Abstract: A surface pad apparatus for a surgical table includes a body pad section positioned to lie beneath the torso of the patient and including a pad core and a cover defining an interior region configured to receive the pad core. The pad core includes a thermal pad having a casing defining a channel configured to receive a thermoregulation fluid. The apparatus also includes a leg pad section longitudinally spaced apart from the body pad section and positioned to lie beneath the lower legs and feet of the patient. The leg pad section is coupled to the body pad section and includes a pad core and a cover defining an interior region configured to receive the pad core. The pad core includes a thermal pad having a casing defining a channel configured to receive the thermoregulation fluid. The channel of the thermal pad of the leg pad section is in fluid communication with the channel of the thermal pad of the body pad section so that thermoregulation fluid can pass therebetween.

Abstract: A control apparatus is provided for at least one air therapy device stored on a bed which includes an electrical communication network, and an air handling unit. The apparatus includes a manifold having at least one chamber coupled to the air handling unit. The at least one chamber is formed to include an outlet, and a normally closed valve configured to seal the outlet. The manifold also includes a connector coupled to the at least one air therapy device, and an electrical connector coupled to the electrical communication network of the bed. The apparatus also includes a control module having a valve assembly including an inlet and an outlet. The control module also includes a controller, and an electrical connector coupled to the controller. The control module is configured to be inserted into the manifold so that the inlet of the control module is coupled to the outlet of the manifold and opens the normally closed valve to couple the valve assembly to the air handling unit.

Abstract: A humidifier module is provided for a patient support apparatus which includes an opening into which the module is inserted, an electrical service connector, an air inlet port, and an air outlet port. The humidifier module includes a water reservoir and a heater configured to heat water in the reservoir. An air chamber with an air inlet port and an air exhaust port for mating with air inlet and outlet ports of the patient support apparatus and an electrical connector for mating with the electrical service connector of the patient support apparatus is included in the humidifier module. When the humidifier module is inserted into the patient support apparatus, the patient support apparatus is provided with a humidified environment for a patient.

Abstract: A mattress apparatus is provided for use on a bed frame having at least one siderail movable from an up position to a down position. The apparatus includes a support surface, an electrical controller configured to control the support surface, and a siderail down sensor configured to be coupled to one of the bed frame and siderail. The siderail down sensor is electrically coupled to the controller. The siderail down sensor is configured to generate an output signal indicating that the siderail of the bed frame is in the down position.

Abstract: A patient-support apparatus having an overhead arm located over a patient support mounted on a base, a canopy mounted to the overhead arm and supported over the patient support by the overhead arm, and a mounting assembly for attaching the overhead arm to the base, including an alignment mechanism to properly align the overhead arm with respect to the patient support, wherein the alignment mechanism has at least two relatively movable members, which moveable members are also relatively movable with respect to the overhead arm and the base and are fixedly secured to each other, the overhead arm and the base after alignment of the overhead arm relative to the patient support.

Abstract: A light fixture apparatus including a support frame, a light box coupled to the support frame and a hollow housing portion coupled to the support frame alongside the light box. An opening is provided in the housing and a horizontal electrical outlet is in the housing portion opposite the opening. The housing portion includes the first cover pivotally coupled to the support frame at a first end and spaced from the support frame at a second end to form the opening. A second cover is secured in the housing to enclose the wiring of the electrical outlet.

Abstract: A stretcher for supporting a patient includes an elongated frame having an upper frame and a lower frame having a head end, a foot end, and first and second elongated sides. The stretcher also includes a drive mechanism coupled to the upper frame and to the lower frame for supporting the upper frame above the lower frame and for vertically positioning the upper frame relative to the lower frame between an upward raised position and a downward lowered position.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a resident from a first support surface to a second adjacent support surface comprising a sheet of material formed as a continuous loop having an inner surface configured to slide over itself as the continuous loop sheet of material is rotated and an outer surface configured to support the resident when the sheet of material is located between the resident and the first and second surfaces and a plurality of sets of handles attached to the looped material both longitudinally and width-wise of the looped material to provide a health care attendant a gripping mechanism to rotate the looped material when a patient rests thereon.

