Abstract: A table including an articulated deck having a head section, a seat section, a foot section and at least one of the sections is coupled to the frame for movement between a generally horizontal position and a tilted position about a first effective axis above a patient support surface of a mattress of the deck. Pivoting and translation of the deck section extends and contracts the deck sections relative to each other to match the expansion and contraction of the skin of patient as the deck sections move between their horizontal and tilted positions.

Abstract: A rotational therapy apparatus is provided for use on a bed having a base frame, a deck coupled to the base frame, a support surface located on the deck, an air handling unit, an electrical communication network, and a rotation control module including a controller coupled to the communication network. The rotational therapy apparatus includes a normally deflated rotation air bladder located between the support surface and the deck. The rotation air bladder remains deflated during normal use of the bed. The rotation air bladder is coupled to the rotation control module for selectively inflating and deflating the rotation air bladder to provide rotational therapy to a body located on the support surface. The apparatus also includes a graphical interactive display coupled to the electrical communication network.

Abstract: A bed includes a base frame, a deck coupled to the base frame for supporting a body, a peer-to-peer communication network having a plurality of connection points, and a plurality of modules. Each module is electrically coupled to a selected connection point of the peer-to-peer communication network. Each module is configured to perform a dedicated function during operation of the bed, and each module is configured to communicate over the peer-to-peer communication network with selected other modules.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaluating perfusion adjacent a skin surface includes the steps of measuring a reference rate of perfusion of the skin surface, storing the reference rate of perfusion, and applying a positive force to the skin surface. The apparatus and method also includes the steps of measuring a second rate of perfusion adjacent the skin surface after the positive force is applied, and calculating a differential rate of perfusion between the reference rate of perfusion and the second rate of perfusion after positive force is applied to provide an indication of perfusion adjacent the skin surface. The apparatus and method further includes the step of displaying the indication of perfusion.

Abstract: A patient support system having an environmentally controlled area over the patient including a frame with a patient support thereon and a moveable canopy thereover. The support is generally rectangular and is provided with a vertical fluid curtain at its perimeter on each of its four sides. The four vertical curtains are deflected inwardly by the canopy to provide the environmentally controlled area over the patient and with a fluid return to the perimeter to provide a closed fluid path. The air curtains can be heated and/or have water vapor added thereto. An infrared heater is provided in the canopy for a second source of heat. An integrated control system is also provided.

Abstract: A surface foot section is provided for a bed which includes a base frame and an articulating deck coupled to the base frame. The articulating deck includes a generally planar foot deck section and is movable from a bed configuration to a chair configuration. A foot section control module is provided to deflate the surface foot section when the articulating deck is in the chair configuration and to inflate the surface foot section when the articulating deck is in the bed configuration. The surface foot section includes a first air bladder configured to collapse in a first direction generally parallel to the foot deck section when the first air bladder is deflated, and a second air bladder located adjacent the first air bladder.

Abstract: A light fixture apparatus is configured to be mounted to a wall. The apparatus includes support frame configured to be mounted to the wall. The support frame is formed to include a track. The support frame also includes first and second support walls which are configured to be mounted generally parallel to the wall of the room and a web interconnecting the first and second support walls. A light box is coupled to the support frame. The light box includes a light source. The apparatus further includes a mounting block configured to be coupled to the track of the support. The mounting block is adapted to receive an accessory item to couple the accessory item to the support frame.

Abstract: A chair bed for supporting a person is provided, the chair bed having a head end, afoot end, and opposing sides. The chair bed includes a frame and a deck supported on the frame. The deck includes head, seat, and foot sections. A mattress is mounted on the deck and has an upwardly-facing patient surface. The mattress also has head, seat, and foot portions corresponding, respectively, to the head, seat, and foot sections of the deck. The head section of the deck and the mattress portion thereon is pivotable from a generally horizontal down position through various positions upwardly to a back-support position. A pair of side rails is mounted on each side of the chair bed. Each pair of side rails includes a body section side rail mounted to move with the deck seat section and extending laterally adjacent the deck head and seat sections and a head section side rail mounted to move with the deck head section relative to the body section side rail and extending adjacent only the deck head section.

Abstract: A deck is provided for a bed which is configured to support a mattress including a lower mattress section having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall, and an upper mattress section having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall. The deck includes an upper deck, and a lower deck coupled to the upper deck by a deck side wall so that the lower deck is spaced apart from the upper deck to define a recess of the deck. The lower deck is configured to support the lower mattress section within the recess of the deck with the bottom surface of the lower mattress section engaging the lower deck. The side wall of the deck is configured to be located adjacent the side wall of the lower mattress section. The top surface of the lower mattress section is aligned generally in a plane of the upper deck. The upper deck is configured to support the upper mattress section with the top surface of the upper mattress section extending above the upper deck to provide a body support surface.

