Body support with adaptive pressurization

摘要

An apparatus for supporting a body portion in a preferred embodiment has a plurality n of inflatable members Mi (i=1, . . . , n) in a desired configuration. Each member is individually adjustable to a desired pressure from a pressure source. The apparatus also has a pressure-sensing arrangement for sensing the pressure in each of the members Mi. Furthermore the apparatus has a control arrangement for adjusting the pressure in the members Mi according to a protocol. The protocol includes the steps of (i) initially inflating each member Mi until a predetermined condition has been achieved; (ii) determining the pressure POj (j=i) of each member Mi resulting after initial inflation; (iii) determining the desired pressure PDi of each member Mi as a function Fi of the pressures POj (j=1, . . . n) obtained in step (ii), such that PDi=Fi(P01, . . . , PDn); and (iv) adjusting the pressure of each member Mi to a final pressure PFi that matches the desired pressure determined for such member in step (iii), such that PFi=PDi=Fi(P01, . . . , PDn).