONS SCREEN” includes the selections of “ADJUST FOWLER” “DEFLATE SIDES”, “DEFLATE BED”, and “LOCK KEY PAD”. If “ADJUST FOWLER” is selected at block  254 , a user may either increase or decrease the fowler boost, which is shown as a percentage increased or decreased from a default pressure. If the user at block  252  instead selects to deflate the sides, the controller  147  causes the display to illustrate a side deflate active screen at block  256  in which the side bolsters are deflated as previously described by vacuuming the air from the bolsters. In this case, however, the bladders  50  are maintained at pressure. 
     The “DEFLATE SIDES” mode is used for moving a patient and/or the bed through the hospital where either the hallways, doorways, or elevator entrances are narrower than the width of the bed when the sliding panels are extended. In addition, this mode may be used to enable the caregiver to move closer to the patient when performing procedures. Once the side bolsters are deflated, the sliding panels  27  can be moved towards the center of the frame such that the frame width is reduced. If the sides remain deflated for a period of at least 20 minutes, an alarm sounds indicating that the sides are still deflated. It is possible to turn the alarm off with the “ALARM OFF” key as illustrated in block  256 . If the alarm is turned off, the alarm will then sound after a 20 minute period of time. Once the patient and the bed have moved to a location where the sides can be reinflated, the user at block  256  selects the “INFLATE AND EXIT” selector. The screen at block  258  is then illustrated showing that the sides are inflating. 
     If the user at the “SELECT OPTIONS” screen  252  selects the “DEFLATE BED” button, the bed will deflate as illustrated at block  260 . The bed will remain deflated until the user selects the inflate and exit button in block  260  at which point the screen illustrated at block  262  is displayed. 
     Another option at block  252  is the “LOCK KEYPAD” selector button. Selecting this button locks various keys or buttons so that none of the various available features or mattress states can be selected. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a state where the controller  147  detects an abnormal condition or fault condition at block  264 . Under such abnormal conditions, an alarm is sounded and the display at block  266  is illustrated. Pressures for each of the zones (head, seat and foot) are illustrated in columns. The first line of illustrated pressures of each column are for the A bladders and the second line of illustrated pressures of each column are for the B bladders. The alarm can be turned off at block  266  by pushing “ALARM OFF”. By pressing “ALARM OFF”, the control system does not determine whether the fault condition has been corrected. In this mode, the alarm will sound again after a 10 minute period of time. 
     Once a user believes that the condition has been corrected, the user presses the “RESET ALARM” button. By pressing “RESET ALARM”, the control system runs diagnostics to determine whether the fault condition has been corrected. Typically the diagnostic check takes longer than 10 minutes. If the fault condition has not been corrected, the alarm will sound again. If the fault condition has been corrected, the alarm should remain silent unless another fault condition is detected. The processor or controller then returns to the block  240 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a replace filter reminder display on the display of the control panel after a predetermined period of operation. At block  270 , the user may press “A FILTER HAS BEEN REPLACED” key indicating that the filter has been replaced or a “REMIND ME LATER” key requesting a reminder at a later time. 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the present invention. For instance, other periods of time which are established to maintain the mattress within a certain mode are possible and are within the scope of the present disclosure.