Abstract: A system for compression therapy comprises a patient-support apparatus and a compression sleeve assembly that is coupleable to the patient-support apparatus. In some embodiments, the patient-support apparatus comprises a hospital bed; and in other embodiments, the patient-support apparatus comprises a mattress for a bed. The compression sleeve assembly comprises a sleeve that couples to a patient's limb and that inflates to promote blood flow. The compression sleeve assembly also comprises a conduit and a compression module that is operable to inflate the sleeve through the conduit. The conduit may be routed, at least in part, through the associated patient-support apparatus. The compression module may be situated, at least in part, in a cavity of the associated patient-support apparatus. A compression module that couples to an architectural structure, such as a headwall unit, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lack of patient movement monitor and method. The monitor and method patient support includes a plurality of sensors located beneath a patient support to determine movement of a patient. An alarm is activated when patient movement over time is determined to be lacking.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a control unit for a patient support, such as a mattress. One embodiment of the control unit includes a base portion and a display portion pivotably coupled to the base portion. The control unit may also include one or more communication ports for sending or receiving data from one or more remote devices over a network. The control unit may also include a memory port into which memory may be removably inserted. The control unit may also include a visual indicator configured to be activated by a triggering event, such as a patient exiting the mattress. The display unit may include a touchscreen user interface. The display unit may also be configured to display audiovisual material.

Abstract: A bed, includes a frame 11, a deck 12 connected to the frame and a siderail 16, 17, 18, 19 supported by either of the frame and the deck. The siderail includes a base 22, 162 and an extension 23, 163. The extension has a retracted position adjacent the base and at least one deployed position spaced further from the base. A lock 30, 200 resides in the base is selectively engageable with and disengageable from the extension for resisting or enabling movement of the extension relative to the base.

Abstract: A lack of patient movement monitor and method. The monitor and method patient support includes a plurality of sensors located beneath a patient support to determine movement of a patient. An alarm is activated when patient movement over time is determined to be lacking.

Abstract: A patient support surface including a cover defining an interior region, a layer of three dimensional material, located at the interior region, and an air circulation device disposed adjacent the layer of three dimensional material. The patient support surface includes at least one of a percussion device and a vibration device, located at the interior region.

Abstract: A low profile acoustic array (10) is configured to selectively respond to shear waves while rejecting compression wave energy in the frequency range of interest. One sensor array is configured as a linear strip with a frame segment having at least one longitudinally extending rail and a plurality of sensor elements (20) extending therefrom. These sensor elements have a resilient core and opposing PDVF outer layers configured with opposing polarities onto the core. The linear strip array also includes a pair of separate electrical signal transmission paths. The transmission lines can include a series of undulations formed thereon to help minimize undesired mechanical crossover between sensors. A carrier member can be configured to be detachably releasable carries the discrete sensors to maintain the positional alignment until they are secured to a patient.

Abstract: A thin film piezoelectric polymer acoustic sensor for the passive detection of heart and blood flow sounds is described. Sensors may have initially slack film components which are tented by the mass of a housing when a sensor is positioned on acoustic medium. Enhanced sensor performance is provided by accommodation of the sensor spring constant to the spring constant of human flesh. Sensor performance may be enhanced by a combination of physical parameter ranges. A plurality of sensors may compose a linear array or an array aperture.

Abstract: An improved ultrasonic transducer fabricated on a silicon base has a piezoelectric layer of polyvinylidene fluoride-trfluroethylene copolymer. The piezoelectric layer is sandwiched between two conductive electrodes, all of which are supported on a dielectric layer on top of the silicon base. At least one of the electrodes forms a Fresnel zone plate to focus the ultrasonic signals from the transducers. To improve the performance of the transducer, the silicon base behind the active area is removed, leaving the dielectric layer as a membrane to support the electrodes and the piezoelectric layer. The resulting void in the silicon base is filled with an acoustically matched backing, such as an epoxy, to enhance the wideband performance of the transducer. The transducer is especially suited for characterizing anatomical structures or features requiring very high resolution.