Abstract: Improved batting insert materials for quilting are provided herein. The improved batting materials are adapted to be positioned between a quilt top and quilt bottom, and the materials advantageously prevent slippage of quilt layers during stitching without the need for pinning or basting. The insert materials generally comprise a batting layer and a flannel layer secured to the batting layer. The flannel layer is adapted to be positioned abutting the quilt bottom, and it has been discovered that the interaction between the surfaces of these fabrics prevents the layers from slipping. Quilts and methods utilizing the improved batting insert materials are also provided herein.

Abstract: A sleep system comprises a mattress including a movable first section extending laterally along a first portion of a width of the mattress and extending longitudinally along a first portion of a length of the mattress, a movable second section extending laterally along a second portion of the width of the mattress and extending longitudinally along the first portion of the length of the mattress, and a movable third section extending laterally across substantially the entire width of the mattress and extending longitudinally along a second portion of the length of the mattress, and an articulation system configured to independently articulate the first section, the second section, and the third section.

Abstract: A modular bed includes a base frame unit and a plurality of support frame units. Each of the support frame units includes a leading bar, a trailing bar, four mounting frames, four biasing members, a left linkage, and a right linkage. In response to loading or unloading of a retaining member of each of the left and right linkages, a respective one of the biasing members abuts against a top abutment wall or a bottom abutment wall of a respective one of the mounting frames so as to generate a counteracting force to counteract the loading or unloading movement of the retaining member, thereby providing a cushioning effect for the retaining member.

Abstract: A pillow cover is provided that includes a first panel and a second panel perimetrically joined with the first panel such that inner surfaces of the first and second panels define a cavity having a void volume. The first and second panels are each made from a first material. An opening extends through the inner surface of the first panel and an outer surface of the first panel. The pillow cover includes a patch covering the opening. The patch is made from a second material that is different than the first material.

Abstract: Certain embodiments herein relate to a neck pillow comprising a lower tier and an upper tier. In various embodiments, the lower tier is configured for a user to lay on when sleeping on his or her back, and the upper tier is configured for the user to lay on when sleeping on his or her side. The lower tier and the upper tier may be connected via a middle section. The bottom of the lower tier and the upper tier may comprise a flat bottom that is disposed flat against the surface a user is sleeping on.

Abstract: Smart response technology mattresses generally includes a sub-core assembly including a self-adjusting, non-powered smart response unit and a polyurethane foam circumscribing a perimeter of the smart response unit and having a thickness equal to or less than a thickness of the smart response unit, wherein the smart response unit comprises a plurality of fluid support cells, wherein each fluid support cell includes an envelope and a reforming element disposed within the envelope; a manifold system including a manifold conduit interconnecting at least two of the fluid support cells, and intake and exhaust valves fluidly coupled to the manifold conduit configured to dynamically open and close in response to a weight load. The mattresses include additional foam layers overlaying the sub-core assembly to define the smart response technology mattresses.

Abstract: A mattress that efficiently provides low pressure and alignment to achieve restful and less fragmented sleep. The mattress supports a recumbent body. The mattress comprises a composite and a cover encapsulating the composite. The composite includes a performance layer and a core layer. The performance layer includes a shoulder section, a thoracic section and a hip section for location at different longitudinal positions corresponding to the shoulder region, the thoracic region and the hip region of the recumbent body. The shoulder section, the thoracic section and the hip section have different displacement parameters to match the body displacements in the shoulder region, the thoracic region, and the hip region for alignment of the body with low body pressure. A core layer supports the performance layer.

Abstract: Patient care devices, such as person support apparatuses and thermal control units, include one or more internal high speed networks, such as an Ethernet, for transmitting data between internal nodes or modules. A lower speed network may also be included with the Ethernet for redundantly transmitting some, but not all, types of data. Devices external to the patient care device can be granted limited access to the internal high speed network. Such devices may connect to the high speed network to utilize one or more user interfaces of the patient care device and/or to piggyback onto the patient care device's connection to an external local area network (e.g. a hospital LAN), or the patient care device's connection to yet another device. Some nodes may include web servers for serving up web pages of diagnostic information relevant to that node. The web servers are accessible via an external web browser.

Abstract: Embodiments include a modular support pad having a support cushion, a fluid-filled bladder coupled to an electronic pressure sensor for sensing a fluid pressure within the fluid-filled bladder, and a ticking surrounding the support cushion and the fluid-filled bladder and providing a person support surface between the fluid-filled bladder and a person. Other embodiments include a modular support pad having a support cushion, a bladder coupled to an electronic pump for circulating a cooling fluid within the bladder, and a ticking surrounding the support cushion and the bladder and providing a person support surface between the bladder and a person. Methods of sensing pressure applied by a support pad are also described.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system comprises a horizontal platform to support a patient, a rail positioned about the horizontal platform, a carriage operatively coupled to and configured to translate along the rail, and a robotic arm operatively coupled to the carriage and translated about the patient by the rail. The robotic arm is configured to operate on the patient in a variety of positions provided by the translating carriage. The rail provides a rounded path for the carriage, such as a U-shaped path. The U-shaped path may comprise a first leg and a second leg, the first leg longer than the second leg. Furthermore, the system may comprise a plurality of carriages operatively coupled to the rail and a plurality of robotic arms. Also, the system may further comprise a central base which the horizontal platform can articulate relative to, such as by translating horizontally or vertically, rotating, or titling.

