Abstract: Disclosed is a pillow for placing between the knees while sleeping. The pillow has a substantially toroid-shaped outer casing with an inner volume containing a fill material. The generally uniform round shape of embodiments of the pillow provides for easy insertion of the pillow between the knees because the pillow does not have to be oriented in any particular radial direction prior to insertion. Some embodiments of the pillow may have a hole through the center. Both the top and bottom surfaces of embodiments of the pillow curve downward and inward toward the center, forming a top and bottom depression for cradling the knee joints while preventing the pillow from unintentionally sliding out from between the knees. A method of using a pillow for placing between the knees is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mattress guard with one or more inflatable bumpers to prevent patients or older adults from accidentally rolling out of or falling out of bed, and also to avoid the patients or older adults from being trapped in hard/rigid bed rails. A mattress cover includes a fitted mattress sheet, one or more inflatable bumpers, and an air pump system to inflate and deflate the one or more bumpers. At least one of the bumpers has a length and a position that optimizes safety and allows for common user movements without requiring deflation of the bumper. A dual pump system may include primary pump with higher inflation rate to initially inflate one or more bumpers and a secondary pump with lower inflation rate and/or that is quieter to maintain inflation of the bumper(s). An alert system can provide alerts to relatives or staff if a patient is endangered.

Abstract: A mattress comprising a first layer comprising at least one channel extending laterally from a first side of the layer to an opposite side of the layer, and a plurality of foam spheres or hemispheres disposed in each channel. A mattress assembly comprising the mattress and a mattress foundation.

Abstract: A multi-pillowcase assembly that includes a pillow having a first end and a second end, a set of at least 2 pillowcases each having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a pillowcase displaying condition and a pillowcase inside-out condition, the pillowcases each having an opening for converting the pillowcases between the pillowcase displaying condition and the pillowcase inside-out condition and a fastener attaching the first end of the pillow to the first end of the pillowcase in the pillowcase back side condition.

Abstract: Introduced are methods and systems for monitoring a person's sleeping patterns, and detecting episodes of sleeping disorders such as snoring and sleep apnea. In one embodiment, a sensor strip attached to the mattress monitors the user's breathing, and detects signature frequencies corresponding to snoring and sleep apnea. Once a sleeping disorder is detected, a notification can be sent to a device associated with the user, or the user's bed can be automatically adjusted to alleviate the sleeping disorder.

Abstract: A body weight support system includes a trolley, a powered conductor operatively coupled to a power supply, and a patient attachment mechanism. The trolley can include a drive system, a control system, and a patient support system. The drive system is movably coupled to a support rail. At least a portion of the control system is physically and electrically coupled to the powered conductor. The patient support mechanism is at least temporarily coupled to the patient attachment mechanism. The control system can control at least a portion of the patient support mechanism based at least in part on a force applied to the patient attachment mechanism.

Abstract: A bed system includes a fixed frame, a movable frame, and first and second end boards disposed at the head and foot ends of the fixed frame, respectively. The system may be assembled and/or configured such that: a first electric or manual actuator is coupled between the fixed frame assembly and a first linkage assembly of the movable frame assembly for powered or manual movement of a first movable section of the movable frame assembly; a second electric or manual actuator is coupled between the fixed frame assembly and a second linkage assembly for powered or manual movement of a second movable section of the movable frame assembly; and/or a third electric or manual actuator is coupled between the first and second end boards for powered or manual height adjustment of the head and foot ends of the fixed frame assembly.

Abstract: An occupant support includes a framework which includes a frame, an orientation adjustable deck section supported by the frame, and a lockable gas spring whose components include a piston assembly coupled to one of the frame and the deck section and a cylinder coupled to the other of the frame and the deck section. The piston assembly includes a piston and a connecting rod. The piston divides the interior of the cylinder into an isolated compartment and a non-isolated compartment. The non-isolated compartment has an inlet and an outlet. An outflow check valve resists fluid flow out of the non-isolated compartment and admits ambient fluid into the non-isolated compartment. An inflow check valve resists fluid flow into the non-isolated compartment and enables fluid flow out of the non-isolated compartment. A turbine receives fluid which flows out of the non-isolated compartment. An electrical generator is coupled to the turbine.

Abstract: A patient support includes a conformable layer having a lattice of cells. Each cell having a base and extending to a top portion disposed opposite the base to form a column, and at least some of the cells within the lattice having a fluid passage extending from the base through the top portion of the cell. The patient support having a fluid flow path defined by a port connector configured to direct a fluid to a low air loss manifold, the low air loss manifold configured to direct and release the fluid towards the fluid passages of the conformable layer with the fluid passages configured to direct the fluid into a reduced zone having a surface area, and a spacer layer configured to receive the fluid in the reduced zone and disperse the fluid underneath a cover across a surface area larger than the surface area of the reduced zone.

Abstract: A sleep support device that supports the upper body and head to allow comfortable sleep in a forward position during travel according to the present invention is disclosed. The sleep support device 100 that supports the upper body and head to allow comfortable sleep in a forward position during travel. The device 100 has locking hinges attached to a rigid structure. The locking hinges are positioned lateral to the hips bilaterally and connect the thigh to the upper body component on each side. Straps attached to the thigh component and the extension segment fix the device to the traveler's thigh. The upper body component allows the support of the torso and the head in a comfortable position during sleep.

