Patent ID: 7226471

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: a plurality of sets of interleaved air bags collectively forming a patient supporting surface, each set of interleaved air bags being independently inflatable; and a high air pressure source in fluid communication with the air bags; wherein the high air pressure source is operable to alternately inflate the sets of interleaved air bags to periodically relieve alternate regions of the patient's body from pressure; a framework of inflatable tubes; a patient-enclosing air tent mounted on the framework of inflatable tubes, the inflatable tubes being operable, when inflated, to support the air tent above the patient, wherein the patient enclosing air tent is sized to enclose at least a portion of a single patient except a head portion of the patient; an air inlet connected to an air-cooling system for introducing cooled air into the patient enclosing air tent; and an outlet connected to the air-cooling system for re-circulating air from the air tent back to the air-cooling system to conserve energy.