Abstract: A method is provided for continuously monitoring pressure ulcer risk for a patient positioned on a support surface. The support surface has an associated pressure sensing device for sensing instantaneous pressure at the support surface. The method includes acquiring pressure data from the pressure sensing device to generate a two-dimensional instantaneous pressure (IP) map indicative of instantaneous pressure at locations of the support surface. The method further includes acquiring a body position model using the two-dimensional IP map, where the body position model includes body parts that are respectively mapped to locations on a pressure ulcer risk map. An accumulated risk is determined in associated with each body part. The pressure ulcer risk map is displayed in accordance with the accumulated risk. Further, a current body position model is compared to a previous body position model to detect a position change of the patient on the support surface.

Abstract: A patient support includes a cover defining an interior region, an air permeable first layer located in the interior region, and a support layer located beneath the air permeable first layer. A pressure sensing layer is located underneath the support layer. At least one air supply is coupled to the support layer. A controller is coupled to the air supply and to the pressure sensing layer. The controller controls inflation and deflation of the support layer in response to a signal from the pressure sensing layer.

Abstract: A support pad, including a first cushion layer, a second cushion layer, and a sensing device, is provided. The sensing device is positioned between the first and second cushion layers. The sensing device includes a plurality of sensing elements and a substrate. The substrate includes a plurality of tab portions and a plurality of expandable portions. The sensing elements are respectively mounted to the tab portions. The expandable portions are moveable between contracted and expanded positions in response to pressure applied thereto.

Abstract: This disclosure describes certain exemplary embodiments of a patient support having a plurality of vertically-oriented on substantially can-shaped inflatable bladders. In one embodiment, the patient support includes a support layer positioned above the vertical bladders. In another embodiment, the patient support includes a high air loss device. In still another embodiment, the patient support includes a pneumatic device located within the patient support.

Abstract: A support pad, including a first cushion layer, a second cushion layer, and a sensing device, is provided. The sensing device is positioned between the first and second cushion layers. The sensing device includes a plurality of sensing elements and a substrate. The substrate includes a plurality of tab portions and a plurality of expandable portions. The sensing elements are respectively mounted to the tab portions. The expandable portions are moveable between contracted and expanded positions in response to pressure applied thereto.

Abstract: A support pad, including a first cushion layer, a second cushion layer, and a sensing device, is provided. The sensing device is positioned between the first and second cushion layers. The sensing device includes a plurality of sensing elements and a substrate. The substrate includes a plurality of tab portions and a plurality of expandable portions. The sensing elements are respectively mounted to the tab portions. The expandable portions are moveable between contracted and expanded positions in response to pressure applied thereto.

Abstract: A patient support includes a cover defining an interior region, an air permeable first layer located in the interior region, and a support layer located beneath the air permeable first layer. A pressure sensing layer is located underneath the support layer. At least one air supply is coupled to the support layer. A controller is coupled to the air supply and to the pressure sensing layer. The controller controls inflation and deflation of the support layer in response to a signal from the pressure sensing layer.

Abstract: A patient support includes a cover defining an interior region, an air permeable first layer located in the interior region, at least one air supply coupled to the first layer to provide air flow through the first layer, a support layer located beneath the air permeable first layer, a pressure sensing layer located underneath the support layer, and a controller coupled to the air supply and to the pressure sensing layer. The controller controls air flow through the first layer in response to a signal from the pressure sensing layer.

Abstract: A patient support includes a cover defining an interior region, an air permeable first layer located in the interior region within the cover, a first air supply coupled to the first layer to provide air flow through the first layer, air bladders including a head zone and a seat zone located beneath the first layer, a first sensing assembly located beneath the head zone, a second air supply coupled to the air bladders to selectively inflate and deflate the air bladders, and a controller. The controller is coupled to the first and second air supplies to control inflation and deflation of the air bladders and to control air flow through the permeable layer. The controller also receives a signal from the first sensing assembly, determines whether the patient support is occupied, and adjusts air flow through the first layer based on the signal from the first sensing assembly.

Abstract: A method is provided for continuously monitoring pressure ulcer risk for a patient positioned on a support surface. The support surface has an associated pressure sensing device for sensing instantaneous pressure at the support surface. The method includes acquiring pressure data from the pressure sensing device to generate a two-dimensional instantaneous pressure (IP) map indicative of instantaneous pressure at locations of the support surface. The method further includes acquiring a body position model using the two-dimensional IP map, where the body position model includes body parts that are respectively mapped to locations on a pressure ulcer risk map. An accumulated risk is determined in associated with each body part. The pressure ulcer risk map is displayed in accordance with the accumulated risk. Further, a current body position model is compared to a previous body position model to detect a position change of the patient on the support surface.

