Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprising a patient support deck operatively attached to a base with a lift mechanism interposed between the base and the patient support deck to move the patient support deck between first and second vertical configurations relative to the base. A user interface configured to operate the patient support apparatus is provided and comprises a screen configured to display visual content in first and second content layouts. The screen is coupled to the patient support deck for concurrent movement between the vertical configurations A controller disposed in communication with the screen and the lift mechanism is configured to display the visual content in the first content layout when the patient support deck is in the first vertical configuration, and further configured to display the visual content in the second interface layout when the patient support deck is in the second vertical configuration.

Abstract: Sleep systems include multiple foundation sections. For example, one sleep system includes a foundation with modular first, second, and third foundation sections. The modular first foundation section extends laterally along a first portion of a width of the foundation and extends longitudinally along a first portion of a length of the foundation. The modular second foundation section extends laterally along a second portion of the width of the foundation and extends longitudinally along the first portion of the length of the foundation. The modular third foundation section extends laterally across substantially the entire width of the foundation and extends longitudinally along a second portion of the length of the foundation.

Abstract: A bed sheet is provided that includes a knitted performance fabric having a plurality of spaced apart ventilation ports. The knitted performance fabric has a gauge per square inch, grams per square meter, air permeability and material content that are pre-selected to provide the knitted performance fabric with one or more selected physical features.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for artificial kangaroo care supporting and promoting health needs in premature babies, babies in neonatal intensive care, and other newborn infants are disclosed. The artificial kangaroo care apparatus may imitate a pre-birth maternal environment and may include an odor-absorbent material imitating a mother's smell, a means for imitating a mother's heartbeat, a means for imitating a mother's breathing pattern, a means for imitating a mother's body temperature, or any combination thereof. The shape and structure of the artificial kangaroo care apparatus may support stand-alone use or use within an incubator or other structure. The shape and structure of the artificial kangaroo care apparatus may suggest a mattress, a mattress covering, or a pillow.

Abstract: A pocket spring unit comprising a plurality of pocket springs each comprising a coil spring and a pocket. Each of the pockets comprise top portion and bottom portions. Each of the pockets are formed from a continuous top piece of fabric attached to a continuous bottom piece of fabric to form a bond having a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each coil spring. The pocket spring unit further comprises an attachment layer comprising a top portion comprising an inner and outer surface. The pocket spring unit further comprises a plurality of first cushion elements engaged with the outer surface of the top portion of the attachment layer. The inner surface of the top portion of the attachment element is engaged with the top portion of the pockets of the pocket springs such that each of the first cushion elements act only upon one of the pocket springs.

Abstract: A balancing pressure bearing apparatus including a connecting base and bearing components is provided. Inside the connecting base is any material selected from a volume-incompressibe fluid, semifluid and elastic element, and arranged thereabove is each bearing component. The bearing components have bearing surfaces for supporting any pressing-down human body part and pressure reduction. When the connecting base is pressed down, a Pascal phenomenon is generated for a pressure applied to the fluid, semifluid or elastic element inside the connecting base to be transmitted equally in all directions. Each portion thereof has the same pressure for balancing pressure of the supportive bearing surfaces pressed by any two human body parts, thereby reducing and balancing pressures thereon to achieve a more comfortable contact sensation of pressure release and a correct posture effect. Hence, the invention can serve as a cushion, seat, backrest, mattress or pillow product.

Abstract: Devices for the discharge of bodily waste, in particular for the soiling-free discharge of bodily waste from a person situated on a bed or a seat. A bed's mattress (2) is provided with a slot (4) that may be opened and closed, and which extends continuously through the thickness of the mattress (2). The slot is controllably openable and closable via an actuated mechanism. Hygienic elimination of bodily waste while lying down or sitting may be achieved with little effort.

Abstract: Disclosed is a patient transfer system for transferring a user between a bed and a purposefully designed mobile sitting device that is aligned and berthed alongside the bed, wherein, the bed is adaptable to a seated arrangement and includes an interleaf structure of cushions and platforms, the platform including: a padding, a rail, restricted path, or track, and means for transferring the padding in a direction parallel to the ground away or towards the bed; the bed further includes means to raise or lower the top of the cushions or the padding; and the mobile sitting device includes a receiving rail, restricted path or track to receive the padding.

Abstract: A bumper designed to block a gap in between a couch and the floor, preventing household items, pets, and children from going into the space underneath couches, and, thus, eliminating messes, damage, injury, or loss. The bumper may be made of corrugated paper, heavy paperboard, or cardboard. The bumper may comprise a flat, rectangular body segmented into flat, rectangular sections using parallel folds, where the sections are configured to secure the bumper in between the couch and the floor. The bumper is setback from the couch frame perimeter to not be obtrusive, strong enough to resist inward pressure, and, in some embodiments, may contain cut lines and fold lines. A plurality of bumpers may, through a series of truncations, be customized to fully block access to the space underneath the couch for variety of couch lengths, widths, and heights.

