TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] Embodiments of the invention relate to an inflatable bladder and a system including the bladder, for example for performing methods of interaction with the human body.

BACKGROUND

[002] Low back pain is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide with a substantial portion of the working force, for example, in the USA admitting to having back pain symptoms each year. Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work, and considered to be the second most common reason for visits to the doctor's office, possibly outnumbered by upper-respiratory infections.

[003] Prolonged seating and/or seating while in a moving vehicle, may be a source of back discomfort and may be due to the following potential sources:

[004] While sitting, the pelvis typically rotates posteriorly and as a result lumbar lordosis flattens. This change places increased pressure on the posterior aspects of the intervertebral discs and is considered a risk factor for disc herniation.

[005] Another discomfort source is prolonged lack of movement which is often reported to result in inferior blood circulation around the spine joints, and muscle stiffness as a result. When performing e.g. driving or deskwork, individuals adopt flexed lumbar spine postures, which may result in an increase in the relative contribution of the passive tissues to the maintenance of an upright torso during sitting. [006] If flexed lumbar postures are sustained, the passive flexion stiffness of the lumbar spine can decrease over time because of viscoelastic creep or stress- relaxation in the posterior lumbar tissues. Increased intervertebral joint laxity which was observed with sustained flexion loading, and characterizes prolonged seating and prolonged driving was also attributed to fluid loss in the intervertebral discs. Flexion stiffness can increase the risk of a hyperflexion injury in situations whereby prolonged sitting is followed by tasks that involve full lumbar flexion, and in a vehicle related situation this means the sharp rotation and lift associated with the act of exiting a vehicle after prolonged seating, or reaching and removing carry-on luggage from over-head compartment after a long flight.

[007] A third discomfort source, which is particularly relevant to seating in a moving vehicle (car, train or airplane) is whole body vibration (WBV). With increased whole body vibration, reports show that vibration exposure can induce fatigue and exhaustion of the paravertebral muscles of the lower back.

[008] The spine is designed for movement and sitting in one position in an office or in a car can stiffen up the back muscles and can lead to achiness and possibly muscle spasm. Therefore, the field of improved seat back and back rest design to accommodate users who suffer from unsupportive seating at home or while driving is of interest in various environments, including for example in smaller, less expensive cars, and when seating for prolonged periods in home/office furniture.

[009] In light of the above, three key features may be required from a system to possibly effectively help alleviate discomfort during prolonged seating including prolonged seating in a moving vehicle: firstly, stabilizing the pelvis in order to minimize damage caused by WBV and more pronounced jolting and sudden change in movement of a vehicle; secondly supporting the rib cage, and the upper lumbar section in order to avoid the loss of lordosis and posterior rotation of the pelvis; and thirdly, an element that will address the damage caused by lack of movement by inducing the user's body into movement despite the confines of a prolonged seating position . Attempts so far to address lower back pain in seats may be categorized as the following.

[010] Passive solutions that aim to improve the shape of the seat back, do so typically by offering more extensive support and cushioning (mechanical, foam) in the lumbar section.

[Oi l] Passive yet adjustable solutions that aim to improve the shape of the seat back, typically by offering more extensive support and cushioning (mechanical, foam or pneumatic) in the lumbar section that the user can manually, mechanically, or electronically adjust.

[012] To the extent that these solutions are focused on alleviating lower back pain, they share a design focus on establishing pressure on the central section of the user's back, namely the sacral and lower spine sections, with the assumption that since the source of pain is in the lumbar spinal discs and the nerves surrounding them, additional support and pressure should be directed there. Some examples to existing solutions available so far may be found in the following publications.

[013] US5201761 describes a dual purpose pillow for reversing the lordotic curve of a patient by acting on the base of the spine. The pillow has two wedges that act complimentary to each other. A larger wedge that acts to place the pelvis into posterior tilt and a smaller wedge for increasing the posterior tilt of the sacrum.

[014] US4516568 for example describes a pressure exerting device that has a resilient wedge shaped member and a curved bladder which may be filled to selected air pressure for exerting pressure to a pre-selected pressure in a uniform manner over selected lumbar and sacroiliac areas of the body.

