Abstract: A guard for a bed rail includesa first generally rectangular flat inflatable member having opposite elongated sides and opposite ends perpendicular to the first member sides and first and second generally rectangular non-inflatable flat elongated like strips. Each strip is much narrower than the first member. Each strip extends along a corresponding side of the first member and is secured thereto. A second generally rectangular flat inflatable member having opposite elongated sides and opposite ends perpendicular to the second member sides, extends in the same direction as the first member. One side of the second member is disposed adjacent, parallel and secured to one of the first and second strips.

Abstract: Disposable hyperbaric oxygen dressing adapted to treatment of a body sore on the skin of a patient. A thin flexible oxygen impermeable plastic film has upper and lower surfaces. A rigid flat open cell plastic member is oxygen permeable. The member has a central opening, a flat upper surface and a flat lower surface. The upper member surface is sealed to the lower surface of the film, the film-member seal being oxygen impermeable. A first self-adhesive layer is secured to the lower surface of the member. A second layer of release paper is removably secured to the first layer. The first layer, after the second layer has been removed, is adapted to be removably sealed in an oxygen impermeable manner to the skin of the patient with the sore being disposed in the opening. An oxygen feed tube extending through the member into the central opening, said tube being oxygen impermeable and sealed to the member, the tube-member seal being oxygen impermeable.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring the pressure exerted upon a portion of the body of a bedridden individual lying on a mattress by that section of the mattress which is engaged by this body portion. A small flexible hollow member has a first air inlet and is adapted to be positioned for use between the body portion and the mattress section. A switch is disposed in the member with connecting leads extending out of the member. The switch is open when the air pressure in the member is at least equal to the exerted pressure and is closed when the air pressure in the member is less than the exerted pressure. A circuit including a lamp and an electric power source is connected to the switch to cause the lamp to be energized and lit when the switch is closed, the lamp being deenergized and dark when the switch is open. An air pressure meter has a second air inlet. A manually operated air pump is connected to both air inlets.

Abstract: A collapsible bathtub adapted for placement on top of a mattress employs a horizontal flexible plastic rectangular sheet having two opposite sides and two opposite ends. First and second flexible plastic parallel side walls are integral with the sheet, each side wall having a collapsed position at which it is essentially coplanar with the sheet, each side wall having an erect position at which it extends vertically upwards from a corresponding one of the two sides of the sheet; First and second flexible plastic end walls disposed at right angles to said side walls are integral with said sheet.

Abstract: A hollow flexible body adapted to rest upon a mattress has the general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped which is horizontally elongated and is vertically shallow. The body has a closed bottom and sides with a top having a rectangular opening therein. The opening conforms in shape and size to the top but is somewhat smaller whereby a rectangular border separates the opening from the outer peripher of the top of the body. At least one water filled cushion is disposed in the body with a main portion exposed in the opening and with end portions extending in the body underneath the border. The cushion is detachably secured to the body.

Abstract: A mattress employs a first plastic unit which is flat and horizontal and is provided with a peripherally disposed horizontal endless hollow tube which is inflatable. The tube, when inflated, defines a raised peripheral border surrounding and enclosing an inner flat horizontal central area of the first unit. A second plastic unit is removably disposed on top of the central area. The second unit has a first upper section having oppositely disposed inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface being disposed above the inner surface and permanently defining a plurality of closely spaced raised regions which are interconnected by channels disposed below the top surfaces of the regions. The inner surface permanently defines a like plurality of deep recesses, each deep recess constituting the inside of a corresponding region, the deep recesses being interconnected by shallow recesses, each shallow recess constituting the inside of a corresponding channel.

Abstract: A body supporting device comprises a first plastic section having oppositely disposed inner and outer surfaces. The outer surface is disposed above the inner surface and permanently defines a plurality of closely spaced regions of like size and contour which are interconnected by channels disposed below the regions. The inner surface of the first section permanently defines a like plurality of deep recesses. Each deep recess constitutes the inside of a corresponding region. The deep recesses are interconnected by shallow recesses. Each shallow recess constitutes the inside of a corresponding channel. The device further comprises a second plastic section sealed to the inner surface of the first section in a manner at which the deep and shallow recesses communicate with each other. A flexible hollow tube is diposed about the periphery of the sections and is secured thereto. The tube interior is connected via openings in the tube to the shallow recesses.