Abstract: An elevating bed capable of detecting braking performance includes an elevating assembly, a driving motor connected to the elevating assembly and driving the elevating assembly to move, a brake device connected to the driving motor, a control module connected to the driving motor and to the brake device. When the control module disables the brake device, the control module controls the driving motor to drive the elevating assembly to move for a first movement distance and calculates a first torque value of the driving motor. When the control module enables the brake device, the control module controls the driving motor to drive the elevating assembly to move for a second movement distance and calculates a second torque value of the driving motor. The control module determines whether the brake device is normal or abnormal according to a relationship between the first torque value and the second torque value.

Abstract: A patient mobility system for early patient ambulation. An ambulation device having a barrier is removably coupled to a patient support apparatus such that, in a coupled configuration, the barrier prevents patient egress from the patient support apparatus. The ambulation device configured to provide support to a patient during ambulation away from the patient support apparatus. Each of the patient support apparatus and the ambulation device can comprise a lift device operably controlled by a controller to maintain or control relative positioning of the patient support surface and the barrier in the coupled configuration. The lift device of the ambulatory device can comprise a gas spring having locking element. The ambulation device can comprise patient carrier removably coupled to a patient carrier mount. The patient carrier is configured to cooperate with the barrier to support the patient above a floor surface in a seated position.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for facilitating rotation of a mattress in a horizontal plane carried by a box spring or a platform. In order to facilitate rotation, slick surfaces between the mattress and the box spring or platform are selectively placed in engagement with each other, in one embodiment of the invention. The slick surfaces may be provided by two (2) separate covers; one cover for the mattress and one cover for the box spring, platform or bed skirt. One cover is provided with a slick and non-slick surface. The other cover may be the same as the first cover or may have slick surfaces on two sides. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, one of the covers may be provided as a protective cover that encapsulates the entire mattress. In another alternate embodiment, one cover may be provided that cooperates with a slick surface that is integrally provided on one or the other of the mattress or box spring or platform.

Abstract: A sling support assembly is configured to be moved by a lift assembly. The sling support assembly includes a frame and a plurality of sling coupling mechanisms configured to removably couple a sling to the sling support. At least a portion of the frame is movable to selectively change the spatial relationship of the plurality of sling coupling mechanisms.

Abstract: A surgical frame and method for use thereof is provided. The surgical frame is capable of reconfiguration before, during, or after surgery using a moveable main beam supporting a patient thereon. The surgical frame includes a translating lower beam that is moveable between at least a first lateral position and a second lateral position, and a linkage and/or surgical equipment supportively and moveably attached to the translating lower beam or interconnected with the translating lower beam via the linkage. The linkage and/or the surgical equipment are moveable between a first position at or adjacent a first end of the translating lower beam and a second position at or adjacent a second end of the translating lower beam. The translating lower beam is used to join a first support portion and a second support portion of the surgical frame to one another, and movement of the translating lower beam affords access to a patient receiving area.

Abstract: An infant calming/sleep-aid device includes a main moving platform that moves in a reciprocating manner and an actuator that drives the reciprocating movement of the main moving platform. The moving head platform is linked to the main moving platform and at least one of a motion sensing device and a sound sensing device are either at or proximate to a moving head platform that is pivotally linked to the main moving platform. A logic circuit links at least one of the motion and sound sensing devices of the infant calming/sleep aid-device to the main moving platform whereby signals detected modulate movement of the main moving platform. A sound generating device is linked to the logic circuit.

Abstract: A mattress (100) includes one or more layers (101,102,103) of material, and one or more pressure sensors (104,105,106). A control circuit (203), operable with the pressure sensors, is operable with a user interface (115). The control circuit presents on the user interface one of three color-coded indications. When a sensed pressure detected by the pressure sensors is below a first threshold (603), the control circuit presents a first color-coded indication on the user interface. When the sensed pressure (605) is between the first predefined sensor threshold and a second predefined sensor threshold (604), the control circuit presents a second color-coded indication on the user interface. When the sensed pressure is above the second predefined pressure threshold, the control circuit presents a third color-coded indication on the user interface.

Abstract: A support apparatus (e.g., stretcher, back board, etc.) with double roller assembly. The apparatus includes a main frame, a first housing containing at least one wheel (e.g., gear, pulley, sprocket, roller) around which a first sheet and/or a second sheet is coiled. The opposite ends of the sheets are coupled to vertically- and horizontally-displaced lead and trail rollers in the double roller assembly, one sheet for each roller. The apparatus further includes a second housing containing at least one wheel around which a chain or belt is disposed. One or both ends of the chain/belt is coupled to the double roller assembly. In operation, a patient is positioned within the main frame, and the sheets extend underneath the patient. The belt/chain mechanism can also help urge extension of the sheets. When the sheets are fully extended underneath the patient, the patient is fully supported and can be transported.

Abstract: A hospital bed, trolley or lifter includes a steering wheel mounted on a wheel support arm extending from which is a ratchet mechanism which can co-operate with a tooth of an adjustment mechanism. When the tooth is engaged in the ratchet teeth of the ratchet mechanism the wheel can be raised and held in the raised position until the tooth is disengaged. The wheel adjustment mechanism also includes an eccentric wheel for raising the tooth in a periodic manner to cause periodic raising of the wheel. A damper is attached to the support arm for dampening the drop of the wheel when the tooth is disengaged. A mechanism provides a steering wheel which can be held at intermediate positions between its uppermost and lowermost positions and which can be held in an engaged position in a plurality of different positions relative to casters of the bed or trolley. The system can also make use of a small capacity drive motor whilst still retaining speed of operation.

