Abstract: A head wall apparatus includes a support configured to be coupled to a wall. A front panel is coupled to the support to define an interior region of the head wall. A plurality of first gas blocks are coupled to the support, and a plurality of second gas blocks are also coupled to the support spaced apart from the first gas blocks. Each of the first and second gas blocks have an inlet and an outlet. The apparatus further includes a plurality of first and second gas supply hoses located in the interior region which are coupled to the first and second gas supply blocks, respectively. At least one divider is coupled to the support within the interior region. The at least one divider is configured to separate the first and second gas supply hoses into first and second separate pathways within the interior region.

Abstract: A bed status information system for indicating to attending personnel the status of a patient bed includes bed condition input signal generators carried by the bed and coupled to operational elements on the bed, which have one or more monitorable conditions. The signal generators are operable to monitor a bed element condition and input signal indicative of the status of the monitored condition. An interface board on the bed processes the bed condition input signal and generates bed condition messages, which indicate the status of the monitored condition. A processing station remote from the bed is electrically coupled via a datalink to the interface board and is operable to receive the bed condition messages and indicate the status of the patient bed and its operational elements to attending personnel at a location remote from the bed, thereby eliminating the need for constant personnel attendance at the bed.

Abstract: A cushion is provided for use on a foot section of an articulating deck of a bed to support the legs of a person on the bed. The foot section of the deck is movable from a generally horizontal bed position to a generally vertical chair position. The cushion includes an air bladder configured to be inflated when the deck is in its horizontal bed position and deflated when the deck is in its generally vertical chair position, a cover surrounding the air bladder, and an elastic cord coupled to the cover. The elastic cord is configured to gather the cover and the air bladder toward the foot section of the deck as the air bladder is deflated.

Abstract: A surgical light apparatus includes a support arm assembly configured to couple a lighthead to a support surface such as a ceiling, a wall, or a stand. The arm assembly includes an upper arm, a lower arm pivotably coupled to the upper arm and a yolk coupled to the lower arm. The lighthead is pivotable with respect to the yolk which includes a task light. The task light coupled to the yolk assembly provides an auxiliary light source for the room when the surgical light is not in use.

Abstract: A system for determining the location of a patient on a support. The system includes a first and second sensor coupled to a patient's support surface and being at least laterally spaced. A first load signal from the first sensor has a first sensitivity greater than a second sensitivity of a second load signal from the second sensor. A determination circuit receives a first and second load signals and provides an indication of the location of the patient on the support surface from a comparison of the sum of the load signals to a selected value.

Abstract: A communication and control device for attachment to the head end of a hospital bed for positioning a voice activated communication and control module adjacent a patient's head. The device comprises an arm having first, second and third arm segments, with first and second articulating joints connecting the first and second and second and third arm segments respectively. A securing mechanism releasably secures the first arm segment to the bed, and a third articulating joint connects the first arm segment to the securing mechanism. The first articulating joint accommodates electrical transmission wire substantially within the joint.

Abstract: A percussion and vibration apparatus for use in a bed is provided. A pressurized air input port is configured to be coupled to a pressurized air supply system. A valve assembly is coupled to the pressurized air input port. A percussion and vibration bladder port is coupled to the valve assembly and configured to be coupled to at least one percussion and vibration bladder. A controller is coupled to the valve assembly and configured to be coupled to a communication network to regulate flow of pressurized air through the valve assembly from the pressurized air input port to the percussion and vibration bladder port.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a patient includes a frame, a patient support deck coupled to the frame and configured to support the patient, and a head rest coupled to the patient-support deck and having longitudinally-extending, transversely spaced-apart sides. The head rest includes a pair of longitudinally-extending, transversely spaced-apart socket tubes adjacent to respective head rest sides. The head rest also includes a bottom plate extending transversely between the socket tubes and a side plate angling upwardly from each of the socket tubes so that a head cushion-receiving space is defined between the side plates. Each of the socket tubes has an interior region adapted to receive portions of a wrist rest assembly configured to be coupled to the head rest.

Abstract: A surgical support apparatus includes a mobile support station configured to receive medical equipment thereon. The mobile support station includes at least one gas outlet and at least one electrical outlet for supplying gas and electricity to an operating room. The apparatus also includes a flexible umbilical line having a first end coupled to the mobile support station and a second end configured to be coupled to a ceiling of the operating room. The umbilical line is configured to route medical gases and electrical lines from a gas supply and an electrical power supply, respectively, through the ceiling and to the mobile support station.

