Abstract: A patient transfer package for laterally transferring a supine patient between adjoining horizontal surfaces includes: (a) a first nonwoven sheet having a top and a bottom surface for which the coefficient of friction of the top surface is less than 50% of the coefficient of friction of the bottom surface, (b) a second nonwoven sheet that is similarly constructed as the first sheet but which is not as wide, (c) assembling these sheets into a package with the second sheet turned upside down and laid on top of the first sheet whose top surface is facing upward, (d) a specified percentage of the first sheet's side portions extends beyond the edges of the second sheet and turn upwards and over upon the bottom surface of the second sheet, and (f) a means for temporarily and releaseably attaching the first sheet's edges to the bottom surface of the second sheet.

Abstract: A method for varying the width of a health care bed includes providing a health care bed having a floor engaging base frame and a bed frame, the bed frame including at least two bed sections hingedly connected to each other and each having a central frame portion and left and right wing sections, the wing sections having at least a retracted position and an extended position relative to the central frame portion, and wherein the central frame portion defines, for each wing section, at least inner and outer registration holes and the wing sections each define at least one wing hole that aligns with one of the at least inner and outer registration holes when the wing sections are in the respective retracted and extended positions, and for each wing section, at least one locking mechanism having at least one rocker bar with opposing inner and outer ends, at least one spring and at least one locking button for releasably locking the wing sections in the retracted and extended positions; unlocking the at least one

Abstract: A bed rail for engagement between a mattress and a box spring and having a base support and a guard frame, with guard frame having a pivot that pivots and slides in the base support. The base support includes a first seat that seats the pivot and a second seat that seats a biased piece sliding axially on a first support member of the guard frame. The first support member extends from a plastic piece that forms a junction from which a second support member and the pivot extend and that nestles up to the second seat.

Abstract: A crib including first, second, third, and fourth walls configured to bound an interior space that is operative to support a mattress therein. Each of the third and fourth walls includes a pair of panels pivotally connected to each other to enable the crib to be configured between a folded position for storage and an extended position for use. The first wall includes a stationary portion and a drop gate that includes opposed side ends. The drop gate pivots relative to the stationary portion between an upper closed position and a lower open position.

Abstract: A mobile treatment table including a central support. A first support member is pivotally connected with the central support and operable between a substantially vertical position and a substantially horizontal position. A second support member is pivotally connected with the central support and includes a handle integral therewith. The second support member is operable between a substantially vertical position and a substantially horizontal position. A wheel assembly is operably connected with the second support member and operable between an extended position adjacent a first side of the support member and a retracted position adjacent a second side of the support member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a patient support that can be configured in an expanded configuration, for example to accommodate larger patients, and then reconfigured to a more compact configuration to ease maneuverability of the patient support through constricted passageways in a facility and/or to provide a low height patient support. Further, the present invention provides a barrier around the patient support surface which includes a panel that allows a patient to see through the barrier and which is optionally adaptable to change its transparency and/or color.

Abstract: An external fixator leg assist apparatus utilizes a rigid frame structure having a base and a support. The base comprises a two-prong shaft mechanism in pivotal connection with the support. The support is a similar shaft mechanism. The apparatus is placed on a table or other flat surface with the base abutting a top surface of the table. The medical fixator is placed on top or inside the support portion of the apparatus. The apparatus assists a medical professional in keeping the appendage of the patient steady while attempting to install, adjust, or remove the fixator.

Abstract: A liftable hospital bed, comprising a bedplate base (1) and a bed leg rod (2), the upper end of the bed leg rod (2) being connected to a second roller device (7) which can slide in a track (8) on the bedplate base (1); a turning mechanism is also provided to change the included angle between the bed leg rod (2) and the bedplate base (1) in order to lift or lower the bedplate base (1), the turning mechanism including a connecting rod, which is hinged at the upper end thereof to the bedplate base (1), and a pushing mechanism (5) for pushing and turning the connecting rod (4); the lower end of the connecting rod (4) is fixedly bonded to a first connecting plate (6) which has a first sliding slot (61) and a second sliding slot (62) crossed with each other; a first pin shaft (91) and a second pin shaft (92) on the bed leg rod (2) are slidably provided in the first sliding slot (61) and the second sliding slot (62).

Abstract: A pillow that includes two sheets of flexible material, joined together to define a space and that is inflatable to provide a cushioned support. The pillow has a head zone that provides cushioning for a user's head and two wings that are configured to extend away from the head zone such that the pillow is substantially U-shaped in the plane of the pillow, when deflated. A channel extends between the sheets of flexible material to connect the wings. The channel is positioned at a point in the head zone furthermost from the wing ends. The width of the channel increases from the center line such that when the pillow is inflated, the pillow has a substantially V-shaped profile that is formed about the centerline and centered on the channel.

