Abstract: A patient lift has a base extending in a forward direction, and a mast mounted relative to the base. The mast includes a hinge configured to allow the mast to be pivoted relative to the base between an upright operative position and a folded position, wherein when the mast is in the folded position the mast is substantially parallel to the base and extends in the forward direction. A latch mechanism is configured to hold the mast in the folded position when the latch mechanism is locked, and to allow the mast to be returned to the upright operative position when the latch mechanism is released. The latch mechanism is configured to automatically lock when the mast is moved to the folded position.

Abstract: A kit for a portable assembly bed includes an operable carry bag having a carry grip and inner and outer surfaces bed construction components having cooperative means for assembly of the components, which components when assembled provide a bed for supporting at least one person.

Abstract: A patient lift has a base, a mast assembly mounted on the base at the lower end, a boom pivotally mounted at one end on the mast assembly. An actuator is mounted on the boom and configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position to pivot the boom relative to the mast assembly between a lowered position and a raised position. A support member includes a sling attachment pivotally mounted on the outer end of the boom. A locking mechanism is configured to fix the support member relative to the boom when the locking mechanism is engaged and further configured to allow pivotal movement of the support member relative to the boom when the locking mechanism is released.

Abstract: Our invention is related to a pop-up bed frame. Aspects of our invention include a bed-frame positioning assembly for raising and lowering an upper frame in a controlled manner. A bed-frame positioning assembly generally includes a set of scissor arms that is operatively coupled to a biasing member. Force exerted on the set of scissor arms by the biasing member either opens or closes the set of scissor arms, thereby either raising or lowering an upper frame coupled thereto.

Abstract: A crib includes a headboard; footboard; a first stationary side rail connected between the headboard and footboard and including upper and lower rails; a second side rail connected between the headboard and footboard; pivot lock hardware including a first engagement member at ends of the upper rail member and a second engagement member at respective corner posts, each second engagement member pivotally engaged with a first engagement member to permit pivotal movement of the first stationary side rail relative to the headboard and footboard and to lock the stationary side rail relative to the headboard and footboard; and swivel lock hardware including a third engagement member at ends of the lower rail member and a fourth engagement member at respective corner posts, each fourth engagement member being pivotally engaged with a respective third engagement member to lock the stationary side rail relative to the headboard and footboard.

Abstract: A bed includes at least one barrier element (19, 21) extending along a lateral side of a bed frame. At least one part of this barrier element is laterally tiltable, by being hinged (31, 41) in its lower part, along a horizontal axis substantially parallel to the lateral side of the bed for assisting the patient as he or she is standing up.

Abstract: A patient supporting apparatus used in medical imaging technologies has an inventive tabletop and stretcher system. The tabletop has a gap or narrowing of prescribed location and size, for example, more than thirty percent of the width of the tabletop is removed inferior to the patient's pelvis within a region of at least 0.3 meters in length. The stretcher supports the tabletop and includes a gap or narrowing so that the access of the operator's hand, arm, and line of sight is not obstructed from the gap or narrowing of the tabletop.

Abstract: A corner connector for a mattress foundation assembly and a mattress foundation assembly, wherein the corner connector includes a main body portion extending from a bottom surface to a top surface; a first corner abutment surface extending from a terminating edge of the top surface; a second corner abutment surface extending from a terminating edge of the top surface; a first side surface of the main body portion; a second side surface of the main body portion, wherein the first side surface and the second side surface are formed at substantially 90° relative to one another; a first abutment surface extending from a terminating edge of the first side surface; a second abutment surface extending from a terminating edge of the second side surface; and a radiused surface extending from a terminating edge of the first abutment surface to a terminating edge of the second abutment surface.

Abstract: A system and procedure for preventing and enhancing healing of Decubiti ulcers on patients, comprising the steps of placing the patient on a web adapted to support the patient, the web having a patient contacting portion and a non-patient contacting portion, the web having an opening through the web, positioned so that the opening surrounds the ulcer and prevents contact of the web with the ulcer, and using a web support system adapted to support the web by attachment only to the non-patient contacting portion, to solely support the web with a patient on it. The procedure may also include a step wherein a rocking device is used that acts through the web support system to selectively tilt the web and thereby to tilt the patient on the patient contact portion of the web, so that the pressure between the patient and the web is cyclically altered.

Abstract: A bed assembly (10) includes a frame (22) which supports four curved mattress support panels (50-56) which are able to move with pivoting of the various parts of the frame (22). The curved panels (50-56) better conform to a patient's body shape and provide an effective lengthening of the mattress support (50-56), particularly when the back rest (30, 50) is raised to a sitting position. The support panels (50-56) are located below the pivot points of the frame (22), which further enhances the lengthening effect. The assembly also includes first and second patient retention panels (80, 82) with complementary edges (92, 94) which can slide over one another. A key pad unit (100) protrudes from the retention panel (80) at a convenient patient position and can be gripped by a patient's hand.