Abstract: An x-ray cassette holder is configured to be coupled to a frame of a bed. The cassette holder apparatus includes first, second, and third tubes. The first and second tubes are coupled for sliding movement as are the second and third tubes. A first channel member is coupled to the first tube and configured to be coupled to the bed frame. A second channel member is coupled to the second tube and configured to be coupled to a first portion of an x-ray cassette. A third channel member is coupled to the third tube and configured to be coupled to a second portion of the x-ray cassette.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a service column from a ceiling includes a mounting assembly adapted to be coupled to the ceiling. The mounting assembly includes a tube configured to extend downwardly with respect to the ceiling. The apparatus also includes an arm assembly including a first arm coupled to the tube and extending therefrom. A portion of the arm assembly is adapted to be coupled to the service column so that the service column is supportable at a location spaced from the mounting assembly. The apparatus further includes a leveling mechanism including a first member located beneath a lower end of the tube and engaging the tube adjacent to the lower end, a second member coupled to the first arm, and an adjuster coupled to the first and second members, the adjuster being movable to move the first member relative to the second member to move the first arm relative to the tube.

Abstract: A chair for supporting a patient above a floor comprising a base frame, an intermediate frame coupled to the base frame for pivoting movement relative to the base frame about a generally horizontal transverse axis thereon and wherein the intermediate frame is lockable relative to the base frame. An articulated patient support including longitudinally spaced back and seat sections mounted to the intermediate frame for movement relative to one another and relative to the intermediate frame and wherein the back and seat sections are movable relative to the base frame about the horizontal transverse axis when the intermediate frame is locked relative to the base frame.

Abstract: A surgical stretcher includes a patient-support deck having a substantially planar back section coupled to a frame for pivoting movement about a transverse pivot axis. The back section includes a frame member having first and second corner portions. The first corner portion is transversely spaced apart from the second corner portion, and the first and second corner portions are longitudinally spaced apart from the transverse pivot axis. An actuator couples the back section to the frame. The actuator is lockable to prevent pivoting movement of the back section relative to the frame, and is releasable to allow pivoting movement of the back section relative to the frame. A release rod is coupled to the back section and movable to release the actuator.

Abstract: A surgical table includes a base, a vertical support member extending vertically upwardly from the base, a frame extending outwardly from the support member, and a mattress supported by the frame and positioned to lie above the frame. The mattress is configured to support a patient and has at least one bladder configured to receive a medium. The surgical table also includes a power pack positioned to lie within the base and configured to supply the medium to the mattress to change the shape of the mattress.

Abstract: A diffuser assembly is configured to support a fluidizable medium on a fluidized bed. The diffuser assembly includes a diffuser board which is permeable to air and impermeable to the fluidizable medium, and a metal plate coupled to the diffuser board. The metal plate is formed to include a plurality of apertures therein to permit air to pass through the metal plate. The metal plate has an outer perimeter edge. The plurality of apertures are spaced inwardly from the outer perimeter edge of the metal plate by a predetermined distance to define a solid border configured to block air flow through the metal plate adjacent the outer perimeter edge.

Abstract: A patient-support apparatus comprising a base, and a patient-support assembly supported above the base including a patient-support deck having longitudinally spaced-apart ends and an elevation mechanism for moving one of the ends of the patient-support deck relative to the other of the ends and relative to the base. The elevation mechanism including a transversely-extending threaded shaft, a pair of blocks threadedly coupled to the shaft, and a linkage coupled to the pair of blocks and extending upwardly therefrom to support the end of the patient support deck to be moved by the elevation mechanism, the pair of blocks moving transversely in response to rotation of the threaded shaft, and the linkage having horizontally extending pins being configured to move the end of the patient-support deck relative to the base in response to transverse movement of the blocks.

Abstract: A patient detection system including a plurality of sensors located adjacent the support surface and each sensor having an output signal variable in response to the change detected by the sensor. A processor monitors the output signals and provide an indication of change of position of the body relative to the support surface and to individually recalibrate each of the plurality of sensors. The automatic recalibration occurs upon sensing a substantial change due to an item being moved onto the surface. The processor may also sense changes in the support surface and recalibrate each of the sensors upon a detection of change in the support surface. The processor recalibrates all of the sensors for small changes existing for a pre-determined duration and for all large changes. The processor recalibrates all of the processors for a combination of changes in less than all of the sensors from the previous calibration for each sensor.

Abstract: A prone patient apparatus for engaging the front of a body of a patient comprising a unitary support board having a longitudinal medial axis; a first aperture opening extending through the board and on the medial axis sized to receive a face of the patient; a second aperture opening extending through the board and spaced from the first aperture along the medial axis to expose an abdomen of the patient when the head is in the first aperture; and a third aperture opening extending through the board and spaced from the second aperture along the medial axis to expose a groan of the patient when the head is in the first aperture.

Abstract: A patient-support apparatus having at least one side guard panel pivotably mounted for movement between first and second positions and a combined hinge and latch assembly configured to pivotably connect the side guard panel to the patient support. The combined hinge and latch assembly including a mounting member fixedly connected to the patient support, a hinge member fixedly connected to the side guard panel and rotatably connected to the mount for pivoting movement about an axis, and a stop mechanism coupled to one of the hinge member and the mount. The hinge member is movable along the axis between a locking position in which the stop mechanism engages the other of the hinge member and the mount to prevent relative rotation between the hinge member and the mount and a releasing position in which the stop mechanism is disengaged from the other of the hinge member and the mount to allow relative rotation between the hinge member and the mount.