Abstract: Devices for the discharge of bodily waste, in particular for the soiling-free discharge of bodily waste from a person situated on a bed or a seat. A bed's mattress (2) is provided with a slot (4) that may be opened and closed, and which extends continuously through the thickness of the mattress (2). The slot is controllably openable and closable via an actuated mechanism that may be power driven. Hygienic elimination of bodily waste while lying down or sitting may be achieved with little effort.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a spring mechanism for a wall bed having a bed frame pivotally mounted to a vertically-oriented stationary cabinet in which a piston rod and compression spring are operatively engaged to a lever arm at one of a plurality of coupling portions for setting a particular compressive spring force to be applied by the compression spring which is tailored to the specific weight of the pivoting bed frame being deployed or retracted are disclosed.

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 double-layer inflatable bed includes two main layers arranged in a thickness direction of the double-layer inflatable bed, two annular peripheral layers, annular connecting layers, and two annular blocking layers. The two annular peripheral layers are connected to the two main layers respectively, the two annular peripheral layers are both connected to the annular connecting layers, and the two annular blocking layers are connected to the two main layers respectively; and ends of the two annular blocking layers away from the main layers are both connected to the annular connecting layers, wherein the two main layers and the two annular blocking layers together define a main air chamber, and the two main layers, the two annular peripheral layers, the annular connecting layers, and the two annular blocking layers together define two peripheral air chambers disposed adjacent to each other in a thickness direction of the double-layer inflatable bed.

Abstract: A knee cushion is disclosed which includes an integral foam member having a first major surface, an oppositely aligned second major surface, at least one side wall joining the first major surface to the second major surface. Leg depressions are formed in both the first and second major surfaces. The leg depressions are arranged in the shape of a modified peace symbol. The leg depressions permit a person to position the knee cushion between their knees while sleeping on their side to assist in aligning their hips and for keeping their spine straight. The integral foam member also includes a circular depression located in a central portion of the modified peace symbol on both the first and second major surfaces. Lastly the integral foam member has an Indentation Force Deflection at 25% of from between about 8 pounds-force to about 18 pounds-force.

Abstract: A portable bed system comprising a foldable light tubular frame, a foldable shock absorbing molded hollow polymer body containing apposing edges, a foldable squishy foam mattress; when in a folded configuration for stowing, the bed reduces in size, resists shock and the opposing edges seal preventing liquid, insects or dust from entering through its body into the mattress thus overcoming other temporary portable bed size, durability and hygiene limitations.

Abstract: Levitation devices are disclosed for use with beds. In one embodiment, the levitation device is configured to facilitate rotation of a mattress with respect to a box spring. In another embodiment, the levitation device is configured to facilitate making a bed which allows sheets and blankets to be tucked between the mattress and the box spring without the need to lift the mattress. In a third embodiment, the levitation device functions as a hybrid device and can be used for making a bed or rotating a mattress.

Abstract: A strain gauge assembly includes a member and a strain gauge supported by the member spaced. The strain gauge further includes a bearing surface and a contact surface spaced from the bearing surface. When the member is subject to a predetermined bending force, the bearing surface contacts the contact surface wherein at least a portion of the bending force bypasses the strain gauge and instead is transferred from the bearing surface to the contact surface.

Abstract: A device for selectively connecting mobile medical equipment, such as an IV pole, to a patient transport platform such that the medical equipment and patient transport platform can move together, thus providing a patient mobility while maintaining the patient's connection to the mobile medical equipment and therefore eliminating the necessity to disconnect an existing medical equipment (such as IV pole) and transfer the patient to a new medical equipment, while also allowing monitoring of patient movement and activity via electronics in the device.

Abstract: A system for automatically assessing orthostatic hypotension for a patient supported on a patient support apparatus. The system receives position data identifying a first position of a patient supported on a patient support apparatus, and after a delay, receives vital signs data of the patient. The system receives position data identifying a second position of the patient supported on the patient support apparatus, and after a delay, receives vital signs data of the patient. The system determines an orthostatic hypotension assessment based on a difference in the vital signs data between the first and second positions. Based on the orthostatic hypotension assessment, the system modifies one or more conditions on the patient support apparatus to mitigate a risk for patient fall.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprising a patient support deck operatively attached to a base with a deck section arranged for movement between first and second positions determined by a deck sensor. A first user interface comprises a screen configured to display visual content including a content portion having first and second content states. A second user interface comprises an access panel including a panel portion with a light module having first and second illumination states. A controller is configured to display the content portion in the first content state and to control the light module in the first illumination state when the deck sensor determines the deck section is in the first section position, and to display the content portion on the screen in the second content state and to control the light module in the second illumination state when the deck section is in the second position.