Abstract: A child holding accessory can be desirably installed on a rigid support frame, and has two opposite regions adapted to receive a child in different configurations of use. Examples of construction for these holding regions can include, without limitation, a changing table and a child sleep bed. The child holding accessory can be attached with the support frame via one or more fixtures that is adjustable to turn upward either of the first and second regions for use.

Abstract: A child containment system has a child containment structure with a bottom, a top rail, and a surrounding side wall that can be arranged to extend between the bottom and the top rail. An infant sleeping apparatus has a fabric bed and a frame. A connector arrangement includes at least one connector carried on a portion of the child containment system and at least one connector part carried on the infant sleeping apparatus. The infant sleeping apparatus is removably mountable to the child containment structure with the fabric bed above the bottom and with the connector part coupled to the connector at a position that is below the top rail.

Abstract: A sofa bed (1a, 1b) with facilitated opening, particularly with automatic actuation, comprising a fixed framework (2) which defines a compartment (7) for accommodating a mattress (8) that can fold into at least four parts and is supported by at least four movable frames (9, 10, 11, 12), one for each one of the parts of the mattress (8), the first movable frame (9) being associated with the fixed framework (2); the four movable frames (9, 10, 11, 12) are mutually articulated sequentially with respect to each other to define a kinematic chain, with one degree of freedom, which can move between a closed configuration, in which the four movable frames (9, 10, 11, 12) are substantially mutually opposite in pairs so as to define a cage-like structure that encloses the mattress (8) folded into at least four parts, and an open configuration, in which the four movable frames (9, 10, 11, 12) are substantially mutually aligned to define a resting surface on which the unfolded mattress (8) lies; motor means (13) are also

Abstract: A towel system with an adjustable padded headrest for laying over a portable lounge chair or directly on a ground surface. A rectangular towel is disposed on a lounge chair and secured to the lounge chair via attachment fasteners inserted into a hole of a row of attachment holes. A water-resistant pillow pouch is disposed on the towel. A pillow is removeably located inside the pillow pouch. The towel may alternatively be placed directly on a ground surface and secured to the ground via stakes inserted through apertures disposed on each corner of the towel.

Abstract: A play yard for children, including a rigid support frame and a removable, flexible liner. The frame includes one or more fasteners configured to engage the liner in order to form a bounded play yard space. By securing the liner to the frame via the fasteners, a user is able to easily secure the liner to the frame for use and remove the liner from the frame for washing or replacement.

Abstract: A patient support system includes a patient support apparatus and a support surface mounted on the patient support apparatus. The patient support apparatus is reconfigurable among a plurality of different configurations for supporting a patient on the support surface in a plurality of positions. The support surface is mounted on the patient support apparatus to move in response to reconfiguration of the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A hammock tent preferably includes a hammock, a tubular tent and two pole anchors. The hammock includes a hammock portion, a first attachment structure and a second attachment structure. The tubular tent includes a tubular member and a cone member. The tubular member includes a tube portion, a first end portion, a second end portion and a spiral spring. The tube portion preferably includes a fabric tube, a fabric door, a bottom lengthwise screen and at least one screen window. The hammock is inserted through the tubular tent and the cone member. The first and second attachment structures are attached to first and second elevated structures. The user lies in the hammock and preferably pulls the normally collapsed tubular tent into an elongated orientation with the at least one pull string. The cone member is finally pulled into the tubular member.

Abstract: A prone positioning device is described for supporting the chest and head of a patient in a prone position during a medical procedure. The device allows medical personnel to view the face of the patient while the patient is in the prone position by means of a reflective surface disposed in a cavity in the device beneath the patient's face.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sleeping bag having a removable book located in a cavity in the top cover of the sleeping bag. The book is accessed by unzipping the opening of the cavity. The book is removably attached to the interior of the cavity using fastening means such as a hook and loop connection.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for preventing and treating pressure ulcers in bedfast patients. The invention includes providing a non-powered mattress having a first zone adapted to conform to a first body part and a second zone adapted to provide support to a second body part, and off-loading interface pressure on the first body part to the second body part by dynamically increasing the support provided to the second body part by the second zone based on a weight of the first body part on the first zone. The off-loading of interface pressure from the first body part to the second body part equalizes blood oxygen saturation in tissue of the first and second body parts. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: An airbed system is provided. The airbed system includes: an air mattress having at least one air mattress chamber; a boundary-layer pump connected to the at least one air mattress, configured to fill the at least one air mattress with gas; and a control unit, configured to receive user input corresponding to increasing or decreasing the pressure in the at least one air mattress chamber and to control the boundary-layer pump based on the received user input. The boundary-layer pump includes: a pressure recovery chamber housing including a pressure recovery chamber, a pump inlet, and a pump outlet; a plurality of disks within the pressure recovery chamber; and a motor attached to the plurality of disks, configured to rotate the plurality of disks so as to expel gas passing through the pump inlet radially outwards along the disks and out through the pump outlet.