[015] US20140217792 describes a vehicle seating system that has a seat and at least one powered seat adjustment actuator for altering the seating position formed by the seat. A controller dynamically adjusts the speed of movement of said seat back based on comparing speed parameters.

[016] US20050052060 describes a motor vehicle seat system for providing lumbar support. The lumbar adjustment device has a first drive for adjustment in a first adjustment direction and a second drive for adjustment in a second adjustment direction that are different from each other.

[017] US5243267 describes a method for controlling a lumbar support device and a motor control device, which are applied to a powered seat. The motor causes fore-and-aft movement of a lumbar plate and is controlled by control modes. In a first burst control mode, the lumbar plate is moved periodically in the fore-and-aft direction, whereas in a second fluctuation control mode, the lumbar plate is moved in a aperiodic manner.

[018] The above examples mostly are directed to mechanical based solutions that in some cases may be relative expensive to produce, and typically are embedded integrally into a vehicle's seat and thus cannot be removed from the vehicle e.g. for use in another vehicle and/or environment. In addition to the high cost of production of these systems, the mechanical or otherwise smaller displacement pneumatic design of these solutions results in inferior WB V protection.

[019] In addition, to the extent that they attempt to factor into the active and responsive performance of their respective systems, physical changes in the environment of the user (e.g. vehicle speed, vehicle change in direction), such known systems typically resort to data from sensors that are embedded in the vehicle's electric and mechanical system such as the vehicle's speed as measured by the vehicle's speedometer, and the vehicle turning as extrapolated from the vehicle's steering apparatus.

SUMMARY

[020] The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope.

[021] In an aspect of the invention there is provided an inflatable air bladder that has relative large air displacement, in one example can inflate up to an internal volume of about 4,000 cubic centimeters (cc). Embodiments of the present disclosure's inflatable bladder have a unique shape (i.e. an upside down U shaped bladder). This design, in at least some embodiments preferably addresses three biomechanical needs from an effective lower back support system.

[022] Such design in at least certain embodiments may enable a single large displacement air chamber bladder (e.g. a bladder having possibly a single inflatable internal chamber or hollow interior), to reach and effect distinct specific desired biomechanical device/human body interactions in different regions of a user's lower and thoracic back. The significance of delivering these distinct biomechanical effects via a single large displacement bladder is that in at least certain circumstances it may provide superior whole body vibration dampening when compared to mechanical supports or an array of smaller displacement air bladders.

[023] A first being provided by a lower section of such bladder that provides lateral stabilization and dampening of potential vibration, a second being provided by the bladder's mid- section and being in the form of lift and supports to the user's posterior ribcage further elimination vibration and also increasing lordosis and reducing posterior rotation of the pelvis, and a third being provided by the bladder's top section by using its relative high displacement pneumatic ability to provide deeper horizontal (range from zero and up to about 9 cm) fore and aft movement preferably needed for avoiding muscle stiffness and poor circulation in prolonged seating.

[024] The design of the bladder provides a space or gap between legs of the U- shaped bladder for a person's buttocks to be placed therein. This in turn facilitates the person's lumbar and lower thoracic support to be provided without substantially excreting direct pressure on the lower lumbar region of the spine as well as the sacral central region, thus possibly enabling higher degree of musculoskeletal freedom needed in avoiding lower back pain and stiffness in prolonged seating.

[025] The particular shape dimensions and application of at least certain embodiments of the inflatable bladder to the person's back, enables the person to position the pelvis, preferably the sacral section (i.e. the articulated bones of pelvis); in its natural position, pushed against the base of the seat's backrest, which is preferably desirable since it enables less "slumping" of the lower back, and further preferably also permits fuller upward extension of the rib cage and chest area when the bladder is filled with air.

[026] This shape, namely an up- side down U shaped large displacement air bladder, that meets the user's upper lumbar section posteriorly, and at a lower area diagonally and latterly hugs the user's pelvic section; in at least certain embodiments of the inflatable bladder also preferably provides lift and cushioning to the rib cage section, as well as lateral stabilizing support of the pelvis, which are the three requirements from an effective lower back support system.