Abstract: A support pad, including a first cushion layer, a second cushion layer, and a sensing device, is provided. The sensing device is positioned between the first and second cushion layers. The sensing device includes a plurality of sensing elements and a substrate. The substrate includes a plurality of tab portions and a plurality of expandable portions. The sensing elements are respectively mounted to the tab portions. The expandable portions are moveable between contracted and expanded positions in response to pressure applied thereto.

Abstract: This disclosure describes certain exemplary embodiments of a patient support having a plurality of vertically-oriented on substantially can-shaped inflatable bladders. In one embodiment, the patient support includes a support layer positioned above the vertical bladders. In another embodiment, the patient support includes a high air loss device. In still another embodiment, the patient support includes a pneumatic device located within the patient support.

Abstract: This disclosure describes certain exemplary embodiments of a patient support having a plurality of vertically-oriented on substantially can-shaped inflatable bladders. In one embodiment, the patient support includes a support layer positioned above the vertical bladders. In another embodiment, the patient support includes a high air loss device. In still another embodiment, the patient support includes a pneumatic device located within the patient support.

Abstract: A patient support includes a cover defining an interior region, an air permeable first layer located in the interior region, at least one air supply coupled to the first layer to provide air flow through the first layer, a support layer located beneath the air permeable first layer, a pressure sensing layer located underneath the support layer, and a controller coupled to the air supply and to the pressure sensing layer. The controller controls air flow through the first layer in response to a signal from the pressure sensing layer.

Abstract: A method for automatically varying the internal air pressure in at least one inflatable air bladder associated with at least one zone of a pressurized mattress system to achieve an optimal zone air pressure for a patient. The method includes a step of incrementally decreasing the zone air pressure of the at least one zone until more than a predetermined percentage or portion of the patient is directly supported by a substrate disposed below the at least one inflatable air bladder. The method then determines the appropriate increase in zone air pressure to achieve the optimal zone air pressure for the patient.

Abstract: A cover system includes a first layer providing a top surface over a patient support structure. A layer of spacer material is provided beneath the first layer. An air mover moves air through the layer of spacer material to remove moisture adjacent a person supported by the patient support.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to hospital beds that are convertible to side egress chair beds and include a pair of spaced stand-assist supports pivotally attached to the base frame so that when the patient support surface is in the side-egress chair configuration, the stand-assist supports are configured to reside upwardly above and on opposing sides of the scat panel with a respective upper portion thereof providing a handle for a patient.

Abstract: A method for automatically varying the internal air pressure in at least one inflatable air bladder associated with at least one zone of a pressurized mattress system to achieve an optimal zone air pressure for a patient. The method includes a step of incrementally decreasing the zone air pressure of the at least one zone until more than a predetermined percentage or portion of the patient is directly supported by a substrate disposed below the at least one inflatable air bladder. The method then determines the appropriate increase in zone air pressure to achieve the optimal zone air pressure for the patient.

Abstract: A patient support includes a cover defining an interior region, an air permeable first layer located in the interior region, and a first air supply coupled to the first layer to provide air flow through the first layer. The patient support also includes a plurality of air bladders located beneath the air permeable first layer and a second air supply coupled to the air bladders to selectively inflate and deflate the air bladders. An angle sensor is located in the interior region in an articulatable portion of the patient support. A controller is coupled to the first and second air supplies and the angle sensor to control inflation and deflation of the air bladders in response to an angle signal received from the angle sensor and to control air flow through the air permeable layer in response to the angle signal.

Abstract: A hospital bed includes a base, a lifting mechanism, a rotating frame configured to rotate horizontally relative to the base, and a patient support surface pivotally secured to the rotating frame. The patient support surface includes a back section, a seat section, and foot section that articulate relative to each other. The patient support surface translates from a bed configuration to a side-egress chair configuration. The foot section includes a plurality of panels that translate relative to each other from a substantially co-planar relationship when the patient support surface is in a bed configuration to a relationship where one of the foot section panels is substantially orthogonal to another foot section panel when the patient support surface is in a chair configuration. A mattress supported by the patient support surface has a retractable foot portion that adjusts its length in response to translation of the foot section panels.