Abstract: An inflatable cushion for body support is described. The inflatable cushion can be adjusted to manually/automatically set the proper pressure distribution, remove pressure from sensitive regions, alternate pressure, facilitate moisture removal, automatically detect leakage and avoid bottom down, communicate leakage and other problems with the user/caregiver, detect wrong positioning and facilitate position correction. The inflatable cushion can be used either as a chair cushion such as for example as a cushion for wheelchair or as a bed mattress.

Abstract: A patient support arrangement includes features that reduce pressure points and chafing. Chafing is reduced by using a mattress topper including first and second low friction sheets adjacent to each other and secured relative to a cushion, so that when the patient shifts relative to the cushion, the shifting is more likely to be borne between the first and second low friction sheets than between the patient and the mattress topper.

Abstract: An adjustable pillow includes an inner cover defining a pocket and removable stuffing within the pocket. A related method of manufacture includes forming the inner cover having a pocket from a sheet and placing stuffing within the pocket.

Abstract: An assistance device that enables a caregiver or care receiver to understand a degree to which a load is applied in the front-rear direction of a body supporting member. The assistance device includes: the body supporting member configured to support the upper body of the care receiver; a load detecting device provided on the body supporting member and configured to detect a load applied by the care receiver; and a display device configured to display an extent to which a load is applied to the body supporting member in a front-rear direction of the body supporting member based on the load detected by the load detecting device.

Abstract: A multifunctional mattress overlay of the present invention comprises an air cell body, a gas pipe set and an inflating device. The air cell body has multiple first and second air cells. The first and second air cells both have a left and right air chamber. The gas pipe set respectively connects to the left and right air chambers. The inflating device is connected to the gas pipe set, and can selectively inflate and/or deflate the left and right air chambers, which makes the air cell body show an alternate state. The inflating device can inflate and/or deflate all the right or all left air chambers separately, which makes the air cell body show a turnover state. Through it, the air cell body can selectively in the alternating state or the turnover state, which makes the air cell body massage the patient and also assist the patient in turning over.

Abstract: Pillow systems including a base pillow extending from an upper back end to a head end opposite the upper back end along a sagittal midline of a user, a neck support pillow operatively supported on the base pillow between the upper back end and the head end in a position configured to underlie a neck of the user, wherein the base pillow is configured to support a back and a head of the user by underlying at least a portion of the back and at least a portion of the head, and the neck support pillow is configured to support the neck of the user by underlying the neck of the user. In some examples, the pillow system includes a spacer pillow supported on the base pillow between the upper back end and the head end.

Abstract: A method can be provided that includes measuring sound waves using a sound measuring device, determining, at a central controller of an air mattress system, one or more parameter values of the sound waves, comparing the one or more parameter values with values, ranges, or patterns indicative of snoring, identifying a snoring state of a user, and initiating, with the central controller, a change to one or more adjustable features of the air mattress system.

Abstract: A foldable bed includes first and second base frames, first and second rods fixed respectively to the first and second base frames, a first support frame mounted turnably to the first base frame, a first jack member coupled between the first rod and the first support frame for driving movement of the first support frame, and at least one reinforcing unit. The reinforcing unit includes a first reinforcing plate mounted on one of the first and second rods. When the first and second base frames are in an unfolded position, the first reinforcing plate is brought into abutting engagement with the other one of the first and second rods so as to distribute a pressure from the first jack member to the second base frame through the second rod.

Abstract: A mattress cover, comprising a top layer; a first side layer comprising a first air-impermeable portion, a first air-permeable portion, a first air-impermeable flap, and first affixing apparatus, wherein the first affixing apparatus is configured to reversibly affix the first air-impermeable flap over the first air-permeable portion; a second side layer comprising a second air-impermeable portion, a second air-permeable portion, a second air-impermeable flap, and second affixing apparatus, wherein the second affixing apparatus is configured to reversibly affix the second air-impermeable flap over the second air-permeable portion; a head layer; and a foot layer.

Abstract: A surgical table for prone and lateral positioning of a patient, where the table includes a base and a patient support structure. The base may include a head and a foot end support structure. The patient support structure may include an upper body support structure cantilevered off of the head end support structure at a first end and a lower body support structure cantilevered off of the foot end support structure at a second end. The upper body support structure may include a chest pad. The lower body support structure may include a lower body translation and rotation structure and at least one pelvic pad supported thereon.

Abstract: The travel pillow assembly includes a travel pillow designed to provide optimal head support for the user in erect and supine positions. The travel pillow is configured with a hole to securely support the occiput and is tapered in a manner that maintains the user's neck and head in proper alignment. The travel pillow assembly is constructed of single piece foam which is firm enough and contoured to prevent head turning and neck torsion. The travel pillow assembly also includes an adjustable strap that may be used to provide supplemental support to the head.

