Abstract: A bed comprises a bed support including a body portion and a support plate configured to be removably coupled to the body portion. The body portion includes a guide configured to operably couple with the support plate in order to guide the support plate in sliding movement into the body portion.

Abstract: A bed comprises a fluid supply and a bed support coupled to the fluid supply. A patient support surface is configured to couple to the bed support.

Abstract: A patient support includes a base, and a support assembly coupled to the base. A patient support surface is coupled to the support assembly. A plurality of siderails are coupled to the support assembly. Each siderail includes a frame member and a movable member coupled to the frame member, wherein the movable member is movable to a position directly above the patient support surface.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus including a first patient support configured to be rotated about a longitudinal axis. The first patient support illustratively includes an inflatable bladder. A backboard may be removably coupled to the patient support apparatus and is configured to facilitate transport of a patient to and from the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for warming a patient includes a patient support surface having an outer cover configured to contact the patient, an electrically conductive fabric located within the cover, and a controller electrically coupled to the conductive fabric to heat the electrically conductive fabric to a selected level.

Abstract: A bed (10) includes a base (12), and a support assembly (22) coupled to the base (12). The support assembly includes first and second support arms (42, 44) located above the base (12). The bed (10) also includes a plurality of latch mechanisms (70, 72, 74) coupled to the first and second support arms (42, 44), and a patient support surface (50) configured to be coupled to the first and second support arms (42, 44) by the plurality of latch mechanisms (70, 72, 74). The patient support surface (50) is removable from the first and second support arms (42, 44) to permit transfer of a patient to and from the bed (10) on the patient support surface (50).

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a base, and a patient support assembly coupled to the base for pivotable movement about a pivot axis generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the patient support assembly. A pivot mechanism is coupled to the patient support assembly to rotate the patient support assembly about the pivot axis. A controller is coupled to the pivot mechanism to control rotation of the patient support assembly about the pivot axis at a selected rate of rotation and to a selected angle of rotation to provide rotational therapy to the patient.

Abstract: A pressure control apparatus for use in a bed including a pressurized air source, an inflatable air sack, and an independently inflatable cell located adjacent the inflatable air sack. A controller is operable to regulate the pressure in the air sack and to independently alternately pressurize and vent the inflatable cell at a selected frequency.

Abstract: A pressure control apparatus includes a valve inlet configured to receive pressurized air from the pressurized air source, a valve stem coupled to the valve inlet and configured to engage the port of the manifold to form an airtight connection with the manifold and receive the pressurized air from the pressurized air source via the manifold, a valve outlet configured to permit exit of said pressurized air to the at least one air sack, a valve in fluid communication between said valve inlet and said valve outlet and configured to regulate flow of said pressurized air between said valve inlet and said valve outlet, and a controller coupled to said valve and configured to control said valve to regulate flow of said pressurized air through said valve.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a base, and a patient support assembly coupled to the base for pivotable movement about a pivot axis generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the patient support assembly. A pivot mechanism is coupled to the patient support assembly to rotate the patient support assembly about the pivot axis. A controller is coupled to the pivot mechanism to control rotation of the patient support assembly about the pivot axis at a selected rate of rotation and to a selected angle of rotation to provide rotational therapy to the patient.

Abstract: A bed comprises a fluid supply and a bed support coupled to the fluid supply. A patient support surface is configured to couple to the bed support.

Abstract: A bed (10) includes a base (12) having a first end and a second end, and a support assembly (22) coupled to of the base (12) adjacent the first end. The support assembly (22) includes a rotatable drive mechanism (55). The bed (10) also includes a patient support assembly (26) having a support surface (50) for supporting a patient. The patient support assembly (26) has a proximal end (24) and a distal end (25) spaced apart from the proximal end (24) to define a longitudinal axis (38). The proximal end (24) of the patient support assembly (26) is coupled to the drive mechanism (55) of the support assembly (22) so that the distal end (25) of the patient support assembly (26) is cantilevered from the support assembly (22). The drive mechanism (55) is configured to rotate the cantilevered patient support assembly (26) about its longitudinal axis (38).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibratory patient support system for providing therapeutic vibrational action or forces to a patient suffering from a respiratory ailment. The vibratory patient support system includes a rigid support frame such as a bed frame, a plurality of inflatable sacs supported upon the support frame with each sac having an upper surface so that the plurality of sacs forms a patient support surface. The inflatable sacs are pressurized and maintained at a predetermined pressure. This predetermined pressure may be a patient height and weight specific pressure profile. A vibrating component is provided separate from the apparatus for pressurizing and maintaining the air sacs at the predetermined pressure. The vibrating component vibrates at least a portion of the patient support surface at a predetermined frequency.

