Abstract: A patient litter basket spin control assembly for use on a patient litter basket is provided. The assembly comprises thruster unit for discharging an air stream and is mounted on the patient litter basket. At least one sensor is associated with the thruster unit for sensing rotational movement or spin of the patient litter basket, and a power source is provided for powering the thruster unit and the sensor. A clamp member mounts on the patient litter basket and releasably receives the thruster unit. The sensors modulate the force of the air stream from the thruster unit so that the air stream counters the rotational movement of the patient litter basket to stabilize the patient litter basket by preventing the spin.

Abstract: A lift system includes a trolley member defining an aperture extending through the trolley member, a locking unit coupled to the trolley member, the locking unit including a locking unit body and a pin that extends outward from the locking unit body, where the pin is repositionable between an engaged position, in which the pin extends through and outward from the aperture of the trolley member, and a disengaged position, a cable extending between and terminating at an actuator end that is engaged with the actuator and a subject lift end positioned opposite the actuator end, where the cable is selectively drawn to the trolley member or paid out from the trolley member upon actuation of the actuator, and a subject lift connecting member coupled the subject lift end of the cable.

Abstract: A bed base frame assembly of a bed generally comprises a base frame, a plurality of steerable and lockable casters, a lateral support assembly at the first and second sides of the base frame assembly, and an in-line support assembly at the foot end of the base frame assembly. The lateral support assembly may further include: a base frame; a first leg and a second leg rotatably connected to the base frame; a first actuator connected to the first leg and the second leg, wherein the first leg and the second leg rotate from the retracted position to the extended position; a third leg and a fourth leg rotatably connected to the base frame; and a second actuator connected to the third leg and the fourth leg, wherein the third leg and the fourth leg rotate from the retracted position to the extended position.

Abstract: A latex-free, disposable, transparent carrier includes pockets for holding patient and hospital personnel items to provide more table space and reduce clutter.

Abstract: A mechanism using a motor, and a rolling tube or rod of sufficient strength to apply a pull force on one side of a sheet on the bed with the patient lying on the sheet is provided to help turn patients on his side with little manual effort. Patients having mobility issues under care in homes, nursing-homes or hospitals have to be turned on their sides often to reduce formation of bed sores among other reasons. Currently this is done manually by nurses or caregivers turning the patient by pulling up on one side of the sheet to turn the patient on his side. This simple but strenuous operation has been the cause of back problems for many caregivers. The current invention is a way to reduce or eliminate this injury to caregivers by providing a mechanized help for the patient turning operation.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for patient support including adjustable longitudinal angle of attached patient support tops. The reference point for longitudinal angle adjustment is itself adjustable to accommodate particular patient positioning.

Abstract: A bed is provided having a base frame, a patient support assembly connected to the base frame, and a tilt frame connected between the base frame and the patient support assembly. The tilt frame is rotatable adjacent the foot end of the bed to place the patient support assembly, including the head section, seat section and foot section thereof, in a generally vertical position to allow a patient to exit the bed in a standing orientation. The bed also has a foot board assembly connected to the foot section, the foot board assembly having a foot board separately moveable about a longitudinal axis of the bed toward the head end and the foot end of the bed.

Abstract: A pillow that includes a substantially u-shaped pillow body having a medial region and a pair of legs that extend from the medial region to define an opening therebetween. The pillow body includes a casing defining an exterior surface and interior surface of the pillow body. The interior surface defines a lumen of the pillow body, and the lumen is a single continuous interior compartment. The pillow body includes an interior core disposed within the lumen. The interior core may include a flexible insert in a rolled up configuration that substantially fills the interior core. The casing may include a top fabric member, a bottom fabric member, and a middle fabric section that runs along the curved outer periphery and curved inner periphery of the casing, and is attached to the top fabric member and bottom fabric member.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a surgical traction system with a hand gripped tension adjustment device that slidably mounts onto a boom structure. When activated the tension adjustment device moves down the boom structure and incrementally adjusts the tension in a traction rope. The boom structure attaches to a bracket assembly that mounts onto the short end of a surgical table.

Abstract: A patient support, such as a mattress, includes a plurality of inflatable bladders. Depth sensors are included in the support that measure the degree of penetration of a patient into the mattress. An air pressure sensor is also included that measures the pressure inside at least one bladder. A suitable inflation level of the mattress is determined by monitoring the rate of change of the depth with respect to air pressure as the bladder is either inflated or deflated. By detecting an inflection point in the graphical relationship of the depth and pressure outputs, a suitable inflation point for the bladders is determined that reduces interface pressures experienced by the patient, yet does not overly sink the patient into the mattress to a degree of discomfort. Analyzing the outputs of the depth and pressure sensors can also be used to detect a patient's heart rate and respiration rate.

Abstract: A closed cell foam sleeping pad has a foldable configuration and can be folded accordion style. The sleeping pad's top and bottom surfaces have a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of indentations, wherein the protrusions and indentations are arranged at different locations on different but adjacent foldable sections of the sleeping pad body such that when the pad is folded accordion style, the protrusions nest into the indentations perfectly to give the sleeping pad a smaller packing density while at the same time providing the protrusions for added user comfort.

