Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for patient elevation above a fluidized surface includes a web of filter sheet material disposed beneath the patient and between the patient and the main filter sheet that covers the fluidized surface. The web is loosely mounted about a pair of support rods which are connected via a pair of splice bar linkages to a pair of dual acting hydraulic cylinders. Activation of the cylinders causes the two rods to separate from one another. The separation takes up the slack in the web and renders it taut about the two support rods. Further activation of the cylinders elevates the two support rods above the fluidized surface by pivoting them through the splice bar linkages. This raises the web and the patient supported on the web. A solenoid valve is provided in the hydraulic circuit to enable rapid lowering of the support rods and the web when an emergency procedure such as CPR must be administered to the patient. A pressure switch, a relay, and magnetic reed switches cooperate to prevent the cylinders from applying pressure through the support rods to any person's extremity interposed between the two suppport rods or between the support rods and the fluidized or other surface of the patient support system. Relief valves also are provided to accomplish the same result. Pressure compensated flow control valves control the speed with which the support rods are raised and lowered. A manual dump valve bypasses all of the electrically actuatable valves to enable the operator to lower the support rods in the event of electrical power failure.

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First Claim