Abstract: A bed having a frame, a deck, and a communication network and at least one module. The at least one module includes a charting module.

Abstract: A patient support is disclosed having an adjustable length deck and a mattress positionable on the deck. The mattress includes a foot portion having an adjustable length.

Abstract: A patient-support apparatus includes receivers for supporting a patient-support deck. The patient-support deck is configured to engage the receivers to support the deck in a cantilevered configuration. The patient-support deck may be secured to the patient-support apparatus by a locking mechanism.

Abstract: A patient-support apparatus includes a patient-support deck movable from a use position to a stowed position. The patient-support deck is configured to engage receivers of the patient-support apparatus to support the deck in a cantilevered configuration. The patient-support deck may be secured to the patient-support apparatus by a locking mechanism. A storage structure is configured to support the patient-support deck in a stowed position. The storage structure is configured to deflect under load to prevent damage to the storage structure or patient-support deck.

Abstract: A bed having a frame, a deck, and a siderail. The deck having a head seat and foot sections.

Abstract: An end panel for a patient support apparatus such as a hospital bed has a frame, a housing covering the frame, a roller mounted on the frame which rotates relative to the frame.

Abstract: A bed including a frame, a deck, a siderail, a communication network and a graphic caregiver interface module. The graphic caregiver interface module includes an input device, a control circuit, a memory, and a display.

Abstract: A patient support is disclosed having an adjustable length deck and a mattress positionable on the deck.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue. The surgical instrument includes a frame having a handle at a proximal end thereof, and a support structure at a distal end thereof. The support structure adapted to support a plurality of surgical fasteners and is formed from aluminum.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surgical instrument for deploying a plurality of surgical fasteners. The method uses the step of building a frame with a proximal end and a distal end, and assembling a handle onto the proximal end of the frame. The method then uses the step of building a support structure adapted to support cartridge containing the plurality of surgical fasteners, and assembling the support structure onto the distal end of the frame. The method also uses the step of building a closure member for supporting at least a portion of the plurality of surgical fasteners for movement from the open position to the closed position. Wherein the step of building the closure member uses the step of molding the closure member from a plastic.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surgical instrument for deploying a plurality of surgical fasteners. The method uses the step of building a frame with a proximal end and a distal end, and assembling a handle onto the proximal end of the frame. The method also involves the step of building a support structure at least partially from aluminum, such that the support structure is adapted to a plurality of surgical staples. The method also involves the step of assembling the support structure onto the distal end of the frame.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue. The surgical instrument includes a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, with a handle at the proximal end and a support structure at the distal end. The support structure is adapted to support cartridge containing the plurality of surgical fasteners. The instrument further includes a closure member for supporting at least a portion of the cartridge for movement from a proximal end of the support structure to a distal end of the support structure, wherein at least a portion of the closure member is made from plastic.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is adapted for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue. The surgical instrument includes a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, with a handle positioned at the proximal end and an end effector positioned at the distal end. The end effector is shaped and dimensioned for supporting a cartridge housing and an anvil, the cartridge housing and anvil structure being relatively movable between a first spaced apart position and a second position in close approximation with one another. A firing mechanism is associated with the end effector and the cartridge housing for selective actuation of the fastening elements for treatment of an individual. A tissue retention feature is associated with the cartridge housing and anvil, the tissue retention feature maintaining tissue within the end effector during treatment and including a top tissue retention member and a bottom tissue retention member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument adapted for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue includes a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, with a handle positioned at the proximal end. The instrument also includes a cartridge housing and an anvil. The cartridge housing and anvil are relatively movable between a first spaced apart position and a second position in close approximation with one another, and the cartridge housing includes a knife adapted for cutting tissue by moving between the cartridge housing and the anvil. A firing mechanism is associated with the cartridge housing for selective actuation. The instrument also includes a tissue retention feature having an upper member and a lower member maintaining tissue between the cartridge housing and the anvil during treatment, wherein the upper and lower members respectively include channels associated with the knife for guiding it between the cartridge housing and the anvil.

Abstract: A surgical instrument adapted for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue includes a cartridge module having a cartridge housing containing a plurality of surgical fasteners and a knife. The cartridge module includes a driver disposed to push surgical fasteners out of the cartridge housing. The instrument also includes a firing mechanism associated with the cartridge housing for ejecting the surgical fasteners and the knife from the cartridge housing. The knife includes a detent disposed to contact a mating detent of the cartridge module during longitudinal travel of the knife thereby preventing undesired forward and rearward motion of the knife. The driver includes a detent disposed to contact at least one mating detent formed on the cartridge module.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is adapted for stapling tissue in a highly controlled manner. The surgical instrument includes a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, with a handle positioned at the proximal end and an end effector positioned at the distal end. The end effector includes a supporting structure shaped and dimensioned for selectively receiving a generally C-shaped cartridge module containing a plurality of surgical fasteners. A firing mechanism is associated with the end effector and the cartridge module for selective actuation of the surgical fasteners. The cartridge module includes a cartridge housing and an anvil, the cartridge housing and the anvil being relatively movable between a first spaced apart position and a second position in close approximation with one another.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is adapted for stapling tissue in a highly controlled manner. The surgical instrument includes a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, with a handle positioned at the proximal end and an end effector positioned at the distal end. The end effector is shaped and dimensioned for selectively receiving a cartridge module containing a plurality of surgical fasteners. A firing mechanism is associated with the end effector and the cartridge module for selective actuation of the surgical fasteners. The cartridge module includes a cartridge housing in which the surgical fasteners are housed and an anvil shaped and dimensioned for engagement with the surgical fasteners to facilitate stapling. The cartridge housing and anvil are relatively movable between a first spaced apart position and a second position in close approximation with one another.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is adapted for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue. The surgical instrument includes an anvil and a cartridge housing containing a plurality of surgical fasteners. The cartridge housing and anvil are relatively movable between a first spaced apart position and a second closed position. A firing mechanism is associated with the cartridge housing for ejecting the surgical fasteners from the cartridge housing to be driven against the anvil. A lockout mechanism interacts with the cartridge housing for activation and deactivation; the lockout mechanism preventing movement of the cartridge housing to its second closed position but permitting relative reapproximation movement of the cartridge housing and anvil, whereby reapproximation provides an indicator that the instrument is not malfunctioning.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for cutting and applying a plurality of surgical fasteners in the same direction to body tissue includes a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, with a handle positioned at the proximal end and an end effector positioned at the distal end. The end effector is shaped and dimensioned for supporting a cartridge housing and an anvil. The cartridge housing and anvil are relatively movable between a first spaced apart position and a second position in close approximation with one another, and the cartridge housing includes a knife structure adapted for cutting tissue by moving between the cartridge housing and the anvil. The instrument also includes a firing mechanism associated with the end effector and the cartridge housing for selective actuation of the knife structure and surgical fasteners for movement in the same direction.