Patent Description:
<CIT> to Odderson is directed to a Body Supporting, Serial Inflating Seat. In Odderson, inflatable bladders are inflated one after another in series to purportedly help circulate blood in the legs of a user. While Odderson might have certain applications, there is ample room for alternative strategies and improvements in this field.

Further reference is made to <CIT> relating to a cushion system with bladders running different pressurization modes inside and outside a dynamically selected target bladder group, the system including a pressure adjustment system, a cushion formed by an array of bladders coupled to the pressure adjustment system, a processor coupled to the pressure adjustment system and a user interface.

Document <CIT> to Banko is directed to a therapeutic mattress with a seating part having inflatable cells divided into two zones, the inflatable cells in each zone being connected to each other in series.

In accordance with the present invention, a therapeutic cushion system and a method for operating the therapeutic cushion system as set forth in claim <NUM> is provided. Further embodiments of the invention are inter alia disclosed in the dependent claims. In one aspect, a therapeutic cushion system inter alia includes a pumping mechanism, and a seat cushion having inflatable cells arranged in series between a front seat cushion edge and a rear seat cushion edge. The seat cushion further includes a manifold having at least one inflation inlet in fluid communication with the pumping mechanism, and at least one deflation outlet. The therapeutic cushion system further includes a valve assembly adjustable among at least three different valve configurations, and fluidly connecting some of the inflatable cells to the at least one inflation inlet and some of the inflatable cells to the at least one deflation outlet in each of the different valve configurations. An electronic control unit is structured to adjust the valve assembly among the at least three different valve configurations such that inflation/deflation of the inflatable cells produces a plurality of rearwardly advancing pumping waves.

In another respect, a therapeutic cushion system includes a pumping mechanism, a seat cushion including inflatable cells arranged in series between a front seat cushion edge and a rear seat cushion edge, and an electronic control unit. The seat cushion further includes a valve system having a motor coupled with a valve assembly having a valve member movably positioned within a valve case, at least one pump inlet in fluid communication with the pumping mechanism, and at least one outgas bore. The valve assembly is adjustable among at least three different inflation configurations, and fluidly connects some of the inflatable cells to the at least one pump inlet and some of the inflatable cells to the at least one outgas bore in each of the different valve configurations. The electronic control unity is structured to adjust the valve assembly among the at least three different valve configurations such that inflation/deflation of the inflatable cells produces a plurality of advancing pumping waves.

Referring to <FIG> there is shown a therapeutic seat cushion/seat cushion system <NUM> (hereinafter "cushion <NUM>") according to one embodiment. Cushion <NUM> is shown as it might appear in a use configuration to be sat upon by a user. Cushion <NUM> includes a cover <NUM>, formed for example from a fabric, having a front or forward seat cushion edge <NUM> and a back or rear seat cushion edge <NUM>. A rear receptacle <NUM> adjacent to rear edge <NUM> has a cavity formed therein that contains various electronics and other components, as further discussed herein. Creases or grooves <NUM> formed in cover <NUM> extend widthwise and are generally structured to fit about inflatable cells (not visible in <FIG>) that are within cover <NUM>, and are interspersed among the inflatable cells. Grooves <NUM> form fold lines along which cover <NUM> is folded when rolled-up for storage and/or packaged for retail. In a practical implementation strategy, inflatable cells in cushion <NUM> may be arranged in a right side or right-hand series and a left side or left hand series, with the inflatable cells arranged in series between front edge <NUM> and rear edge <NUM>. In other instances, a single series of inflatable cells may be provided, approximately as shown. Also visible in <FIG> is a plug or port <NUM>, such as a Universal Services Bus (USB) port, for connecting cushion <NUM> to a power supply and/or data communication link. It will be appreciated that cushion <NUM> may be used in a passenger vehicle or institutional setting, and the prevalence of USB ports for electric power in modern passenger vehicles makes USB connectivity an advantageous feature. A conventional AC connector plug could additionally or alternatively be used, or some other electrical power supply connector or interface. As will be further apparent from the following description, cushion <NUM> may be equipped with internal components and computer control hardware and software to enable the inflatable cells to be inflated and deflated in a manner that produces rearwardly advancing pumping waves to assist in pumping blood from a user's legs back toward the heart and lungs. The manner of inflation and deflation can be customizable on the basis of user preference, or to carry out prescribed therapeutic treatments for instance.

