Abstract: Automatic patient turning and lifting method, system, and apparatus. An exemplary turning and lifting mattress device discloses herein includes a plurality of left and right inflatable turning bladders, a mattress support structure positioned on the bladders and itself including an outer mattress casing including an inner chamber filled with a plurality of particles, at least one contact surface configured to be in contact with a patient during use, wherein the outer mattress casing is configured to be inflated and evacuated such that the outer mattress casing is capable of being shapeable when inflated, and forms a resilient structure configured to hold its shape when evacuated, and wherein, during use, the at least one contact surface conforms to the shape of a body, the plurality of particles displaced from around the body leaving a depression on the at least one contact surface in the shape of the body.

Abstract: A patient support system for providing improved guidance tools with respect to a patient support apparatus. A user interface is configured to receive inputs from a user, and an information output device is configured to provide instructions to the user. The user interface and the information output device may be embodiment on a touchscreen display. The user inputs may include a search query. A controller may be adapted to determine search results corresponding to operational functions of the patient support apparatus responsive to the search query and to provide said search results to the user with the information output device. The user input may include shorthand commands corresponding to operational functions of the patient support apparatus. The user interface may include a voice actuation device configured to receive voice actuation commands from a user.

Abstract: A pillow including a pillow-liner having an upper liner, a lower liner, and at least one middle liner. The upper liner, lower liner, and at least one middle liner are sealed together adjacent peripheral edges thereof to define an open end and at least two internal compartments. The at least one middle liner is generally parallel with the upper and lower liners. The pillow also includes cushioning materials for filling the at least two internal compartments. Each of the at least two internal compartments are filled with different cushioning materials such that the internal compartments have different density and firmness when filled with the respective cushioning materials. At least one of the at least two internal compartments is filled with a plurality of loose pieces of a shredded foam material, and at least one of the at least two internal compartments is filled with a one-piece molded foam material.

Abstract: An adjustable base is provided that includes a fixed frame and an articulating frame connected to the fixed frame. The articulating frame includes an upper body frame pivotally connected to the upper section of the fixed frame, a seat frame pivotally connected to the upper body frame and movable along a central section of the fixed frame, and a leg frame pivotally connected to the fixed frame. An actuator is further included and has a first end connected to the seat frame adjacent to the leg frame and a second end that is connected to a linkage attached to the articulating frame. Upon activation of the actuator, the upper body frame is articulated upward and the seat frame moves linearly along the central section of the fixed frame toward the upper section of the fixed frame. Systems and methods for controlling an adjustable base assembly are further provided.

Abstract: A cushion for an ice chest with integrated solar panels designed to be used as an auxiliary power source. The cushion includes a first solar module, a second solar module, a cushion par, and an attachment mechanism. The first solar module and the second solar module each include a structural panel and a plurality of solar cells. The solar cells are distributed about a first surface of the structural panel. The first solar module and the second solar module are laterally and hingedly attached to each other to allow for a closed and open configuration. The cushion pad is adjacently connected to the structural panel of the second solar module, opposite the solar cells of the second solar module, to act as a seat. The attachment mechanism is adjacently mounted to the structural panel of the first solar module for attachment to a lid of the ice chest.

Abstract: A femoral lift apparatus for an operating table having a side rail, the apparatus engageable with the femur of a patient. The apparatus includes a lift mountable to the side rail. An extension arm is receivable on the lift, the extension arm extending transversely from the lift when the extension arm is received on the lift. A plurality of apertures can be defined along the extension arm, and a femoral hook can be receivable in one of the apertures in the extension arm, the femoral hook having a hook end shaped to be received under and contour the femur of the patient positioned on the operating table when the lift is mounted to the side rail of the table, the extension arm is received on the lift, and the femoral hook is received in one of the apertures of the extension arm.

Abstract: The invention is a portable, easy to assembly camp bunk bed. The invention has a bunk frame system that is designed to be used with any camp cot bed The basic system features 2 frame assemblies, each frame assembly consists of 2 vertical stanchions and 2 lateral support rods. The vertical stanchions each have two cot bed support blocks with longitudinal support pins installed. Lateral support rods are used to secure the vertical stanchions together. In one style, the frame is secured with hook and loop type fastener straps. In the preferred style, the straps are replaced with a new fastening system for the cot using threaded posts and knobs. The cot is also modified so that it is designed specifically for the preferred bunk bed system. Finally, adapter posts are used to allow the bunk bed to be converted to a singe cot, if desired.

Abstract: A topper (38) for a bed extends in longitudinal and lateral directions and includes a fluid flowpath (60) for channeling fluid through the topper from an inlet (62) to an outlet (64). The flowpath is configured to distribute the fluid to a preferred target region (50) of the topper. A bed which includes the topper has a blower (72) connected to the topper inlet for supplying air (88) to the flowpath.

Abstract: The technical solution relates to a mattress for a hospital bed, e.g.: to a therapeutic inflatable mattress and to the improvement of the control system with the help of a detection system comprising a contact member and a valve for optimizing the air pressure in response to the weight distribution and position of the patient on the mattress.

