Abstract: A sliding subframe (130) mounted to the derriere-supporting section (50) of an adjustable bed (10) is adapted to translate the rotational axis (110) of the torso-supporting section (40) of the bed (10) toward the head end (12) as the torso-supporting section (40) is raised to an inclined position (44), and back toward the foot end (14) as the torso-supporting section (40) is lowered to a level position (42). This mechanism reduces compression of the lumbo-sacral area of the patient during bed articulation.

Abstract: A stretcher is provided as an accessory to a bed to facilitate a supine-to-prone or prone-to-supine transfer of a patient from the bed to the stretcher or vice-versa. The stretcher comprises a base frame, anchor means for clamping or otherwise securing the stretcher to a position adjacent the bed, and a patient support litter. The stretcher also includes a mechanical, non-bladder-based lift mechanism operable to preferentially raise either a left longitudinal side, or a right longitudinal side, but not both, of the patient support litter, in order to tilt the patient support litter toward the patient support surface of the adjacent bed. The stretcher is also collapsible for easy storage.

Abstract: An adjustable bed comprises a hospital bed frame chassis, an articulatable, multi-sectioned base platform mounted on the chassis, an adjustable patient support framework mounted on the base platform, and a patient support surface overlying the adjustable patient support framework and base platform. The adjustable patient support framework preferably includes two main parts: an adjustable torso support litter mounted on the articulatable torso-supporting section of the base platform; and an adjustable hip support litter mounted on the articulatable hip-supporting section of the base platform. Each of these support litters comprise a plurality of independently adjustable vertices or segments oriented at or near the periphery of the overlying patient support surface. Modulation of the patient support surface is accomplished through two conceptually distinct mechanisms—(1) articulation of the base platform and (2) movement of the vertices and/or segments of the adjustable patient support framework.

Abstract: A sliding subframe (130) mounted to the derriere-supporting section (50) of an adjustable bed (10) is adapted to translate the rotational axis (110) of the torso-supporting section (40) of the bed (10) toward the head end (12) as the torso-supporting section (40) is raised to an inclined position (44), and back toward the foot end (14) as the torso-supporting section (40) is lowered to a level position (42). This mechanism reduces compression of the lumbo-sacral area of the patient during bed articulation.

Abstract: A stretcher is provided as an accessory to a bed to facilitate a supine-to-prone or prone-to-supine transfer of a patient from the bed to the stretcher or vice-versa. The stretcher comprises a base frame, anchor means for clamping or otherwise securing the stretcher to a position adjacent the bed, and a patient support litter. The stretcher also includes a mechanical, non-bladder-based lift mechanism operable to preferentially raise either a left longitudinal side, or a right longitudinal side, but not both, of the patient support litter, in order to tilt the patient support litter toward the patient support surface of the adjacent bed. The stretcher is also collapsible for easy storage.

Abstract: An adjustable bed comprises a hospital bed frame chassis, an articulatable, multi-sectioned base platform mounted on the chassis, an adjustable patient support framework mounted on the base platform, and a patient support surface overlying the adjustable patient support framework and base platform. The adjustable patient support framework preferably includes two main parts: an adjustable torso support litter mounted on the articulatable torso-supporting section of the base platform; and an adjustable hip support litter mounted on the articulatable hip-supporting section of the base platform. Each of these support litters comprise a plurality of independently adjustable vertices or segments oriented at or near the periphery of the overlying patient support surface. Modulation of the patient support surface is accomplished through two conceptually distinct mechanisms—(1) articulation of the base platform and (2) movement of the vertices and/or segments of the adjustable patient support framework.

Abstract: An adjustable bed comprises a hospital bed frame chassis, an articulatable, multi-sectioned base platform mounted on the chassis, an adjustable patient support framework mounted on the base platform, and a patient support surface overlying the adjustable patient support framework and base platform. The adjustable patient support framework preferably includes two main parts: an adjustable torso support litter mounted on the articulatable torso-supporting section of the base platform; and an adjustable hip support litter mounted on the articulatable hip-supporting section of the base platform. Each of these support litters comprise a plurality of independently adjustable vertices or segments oriented at or near the periphery of the overlying patient support surface. Modulation of the patient support surface is accomplished through two conceptually distinct mechanisms—(1) articulation of the base platform and (2) movement of the vertices and/or segments of the adjustable patient support framework.

Abstract: An adjustable bed comprises a patient support structure supporting a patient support surface that comprises separately adjustable torso and hip support structures. Lifting mechanisms are provided to elevate the torso and hip support structures to substantially reduce pressure on the sacral area of a patient resting on the patient support surface.

Abstract: A bed includes a side guard that provides a continuous protected surface from the headboard to the footboard of a bed. The side guard includes a top guard bar mounted within vertical guides. The guides prevent horizontal or rotational movement of the top guard but permits movement of the top guard between an elevated and lowered position. A scrollable protection barrier extends from the top guard bar to a torsion spring roller at the base of the side guard, preventing a patient from becoming entrapped between the bars. A balanced-movement lift mechanism evenly distributes the forces raising or lowering the superior guard bar of the side guard.

Abstract: A sliding subframe mounted to the derriere-supporting section of an articulating bed is adapted to translate the rotational axis of the torso-supporting section of the bed toward the headframe as the torso-supporting section is raised to an inclined position, and back toward the footboard as the torso-supporting section is lowered to a level position. This mechanism reduces compression of the lumbo-sacral area of the patient during bed articulation.

Abstract: An adjustable bed comprises a patient support structure supporting a patient support surface that comprises separately adjustable torso and hip support structures. Lifting mechanisms are provided to elevate the torso and hip support structures to substantially reduce pressure on the sacral area of a patient resting on the patient support surface.

Abstract: An adjustable bed comprises separately articulatable and rotatable sections. These sections are operable to be articulated and rotated to facilitate a patient's entrance or exit to or from the bed. To facilitate entrance or exit, the torso section is articulated to a substantially upright or chair-like position. Next, the torso section is tilted, either to the right or to the left, to facilitate patient entry or exit. During the first part of this tilting motion, the lower thorax support region of the torso section is extended more than the shoulder support region to help rotate the patient into an exiting position. During the second part of this tilting motion, the shoulder support region is then hyperextended to help drive the patient off of the bed. A separately rotatable lower leg section may also be tilted in the same direction to further facilitate patient entry or exit.

Abstract: An adjustable bed comprises a hospital bed frame chassis, an articulatable, multi-sectioned base platform mounted on the chassis, an adjustable patient support framework mounted on the base platform, and a patient support surface overlying the adjustable patient support framework and base platform. The adjustable patient support framework preferably includes two main parts: an adjustable torso support litter mounted on the articulatable torso-supporting section of the base platform; and an adjustable hip support litter mounted on the articulatable hip-supporting section of the base platform. Each of these support litters comprise a plurality of independently adjustable vertices or segments oriented at or near the periphery of the overlying patient support surface. Modulation of the patient support surface is accomplished through two conceptually distinct mechanisms—(1) articulation of the base platform and (2) movement of the vertices and/or segments of the adjustable patient support framework.