[027] Such bladder design is capable of meeting all three requirements by combining a design that offers higher degree of dampening through larger air displacement via an internally inflated air chamber, with a shape that is designed to exert three directionally and topically distinct forces on the user's lower back.

[028] In an aspect of the invention, the forward horizontal extension of the bladder, once pressurized, can move the upper lumbar section horizontally forward in one example, between about '0' and about '9' centimeters (cm), depending on user's preference. In a possible application of principles of at least certain embodiments of the present invention to a driving environment, in order to maintain driver and/or passenger position during vehicle turns (i.e. minimize lateral movement of the upper torso during vehicle turns), despite the distancing that the bladder creates between driver and/or passenger and the seat's backrest (i.e. said "distancing" being formed at least by a head section of the bladder when inflated above a certain pressure), the lateral sides of the bladder are possibly framed by a relative hard surface/fixture, with this fixture element possibly also being adjustable to accommodate variability in a user's body width. The fixture may be considered as part of the bladder or part of a system including the bladder.

[029] This possible external shell or fixture element (either in a driving environment or other environments e.g. office environment); in at least certain embodiments may have a hinge that enables medial collapse of the support elements or segments of the fixture - so that a person, e.g. a driver and/or passenger in a vehicle environment, can easily enter the seat (hinge collapses possibly medially), and once in position, the directional hinge pivots laterally thus increasing the level of lateral support, and reducing lateral motion of the user's torso.

[030] In a further aspect possibly combinable with former described aspects or embodiments; an embodiment of the bladder may include two or more sub-divisions of the bladder's hollow interior, with one such sub-division possibly being located at lower sections of the legs of the upside down U shaped bladder.

[031] Possibly each leg or lower section of a leg of such bladder may be formed as a separate sub-division possibly sealed from other sub-divisions (consequently receiving incoming pressure directly from the pressure source) or in at least partial communication with other sub-divisions.

[032] Air pressure in such subdivisions can be connected and managed separately from the top compartment of the bladder (possibly a compartment constituting a head section of the bladder), in a way that will enable medially directional stabilizing pressure at the two sides of the user's pelvic section, independently of the dynamic pressure changes in the top compartment of the bladder.

[033] In a further aspect, a system may be provided that may possibly be computerized by a control unit that includes an electronic pump and valve system as well as programmable circuitry and communications modules. When connected to the control unit, the bladder can be used in manually selected steady mode, maintaining a selected bladder air pressure, or in a selected dynamic mode that is highly customizable, and can be programed to gradually change over short and long periods of use, including the ability of users to share preferably via electronic transmission dynamic programing that includes a sequence of pressure changes, potentially different in minimum and maximum, pressure values as well as the duration of each minimum and maximum phase. [034] The user can control the pressure in the bladder at a minimum, as well as the maximum pressure (for example between about 0-35kpa). The user can control the duration of the low pressure period, for example, in a possible range between about 10 and 600 seconds, as well as the duration of the maximum pressure period also, for example, in a possible range between about 10 and 600 seconds.

[035] The user can possibly program a gradual pattern over the duration of the user's use of the system. For example starting with about 30 seconds at about 2 kpa, shifting to about 30 seconds at about 6 kpa, and then dropping again to about 2 kpa for about 40 seconds, followed by about 40 seconds at about 10 kpa. This is one non-binding example of a gradually directional pattern of higher, or lower pressure, that can possibly be useful to a user seeking a prolonged stiffness and pain free drive, or otherwise better blood circulation and stiffness free activity while seating.

[036] A control unit of the bladder may include a GUI, in one example integral with the control unit itself and in another example provided as an additional no- integral option for example at a location more readily available to a user e.g. in front of the user such as on the car's dashboard when such bladder is possibly used in a vehicle, or as another example at a personal computing unit including as a smart phone or personal tablet. Such GUI may communicate via a communications protocol, possibly a wireless protocol, (Bluetooth, wi-fi, sonic, or other wireless communication protocols) with the bladder and/or elements of a system including the bladder (e.g. the bladder's control unit) and/or with other devices in the environment of use of the bladder or system such as a GPS device located in such environment.