Abstract: A bed including a frame, an articulating deck on the frame having head, seat, and foot deck sections, and a mattress on the deck. The deck foot section and mattress foot portion have a first length when the foot section is in the up position and a second length shorter than said first length when the foot section is in the down position. A first driver varies the length of the deck foot section, and a second driver moves the foot section relative to said seat section between the generally horizontal up position and the generally vertically downwardly extending down position.

Abstract: A bed status information system for indicating to attending personnel the status of a patient bed includes bed condition input signal generators carried by the bed and coupled to operational elements on the bed, which have one or more monitorable conditions. The signal generators are operable to monitor a bed element condition and input signal indicative of the status of the monitored condition. An interface board on the bed processes the bed condition input signal and generates bed condition messages, which indicate the status of the monitored condition. A processing station remote from the bed is electrically coupled via a datalink to the interface board and is operable to receive the bed condition messages and indicate the status of the patient bed and its operational elements to attending personnel at a location remote from the bed, thereby eliminating the need for constant personnel attendance at the bed.

Abstract: A mattress is provided for use with a step deck having an upper deck, and a lower deck coupled to the upper deck by a deck side wall so that the lower deck is spaced apart from the upper deck to define a recess of the step deck. The mattress includes a lower mattress section having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall. The lower mattress section is configured to be located within the recess of the step deck with the bottom surface of the lower mattress section engaging the lower deck, the side wall of the lower mattress section being located adjacent the deck side wall, and the top surface of the lower mattress section being aligned generally in a plane of the upper deck. The mattress also includes an upper mattress section having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall. The top surface of the upper mattress section provides a body support surface, and the bottom surface of the upper mattress section engages the top surface of the lower mattress section and the upper deck.

Abstract: A bed is provided having a head end, a foot end, and sides. The bed includes a frame and a deck carried by the frame. The deck includes an upper deck portion and a central, longitudinal recess in the upper deck portion. The recess is defined by a lower deck portion and walls connecting the lower and the upper deck portions. The bed also includes a mattress including a planar, upwardly-facing patient surface, side portions resting on the side deck portions, and a central projection extending downwardly into the recess. A first longitudinal deck section is coupled to the deck to pivot about a pivot axis above the lower deck portion between a generally horizontal position and a tilted position.

Abstract: A hospital bed that converts from a bed configuration to a chair configuration that is used in combination with different care/therapy modules. When in the chair configuration, the bed is designed to interface at its foot end with the different care/therapy modules to facilitate the use of such modules. The care/therapy modules include, for example, a general purpose cart, a motorized leg exercise device, a walking exercise device, a non-motorized leg exercise device, a commode, a wheelchair and/or a hydrotherapy unit.

Abstract: A sleep support surface includes a mattress having at least two bladders located adjacent a foot end. The bladders each have a predetermined, adjustable internal pressure. The pressure in at least one of the bladders is selectively and independently reduced to provide pressure relief on the heels of the patient lying on the mattress. The pressure in a bladder located toward the head end of the mattress and adjacent the at least one bladder is increased. This pressure increase advantageously provides the lifting force under the calves of the patient to reduce further pressure on the patient's heels. A visual indication of the location each of the at least two bladders in the mattress is provided to facilitate selection of the at least one bladder in which to reduce pressure during the pressure reducing step, thereby providing pressure relief on the heels of the patient lying on the mattress.

Abstract: A bedside cabinet having a generally U-shaped forward access area within which a portable commode may be stored. The cabinet includes an upper drawer cabinet section an a pivoting top panel under which is stored an adjustable shelf. The top panel is pivoted to a vertical position, the adjustable shelf is elevated and locked in a desired position and the top panel is then lowered to its normal horizontal position. The portable commode is designed to ft within the cabinet for storage; and in addition, a walker is designed to fit around and be stored on the cabinet.

Abstract: A patient air mattress replacement system having a pair of air support layers with a hose assembly containing a plurality of supply tubes for providing air to the air support layers. The mattress includes an interface connection which connects the support layers to the hose assembly and valve fittings which prevent escape of air from at least one support layer when the hose assembly is disconnected from the interface connection.

Abstract: A bed includes a base frame, a deck coupled to the base frame, an electrical communication network, an air handling unit mounted on the base frame, a plurality of air therapy devices located on the bed, and a plurality of control modules. Each control module includes a connector for coupling a corresponding air therapy device to the air handling unit and to the electrical communication network. Each control module also includes a controller for operating the corresponding air therapy device with the air handling unit based on command signals received from the electrical communication network.