Abstract: A mattress 10 that provides an edge support feature that remains firmly supportive throughout bending of the mattress on an adjustable foundation, while also providing a flat, tailored finish for the side of the mattress. The mattress has a base, an upper surface, and two side walls extending between two end walls such that the base, upper surface, side walls, and end walls define a cavity comprising a mattress support, such as a spring unit, that supports the upper surface above the base. The side walls and/or end walls comprise an edge support system having a plurality of overlapping edge segments.

Abstract: Body compression sleepwear with a leg opening preferably includes a body portion, a neck portion and a leg cover. The body portion includes a first body sheet and a second body sheet. The first and second body sheets include a width which is greatest at the top and smallest at a bottom. A top of the leg cover overlaps a bottom of the first body sheet. Outer sides of the first and second body sheets are sewn to each other to form a body opening at a top and a leg opening at a bottom. A portion of a perimeter of the leg cover is sewn to the bottom perimeter of the second body sheet with exception of a top of the leg cover. A bottom of the neck portion is sewn to a top of the first and second body sheets. However, the neck portion could be eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to beds having a support surface defined by a plurality of support members (104, 204, 240). According to some aspects the support members are sprung (104, 204) and the bed includes a damping system (106, 206), for example a damping arm (124), for damping vibrations of the springs (118, 218). According to some aspects the support members (204, 240) have laterally extending pusher members (236, 238) arranged to engage with adjacent support members (204, 240); the pusher members (236, 238) comprising damping material (254). According to some aspects the support members (104, 204) are received by a guide member (320, 420) made up of two parts (320a, 320b, 420a, 420b) arranged to retain a spring by engaging between the coils of the spring (418). The present invention also relates to bed frames comprising a plurality of movable side elements (568, 768, 1068) mounted for movement in a direction substantially normal to the body support surface.

Abstract: A back cushioning device is configured for pressure redistribution each of a cervical region, a thoracic region, a lumbar region, a sacral region, and a coccyx region of a spine of an individual with a medical condition or deformity. The back cushioning device includes a cushioning support matrix with a first end configured to be disposed adjacent to the cervical region of the individual and a tapered second end configured to be disposed adjacent to the coccyx region of the individual. A vertical channel is formed along a length of the cushioning support matrix. The vertical channel is spaced apart from the first end and extends to the second end of the cushioning support matrix. The vertical channel is configured to receive the spine of the individual. A horizontal channel is formed along a width of the cushioning support matrix, the horizontal channel is perpendicular to the vertical channel.

Abstract: An autonomous stretcher intended for patients with reduced mobility, particularly quadriplegic and paraplegic, is adjustable in height and transformable between a horizontal position in the manner of a bed for housing the patient lying down and a staggered position in the manner of a chair. It incorporates transport litters destined for supporting the patient, endowed with movement in a transverse direction to the supports in both directions of movement: towards the exterior of the stretcher to remove the patient from the stretcher, for example towards a bed or a wheelchair and towards the interior of the stretcher to accommodate the patient therein. It makes it possible to modify its longitudinal or transverse orientation with respect to the frame and enables the patient to satisfy his or her physiological evacuation needs through the stretcher itself in a sitting position.

Abstract: An air mattress including a plurality of air cell groups including air cell groups corresponding to the back area, the buttock area and the thigh area of a person lying on the air mattress, each of which groups being made of a plurality of air cells, the air cells group corresponding to the back area and the thigh area including a lower section and a upper section, the upper section being stacked on the lower section, an air supply/release pump, and an air tube connecting the air cell groups corresponding to the back area and the thigh area to the air supply/release pump and connecting the air cell group corresponding to the buttock area to the air supply/release pump in an independent system for each other.

Abstract: A position management apparatus includes motors connected to a power supply; a position detecting device connected to the power supply and detecting the rotational position of the motors or the drive position of driving members driven by the motors; position storage devices connected to the power supply and storing the rotational position or the drive position detected by the position detecting devices; and a power cut-off delay circuit for keeping the position detecting devices and the position storage devices connected to the power supply even if the power switch is shut off from a conducting state, and for storing the rotational position or the drive position of the position storage devices after the motor has lost its rotational speed.

Abstract: A robot system includes: at least one supporting unit, on which a person is placeable; a robot including a plurality of multi-jointed arms, each of which has a plurality of degrees of freedom, and at least one base provided with the plurality of multi-jointed arms; and at least one type of equipment mountable to the plurality of multi-jointed arms. The robot performs at least two nursing/medical actions on the person by operating the at least one type of equipment.

Abstract: A surgical table includes a sagittal adjustment device for manipulating the position of a patient. The surgical table includes a base portion including an upper surface for spacing the sagittal adjustment device from the ground. The sagittal adjustment device includes a first support portion and a second support portion. The first and second support portions are supported by and moveable over the upper surface of the base portion. The first and second support portions each include an upper surface configured to support portions of the body of the patient thereon. One of the first and second support portions is pivotally attached to the base portion, and moveable between a first position and a second position. The pivotal movement between the first and second positions of the one of the first and second portions serves in repositioning the body of patient to manipulate the spine of the patient.