Abstract: An arm assembly for supporting a surgical lighthead of a surgical light apparatus includes a first arm and a first clevis appended to the first arm and having a first stop surface and a second stop surface. The arm assembly also includes a second arm formed to include an interior region and a second clevis appended to the second arm and having a third stop surface and a fourth stop surface. The surigcal lighthead is supported by the second arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating perfusion adjacent a skin surface includes a housing having first and second interior regions. The housing is configured to engage the skin surface. The apparatus also includes a plunger located in the first region of the housing for applying pressure to a first zone of the skin surface, a vacuum connection coupled to the second region of the housing to permit suction to be applied to the second region of the housing and to a second zone of the skin surface, a first temperature sensor for generating an output signal related to the temperature of the first zone of the skin surface, a second temperature sensor for generating an output signal related to the temperature of the second zone of the skin surface, and a processor circuit coupled to the first and second temperature sensors for determining a differential temperature between the first and second zones of the skin surface to provide an indication of perfusion adjacent the skin surface.

Abstract: A television control system for controlling different models of hospital televisions, has an input device for receiving an input from a person, and a controller for interfacing with hospital televisions. The controller generates control signal clusters reflective of the input, and the clusters include a plurality of sequentially-generated, individual control signals for specific operational functions of a plurality of different models of hospital televisions.

Abstract: A television control system for controlling different models of hospital televisions, has an input device for receiving an input from a person, and a controller for interfacing with hospital televisions. The controller generates control signal clusters reflective of the input, and the clusters include a plurality of sequentially-generated, individual control signals for specific operational functions of a plurality of different models of hospital televisions.

Abstract: A stretcher includes a first actuator coupled to a head section and a second actuator coupled to a thigh section. A set of buttons accessible to a patient carried by the stretcher are coupled to motors that drive the respective first and second actuators. The buttons are pressed to move the thigh section through a full range of motion and to move the head section through a limited range of motion. A switch inaccessible to the patient is pressed to move the head section through a full range of motion. Lockout switches are provided for disabling the buttons and the switch. A first hand crank is coupled to the first actuator and is manually rotated to move the head section through the full range of motion. A second hand crank is coupled to the second actuator and is manually rotated to move the thigh section through the full range of motion. A CPR release handle is provided for quickly lowering the head section to the lowered position without the use of the buttons, switch, or first hand crank.

Abstract: A bed includes a frame, a patient support deck coupled to the frame, and an x-ray tray located below the deck. The x-ray tray is configured to receive an x-ray cassette. The bed also includes a lifting mechanism located between the frame and the x-ray tray to move the x-ray tray from a lower first position spaced apart from the deck to permit loading of the x-ray cassette on the x-ray tray and an elevated second position located closer to the deck.

Abstract: A stretcher for transporting a patient along a floor includes an elongated frame, a patient-support deck carried by the frame, and an elongated shaft having a longitudinally-extending axis of rotation. The shaft is coupled to the frame for rotation about the axis of rotation between a first orientation and a second orientation. The stretcher also includes a wheel supported relative to the frame and movable relative to the frame in response to rotation of the shaft. The wheel is in a first position engaging the floor when the shaft is in the first orientation and the wheel is in a second position spaced apart from the floor when the shaft is in the second orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaluating pressure interface performance of a support surface for supporting a body are provided. The method includes the step of providing an array of pressure sensors covering substantially the entire support surface. The pressure sensors each provide an output signal indicating interface pressure with the body at one of a plurality of separate pressure nodes on the support surface. The method also includes the steps of engaging the support surface with the body, and calculating a pressure index using interface pressure output signals from the array of pressure sensors at all active pressure nodes to generate a single numeric value indicating pressure interface performance of the entire support surface.

Abstract: A patient-support apparatus includes a base and a patient-support surface carried above the base. The patient-support apparatus further includes an indicator and a unit having at least one of a noise sensor and a light sensor which generates a sensor data signal. The patient-support apparatus further includes a control system coupled to the indicator and the at least one sensor. The control system is configured to process the sensor data signal and activate the indicator only when the sensor data signal exceeds a preset threshold level. The patient-support apparatus further includes a mechanism coupled to the control system to permit adjustment of the preset threshold level.