Abstract: A bed covering includes side folding portions that can be folded and fastened by fasteners to remain secured in the folded positions when not in use. When the folding portions of the bed covering are in the folded position, the dimensions of the bed covering are approximately those of a standard-sized bed covering for a particular mattress size (e.g., king, queen, etc.). When the bed covering is in use, the folded portions are unfastened and unfolded, increasing the dimensions of the bed covering, resulting in an oversized bed covering. Accordingly, the aesthetics of a properly-sized bed covering for a particular bed size are not sacrificed by use of the oversized bed covering, as the aesthetics are preserved when the bed covering is in the folded configuration.

Abstract: A compact, portable sled for transporting a person comprises a flexible panel, sheet portions and strapping. The flexible panel has head and foot portions, first and second sides, a sled length, and a sled width. The flexible panel is constructed of a wear resistant material for dragging over rough terrain. The sheet portions made of limp material that is less resistant to wear than the flexible panel. One sheet portion is attached to and extends laterally outward from the first side of the flexible panel. Another sheet portion is attached to and extends laterally outward from the second side of the flexible panel. The flexible panel and sheet portions are collapsible to a compact configuration and expandable from the compact configuration to a use configuration in which the person may be received on the sled for transporting. The strapping is used to secure the person in the sled.

Abstract: A handbrake of a medical imaging apparatus that has a movable patient table with a top face on which a patient lies, fastens and releases the patient table when actuated. The handbrake with a mounting face and a first face has a main body and has a brake actuation button, operable in an actuation direction. The mounting face is attachable to the patient table. The front face is directly opposite to at least some parts of the mounting face in the actuation direction. The brake actuation button is disposed on the front face of the main body, and is actuated by pushing the brake actuation button in the actuation direction, in order to fasten or to release the brake of the patient table. The actuation direction is essentially perpendicular to the top face of the patient table.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a patient. The apparatus includes a supporting portion to grasp part of the body of a patient. A footboard unit is provided upon which the patient is able to stand when supported by the supporting portion, the footboard unit movable along a floor by movable means. A frame is connected between the footboard unit and the supporting portion. The apparatus is configured so that the footboard unit is able to move in proximity to a bed upon which the patient is lying, whereat the supporting portion can grasp the part of the body of the patient, wherein the frame and the supporting portion are able to support the patient in transitioning from a lying position on the bed to a standing position adjacent the bed as the footboard unit is moved relative to the bed.

Abstract: A mattress for a children's playpen or play-yard product using a hard substrate layer and an inflatable bladder to improve comfort, the hard substrate layer including a plurality of rigid substrate sections rotateably attached to one another allowing the mattress's hard substrate layer to lie flat when in use as a mattress and to fold into multilateral shapes when in use as a carrying case, the inflatable bladder improving the comfort of the mattress when inflated and in use as a mattress and still allowing the mattress to operate as an effective carrying case when deflated. The children's playpen or play-yard product also includes a collapsible frame assembly with an air compressor mounted thereto, in preferable embodiments, the air compressor being detachably connectable to the mattress's inflatable bladder to quickly inflate and/or deflate the mattress to facilitate its multifunctional use.

Abstract: The present application discloses a pillow, the pillow includes a pillow body; a first raised portion disposed on a first side of the pillow body and having a first raised height so as to support a neck of a human body in a supine position; and a second raised portion disposed on a side of the pillow body and having a second raised height so as to support the neck of the human body in a lateral position; wherein the first height is less than the second height. In the present application, the first side of the pillow body is provided with raised portions with different positions, which can meet the different requirements of heights of the pillow of human body in different sleeping positions, the structure is simple, and is helpful for human head to relax and improve sleep quality.

Abstract: A crib adapted for using alongside with a bed includes a frame body which has an upper frame, a lower frame adapted for standing on a ground, a plurality of supporters coupled between the upper frame and the lower frame, and a supporting frame which is supported on the supporters; a bed cover detachably coupled to the upper frame and supported by the supporting frame for defining a receiving cavity above the supporting frame; and a supporting unit coupled to the frame body for abutting a side of the bed to avoid or reduce a gap between the crib and the bed.

Abstract: A user module for a patient support apparatus is provided. The user module has a user interface operably coupled thereto. The user interface includes an input device and an output device. The output device includes a visual display including textual and non-textual elements. The non-textual elements include enhanced, graphical, and animated portions relating to one or more operational features of the patient support or to a person positionable on the patient support. The input device includes one or more touch sensors corresponding to defined regions of the visual display.

Abstract: An apparatus for used to lift the torso of a human from a supine position to a sitting position. This is a lightweight apparatus which can be easily carried and placed on a bed or other flat surface. It is placed under the torso of the subject and includes a base, back rest and actuator. The back rest is pivotally coupled to the base and the actuator is used to rotate the back rest from a flat lying position to a vertical sitting position.

Abstract: A personal bag includes a diaper changing base, a back wall, and at least two privacy walls. The diaper changing base includes a front edge, a rear edge, lateral edges and a padded surface. The back wall includes a bottom edge and lateral edges. The privacy walls are coupled to the diaper changing base and the back wall, and extend along a majority of the length of a lateral edge of the diaper changing base and a lateral edge of the back wall. The rear edge of the diaper changing base is hingedly coupled to the bottom edge of the back wall and hingedly movable relative to the back wall between a closed position and a deployed position.