[037] In addition or alternatively, an interactive screen and computerized circuitry of a connected device (e.g. smartphone or other computerized personal computing unit) may function as the GUI and master control for the system's physically connected control unit to consequently provide two optional controllers for controlling operation of a system including the bladder (e.g. for controlling inflation and deflation sequences of the bladder). [038] In an embodiment of the invention, once a user created a personalized pressure sequence mini-program that is possibly a sequence of timed changes in the bladder's internal pressure, the user can save the mini-program, export it to a connected digital device such as a smart phone, and save it as such. Once exported, users can share such programs with other users. As part of the sharing process users can add with a recommended pressure sequence mini-program explanation of the benefits of the unique individual program.

[039] Such storing and/or defining of a user's personalized program may be facilitated by e.g. an app running on a digital device such as a smartphone and consequently exporting the personalized program may be to other user's possibly to similar app's running on digital devices of such other user's.

[040] Once shared, these pressure sequence mini-programs may be subjected to rating by other users, who downloaded them and tried them. This rating system may allow users to utilize mini-programs that better suite their personal objective with regards to alleviating lower back discomfort during prolonged seating and/or driving.

[041] In another aspect, in particular relevant when embodiments of the bladder are used in a vehicle, an ability may be provided to receive and integrate data from travel, navigation and mapping programs (apps) that may be active in the background of a user's use of the system. This data may typically be generated at a user's phone, or a GPS e.g. on-board an environment (e.g. a vehicle environment) where the user is located.

[042] Such obtained geographical data typically reflects the user's planned immediate travel in the vehicle. Once received by the control unit, possibly automatically, the control unit may generate a pneumatic program that combines the geo-mapping and temporal data from the navigation program, possibly with the user's predefined preferences for minimal and maximal pressure sequences in various driving conditions, including sections with high frequency of sharp turns, and traffic congestion (traffic jams) which may call for personal preferences settings, to consequently generate a pneumatic program that is preferably optimal for that particular trip, while accommodating and adjusting the actual program to external environment changing conditions.

[043] As a result, rich customizable' long duration pneumatic programs can be created that can be shared by other users, and also a navigation program may feed the control unit the trip's data for more comfortable autonomous programing of the pneumatics.

[044] In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures and by study of the following detailed descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[045] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative, rather than restrictive. For example, while at least some of the figures have been provide illustrating use in a vehicle environment it is to be understood that basic principles of at least certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention may be equally applicable to other environments such as normal sitting environments e.g. in an office, home and/or public (e.g. restaurant, theater etc.) environment. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures, in which:

[046] Figs. 1A and IB schematically show perspective views, respectively, of a car seat and an office seat, each including an inflatable bladder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[047] Figs. 2, 2A and 2B schematically show side views of a person seated on a car seat including an inflatable bladder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [048] Figs. 3A and 3B schematically show partial cross sectional views of Figs. 2A and 2B, respectively;

[049] Fig. 4 schematically shows another side view of a person seated on a car seat including an inflatable bladder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[050] Figs 4A to 4C. schematically show cross sectional views respectively indicated in Fig. 4;

[051] Figs. 5A and 5B schematically show cross sectional views of part of a car seat and part of an embodiment of an inflatable bladder of the present invention;

[052] Fig. 6 schematically shows a cross sectional view of part of a car seat and part of another embodiment of an inflatable bladder of the present invention;

[053] Fig. 7 schematically shows a top view of a car seat and an inflatable bladder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[054] Fig. 8A to 8C schematically show diagrams illustrating various modes of operation possibly provided by at least some embodiments of inflatable bladders of the invention;

[055] Fig. 9 schematically shows a perspective front view of a car seat and an inflatable bladder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and [056] Fig. 10 is a block diagram schematically illustrating at least part of a system including and/or in communication with at least some inflatable bladder embodiments of the invention.