Abstract: A pillow is provided that includes a latex foam to provide comfort and support to the body of a user. The pillow includes a latex foam layer connected to at least one additional foam component. An internal foam layer is also included in the pillow, with the latex foam layer and the additional foam component disposed about the internal foam layer.

Abstract: A foldable enclosure apparatus has a hub device, four lower assemblies, four upper assemblies, and at least one locking device. The lower assemblies are foldable and are pivotally mounted around the hub device. Each upper assembly is foldable and is mounted between two adjacent lower assemblies of the four lower assemblies. The at least one locking device is mounted with the corresponding lower assembly and the corresponding upper assembly for locking or unlocking the upper assemblies.

Abstract: A bed apparatus including, at least, two drivers or a first driver and a second driver, the first driver being in linkage with the second driver, comprises: a calculating means for calculating a calculated bed state value, based on the first driver and the second driver; an error detecting means for detecting error between the calculated bed state value and a designated bed state value designated by the user; and, an error correcting means for correcting the detected error when an error is detected by the error detecting means. As a result, it is possible to provide a bed apparatus that can coincide the designated state of the bed apparatus with the actual state of the bed apparatus by appropriately correcting the error between the drivers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a furniture device configured to receive the weight of a being, said furniture device having a holding arrangement and at least one section. The section comprises a base, a movable plate element, a moving mechanism and at least one elastic device. The plate element 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 made of a fabric, and an elastic member, the elastic member is arranged within said pocket, the pocket is attached to adjacent pockets whereby the attachment is formed so that adjacent elastic devices may move independently from one another along a distance (A), as measured from a free end of the elastic device and in a direction perpendicular to the plate member.

Abstract: A standing motion assist system includes a care belt including a holding mechanism including a holder that holds a back and both armpits of a care-receiver, and a connector that is connected to the holding mechanism; a rotational force applying mechanism that is connected to the holding mechanism and that rotates a front lower part of the holder upward and a rear upper part of the holder downward about a rotation axis extending through both armpits; a traction mechanism that is connected to the connector and pulls the connector; and a controller that controls the rotational force applying mechanism and the traction mechanism so that, after the traction mechanism has started the pulling motion, the rotational force applying mechanism rotates the holder at the same time as the traction mechanism pulls the connector forward and upward, and subsequently the traction mechanism pulls the connector upward.

Abstract: Treatment mats having a mat material with openings extending into the mat material. The openings contain stones and may additionally include a matrix material. Methods of treatment include positioning an individual proximate the treatment mat.

Abstract: A pillow is provided herein which includes a cover having opposing first and second panels. A gusset perimetrically bounds, and joins, the first and second panels. The gusset is formed of an open cell construction. Compliant fill material is disposed within the cover. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a pillow is provided allowing for lateral ventilation between opposing panels. This permits a cooling effect while a user is resting or sleeping.

Abstract: An adjustable slatted bed base with an outer frame and a lying surface with at least two sections, which is arranged on the outer frame, wherein at least one section is formed as a pivotable section which is pivotable relative to the outer frame, from a flat position into at least one angled position, by an adjusting unit, and the pivotable section has a support device for providing support relative to the outer frame. In order to provide an adjustable slatted bed base, which has a pivotable section which allows easy access to an area beneath the slatted bed base in any operating position, and can be returned to an operational condition quickly and easily, the support device is formed such that it can be disengaged from the outer frame in order to adjust the pivotable section from any set position into a folded-back position, and, when pivoting back into the set position, automatically engages with the outer frame in a supportive manner.

Abstract: A couch blanket includes a rear edge having first and second corners, wherein a first connector strap assembly extends from the first and a second connector strap assembly extends from the second corner. A left edge extends from the rear edge proximate to the first connector strap assembly and has a left length. A right edge extending from the rear edge proximate to the second connector strap assembly and has a right length. A front edge connects the left edge and the right edge, distal from the rear edge. A first plurality of connectors extends along each of the left edge. The first plurality of connectors has a first left connector portion and a plurality of second left connector portions, such that the first left connector portion is configured to engage one of the second left connector portions such that, when the first left connector portion is engaged with one of the second left connector portions, the left length is shortened.

Abstract: A femoral lift apparatus for an operating table having a side rail, the apparatus engageable with the femur of a patient. The apparatus includes a lift mountable to the side rail. An extension arm is receivable on the lift, the extension arm extending transversely from the lift when the extension arm is received on the lift. A plurality of apertures can be defined along the extension arm, and a femoral hook can be receivable in one of the apertures in the extension arm, the femoral hook having a hook end shaped to be received under and contour the femur of the patient positioned on the operating table when the lift is mounted to the side rail of the table, the extension arm is received on the lift, and the femoral hook is received in one of the apertures of the extension arm.