Abstract: A heat exchange system includes a thermoelectric device operably coupled with a support apparatus. The thermoelectric device is configured to reduce a temperature at a first location and increase a temperature at a second location different than the first location. A fan is disposed adjacent to the thermoelectric device. The fan is configured to direct heat generated by the thermoelectric device toward the second location. A controller is communicatively coupled with the thermoelectric device and the fan. The controller is configured to activate the thermoelectric device and the fan to reduce the temperature at the first location and concurrently increase the temperature at the second location. The first location is configured to align with a first area on a patient and the second location is configured to align with a second area on the patient.

Abstract: A mattress support assembly includes a mattress cover that has a coupling feature. A support casing defines an attachment feature and is selectively coupled to the mattress cover via the coupling feature. A support member is operably coupled to the attachment feature of the support casing. The support member has a load surface, a base surface, and an expandable body defined between the load surface and the base surface.

Abstract: A mattress support assembly includes a mattress cover that has a coupling feature. A support casing defines an attachment feature and is selectively coupled to the mattress cover via the coupling feature. A support member is operably coupled to the attachment feature of the support casing. The support member has a load surface, a base surface, and an expandable body defined between the load surface and the base surface.

Abstract: A mattress support for a bed includes a base plate and an upper plate assembly. The upper plate assembly includes a head plate having a head end and a foot end. The head end of the head plate is hinged to the base plate by a first hinge. The upper plate assembly also includes a foot plate in tandem with the head plate. The foot plate is hinged to the foot end of the head plate by a second hinge which is parallel to the first hinge. An actuator system between the base plate and the upper plate assembly is operable to adjust the upper plate assembly between a planar configuration and a nonplanar configuration.

Abstract: A mattress support includes a base plate having a free end and a hinged end and an upper plate having a free end and a hinged end. The hinged end of the upper plate is connected to the hinged end of the base plate by a hinge. The mattress support also includes an equipment support anchor at the free end of the base plate.

Abstract: A sleep apparatus, such as a mattress for example, is provided in one embodiment. The apparatus comprises a head support surface sized to support a person's head, and a torso support surface sized to support a person's torso. The head support surface is generally laterally sloped moving from the first side toward the second side, and the torso support surface is generally laterally sloped moving from the first side toward the second side. In some embodiments, the lateral slope of the head support surface is at least about 15°, the lateral slope of the head support surface is greater than the lateral slope of the torso support surface, and/or, the sleep apparatus slopes in the longitudinal direction as well.

Abstract: A monitoring system comprises a lift assembly configured to lift a patient; a control system configured to control operation of the lift system; and a reporting system in communication with the control system and configured to receive operational information for the lift assembly. The reporting system compares the operational information to a predetermined set of values to determine if the operation of the lift is in compliance with the protocols.

Abstract: A system for providing continuous monitoring of a patient while reducing false alarms includes a first monitor device configured to measure one or more physiological attributes associated with the patient, a second monitor device configured to measure patient motion, and a processor coupled with the first monitor device and the second monitor device. The processor is configured to generate an alarm, based on data from the first monitor device corresponding to the one or more physiological attributes, and is further configured to suppress the alarm, based at least in part on the patient motion measured by the second monitor device, to reduce false alarms.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a wound includes a wound dressing configured to cover a wound surface of the wound, one or more sensing devices attached to the wound dressing, a network interface hardware, and a controller. The controller includes one or more processors, and one or more memory modules storing computer readable and executable instructions. The controller receives data measured by the one or more sensing devices, determines whether an infection is likely to occur based on the data measured by the one or more sensing devices, and outputs an alert, through the network interface hardware, in response to determining that the infection is likely to occur.

Abstract: A method of assessing a tissue sample includes the steps of: 1) splitting source electromagnetic radiation into: a) sample arm radiation directed in a Z direction toward a sample thereby illuminating the sample at a first selected XY coordinate pair of the sample, and b) reflector arm radiation directed toward a reflector so that the reflector arm radiation travels a path length; 2) interfering sample-scattered electromagnetic radiation with reflector-reflected electromagnetic radiation thereby establishing an interference pattern associated with the sample; 3) comparing the sample interference pattern to a reference interference pattern; and 4) reaching a conclusion about the sample based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method includes receiving an input indicative of at least one factor that contributes to the development of pressure ulcers; determining a risk score as a function of the input; comparing the risk score to a previous risk score; and at least one of activating a therapy configured to reduce the magnitude of the factor and notifying a caregiver if the risk score is greater than the previous risk score.

Abstract: A method comprises determining a person's level of risk for developing an adverse condition; selecting a care protocol based on the level of risk; displaying a proposed configuration of a person support structure corresponding to the care protocol for a caregiver to approve; and upon approval by the caregiver, implementing the configuration.

Abstract: A method of assessing a tissue sample includes the steps of: 1) splitting source electromagnetic radiation into: a) sample arm radiation directed in a Z direction toward a sample thereby illuminating the sample at a first selected XY coordinate pair of the sample, and b) reflector arm radiation directed toward a reflector so that the reflector arm radiation travels a path length; 2) interfering sample-scattered electromagnetic radiation with reflector-reflected electromagnetic radiation thereby establishing an interference pattern associated with the sample; 3) comparing the sample interference pattern to a reference interference pattern; and 4) reaching a conclusion about the sample based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method comprises determining a person's level of risk for developing an adverse condition; selecting a care protocol based on the level of risk; displaying a proposed configuration of a person support structure corresponding to the care protocol for a caregiver to approve; and upon approval by the caregiver, implementing the configuration.

Abstract: A method comprises determining a person's level of risk for developing an adverse condition; selecting a care protocol based on the level of risk; displaying a proposed configuration of a person support structure corresponding to the care protocol for a caregiver to approve; and upon approval by the caregiver, implementing the configuration.

Abstract: A method for governing care of a person includes determining the importance of a candidate activity (84) relative to the importance of patient sleep continuity (104) and, if the candidate activity is more important than sleep continuity, carrying out the activity or indicating the acceptability of carrying out the activity (106) and, if the candidate activity is not more important than sleep continuity, refraining from carrying out the activity or indicating the unacceptability of carrying out the activity (108). A system for patient care governance comprises a decision engine (80) for determining the importance of the candidate activity relative to the importance of sleep continuity, and a controller (92) responsive to the decision engine for issuing a command to carry out the activity or indicate the acceptability of carrying out the activity (106), refrain from carrying out the activity or indicate the unacceptability of carrying out the activity (108).

Abstract: A sleep apparatus, such as a mattress for example, is provided in one embodiment. The apparatus comprises a head support surface sized to support a person's head, and a torso support surface sized to support a person's torso. The head support surface is generally laterally sloped moving from the first side toward the second side, and the torso support surface is generally laterally sloped moving from the first side toward the second side. In some embodiments, the lateral slope of the head support surface is at least about 15°, the lateral slope of the head support surface is greater than the lateral slope of the torso support surface, and/or, the sleep apparatus slopes in the longitudinal direction as well.

Abstract: A gas supply system comprises a person-support surface, a garment, and a gas supply. The person-support surface includes a chamber configured to contain a gas therein. The garment includes a chamber configured to contain a gas therein. The gas supply is configured to supply a gas to both the garment and the person-support surface.