[057] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated within the figures to indicate like elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[058] Attention is first drawn to Fig. 1A illustrating an embodiment of an inflatable bladder 12 of the invention mounted to a seat 10. Here the seat 10 is illustrated as a car seat, which will be used here to describe various aspects and/or embodiments of the invention; however, it is to be understood that at least certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention may be equally applicable to other environments, such as home, office and/or public (e.g. restaurant, theater etc.) environments.

[059] The car seat is here of a typical separate shape that includes a contoured platform 18 designed to support a person from below. The car seat includes a backrest 14 for supporting a person's back and two standard lateral supports 16 integral to the backrest that bound the backrest from both lateral sides. Car seat 10 in addition includes a junction 20 where the backrest and platform meet.

[060] The inflatable bladder 12 generally has an upside down 'U' shape including two legs 22 that are joined at their upper sides at a head portion or section 24 of the bladder. The bladder's dimensions may vary to accommodate variability in user's body size. In a cross section taken through the head portion or legs (see examples of such cross sections in Figs. 2B, 3B, 4, 4B and 4C), an inflated diameter may range between about 6 and about 9 cm.

[061] A height H (see marked in Fig. 2B) of the bladder measured between a top end at the bladder's head portion and a lower end where the legs end, in one example may range between about 22 and about 30 centimeters, and an overall width W (see marked in Fig. 7) of the bladder in one example may range between about 35 and about 45 centimeters. The overall volume, once inflated in one example may range between about 1650 cc and about 4000 cc, which offers a higher potential displacement volume, and therefore higher degree of dampening effect for bladder embodiments of the invention.

[062] The bladder 12 is typically a separate element non-integral with the seat consequently making a single bladder usable with various seats, possibly of the same user, e.g. his car seat, office seat or the like. The bladder is further typically fitted to the seat with its U-shape turned around so that the legs extend downwards from the bladder's head portion, preferably sloping around the user's pelvis. The bladder in addition includes a gap 26 where the bladder is absent that is laterally bound by the two legs and bound from above by the head portion 24.

[063] The bladder 12, which in at least certain embodiments may be defined as a pneumatic activated vibration and movement dampening element as well as a pressure exerting device, can be made in one example of TPU coated nylon fabric possibly covered by a layer of sponge (e.g. about 1 cm thick), which in turn may be covered by a washable fabric and/or leather. The bladder is possibly fitted in place on the seat by a strap 28 that surrounds the backrest and a controller 30 forming together with the bladder a so-called system for controlling operation of the bladder may be fitted to the strap and may include an air tube lumen 29 in fluid communication with the bladder for inflation/deflation of the bladder. The strap, which may include a buckle (not shown) for easy adjustment, can contain the air tube that is used for connecting the bladder with a pump and a valve system in or in communication with the controller.

[064] Although the bladder is here shown being fitted by a strap to the seat it is to be understood that other means may be provided for facilitating placement of the bladder relative to the seat, such as Velcro means on the bladder (or the like) that may assist in such placement. In addition, the controller can be located in other areas and not necessarily on the strap.

[065] The bladder may also be provided with a fixture 32 for assisting in fixation of the bladder relative to the seat and/or in maintaining the U-shape formation of the bladder, for example when non-inflated. This fixation means may include a main portion 34 here possibly arc shaped and a bridge 36 here visible, however may also be at least partially concealed tucked within junction 20 where the backrest 14 and platform 18 meet. [066] Attention is drawn to Fig. IB generally illustrating a similar bladder embodiment 12 as that shown in Fig. 1A, however in this example being fitted to a seat 100 that is different to seat 10 used in a vehicle environment. Here seat 100 being chosen to be of a possible office environment. Bladder 12 in the example is generally identical to that already described and therefore like numerals will indicated similar elements already discussed. Although it is noted that various bladder embodiments can be used with a variety of types of seats, from hereon, the seat example illustrated used and discussed will be with respect to seat 10 used in the vehicle environment.

[067] Attention is drawn to Fig. 2 illustrating a side view of car seat 10 with a person seated on the seat. In this side view the car seat's lateral support 16 slightly conceals the bladder, which generally supports a lower side of the person's back with the pelvic region of the person's trunk, in particular the person's sacral section, being generally located within gap 26 of the U-shaped blabber. Attention is additionally drawn to figures 2A and 2B providing views taken from a similar direction to that of Fig. 2 however with the lateral support 16 being transparent to reveal areas otherwise concealed behind it in this view.

