Abstract: A patient table, modified with a fixed-base design thereby allowing for heavy patients, providing tilting and cantilevering capabilities, table top extension (i.e. providing head to toe coverage), and overall stability, is described. The operating room table re-design includes incorporation of utility sources into the architecture of the table, so that utilities, such as wiring, vacuum, and gas hoses, arise from the table itself. The source of all utilities to the table (as opposed to those emanating from the table) may come from an underground connection. Further, the table is interchangeable with tables customized for a specific procedure.

Abstract: An air cushion control system having an air chamber sensor including an air chamber, a bottom out sensor and an overinflation sensor, an air pump to inflate the air chamber, an air valve to release air from the air chamber, connections for the air cushion control system to an air cushion, and a microprocessor to control the inflation and the release of air from the air chamber. The air cushion control system reduces decubitus ulcers by incorporating both an automatic adjustment system to prevent the seated individual from bottoming-out in the air cushion and measure immersion depth to maximize pressure reduction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a body support pillow made and contoured to promote side lying to reduce snoring and negate the consequences of sleep apnea and symptoms. It consists of a body support pillow with integrated, semi-rigid yet flexible support for a person's head, back, and legs while lying on their side thereby encouraging either left or right side position sleeping.

Abstract: An inflatable mattress having an inflated torso support pad, a first leg extending out from a first portion of the inflated torso support pad, and a second leg spaced from the first leg and extending out from a second portion of the inflated torso support pad. The first leg and the second leg may be spread apart or deflated and rolled upon themselves so as to provide easy access to the patient during clinical procedures. A method is provided for positioning a patient with the inflatable mattress.

Abstract: A cushioning device includes a base support, and a number of cushioning members selectively and changeably attached onto the base support and selectively arranged to various structure by the users themselves. The cushioning members each may include such as a hexagonal cross section and arrangeable to various patterns, and each may include one or more perforations for air circulating purposes. The cushioning members may be attached to the base support with such as a hook-and-loop fastening device. The base support includes a pattern for engaging with the cushioning members and for allowing the cushioning members to be arranged to the predetermined positions according to the pattern.

Abstract: The invention provides as a connecting element at least one flexural pull element (29) disposed between the pivotable back element (13) and leg element (15) of the support (12). Such a flexural pull element, which can be a cord or belt, for example, can be arranged in a space-saving manner under the support (12) and integrated in a frame (11) of the bed or cot. Thus, no space is taken up by the pull element beneath the frame (11). The invention thereby provides a connecting element of simple and space-saving design which allows for the simultaneous pivoting of the back element (13) and leg element (15) of the support (12).

Abstract: A playard includes a frame structure movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement. The frame structure includes a plurality of pivot joints arranged in an upper set and a lower set, each pivot joint in the upper set being positioned over a corresponding pivot joint in the lower set, and a plurality of cross members connected at respective slants to the upper and lower sets of pivot joints. The playard further includes a plurality of top rails, each top rail being attached to adjacent pivot joints in the upper set. The frame structure lacks legs to support the upper set of pivot joints at an elevation above the lower set of pivot joints. The elevation decreases as the respective slants of the cross members change to move the frame structure from the folded arrangement to the open arrangement until the top rails are under tension.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sleeping bag with additional material at the bottom of the head end, forming a “T”-shaped sleeping bag. The additional material forms the cross of the “T” and provides a greater surface area on which to sleep. This modification allows for more comfort in a wider variety of positions than has been available with standard prior art sleeping bags. The cross of the “T”-shape can accommodate a pillow, if desired, and gives added protection and coverage to the head and shoulders of the user. The cross of the “T” can be removably attached to the main body of the sleeping bag, or can be an integral part of the sleeping bag.

Abstract: An emergency patient support and transport apparatus that is designed to be used in emergency response situations to treat patients that have been exposed to hazardous biological, chemical or radioactive materials. The patient support and transport apparatus is in the form of a rail system that allows a patient and the patient's support bed to be transported across the rails to a medical treatment zone, such as a decontamination zone, where decontamination of the patient and support bed occurs. The support and transport apparatus is formed of a patient support track formed of individual track sections that are collapsible for ease of transport and storage. The individual track sections are adapted to be interconnected to form at least two continuous rail surfaces. The patient support track is used in combination with a patient gurney having a base portion and a removable stretcher portion for supporting the patient.