Referring to <FIG> there is shown cushion <NUM> as it might appear in a rolled-up configuration and retained within the rolled-up configuration in a package <NUM> such as a packaging tube, wrap, or the like. The inflatable cells may be arranged in series as noted above, extending widthwise across cushion <NUM>. Together with creases/grooves <NUM> the arrangement of inflatable cells makes cushion <NUM> well suited to rolling up and packaging when deflated such as for storage or commercial display and retail sale.

Turning now to Fig. <NUM>, there is shown a schematic view of cushion <NUM> illustrating internal components. It can be seen that a battery <NUM> is connected with plug <NUM> for charging. Control circuitry <NUM>, including an electronic control unit <NUM> such as a microprocessor or microcontroller, is coupled with battery <NUM> and also with a pumping mechanism <NUM>. Pumping mechanism <NUM> can include an air pump in one embodiment, although the present disclosure is not thereby limited and other inflation fluids, as well as various pump designs or other sources of fluids for fluid flow could be used. A source of pressurized fluid for actuating cushion <NUM> could be external, for instance. In such an embodiment fluid inlet <NUM> could be positioned externally of cushion <NUM>. At least one fluid inlet <NUM> connects pumping mechanism <NUM> (hereinafter "pump <NUM>") with a manifold or manifold system <NUM>. An electrically actuated valve assembly is positioned fluidly between fluid inlet <NUM> and a plurality of inflatable cells <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the arrangement of which is further described herein. The electrically actuated valve assembly can include a plurality of valve mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, which can include slide-type hydraulic valves such as spool valves, or poppet valves, for example, each of which is equipped with an electrical actuator that varies energy state responsive to a control signal from electronic control unit <NUM>. The valve assembly can be adjustable among a plurality of different valve configurations, including at least three valve configurations, to vary fluid connections between inflation inlet <NUM> and inflatable cells <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and also between at least one deflation outlet <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and inflatable cells <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the significance of which is further discussed below.

For convenience of distinguishing between different cells, it will be noted inflatable cells <NUM> are designated as colored red (with a first shading pattern in the drawings), inflatable cells <NUM> are designated as colored green (with a second shading pattern in the dravvings), and inflatable cells <NUM> are designated as colored blue (with a third shading pattern in the drawings) herein. Fluid conduits <NUM> extend between valve mechanism <NUM> and the blue inflatable cells <NUM>. Fluid conduits <NUM> extend between valve mechanism <NUM> and green inflatable cells <NUM>, whereas fluid conduits <NUM> extend between valve mechanism <NUM> and red inflatable cells <NUM>. In one implementation all of inflatable cells <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> as well as conduits <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be formed by radiofrequency (RF) welding together two sheets of plastic or other suitable polymeric material to selectively create joints or seams. It will be appreciated that other strategies for forming inflatable cells and suitable plumbing are possible.

As noted above the valve assembly can provide selective connections at any one time of some of the inflatable cells to inflation inlet <NUM> and some of the inflatable cells to deflation outlet(s) <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Fig. <NUM> sets forth an example inflation/deflation sequence that includes three or more inflation configurations of inflatable cells <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The number of inflation configurations may be based on the number of inflatable cell groups within cushion <NUM>. For example, cushion <NUM> of the present embodiment includes three groups of inflatable cells that can be inflated or deflated to form three distinct inflation configurations: an initial configuration <NUM>, a second configuration <NUM>, and a third configuration <NUM>. It will be appreciated, however, that there may not always be a <NUM>:<NUM> correlation between the number of inflatable cell groups and the number of inflation configurations. Generally, as the number of inflatable cell groups increases, so does the number of possible inflation configurations. By selectively connecting, for instance, red inflatable cells <NUM> to deflation outlet <NUM> while green inflatable cells <NUM> and blue inflatable cells <NUM> are connected to inflation inlet <NUM> (i.e., initial configuration <NUM>), then connecting green inflatable cells <NUM> to deflation outlet <NUM> while blue inflatable cells <NUM> and red inflatable cells <NUM> are connected to inflation inlet <NUM> (i.e., second configuration <NUM>), and then connecting blue inflatable cells <NUM> to deflation outlet <NUM> while red inflatable cells <NUM> and green inflatable cells <NUM> are connected to inflation inlet <NUM> (i.e., third configuration <NUM>), rearwardly advancing pumping waves can be produced. Another way to understand the principle is that some of the inflatable cells are connected to incoming inflation fluid (typically air) while others are connected to exhaust/deflation, and then the arrangement/connections are varied to enable the wave(s) to push or propagate towards the rear edge of cushion <NUM>. In this general way a pumping action can be generated to help push blood through a user's legs (or any body portion of interest in contact with cushion <NUM>) towards the heart and lungs. It can be noted from Fig. <NUM> that selective inflation/deflation can produce rearwardly advancing low pressure zones (the deflated cells). It can also be noted that typically no two deflated cells are adjacent at any one time. It is further noted that in some configurations, additional inflation states are contemplated for cells beyond the binary inflated and deflated states, such as <NUM>/<NUM> inflated, ½ inflated, <NUM>/<NUM> inflated, and the like, expanding options for configurations. The rear seat cushion edge is to the left in the Fig. <NUM> illustrations.

