Abstract: A patient support consisting of a frame 22 supporting a translucent support surface 24 elevated above the frame 22 by longitudinal channels 23. The channels 23 support an x-ray cassette tray 36 for sliding movement along the length of the frame 22. The x-ray cassette trays 36 can be loaded onto the channels 23 from either or both the head 30 and foot 32 ends of the frame 22. All of the patient support surface can be covered by the x-ray cassettes. In use, the x-ray cassette tray 36 is pulled out from the channels 23 and loaded with an x-ray cassette 38. The handle 39 is pulled out from within the tray 36 and locked into position against latch 38. The tray 36 is then slid back onto the channels 23 and the position of the cassette 38 within the tray 36 is indicated by the position of the indicator 66 visible along the side of the frame 22.

Abstract: A bed, couch or trolley platform arrangement consists of a back section (2), seat section (14), thigh section (15) and calf section (18). The backrest (14) and thigh section (15) are pivotally connected to the bed frame (4) for raising and lowering the hack section (14) and thigh section (15). The backrest and thigh section pivots are longitudinally displaceable along the frame away from each other as the back section and thigh section are raised from a horizontal to a raised potition. Bridging plates (13, 20) cover the gaps resulting from the displacement of the hack (14) and thigh (15) sections respectively. The back section also has an additional panel (6) which is arranged to slide upwards along the back section as the back section is raised causing the platform surface to lengthen by the same amount as the contact path length of skin of a person during sitting thereby resulting in prevention of pelvic compression and shearing of tissue.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a base frame (10) supporting lifting arms (15) on either side. The lifting arm (15) at on end of the base frame (10) is connected by a pivoting and sliding joint (8) and the lifting arm (15) at the other end by a pivoting joint (7). The lifting arms (15) support an upper frame (20), via pivoting and sliding joints (16). Stabilizing links (5, 6) are connected to the middle of each lifting arm and to the upper frame. Linear actuators (30, 31) act on the top ends (16) of the lifting arms (15) to raise, lower or tilt the upper frame (20). The mechanism achieves an exceptionally low minimum height whilst still maintaining hoist clearance under the base frame (10). The upper frame (20) may be moved to a variety of working heights and achieves high angles of Trendelenburg tilts.