Abstract: A system for securing an internal padding element of a doona to conform with the extent of a sheath or cover of the doona; the system including providing fastening means at least proximate the respective four corners of the internal padding element and the sheath or cover of the doona.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inflatable patient repositioning sheet that includes an inflatable body and a first air supply port and a second air supply port of the inflatable body. The sheet includes a first air delivery sock and a second air delivery sock in the inflatable body. Each air delivery sock has a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion of each air delivery sock is in communication with one of the air supply ports and the second end portion is opposite the first end portion. The sheet includes at least one anchor member resisting movement of the second end portion of each air delivery sock toward the first end portion of the air delivery sock in response to air being supplied into the other of the air delivery socks.

Abstract: A convertible bed/wheelchair apparatus is disclosed to include a first support frame; a second support frame; a first mattress frame segment; a second mattress frame segment; and a third mattress frame segment movably connected to one another; a first motor, a third motor, and a fourth motor operable to cause the first mattress support segment to turn into a footrest, and the second mattress frame segment to move on top of second supporting frame, and the third mattress frame segment to be erected vertically to become a head rest section of a wheelchair.

Abstract: A furniture device configured to receive the weight of a being, said furniture device comprising a holding arrangement (20, 120) and at least one section (30, 30?,130) comprising a base (2, 102), a movable plate element (4, 104), a moving mechanism (6, 10) and at least one elastic device (12, 112). The plate element (4, 104) is configured to interact with the at least one elastic device and to be moved by the moving mechanism in respect to the base in order to adjust the firmness of the at least one elastic device. The elastic device comprises a pocket (14, 114) made of a flexible sheet material, and an elastic member (18, 118). The holding arrangement comprises a holding member (22, 122), which is fixed in relation to the base (2, 102) or the plate element (4, 104) and a connecting portion (24, 24?,124) which is arranged at the elastic device (12, 112) and which connects the holding member to the elastic member.

Abstract: A space saving bed of the kind that can be changed from a single bed into a double bed and vice versa and where performing this change between the single bed and double bed is easy, effortless, and does not require removal of a pad or mattress. The space saving bed includes a first frame part and a second frame part. The first frame part includes a first mattress receiving device and the second frame part includes a second mattress receiving device. The first and second frame parts are hingedly connected together about a first axis and are foldable relative to each other about the first axis. The second mattress receiving device is connected to the second frame part to be rotatable or pivotable about a second axis. The first and second axes are arranged parallel to one another.

Abstract: A grossing station comprising a table and an overhead hood connected to the table. The grossing station further comprising a plurality of interchangeable plates arranged in a trough of the table and a lift system connected to the table. The grossing station also comprises a touch screen controller arranged on a surface of the station, wherein the touch screen controller is in communication with at least one manual toggle switch for overriding an electronic control and monitoring system if a system failure occurs within the grossing station.

Abstract: An exercise support structure includes a knee support having a tiered recess with a bottom wall, a lower circular tier, and an upper egg-shaped tier; and a wrist support having a tiered support structure with a bottom wall, a lower egg-shaped tier and an upper circular tier, where the knee support and the wrist support are complementary in shape and are interfittingly received in mated relation to form a block. The edges of the tiers may be beveled, forming a smooth transition therebetween. The structure may be made from a soft, durable resilient material, such as foam, silicone gel, rubber, synthetic rubber, or organic tree sap.

Abstract: A multi-purpose system for a bed includes a number of vertically movable lifting members that are parallel and spaced-apart elongated parts transversally connected to the bed. Furthermore, a mattress assembly that has spaced-apart transversal accommodating spaces thereon that are sized to receive the corresponding movable lifting members therein, and an actuating mechanism coupled with the movable lifting members to vertically move the lifting members between a lowered position and a raised position.

Abstract: A folding bed base apparatus may include a central frame assembly, a head section, and a foot section. The head section and foot section may be pivotally attached to the central frame assembly such that the folding bed base apparatus may fold to a folded configuration and unfold to an unfolded configuration. The central frame assembly may include a first U-shaped foot rest and a second U-shaped foot rest. The U-shaped foot rests may allow the folding bed base apparatus to stand upright when in the folded configuration. The head section may include a first pivot bar and pivot bar stops which frictionally-obstruct the head section from unfolding past the unfolded configuration. The foot section may include a second pivot bar and pivot bar stops which frictionally-obstruct the foot section from unfolding past the unfolded configuration. Methods for unfolding a folded folding bed base apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A pumping apparatus includes a pump configured for moving air, a housing supporting and at least partially containing the pump, and an air output that includes a hose having a first end connected to the housing and in communication with the pump, such that the pump is configured to move air through the hose, and a second end configured for allowing air to exit the hose, wherein the hose has a length defined between the first and second ends. A switch is mounted on the hose and located along the length of the hose, and the switch is configured for controlling operation of the pump. The switch is located a distance from the second end of the hose that is less than 50% of the length of the hose.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a load frame, a support frame, and a plurality of load cells supporting the load frame on the support frame such that a load supported by the load frame is supported by the load cells, each load cell configured to produce a signal indicative of a load weight bearing upon that load cell. The load cells are calibrated after installation.