Abstract: A cross bar system for supporting a bed having a pair of bed rails is disclosed in which the cross bar system comprises a cross bar member, a bracket member for attachment to one of the bed rails with the bracket member for receiving the cross bar member, and a leg member for attachment to the cross bar member for supporting the cross bar member.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a seat cushion assembly is provided that includes a base cushion and a plurality of inserts. A recess is defined within the base cushion which is adapted to house the inserts. Each of the inserts can be selectively removed from the recess to provide for obliquity adjustment of the cushion assembly. In addition, the inserts may be selectively located on one side of the base cushion or the other to further adjust the inclined orientation of the base cushion. According to another embodiment, a seat cushion assembly is provided that includes a base cushion and a pair of inserts. A recess is defined within the base cushion which is adapted to house the inserts that includes a projection that has a plurality of surfaces that abut a surface of each of the inserts when the inserts are housed within the recess.

Abstract: An adjustable bed comprises a patient support surface supported by a patient support framework that adjusts vertices along the perimeter of the patient support surface. Through adjustments that raise and contract the perimeter of the patient support surface on either side of the lower torso and/or hip-area of the patient, the framework is operable to cradle a patient's waist and hips. This mechanism not only distributes the patient's weight across a larger surface area, reducing the need for lateral rotation, but also helps to maintain a patient in place when the patient is rotated from side to side.

Abstract: A reconfigurable support pillow system is disclosed. The system includes a base pillow, a first accessory pillow, and a second accessory pillow. The accessory pillows are removable, with the first accessory pillow being configured to connect to the second accessory pillow to form a nursing pillow that supports an infant. The system may be utilized as a prenatal pillow, comfortably supporting an expectant mother, or may be utilized as a postnatal pillow, supporting a nursing mother and/or her infant.

Abstract: A mattress constructed with multiple foam layers joined together provides reclining support with pressure redistribution for heavy weight persons, particularly those weighing over 350 pounds. The mattress includes: a core layer having a substantially planar top surface and at least two spaced apart regions in a bottom surface from which foam material has been extracted to leave cavities separated by an interconnected network of foam walls, a top layer of viscoelastic foam with an air permeability above 60 ft3/ft2/min, and a bottom layer of stiffer supporting foam. The open cavities of the core layer are directed away from the body supporting top surface of the mattress.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a bassinet assembly that includes one or more rods and a floor that includes an inclinable flap. Each rod has a static portion and an inclined portion, and the rods are disposed below upper surfaces of the floor and the inclinable flap. A first longitudinal axis of the static portion and a second longitudinal axis of the inclined portion intersect at an angle greater than 0° and less than about 90°. When the inclinable flap is raised above the floor, the rods rotate about the first longitudinal axis such that the first and second longitudinal axes are in a plane substantially perpendicular to the support surface, and when the inclinable flap is allowed to lay substantially flat against the floor, the rods rotate about the first longitudinal axis such that the first and second longitudinal axes are in a plane substantially parallel to the support surface.

Abstract: A climate controlled seat, bed or other assembly configured to receive a person includes a blower and two or more thermoelectric devices or other conditioning fluid modules. According to one embodiment of an operational scheme, a control system for the seat or bed is configured to continuously discharge air from the blower through the thermoelectric devices. In one arrangement, the thermoelectric devices are sequenced between an activated and a deactivated position. Consequently, the desired cooling and/or cooling effect can be maintained while reducing energy consumption of the climate control system.

Abstract: A patient positioning apparatus for a magnetic resonance device is provided. The patient positioning apparatus includes a positioning unit with a fixing side for fixing to the magnetic resonance device, a supporting frame extending horizontally starting from the fixing side and being arranged in a vertically adjustable fashion on the positioning unit, a patient plate mounted in a moveable fashion on the supporting frame, and a vertical adjusting mechanism operable to vertically adjust the supporting frame, the vertical adjusting mechanism has a first drive motor disposed on a side within the supporting frame that is remote from the fixing side.

Abstract: An examination table for use in the medical field comprising integral adjustment mechanisms for raising, lowering, and tilting a head cushion portion, is herein disclosed. The adjustment mechanisms further comprise an internal hydraulic moving means. The height adjustment mechanism would allow the tabletop to vary in height from approximately eighteen (18) to thirty-six (36) inches. In this manner, the table would allow a patient to simply sit down and then be elevated to a suitable height for a doctor or other medical personnel to perform needed medical procedures. Such a feature is envisioned as being invaluable to those who are handicapped, elderly, or small in stature.

Abstract: A bed base has parts adapted to be assembled together manually without the use of a tool or separate, non-integrated connectors. These parts include side members, corner connectors, and a cross-rail assembly. The side members are assembled into a rectangular support and attached at its corners by a male-female connection mechanisms in lower portions of the side members. The corner connectors overlap and lock together the upper portions of adjacent side members at the corners and are attached by male-female connection mechanisms. Each opposed side member includes a notch along an upper portion and the notches in the opposed side members are aligned upon assembly. The cross-rail assembly, which sits across the opposed side members within the notches, has an orthogonal leg member near each end. Each individual leg member projects through a corresponding notch and terminates in one component of two-component connector.