In some embodiments, a cushion according to the present disclosure, such as cushion <NUM> in Fig. <NUM>, might include an air pressure monitoring system structured to monitor an air pressure parameter indicative of air pressure within one or more of inflatable cells <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, in conduits <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or in another component of cushion <NUM>. The air pressure monitoring system may include one or more sensors <NUM> communicatively coupled with electronic control unit <NUM> and positioned within or next to sitting surface <NUM>. Sensor <NUM> can include any suitable pressure sensor, such as a capacitive, inductive, resistive, or other electronic sensor that changes its electrical or electromagnetic energy state in response to a change to, application of, or removal of, physical pressure upon a sensing element. Pressure sensor <NUM> could include an electrical switch having only an ON state and an OFF state in some embodiments. Electronic control unit <NUM> may be structured to receive data from the sensor(s) and determine, estimate, or infer the air pressure based on the received data. In other embodiments, electronic control unit <NUM> might be structured to determine air pressure by, for instance, measuring or determining a parameter of pumping mechanism <NUM>, such as resistance to displacement of a pumping mechanism. The air pressure monitoring system could also detect a change in an air pressure parameter indicative of changing air pressure in one or more of inflatable cells <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or analogous structures or components, and produce a signal in response. For instance, electronic control unit <NUM> may monitor a parameter indicative of air pressure to detect changes that might be indicative of a leak or a change in a patient's position on cushion <NUM>, or that might indicate a patient stood up from or fell off cushion <NUM>.

Electronic control unit <NUM> might also be structured to generate a signal responsive to a change in air pressure to cause pumping mechanism <NUM> to vary or discontinue a flow of air to inflatable cells <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In other embodiments, the air pressure monitoring system might include an alarm, with electronic control unit <NUM> being structured to produce an alarm signal responsive to a change in air pressure or any other parameter. In still other embodiments, cushion <NUM> may include a wired or wireless transmitter, such as an RF, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi transmitter coupled with circuitry <NUM>. In such an embodiment, electronic control unit <NUM> may generate an alarm signal for the transmitter for transmission to a receiving device such as a mobile phone, a beeper (pager), a computer, or like device for the purpose of producing an alarm. In still other instances, the pressure parameter of interest might not necessarily be indicative of, or directly indicative of, air pressure in cushion <NUM>, but instead include a sitting pressure of a user. For instance, pressure could be sensed in a part of cushion <NUM> whose pressure does not vary, or significantly vary, with inflation and deflation of the cells, but instead varies only based on the presence or absence of a person, or change in the applied weight of the person. Such an application could enable sensing the presence, absence, or body repositioning of a user in a manner analogous or complimentary to embodiments where air pressure is monitored. In still other instances, it is contemplated that sensed pressure feedback could be used for more sophisticated monitoring of patient positioning and behavior. In certain applications one or more pressure sensors can be positioned within cushion <NUM> and used to detect frequency and/or intensity of a user shifting his or her weight left, right, back, and the like. Logging such patterns of behavior over time is expected to elucidate trends that can be exploited or prevented in controlling and varying inflation and deflation of cushion <NUM> to optimize patient comfort and produce desired outcomes, such as prevention and/or treatment of pressure sores and the like. It is still further contemplated that pressure and body positioning/movement data gathered from a fleet of deployed cushions (garnered database) can enable optimized patterns of cushion inflation control to enable reduction in pressure sores and the like on a population level. Sensors <NUM> may be paired with the electronic controller <NUM> to vary treatment based on feedback. Sensors <NUM> may be paired with a ID code or signal unique to a particular patient to verify treatment received. In an institutional setting, it is contemplated that many cushions might be deployed to many different users, with a local communication system such as a Wi-Fi network or wired LAN, gathering data from the individual cushions as to use, efficacy, fall incidence, or other factors such as compliance with treatment regimens on a population level. It is also contemplated that cushions could be connected to a distribution system in a facility for pressurized air, or tanked air, with the cushions constructed without a resident pump at all. It is still further contemplated that treatment/use routines could be stored on a facility server, or a cloud server, and used to centrally control a fleet of cushions and/or receive and store usage data. Usage data herein could include adoption of treatment, in other words whether and/or the extent to which cushions are used, what specific patterns of inflation are adopted, or even confirmation that intended users are actually the ones using the cushions intended or controlled for their use. In an embodiment, a proximity sensor resident on a cushion could detect patient presence and/or patient identity by reading an electronically stored numerical patient identifier on a patient wristband or the like. This general concept could enable monitoring and potentially controlling dozens or even hundreds of devices in an effort to transform the health of a patient population or implement standardized treatment protocols. Each patient could have a user profile stored in a centralized database.

