(57) This invention relates to supports e.g. for living bodies and in particular, but
not exclusively, to bed pads and mattresses for use with patents confined to bed.
A bed pad comprises an alternating pressure pad 10, constituted by sheets 11, defining
two sets of alternately inflatable interdigitated channels 12, 13, a pump 14 for alternately
inflating the air channels to support a patient alternately on the two sets of channels
and a sheet 17 secured to the underneath of the pad 10 to define a plenum 18, apertures
19, which pass through the pad 10 but are sealed from the air channels 12, 13, and
a further low pressure pump for circulating air through the plenum 18 and the apertures
19 and hence between the patient and the pad 10. In other embodiments, an air permeable
sheet is provided above the pressure pad 10 to define a plenum, or the pad is provided
inside a complete envelope with a permeable upper sheet.
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