Abstract: A control apparatus is provided for at least one air therapy device stored on a bed which includes an electrical communication network, and an air handling unit. The apparatus includes a manifold having at least one chamber coupled to the air handling unit. The at least one chamber is formed to include an outlet, and a normally closed valve configured to seal the outlet. The manifold also includes a connector coupled to the at least one air therapy device, and an electrical connector coupled to the electrical communication network of the bed. The apparatus also includes a control module having a valve assembly including an inlet and an outlet. The control module also includes a controller, and an electrical connector coupled to the controller. The control module is configured to be inserted into the manifold so that the inlet of the control module is coupled to the outlet of the manifold and opens the normally closed valve to couple the valve assembly to the air handling unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaluating pressure interface performance of a support surface for supporting a body are provided. The method includes the step of providing an array of pressure sensors covering substantially the entire support surface. The pressure sensors each provide an output signal indicating interface pressure with the body at one of a plurality of separate pressure nodes on the support surface. The method also includes the steps of engaging the support surface with the body, and calculating a pressure index using interface pressure output signals from the array of pressure sensors at all active pressure nodes to generate a single numeric value indicating pressure interface performance of the entire support surface.

Abstract: A bed including a stepped deck is provided which is configured to support a mattress including a lower mattress section and an upper mattress section. The deck includes an upper deck, and a lower deck coupled to the upper deck by a deck side wall so that the lower deck is spaced apart from the upper deck to define a recess of the deck. The lower deck is configured to support the lower mattress section within the recess of the deck with the bottom surface of the lower mattress section engaging the lower deck. The side wall of the deck is configured to be located adjacent the side wall of the lower mattress section. The top surface of the lower mattress section is aligned generally in a plane of the upper deck. The upper deck is configured to support the upper mattress section with the top surface of the upper mattress section extending above the upper deck to provide a body support surface. The bottom surface of the upper mattress section engages the upper deck.

Abstract: A rotational therapy apparatus is provided for use on a bed having a base frame, a deck coupled to the base frame, a support surface located on the deck, an air handling unit, an electrical communication network, and a rotation control module including a controller coupled to the communication network. The rotational therapy apparatus includes a normally deflated rotation air bladder located between the support surface and the deck. The rotation air bladder remains deflated during normal use of the bed. The rotation air bladder is coupled to the rotation control module for selectively inflating and deflating the rotation air bladder to provide rotational therapy to a body located on the support surface. The apparatus also includes a graphical interactive display coupled to the electrical communication network.

Abstract: A surface foot section is provided for a bed which includes a base frame and an articulating deck coupled to the base frame. The articulating deck includes a generally planar foot deck section and is movable from a bed configuration to a chair configuration. A foot section control module is provided to deflate the surface foot section when the articulating deck is in the chair configuration and to inflate the surface foot section when the articulating deck is in the bed configuration. The surface foot section includes a first air bladder configured to collapse in a first direction generally parallel to the foot deck section when the first air bladder is deflated, and a second air bladder located adjacent the first air bladder.

Abstract: A deck is provided for a bed which is configured to support a mattress including a lower mattress section having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall, and an upper mattress section having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall. The deck includes an upper deck, and a lower deck coupled to the upper deck by a deck side wall so that the lower deck is spaced apart from the upper deck to define a recess of the deck. The lower deck is configured to support the lower mattress section within the recess of the deck with the bottom surface of the lower mattress section engaging the lower deck. The side wall of the deck is configured to be located adjacent the side wall of the lower mattress section. The top surface of the lower mattress section is aligned generally in a plane of the upper deck. The upper deck is configured to support the upper mattress section with the top surface of the upper mattress section extending above the upper deck to provide a body support surface.

Abstract: A bed including a frame, an articulating deck on the frame having head, seat, and foot deck sections, and a mattress on the deck. The deck foot section and mattress foot portion have a first length when the foot section is in the up position and a second length shorter than said first length when the foot section is in the down position. A first driver varies the length of the deck foot section, and a second driver moves the foot section relative to said seat section between the generally horizontal up position and the generally vertically downwardly extending down position.

