Abstract: A flexible supporting membrane is made from a stretchable material formed into a sheet that adjusts itself based on the pressure applied by a patient's knees. The membrane includes: a top edge adapted to be located in a vicinity of the knees of the patient when in use; a bottom edge adapted to be located in a vicinity of the patient's ankles when in use; and a first and second lateral edge extending between the bottom edge and the top edge. The flexible supporting membrane further includes a central section and two peripheral sections extending along the direction defined by the lateral edges between the top edge and the bottom edge of the sheet. The peripheral sections are adapted for each supporting one of the two knees of a patient by yielding to the pressure exerted by the knees and thus forming a knee cradling depression.

Abstract: A lift mechanism for a wheel assembly includes a lever arm having a first axis of rotation, and a first torque transfer plate having a second axis of rotation coincident with the first axis of rotation. A lift block is engageable by the first torque transfer plate and has a first angularly disposed surface and a resting surface adjacent to the first angularly disposed surface. The lift mechanism is configured such that rotation of the lever arm causes the first torque transfer plate to rotate into engagement with the lift block, thereby causing linear motion of the lift block. The wheel assembly is raised and lowered by contact between a portion of the wheel assembly and the first angularly disposed surface of the lift block and held in a raised position when the portion of the wheel assembly is positioned with respect to the resting surface.

Abstract: Inflatable mattress apparatus includes a mattress provided with a plurality of inflatable cells (A, B); a manifold unit (V1-V4) connected to the plurality of cells, wherein the manifold (V1-V4) couples the cells into a plurality of individual sets of cells; and a control unit connected to the manifold, the control unit being operable to provide substantially simultaneous inflation and deflation of cells (A, B) in each set of cells over a period, and time offset inflation and deflation of cells in different sets of cells. The apparatus can provide the same benefits of a 1 of 2? system with reduced movement of the entire surface at any point in the cycle, less air moving at any given time and thus a reduction in the audible noise produced in any pump supplying the air and the associated airflow in the mattress. The arrangement provide other benefits too.

Abstract: A retractable wheel system includes a rotatable member, a swing arm attached to the rotatable member and a wheel, a swing mount attached to the rotatable member, and a spring member. The spring member is attached to the swing mount at a connection point on a first end and to the swing arm on a second end. The spring member is rotatable relative to the swing mount at the connection point. The spring member is configured to apply a force in an upward direction when the connection point is above a line extending between a wheel attachment point and a swing arm rotation point of the swing arm and a force in a downward direction when the connection point is below the line of the swing arm. A transportation unit including the retractable wheel system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A patient support system including a frame having first and second portions, at least one of them movable with respect to the other to transition the frame between a first configuration and a second configuration. A first port is coupled to the first portion of the frame, and a second port disposed with the second portion of the frame, such that a distance between the first port and the second port changes when the frame transitions between the first and second configurations. A fluid conduit is arranged between the first port and the second port and configured to transition between a first length and a second length, longer than the first length, when the frame is transitioned between the first and second configurations. The fluid conduit is configured with a resiliency to naturally return toward the first length. A method of using a patient support system is also included.

Abstract: A moisture control system includes a moisture control coverlet (10) and a fluid pump (18). The moisture control coverlet (10) includes a fluid pathway therein for moisture removal fluid. The fluid pump (18) is coupled to the fluid pathway for pumping fluid out of the fluid pathway by negative pressure at a fluid pump rate. The fluid pump rate can be adjustable and/or can be greater than 1 CFM.

Abstract: A connector for an inflatable garment that detects a valid connection with a pump.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a support system includes a cover sheet with a number of layers. In certain embodiments, a top layer and a bottom layer are bonded to a middle spacer layer.

Abstract: An indicator device includes a casing having rearward projecting elements from which coupling hooks extend. The device includes a downwardly facing window as well as two forwardly or upwardly extending windows. The device includes lights or lamps disposed adjacent the windows for generating status and/or warning signals. The device can be hooked onto a support such as a footboard of a hospital bed or placed on a floor with a window exposed. The window is able to direct light from the lighting elements to a surface such as a floor or footboard or other surface. This assists in a caregiver seeing light emanating from the device even when this is covered.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes an inflatable mattress for supporting a patient and an air supply for supplying air to the inflatable mattress. A control system controls the air supply and inflatable mattress to provide therapeutic functions. The control system is configurable to make a subset of the therapeutic functions available to a user. A control panel containing controls for therapeutic functions is provided. An interchangeable bezel covers the control panel to provide access to controls for the subset of available therapeutic functions.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for monitoring a patient, monitoring and/or controlling an adjustable bed and/or preventing patient entrapment. The system may include one or more sensors operatively associated with a processor for performing said monitoring and other functions. The processor may be operatively associated with an adjustable patient bed to interrupt user adjustment of the bed and/or control a patient support.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of compensating for a differential error between a plurality of body surface sensors, where each sensor respectively comprises a transmitter and a receiver.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a connector system of a patient support apparatus for inflating and/or deflating a mattress and facilitating the installation, detachment and interchange of various inflatable mattresses of the patient support apparatus, particularly inflatable mattresses for hospital beds.

Abstract: Emergency CPR systems for patient support systems utilizing backup battery power. For example, an emergency CPR switch attached to a hospital bed provided with a patient support platform having a portion that is pivoted between a flat position and an inclined position by a motor powered by a battery during emergency usage. The emergency CPR switch includes: a first relay disposed between the battery and the motor; a controller configured to provide a motor control signal to control the motor; and a switch electrically connected to the first relay. When the switch is operated the first relay is activated to drive the motor with the battery in a direction placing the pivotable portion in the flat position and control of the motor by the motor control signal is disabled or overridden.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a support system includes a multi-layer support system with a number of layers. Systems and methods of removing moisture vapor from an environment surrounding patient are disclosed that accomplish such removal.

Abstract: Patient-support systems and apparatuses for supporting patients, including for example hospital beds.

Abstract: Mattresses and cushions, methods of making mattresses and cushions, and patient supports comprising a mattress and/or a cushion. At least some embodiments of the present mattresses and cushions comprise a body with air-impermeable material having a plurality of openings, and a cover sheet comprising air-permeable and liquid-impermeable material covering at least a portion of the plurality of openings and coupled to the body by a liquid-impermeable welded seam encircling the covered one or more openings.