Abstract: A bed system includes a fixed frame, a movable frame, and first and second end boards disposed at the head and foot ends of the fixed frame, respectively. The system may be assembled and/or configured such that: a first electric or manual actuator is coupled between the fixed frame assembly and a first linkage assembly of the movable frame assembly for powered or manual movement of a first movable section of the movable frame assembly; a second electric or manual actuator is coupled between the fixed frame assembly and a second linkage assembly for powered or manual movement of a second movable section of the movable frame assembly; and/or a third electric or manual actuator is coupled between the first and second end boards for powered or manual height adjustment of the head and foot ends of the fixed frame assembly.

Abstract: A gun holder is situated within a box spring beneath a mattress. The mattress itself has an opening therein matching the size of the opening into the gun holder and extending through the mattress. One can then lie on one's bed and near one's arm, reach downward into the box spring or other mattress support, and grab the gun without having to move the majority of one's body from the position in which one was sleeping on the bed.

Abstract: A handbrake of a medical imaging apparatus that has a movable patient table with a top face on which a patient lies, fastens and releases the patient table when actuated. The handbrake with a mounting face and a first face has a main body and has a brake actuation button, operable in an actuation direction. The mounting face is attachable to the patient table. The front face is directly opposite to at least some parts of the mounting face in the actuation direction. The brake actuation button is disposed on the front face of the main body, and is actuated by pushing the brake actuation button in the actuation direction, in order to fasten or to release the brake of the patient table. The actuation direction is essentially perpendicular to the top face of the patient table.

Abstract: An apparatus for used to lift the torso of a human from a supine position to a sitting position. This is a lightweight apparatus which can be easily carried and placed on a bed or other flat surface. It is placed under the torso of the subject and includes a base, back rest and actuator. The back rest is pivotally coupled to the base and the actuator is used to rotate the back rest from a flat lying position to a vertical sitting position.

Abstract: A body support cushion is provided with layered foam which receives airflow and allows passage in predefined areas through the body support cushion. Additionally, a cover is provided including a spacer fabric that allows air movement from the body support cushion to improve ventilation of the user of the cushion.

Abstract: A magnetic coupler for attaching a mattress to a bed foundation includes a magnet assembly, a target assembly, and a shunt. The magnet assembly includes a housing and a magnet, wherein the housing is configured to couple the magnet to the mattress. The target assembly is configured to couple a target to the foundation. The shunt is disposed within the housing of the magnet assembly or in the mattress. The magnet assembly and the target assembly are releasably attached when the magnet is magnetically coupled to the target.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a U-shaped travel pillow having a base cushion and raised cushion fixed to the top side of the base cushion. The inner peripheral walls of the base and raised cushions are mutually flush, while the rear walls are mutually flush and substantially flat for better contact with flat surfaces, such as a headrest, seat, or chair. Furthermore, the rear wall of the raised cushion is thinner than the sides, providing more liberty to adjust head position by easily adapting to the shape of the headrest, seat or chair. A removable cover is adapted to cover the base and raised cushions, while a drawstring with an adjustable cinch mechanism can be used for adjusting the travel pillow around the neck.

Abstract: A lateral rotation apparatus includes a first adjustable frame positioned under a head segment of a person support surface and operable to rotate the head segment of the person support surface to a head tilt angle in the range of about 7 to about 30 degrees relative to a horizontal support plane. A second adjustable frame is positioned under a torso segment of a person support surface and operable to rotate the torso segment of the person support surface to a torso tilt angle that is within a range of about 5 degrees to about 10 degrees less than the head tilt angle. Each of the first adjustable frame and the second adjustable frame includes an upper frame positioned below the person support surface, and a lower frame coupled to and positioned below the upper frame. The upper frame being moveable with respect to the lower frame.

Abstract: Convoluted foam layers for mattresses, cushions and the like include at least one convoluted surface including at least one convolution that is structurally heterogeneous. The convoluted foam layer is formed of at least two foam layers fixedly attached to one another, wherein the foam layers are of different materials and/or have different properties. Also disclosed are processes for forming the convoluted foam layer and convoluted foam layers having multiple zones of a convoluted surface pattern that includes at least one convolution that is structurally heterogeneous.

Abstract: A composite layer for use in a bedding product such as a mattress and a method of manufacture are disclosed. The composite layer generally includes an extruded three dimensional fibrous layer and a foam material, e.g., polyurethane, latex or the like, disposed within the fibrous layer and occupying at least a portion of the free volume in the layer. Also disclosed are processes for manufacturing a foam-fiber composite.

Abstract: A lateral rotation apparatus includes a first frame, a second frame, and a third frame that are independently rotatable. The first frame, the second frame, and the third frame support a person support surface having head, torso, and leg segments. A first pair of legs is positioned below the first frame to rotate a head segment to a head tilt angle in the range of about 7 to about 30 degrees relative to a horizontal support plane. A second pair of legs is positioned below the second frame to rotate a torso segment to a torso tilt angle that is within a range of about 5 degrees to about 10 degrees less than the head tilt angle.