Abstract: A mattress is provided for use with a step deck having an upper deck, and a lower deck coupled to the upper deck by a deck side wall so that the lower deck is spaced apart from the upper deck to define a recess of the step deck. The mattress includes a lower mattress section having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall. The lower mattress section is configured to be located within the recess of the step deck with the bottom surface of the lower mattress section engaging the lower deck, the side wall of the lower mattress section being located adjacent the deck side wall, and the top surface of the lower mattress section being aligned generally in a plane of the upper deck. The mattress also includes an upper mattress section having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall. The top surface of the upper mattress section provides a body support surface, and the bottom surface of the upper mattress section engages the top surface of the lower mattress section and the upper deck.

Abstract: A bed is provided having a head end, a foot end, and sides. The bed includes a frame and a deck carried by the frame. The deck includes an upper deck portion and a central, longitudinal recess in the upper deck portion. The recess is defined by a lower deck portion and walls connecting the lower and the upper deck portions. The bed also includes a mattress including a planar, upwardly-facing patient surface, side portions resting on the side deck portions, and a central projection extending downwardly into the recess. A first longitudinal deck section is coupled to the deck to pivot about a pivot axis above the lower deck portion between a generally horizontal position and a tilted position.

Abstract: A sleep support surface includes a mattress having at least two bladders located adjacent a foot end. The bladders each have a predetermined, adjustable internal pressure. The pressure in at least one of the bladders is selectively and independently reduced to provide pressure relief on the heels of the patient lying on the mattress. The pressure in a bladder located toward the head end of the mattress and adjacent the at least one bladder is increased. This pressure increase advantageously provides the lifting force under the calves of the patient to reduce further pressure on the patient's heels. A visual indication of the location each of the at least two bladders in the mattress is provided to facilitate selection of the at least one bladder in which to reduce pressure during the pressure reducing step, thereby providing pressure relief on the heels of the patient lying on the mattress.

Abstract: A bed includes a base frame, a deck coupled to the base frame, an electrical communication network, an air handling unit mounted on the base frame, a plurality of air therapy devices located on the bed, and a plurality of control modules. Each control module includes a connector for coupling a corresponding air therapy device to the air handling unit and to the electrical communication network. Each control module also includes a controller for operating the corresponding air therapy device with the air handling unit based on command signals received from the electrical communication network.

Abstract: An induction furnace for heating a portion of an optical preform in order to draw an optical fiber therefrom. The furnace includes a tubular susceptor which is disposed centrally within a housing. The electromagnetic field from a high frequency coil surrounding the susceptor is coupled to the susceptor to heat and reflow a portion of the preform. A cellular refractory tubular insulator is located between the coil and the susceptor.

Abstract: A front opening household dishwasher has an upper rack having wheels that roll inside a C-shaped support channel, which in turn is mounted on support rollers attached to the inside of the tub. Each end of the channel is closed off by end caps to prevent the rack wheels from escaping from the channel, and to limit sliding movement of the channel with respect to the support rollers. Each end cap is a unitary structure having a body portion abutting the end of the channel and extending above and below the upper and lower edges of the channel. An arm portion is integral with the body portion and is connected thereto by a hinge portion at one side, and the arm extends through a pair of aligned openings at the upper and lower walls of the channel to engage a flexible detent hook on the other side of the channel to allow the end cap to be easily assembled and disassembled from the channel.

Abstract: A liquid cooling method and apparatus for rapid cooling of a hot glass fiber. In FIG. 1, an open ended liquid coolant container (12) is provided at its lower end with an inverted funnel surface (34). A vertically running, hot glass fiber (42) of indefinite length is continuously drawn through the container, as the container continuously receives a coolant liquid at its upper open end (30). The liquid continuously drains from the container lower open end (32) by flowing along flow surface (36) of the inverted funnel (34), downwardly and away from the glass fiber (42). The temperature of the fiber relative to the temperature of the coolant liquid is such that a vapor barrier surrounding the hot fiber is formed due to boiling of the liquid in a zone surrounding the fiber. This vapor zone facilitates diversion of the liquid (change in direction of flow) from the vertical to an angle thereto, along the inverted funnel surface.