Abstract: A support pillow assembly includes a body having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may include a first recess and/or a first channel. The first channel may extend from a top of the first recess. The second portion may include a second recess and/or a second channel. The second channel may extend from a top of the second recess. The body may include a curved configuration. The body may include a semispherical configuration. The first recess and/or the second recess may be substantially circular. The first channel and/or the second channel may be substantially rectangular. The first recess and/or the second recess may be configured to at least partially receive a first ear cup and/or a second ear cup of the pair of over-ear headphones, respectively.

Abstract: Variable contour pillow and method of making the same, comprising: a pillow cover preferably with internal seams, a plurality of internal interconnecting members that define the thickness and/or taper of the pillow in desired locations along the length and/or width of the pillow, the method comprising steps of attaching the interconnecting members during the process of filling the pillow, alternately preferably hand filling behind an interconnecting member, interconnecting the interconnecting member, filling in front of the first interconnecting member and a next interconnecting member, interconnecting the next interconnecting member, and so on, until the pillow is completely filled and desired multiple levels of fill and/or surface tapers are achieved, with specific application to construction of a form-fitting body pillow with variable shape and thickness of fill material.

Abstract: A collapsible ground sheet has a floor made of a sheet of flexible, waterproof or water-resistant material, and walls attached to the floor and extending from the floor in a top direction. The walls are arranged about the periphery of the floor in series in a ring formation such that each of the walls has two neighboring walls. Each wall has a fabric portion and a wire loop, the wire loop disposed near the periphery of the fabric portion such that the fabric portion is supported by the wire loop. Each of the walls attached to its two neighboring walls by hourglass-shaped gussets made of a sheet of flexible material.

Abstract: Modular mattress systems and methods are described. For example, a modular mattress can include a fabric cover configured to surround at least two foam layers. The fabric cover can include an opening to allow access to an interior region of the fabric cover. The mattress can include a first foam layer positioned within the interior region of the fabric cover, and an encasement layer positioned below the first foam layer. The encasement layer can include a recess configured to receive one or more modular support sections. The mattress can also include a plurality of modular support components received within the recess of the encasement.

Abstract: A pillow may include a first arm and a second arm, and a connecting portion may be connected to the first arm and the second arm. The connecting portion may be sized and configured to allow the first arm and second arm to move independently. For example, the first arm may be rotatable relative to the connecting portion by at least about 30°, at least about 45°, at least about 60°, at least about 75°, at least about 90°, or more. The second arm may be rotatable relative to the connecting portion by at least about 30°, at least about 45°, at least about 60°, at least about 75°, at least about 90°, or more.

Abstract: An adjustable bed includes: a head frame and a foot frame; a head lifting assembly including a head lifting bracket pivotally connected to the head frame, and a head lifting actuator pivotally connected between the head lifting bracket and the head frame for operably driving the head lifting bracket to pivotally move in an upward rotating direction or a downward rotating direction; a foot lifting assembly including a foot lifting bracket pivotally connected to the foot frame, and a foot lifting actuator pivotally connected between the foot lifting bracket and the foot frame for operably driving the foot lifting bracket to pivotally move in an upward rotating direction or a downward rotating direction; and a folding mechanism connecting the head frame and the foot frame such that the head frame and the foot frame are pivotably foldable to one another at the folding mechanism.

Abstract: A bed base frame assembly of a bed generally comprises a base frame, a plurality of steerable and lockable casters, a lateral support assembly at the first and second sides of the base frame assembly, and an in-line support assembly at the foot end of the base frame assembly. The lateral support assembly may further include: a base frame; a first leg and a second leg rotatably connected to the base frame; a first actuator connected to the first leg and the second leg, wherein the first leg and the second leg rotate from the retracted position to the extended position; a third leg and a fourth leg rotatably connected to the base frame; and a second actuator connected to the third leg and the fourth leg, wherein the third leg and the fourth leg rotate from the retracted position to the extended position.

Abstract: An armrest assembly is disclosed herein. The armrest assembly includes a main body with a proximal adjustment assembly disposed at a first end and a distal adjustment assembly disposed at a second end. The proximal adjustment assembly provides for adjustment of the main body about a first axis. The distal adjustment assembly provides for adjustment of an arm pad about a second axis as well as a third axis. To prevent damage, a breakaway assembly is provided by the distal adjustment assembly to unlock the arm pad from a raised position and lower it into a lower position in the event a weight applied to the arm pad is beyond a particular weight threshold.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus comprising a support frame, a base, a bracket coupled to the support frame and comprising a channel being non-linear, a frame assembly coupled between the support frame and the base and comprising a slidable member disposed in the channel, the slidable member being moveable between a plurality of different positions in the channel to place the support frame in a plurality of different poses relative to the base. The patient transport apparatus also comprises a sensor configured to detect the slidable member in the channel and produce a reading, as well as a controller coupled to the sensor and configured to receive the reading from the sensor, determine the position of the slidable member in the channel based on the reading, and determine the pose of the support frame relative to the base based on the determined position of the slidable member.