It will be appreciated that the valve arrangement illustrated in the attached drawings is exemplary only, and numerous alternative strategies might be successfully implemented. Analogously, while the zoned arrangement of the inflatable cells to provide a leading zone (red), a trailing zone (blue), and at least one middle zone (green) provides a practical implementation strategy, in other implementations more than three zones might be provided. It will further be appreciated that the presently disclosed strategy differs from other designs for therapeutic cushions where pressure was distributed between only two zones which, at best, provides only a back and forth motion (generating zero net fluid transport toward the heart and lungs) instead of a true pumping wave action (i.e., a peristaltic pumping action). The present disclosure can be understood to enable producing a greater number of inflated cells that follow a lesser number of deflated cells, toward the rear seat cushion edge. The Fig. <NUM> illustration could be modified to show three inflated cells following two deflated cells, four inflated cells following three deflated cells, six inflated following one deflated, and so on with still other combinations. A plurality of pumping waves can be produced at any time, with the number of waves typically being based on the number of repetitions in the serial, repeating arrangement of the leading, trailing, and at least one middle zone. Further still, embodiments are contemplated where an arrangement of separately controllable valves can vary the size and location of the different zones. For instance, valves could be selectively used to adjust the size of zones (size = number of cells) that are inflated and deflated to effectively vary the wavelength of the wave that is generated. Still other variations, such as those variations arising from varying the timing of the valve assembly actuation, contemplated herein relate to differences in amplitude and frequency of inflation and/or varying speed, amplitude, frequency, wavelength, and/or waveform (shape of the wave as determined by degree of inflation of cells) properties to tailor treatment parameters, and/or variations between the above-listed properties in a left series versus a right series of the inflatable cells such that a user's legs are treated differently from one another.

Referring still to Fig. <NUM> cushion <NUM> is similar to cushion <NUM> in many respects, but differs in that cushion <NUM> includes a unified valve system ("valve system") <NUM> for controlling a flow of air, or other inflation fluid, from pumping mechanism <NUM> to conduits <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> instead of individual valves (i.e., valves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for each conduit. Cushion <NUM>, unlike the embodiment of cushion <NUM> shown in Fig. <NUM>, also includes a wireless transmitter <NUM> coupled with circuitry <NUM> for wirelessly transmitting signals to a receiving device, such as a local server at a healthcare facility or a web server. It should be noted that like reference numerals are used to describe or denote like features across different embodiments without further explanation, it being understood that such features may be identical in construction and function to their counterparts discussed above. It should nevertheless be appreciated that no limitation is intended by way of the use of any particular reference numeral. Material differences between embodiments will be discussed herein. Absent such discussion, different embodiments should generally be understood to be alike in structure and function. Components described in connection with one embodiment may be included in other embodiments in which these components are not described or discussed. Unless expressly stated otherwise, components across embodiments having like features or functions can be understood as having like structures regardless of terminology.