Abstract: A prone patient apparatus for engaging the front of a body of a patient comprising a unitary support board having a longitudinal medial axis; a first aperture opening extending through the board and on the medial axis sized to receive a face of the patient; a second aperture opening extending through the board and spaced from the first aperture along the medial axis to expose an abdomen of the patient when the head is in the first aperture; and a third aperture opening extending through the board and spaced from the second aperture along the medial axis to expose a groan of the patient when the head is in the first aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which supports a patient on an inflatable structure. The inflatable structure preferably has two components: a) lower inflatable layer which is selectively operable to provide basic support for the patient and which includes a plurality of laterally offset zone which may be independently inflatable to control rotation of the patient. Further, a second inflatable layer includes a plurality of zones for establishing optimal patient interface pressures and patient comfort levels, and may also include sufficiently independent inner chambers to facilitate the providing of specific therapies such as alternation of primary pressure contact areas, or percussion or vibration of the patient through inner cell inflation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibratory patient support system for providing therapeutic vibrational action or forces to a patient suffering from a respiratory ailment. The vibratory patient support system includes a rigid support frame such as a bed frame, a plurality of inflatable sacs supported upon the support frame with each sac having an upper surface so that the plurality of sacs forms a patient support surface. The inflatable sacs are pressurized and maintained at a predetermined pressure. This predetermined pressure may be a patient height and weight specific pressure profile. A vibrating component is provided separate from the apparatus for pressurizing and maintaining the air sacs at the predetermined pressure. The vibrating component vibrates at least a portion of the patient support surface at a predetermined frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which supports a patient on an inflatable structure. The inflatable structure preferably has two components: a) lower inflatable layer which is selectively operable to provide basic support for the patient and which includes a plurality of laterally offset zone which may be independently inflatable to control rotation of the patient. Further, a second inflatable layer includes a plurality of zones for establishing optimal patient interface pressures and patient comfort levels, and may also include sufficiently independent inner chambers to facilitate the providing of specific therapies such as alternation of primary pressure contact areas, or percussion or vibration of the patient through inner cell inflation.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding an insulated electrical wire, or the like, axially with respect to a transverse plane in which a single pair of blade cutting edges are supported for movement toward and away from the axis of the wire. Each blade has a continuous cutting edge forming the periphery of an opening through the blade. The wire is advanced a predetermined distance through the aligned blade openings by a pair of conveyors on opposite sides of the plane of the blade edges. The blades are moved in opposite directions to sever a premeasured length of wire from the supply by first portions of each blade edge. The severed wire portion is then moved by the conveyors to a second axial position and the blades are again moved to cause second portions of the cutting edges to pass partially through the layer of insulation, stopping before contacting the conductor. Axial movement of the wire then causes the engaged blades to sever a slug of insulation and strip it partially or fully from the conductor.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding an insulated electrical wire, or the like, axially with respect to a transverse plane in which a single pair of blade cutting edges are supported for movement toward and away from the axis of the wire. Each blade has a continuous cutting edge forming the periphery of an opening through the blade. The wire is advanced a predetermined distance through the aligned blade openings by a pair of conveyors on opposite sides of the plane of the blade edges. The blades are moved in opposite directions to sever a premeasured length of wire from the supply by first portions of each blade edge. The severed wire portion is then moved by the conveyors to a second axial position and the blades are again moved to cause second portions of the cutting edges to pass partially through the layer of insulation, stopping before contacting the conductor. Axial movement of the wire then causes the engaged blades to sever a slug of insulation and strip it partially or fully from the conductor.