[068] As seen in this view, the bladder's top head portion 24 is generally aligned with a lower side of the person's rib-cage 38 (e.g. generally where the upper lumbar section and lower thoracic sections meet); and the legs 22 of the bladder extend, possibly diagonally, downwards to generally wrap around the person's pelvis 40 (in particular the person's sacral section) (see numeral 40 indicated in Fig. 3A). In Fig. 2 A the bladder is in a relative deflated state and in Fig. 2B the bladder is in a relative inflated state bearing, inter alia, against the person's upper lumbar vertebrae 42.

[069] Figs. 3A and 3B that respectively correspond to figures 2A and 2B illustrate accordingly similar respective views however in partial cross section taken through the seat's backrest 14. Illustrated in these views (as also in Figs. 2A and 2B) is that during inflation of the bladder, the bladder's top head portion 24 while bearing against the upper lumbar vertebrae 42 urges the person's vertebral column to flex forwardly and slightly increase lordosis while the person's pelvis region generally remains substantially in place adjacent junction 20 of the car seat, and while the pelvis tilts forward with the increase in lordosis acting as a so-called pivot Pt for permitting relative large lordosis. During deflation, the bladder's head portion 24 that deflates permits the person's vertebral column to flex back rearwardly into place to extend generally alongside the backrest.

[070] Attention is additionally drawn to Figs. 4 in order to illustrate cross sectional views (in Figs. 4A-4C) taken from above through the person and the bladder in a relative inflated state. Consequently, these figures may be illustrative to the various topical forces and/or support structures that may be embodied in at least certain bladder embodiments of the invention. In Fig. 4A the bladder's top head portion/section is shown generally bearing against the person's upper lumbar vertebrae 42, consequently being configured to apply a force Fa (when the bladder is inflated) in a direction away from the backrest that, inter alia, contributes to increase in lordosis of the person's vertebral column and pivoting of the pelvis region about pivot Pt.

[071] The range of motion, forward and backward of the bladder's top head section/portion with respective increase and decrease in air pressure can reach relative high ranges, for example of about 9 cm. This increased range of motion of the bladder consequently results in increased changes in lordosis of the vertebral column. Notably, such high range of motion provided by at least certain bladder embodiments has been found to provide advantageous therapeutic results at least partially assisting to mitigate back pain.

[072] Such relative high range of bladder motion and consequently lordosis of the vertebral column in at least certain embodiments may accordingly be facilitated at least in part by the pivoting motion occurring at the pelvis region about pivot Pt. This relatively large range of motion when experienced in a repeated yet non-rapid sequence (fastest sequence in one example may be up to about several seconds in duration), at least in some cases may be desirable because with a higher range of motion a user may improve blood circulation thus further decreasing risk of muscle stiffness and discomfort associated with prolonged still seating.

[073] Fig. 4A thus illustrates the ability to provide the user with a relative large air displacement pneumatic fore and aft motion, and consequently with a so-called 'first' one of three possible key features provided by at least certain embodiments of the presently disclosed bladder.

[074] In Fig. 4B, being a top view of a cross section taken along plane B-B, mid upper portions 77 of the bladder's legs are shown located on lateral posterior sides of a relative upper part the person's pelvic region and as here illustrated these mid upper portions 77 apply, inter alia, an upward directed lift force Fb generally upon the person's rib-cage, preferably upon a lower portion of the rib-cage.

[075] With attention drawn back to Fig. 3B, the legs 22 of at least certain bladder embodiments may be seen extending downwards from the bladder's head portion generally along a slope 55 (consequently being spaced at least from the backrest along the slope). In bladder embodiments including such slope 55, the mid upper portions 77 of the bladder applying, inter alia, the upward directed force Fb, may be provided in such leg portions of the bladder that are located along the slope 55.