Valve system <NUM> may include a valve assembly <NUM>, a motor <NUM>, and a clutch <NUM> coupling motor <NUM> with valve assembly <NUM>. Valve assembly <NUM> is fluidly positioned between pumping mechanism <NUM> and conduits <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Motor <NUM> might be a stepper motor coupled with battery <NUM> and circuitry <NUM>, and structured to vary an angular position of a valve member <NUM> (as shown in Figs. <NUM>-<NUM>, discussed hereinafter) to selectively place pumping mechanism <NUM> in fluid communication with conduits <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In other embodiments, valve system <NUM> might include a different type of motor or might include two or more motors. Motor <NUM> may also be structured to induce or cause a pumping action within pumping mechanism <NUM> such that air is pumped to valve assembly <NUM>. Clutch <NUM> may be positioned between valve member <NUM> and motor <NUM> such that rotation of motor <NUM> can be selectively transferred to valve member <NUM> to vary its angular position while being able to also rotate to pumping mechanism <NUM> as needed. In some embodiments, pumping mechanism <NUM> might be coupled with clutch <NUM>, as indicated by the dashed lines in Fig. <NUM>, on a common output shaft or shaft assembly of motor <NUM>. Thus, a single shaft or shaft assembly can extend from motor <NUM> to clutch <NUM> and to valve assembly <NUM>. Rotating motor <NUM> in a first direction operates pumping mechanism <NUM>, whereas rotating motor <NUM> in the opposite direction varies angular position of valve assembly <NUM>, with clutch <NUM> serving as a torque transfer device that couples rotation of motor <NUM> in the first direction to pumping mechanism <NUM> but not valve assembly <NUM>, and couples rotation of motor <NUM> in the second direction to valve assembly <NUM>, and optionally but not necessarily to pumping mechanism <NUM>. Clutch <NUM> could be engaged in the second direction to rotate valve assembly <NUM>, but disengaged in the first direction. A variety of suitable mechanical clutches or electromechanical clutches could be used. A so-called freewheeling clutch provides one practical implementation strategy. Thus, rotation of motor <NUM> in the first direction operates pumping mechanism <NUM> without changing an angular position of valve assembly <NUM>, and rotation of motor <NUM> in the second direction enables adjustment of valve assembly <NUM>. Motor <NUM> can be digitally controlled such that when rotated to vary a position of valve assembly <NUM>, valve member <NUM> can be positioned at relatively precise angular positions to obtain different valve/fluid flow configurations for filling or partially filling cells <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and controlling cushion <NUM> as further discussed herein. Cushion <NUM> may include a sensor <NUM> communicatively coupled with circuitry <NUM>, such as a pressure sensor structured to monitor a parameter of conduits <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or of inflatable cells <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> indicative of air pressure therein. Sensor <NUM> might be a different type of sensor in other embodiments, such as a temperature sensor or a pressure sensor structure to detect a parameter indicative of force exerted upon cushion <NUM>.

Referring now also to Figs. <NUM> and <NUM>, multiple perspective views of valve assembly <NUM> are shown. Valve assembly <NUM> includes valve member <NUM> rotatably positioned within a valve case <NUM>. Valve member <NUM> may be generally cylindrical in shape with a protrusion or stub shaft <NUM> that defines an axis <NUM>. Valve case <NUM> may have a cylindrical bore <NUM> structured to receive valve member <NUM>, and includes a plurality of conduit bores extending between a surface <NUM> and cylindrical bore <NUM>. Valve case <NUM> may also include an inlet fitting or the like <NUM> for fluidly coupling valve assembly <NUM> with pumping mechanism <NUM>.

