21 CFR § 880.5550 - Alternating pressure air flotation mattress.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t21/s880.5550"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "21 CFR § 880.5550 - Alternating pressure air flotation mattress."
title_number: 21
title_name: "Food and Drugs"
section_number: "880.5550"
section_name: "Alternating pressure air flotation mattress."
chapter_name: "FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"
subchapter_number: "H"
subchapter_name: "MEDICAL DEVICES"
part_number: "880"
part_name: "GENERAL HOSPITAL AND PERSONAL USE DEVICES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "21 U.S.C. 351, 360, 360c, 360e, 360j, 360 371."
regulatory_source: "45 FR 69682, Oct. 21, 1980, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "880"
---


# 880.5550 Alternating pressure air flotation mattress.

(a) *Identification.* An alternating pressure air flotation mattress is a device intended for medical purposes that consists of a mattress with multiple air cells that can be filled and emptied in an alternating pattern by an associated control unit to provide regular, frequent, and automatic changes in the distribution of body pressure. The device is used to prevent and treat decubitus ulcers (bed sores).

(b) *Classification.* Class II (special controls). The device is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to § 880.9.

[45 FR 69682, Oct. 21, 1980, as amended at 63 FR 59229, Nov. 3, 1998]