[076] The effect that the diagonal sloping portion 55 of the bladder (see slope 55 indicated in the cross section of Fig. 4B) and/or the aforementioned portions 77, may have on the user may accordingly be of upward directed support/lift upon the user's rib-cage that in turn rests on this particular support structure 55, 77, where said support structure (slope 55 and/or portions 77) may also offer dampening of downward motion and vibration that may be associated e.g. with driving on uneven surfaces, such as road speed bumps or the like.

[077] Figure 4B thus illustrates the ability of the bladder's portions 77 and/or slope 55 to provide the user with an air displacement pneumatic upward lift (when inflated), that consequently facilitates a so-called 'second' one of three possible key features provided by at least certain embodiments of the presently disclosed bladder.

[078] In Fig. 4C relative lower portions 99 of the bladder's legs are shown located on opposing lateral sides of a relative lower part the person's pelvic region. The biomechanical effect these sections 99 of the bladder offer may be of inward directed lateral forces Fc that bear against the pelvis region offering support (soft pressure from both sides) to the pelvis which is considered helpful in stabilizing the entire lower back during vehicle turns, and in providing a dampening effect on the spine's disks. This figure illustrates the ability to provide the user with a relative large air displacement pneumatic lateral cushioning and stabilization (when inflated), that consequently facilitates a so-called 'third' one of three possible key features provided by at least certain embodiments of the presently disclosed bladder. [079] Illustrated also in Figs. 4B and 4C is a possible formation of the fixture 32 that may as here illustrated optionally support the legs of the bladder as they extend along the lateral supports 16 of the backrest so that a relative position of the legs against the lateral sides of the pelvic region of the person is ensured, and a soft (air bladder) hug is affected.

[080] Attention is drawn to Figs. 5A and 5B to illustrate an embodiment of fixture 32 that may be used with the bladder for supporting its position relative to the car seat and backrest. In this possibility, the bladder (here in a relative low region of the leg) is shown located between segments, here two such segments 231, 232, of the fixture 32 and attached to these segments. Segment 232 may be attached to the lateral support 16 of the car seat and segment 231 may be coupled to segment 232 possibly hinged thereto e.g. by a living hinge at the location where they meet.

[081] During inflation of the bladder (Fig. 5B), the bladder urges segment to rotate one in relation to the other while the bladder is urged to its inflated state. During deflation (Fig. 5 A) the deflating bladder urges the segments to rotate back to a folded state where the bladder is located between the segments 232, 231 snuggly adjacent the lateral support 16 of the car seat. In this position, a person may easily enter the car seat without the bladder obstructing his entry.

[082] Fig. 6 illustrates a possible modification where the fixture 32 may be configured to include additional; segment, here four such segments that function in a similar manner to as described with reference to Figs. 5. Fig. 7 illustrated a top view of the car seat 10 and bladder 24.

[083] Attention is drawn to Figs. 8A to 8B illustrating various inflation/deflation patters that may be provided by a system controlling a bladder such as that described herein above.

[084] In the example shown in Fig. 8A, before drive/seating session begins, tn in minutes is set by the user, or by output of vehicle/smartphone navigation program per user's definition of the current driving destination. A controller 30 may set an algorithm that has the pressure in the bladder set to reach a minimum point (Pminl) for a certain duration in seconds (example minimum can be set to about 10-600 seconds), after which, at tl, the pump increases pressure until it reaches pmaxl at t2, and maintains pmaxl until t3. This routine is essentially repeated continuously, with the algorithm in this example gradually increasing Pmax incrementally until Pmaxd (max pressure for this particular seating or driving session), and then gradually decreases Pmax so that the user has a smooth departure from the driving seating session, once tn is reached.

[085] In the example illustrated in Fig. 8B, generally the same as in Fig. 8A may be provided with the following option. A navigation system of e.g. the car where the bladder is installed or a computer on a geo positioning enabled mobile device of the user (where geo positioning may be facilitated via GPS, cellular networks, wi-fi networks, and/or other geo positioning platforms); may alert the controller that at tx the drive route enters a section with high frequency of sharp turns, and the driver prefers lower max points in such areas so that a more challenging driving experience can be addressed with less motion of the lumbar section. Once ty is reached, signalling end of sharp curves section of the route, the system may be instructed to resume gradual lowering of Pmax until tn is reached.