Valve member <NUM> includes a plurality of grooves each extending partially around valve member <NUM> in a circumferential direction. The number of grooves formed in valve member <NUM> and the number of conduit bores formed in valve case <NUM> may correspond with the number of conduits within cushion <NUM>, or with a number of inflation zones in cushion <NUM>. By way of example, valve member <NUM> of the present embodiment includes a leading groove <NUM>, a middle groove <NUM>, and a trailing groove <NUM>, and valve case <NUM> of the present embodiment includes a leading conduit bore <NUM>, a middle conduit bore <NUM>, and a trailing conduit bore <NUM>. Leading groove <NUM> and leading conduit bore <NUM> correspond with inflatable cells <NUM>, middle groove <NUM> and middle conduit bore <NUM> correspond with inflatable cells <NUM>, and trailing groove <NUM> and trailing conduit bore <NUM> correspond with inflatable cells <NUM>. In other embodiments, valve member <NUM> may include four or more grooves and a corresponding number of conduit bores. Grooves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may each extend approximately <NUM> degrees around valve member <NUM> and are axially and circumferentially offset from one another such that only two out of the three grooves are in fluid communication with the corresponding conduit bore at a time. In this way, varying an angular position of valve member <NUM> within cylindrical bore <NUM> can selectively place conduits <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in fluid communication with pumping mechanism <NUM> to receive pressurized inflation fluid or connect to low pressure. In other embodiments, valve member <NUM> may have differently structured grooves. For instance, in an embodiment having more than three grooves, the grooves may have a lesser circumferential extent than grooves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Each groove may include a port <NUM> structured to permit fluid conveyed into a central valve member bore <NUM> from inlet fitting <NUM> to flow to the corresponding conduit bore <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Valve member <NUM> may also include a plurality of outlet bores <NUM> extending therethrough to permit fluid to drain from inflatable cells <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Outlet bores <NUM> each connect to a different outlet port formed in valve member <NUM> and circumferentially offset but axially aligned with a different one of grooves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Referring now also to Figs. <NUM>-<NUM>, partially sectioned views of valve assembly <NUM> are illustrated, showing valve member <NUM> at angular positions corresponding with initial configuration <NUM>, second configuration <NUM>, and third configuration <NUM>, respectively. Motor <NUM> may be structured to rotate valve member <NUM> to one of the three angular positions. Each angular position may be digitally defined to correspond with a different inflation configuration of inflatable cells <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, a first angular position (shown in Fig. <NUM>) may correspond with initial configuration <NUM>. Referring now also to Fig. <NUM>, it can be seen that in initial configuration <NUM>, inflatable cells <NUM>, <NUM> are inflated and inflatable cells <NUM> are deflated or otherwise not fully inflated. To achieve this configuration, the first angular position may be digitally defined as a valve member position in which middle groove <NUM> is in fluid communication with middle conduit bore <NUM>, trailing groove <NUM> is in fluid communication with trailing conduit bore <NUM>, and leading conduit bore <NUM> is in fluid communication with outlet bore <NUM>. Similarly, the second angular position (shown in Fig. <NUM>) may correspond with second configuration <NUM>, and the third angular position (shown in Fig. <NUM>) may correspond with third configuration <NUM>. Thus, valve system <NUM> may be capable of inducing a pumping wave/peristaltic pumping action by causing valve member <NUM> to rotate around axis <NUM> to defined or determined angular positions. In other embodiments, valve assembly <NUM> may be structured to selectively couple pumping mechanism <NUM> with conduits <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> through a different mechanism such as, for instance, by selectively energizing valves in a manner similar to that seen in Fig. <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A therapeutic cushion system comprising:
a pumping mechanism (<NUM>);
a seat cushion (<NUM>, <NUM>) including inflatable cells (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) defining at least three zones, in each zone the inflatable cells (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) being arranged in a serial, repeating arrangement between a front seat cushion edge (<NUM>) and a rear seat cushion edge (<NUM>), and the inflatable cells (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) extending widthwise across the seat cushion (<NUM>, <NUM>);
the seat cushion (<NUM>, <NUM>) further including a manifold (<NUM>) having at least one inflation inlet (<NUM>) in fluid communication with the pumping mechanism (<NUM>), and at least one deflation outlet (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the manifold (<NUM>) including fluid conduits (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), each fluid conduit (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) connected to one of the inflatable cells (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in a respective one of the at least three zones, each inflatable cell being connected to the manifold by a fluid conduit;
a valve assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) adjustable among at least three different valve configurations, and, in each of the different valve configurations, the valve assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) fluidly connecting some of the inflatable cells (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to the at least one inflation inlet while fluidly connecting some of the inflatable cells (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to the at least one deflation outlet (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
an electronic control unit (<NUM>) structured to adjust the valve assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) among the at least three different valve configurations such that inflation/deflation of the inflatable cells (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) produces a plurality of rearwardly advancing pumping waves; and
a cover (<NUM>) including the front seat cushion edge (<NUM>) and the rear seat cushion edge (<NUM>), the plurality of inflatable cells (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are within the cover (<NUM>) and the cover (<NUM>) having a cavity formed therein adjacent the rear seat cushion edge (<NUM>) and having the pumping mechanism (<NUM>) positioned therein.