Abstract: There is described an attachment system for attaching a plurality of elements to a resilient body, preferably for attachment of a trim cover to a foam element. The system comprising a first element having attached thereto a first attachment portion and a second element having attached thereto a second attachment portion, the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion being releasably engageable with the resilient body.

Abstract: A child stabilizer includes a frame portion having a first elongate frame member extending in a generally vertical direction and having upper and lower ends. The frame portion includes a second and third frame member extending outwardly from the lower end of the first frame member. A cushioned outer member encloses the frame portion and may include the appearance of a stuffed animal. The outer member may be removably coupled to a child such that the first frame member extends adjacent the child's spine and the second and third frame members extend outwardly behind the child to prevent the child from toppling backwards while sitting. The frame portion is sufficiently rigid to prevent the child from toppling backwards without buckling.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for supporting an individual during repositioning. A handle permits a user facing a first direction to traverse the perimeter of the handle to face a second direction. Thus, the user can move from a first position to a second position while maintaining contact with the handle with two hands. The apparatus, in one embodiment, may further include a base and a coupling coupled to the base and configured to couple the handle to the base.

Abstract: A sliding subframe mounted to the derriere-supporting section of an articulating bed is adapted to translate the rotational axis of the torso-supporting section of the bed toward the headframe as the torso-supporting section is raised to an inclined position, and back toward the footboard as the torso-supporting section is lowered to a level position. This mechanism reduces compression of the lumbo-sacral area of the patient during bed articulation.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a patient removal system are provided for evacuating a patient during an emergency. The patient removal systems may be used to transport the patient while the patient is on a mattress, or the patient removal systems may be used to transport the patient without the mattress. The patient removal systems permit caregivers to transport patients out of danger or harm without requiring patient support devices to be transported along with the patients.

Abstract: An inflatable bed is adapted for use with a sofa, and includes an upper inflatable pad unit disposed on and connected to a lower inflatable pad body, and having a bridging unit that is misaligned from the lower inflatable pad body in a vertical direction and that has a bottom surface adapted to face a seat surface of the sofa when the bridging unit is disposed on the seat surface of the sofa. Two auxiliary inflatable pad bodies are attached respectively on opposite lateral ends of the bridging unit of the upper inflatable pad unit. Each auxiliary inflatable pad body is adapted to fill a space between the bridging unit of the upper inflatable pad unit and a corresponding arm of the sofa when the bridging unit of the upper inflatable pad unit is disposed on the seat surface of the sofa.

Abstract: Methods and systems for medical imaging using an ergonomic patient head an arm support are provided. A support for medical imaging is provided that includes a lower body configured to engage a portion of a medical imaging system and an upper surface having a plurality of depressions configured to receive therein at least one of a head and arm of a patient.

Abstract: A device serving as a mezzanine fold-away bed provided with a support structure and a frame (20), wherein a fold-away mechanism allows the frame to be folded away from a use position to a stow-away position. This mechanism includes two shafts situated on the frame, each of these shafts being connected via a tie-rod to a pivot on the support, structure in order to tie the frame to the support structure, and also includes a mechanism that synchronizes the movement of the two shafts.

Abstract: A mattress encasement made of bug impervious fabric provides a zipper opening for removal of the mattress. A foam pad is stitched at an end of the zipper closure such that when the zipper is located at or near the end, a channel is provided to prevent or obstruct the escapement of bed bugs via the channel and out from a mattress encased by the mattress encasement.

Abstract: The invention is a head and neck support apparatus comprised of a central portion with three primary sections 1) a shoulder ramp, 2) an inclined Atlanto-Axial support (AXS) section, and 3) a substantially level head support section. The apparatus also has side support portions, in several embodiments, so a user may lay in a lateral position. The AXS section is designed to support the soft tissue between the user's atlanto and axis at 0 to 20 degrees.

Abstract: A standard child swing apparatus with a holder for supporting a baby on its abdomen. A vibration unit is also included within the holder.