[086] In the example illustrated in Fig. 8C, generally the described in Figs. 8A and 8B may be provided with the following option that a navigation system alerts controller that at tx the drive route enters a traffic jam that requires higher minimum, and max pressure settings due to more static driving activity, and higher potential for muscle stiffness, and the driver in one example prefers higher min/max points in such areas so that a more static seating, position that sometimes results in muscle stiffening and lower back pain can be addressed with more motion of the lumbar section. Once ty is reached, signaling end of traffic jam section of the route, the system may be instructed to resume gradual lowering of Pmax, and Pmin until tn is reached. The ability to feed the pump and pressure control algorithm as described here, with data from geo positioning enabled devices, results in a less expensive and more mobile programmable pneumatic system that possibly does not require hardwiring of sensors to the vehicle's systems.

[087] It is noted that the desired configuration and/or change in settings e.g. per the GPS data, in at least some embodiments may be personal and not limited to the changes and configurations provided in the above examples, since e.g. certain users may react and consequently configure their settings in a different manner to that described.

[088] It is also noted that in at least certain embodiments, users creating personalized pressure sequence mini-programs may be able to share such pressure programing with other users via electronic transmission, namely, via posting of the saved program to a shared users' forum, via email, or as attachment in messaging in social networks (or the like).

[089] It is further noted that in at least certain embodiments, users may be able to use a rating and comments platform that will allow a user to use e.g. a "5 star" system for rating pressure sequence mini- programs other users posted to the user's forum. Users may also be able to comment on their view of the quality of other users pressure programs, once they downloaded the user generated program from the users' forum.

[090] Attention is drawn to Fig. 9 schematically illustrating a bladder embodiment positioned on a seat, as generally described with regards to Fig. 1 and therefore like numerals will be here used. Bladder in this embodiment possibly includes several sub divisions 57 and in one example several lumens 299 may be provided each leading from the controller to respective sub-divisions for inflation/deflation of the sub-division.

[091] These sub-divisions 57 are possibly controlled independently, in one example independently of a main section of the bladder; with for example, the intention to establish a more constant stabilizing effect on the sides of the user's buttocks, thus stabilizing the user's back, even if the main bladder top section changes in its pressure setting in a more dynamic pattern. In an embodiment, an inflatable bladder may be divided into one or more sub-divisions 57.

[092] Attention is drawn to Fig. 10 illustrating a block diagram of at least part of a system possibly including or in communication with at least certain bladder embodiments of the invention. The system is here illustrated including a systems controller (see possible housing, of or including such controller, marked 30 in Figs. 1A and IB). The controller may receive its power through a USB cable (see this example marked 11 in Fig. 1A) or any other means, and the arriving power may be connected via a regulator to the controller or other elements of the system requiring power. The controller may have means such as an LCD for indicating e.g. status of the system and control buttons e.g. for permitting input of commands by a user to the system, and the controller typically controls operation of inflation/deflation of the bladder via a sub-system possibly including in this example a pump, valve, pressure sensor, electric circuitry (etc.).

[093] It should be noted that directional terms appearing throughout the specification and claims, e.g. "forward", "rear", "up", "down" etc., (and derivatives thereof) are for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. In addition it is noted that the directional terms "down", "below" and "lower" (and derivatives thereof) define identical directions.

[094] In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs, "comprise" "include" and "have", and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.

[095] Further more, while the present application or technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and non- restrictive; the technology is thus not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed technology, from a study of the drawings, the technology, and the appended claims.

[096] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures can not be used to advantage.

[097] The present technology is also understood to encompass the exact terms, features, numerical values or ranges etc., if in here such terms, features, numerical values or ranges etc. are referred to in connection with terms such as "about, ca., substantially, generally, at least" etc. In other words, "about 3" shall also comprise "3" or "substantially perpendicular" shall also comprise "perpendicular". Any reference signs in the claims should not be considered as limiting the scope.

[098] Although the present embodiments have been described to a certain degree of particularity, it should be understood that various alterations and modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.