Abstract: A hospital bed may include a support structure, a controller, a pressure source coupled to the controller, and a hospital bed mattress carried by the support structure. The hospital bed mattress is carried by the support structure and has first and second ends, and first and second sides extending between the first and second ends. The hospital bed mattress may include a base foam layer, and transverse bladder pairs extending over the base foam layer and being coupled to the pressure source. The transverse bladder pairs may extend between the first and second sides and may be configured to provide longitudinal pressure differential and lateral pressure differential. The hospital bed mattress may have a multi-layer removable encasement surrounding the base foam layer and the transverse bladder pairs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a self deflating cushion whereby a volume of air within the cushion is controllably released to a surface of the cushion thereby providing a cooling effect to the seated anatomy of a user. The cushion further provides a variety of internal, open cell cushioning materials that store and release air during use of the cushion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a self deflating cushion whereby a volume of air within the cushion is controllably released to a surface of the cushion thereby providing a cooling effect to the seated anatomy of a user. The cushion further provides a variety of internal, open cell cushioning materials that store and release air during use of the cushion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a self deflating cushion whereby a volume of air within the cushion is controllably released to a surface of the cushion thereby providing a cooling effect to the seated anatomy of a user. The cushion further provides a variety of internal, open cell cushioning materials that store and release air during use of the cushion.

Abstract: An antifungal composition and penetrating carrier system for topical treatment of dermatophytic infection and secondary bacterial infections. The antifungal composition includes various fungistatic and fungicidal essential oil components, or combinations thereof. The penetrating carrier system may include various ingredients, including a penetration enhancer, such as isopropyl myristate.

Abstract: An immersion sensor for use with a cushion or mattress for determining the relative immersion of a person within the cushion or mattress comprising a sensor, a ground and a circuit for measuring capacitance. The sensor comprises a sheet of conductive material, and the ground comprises a second sheet of conductive material. The circuit is adapted to send short bursts of electrical current to the sensor and a capacitor. The circuit is further adapted to measure the length of time the burst of current takes to charge the capacitor. Based upon the measured time, the circuit calculates the proximity of the object based upon the time taken to charge the capacitor. A method that may be implemented with the immersion sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor for attachment to an inflatable air cell cushion to detect a change in immersion depth and bottoming out of the user seated on the cushion. The sensor includes an airflow conduit for attachment to the cushion inflation tube. The airflow conduit comprises a cylindrical body having a longitudinal inner bore. There is an opening through the conduit body in fluid communication with the bore. A transducer is positioned at the opening to detect changes in air pressure within the airflow conduit. The transducer is operatively connected to a warning light, an audible sensor and a mode set button. The functions of the electronic components are preprogrammed into a computer chip. A battery powers the sensor. The recited components are secured within a housing.

Abstract: A device for applying and measuring fluid pressure in the lumen of a syringe in communication with a tubular member attached to a needle inserted into the body of a disk found in the spinal column of the back. A pressure transducer is integrally mounted in the plunger of the syringe under the plunger tip, such that the force applied by the plunger to the fluid in the syringe is transmitted to the transducer and the resulting electronic signal is converted to a display value aiding the physician in diagnosing diseased disks in the back. Other uses of pressure applying monitoring syringes for other applications in communication with the body also benefit from the disclosed syringe construction, such as percutaneous translumenal angioplasty (PTA) procedures.

Abstract: A unique syringe useful in the inflation and rapid deflation of a balloon used in balloon catheterization (transluminal angioplasty) procedures is disclosed. The syringe has a uniquely actuated thread engaging block which is engaged and disengaged by a rotary cam member interacting with the thread-engaging block. The thread engaging block engages a threaded piston rod which is attached to the piston within the barrel of a balloon catheter syringe. A rotary cam member engages the block so as to exert a positive force on the block, either moving the block into a thread engaging position or moving into a thread disengaging position. The unique syringe may also contain a plunger end face which is structured so that a portion of the piston face is separately actuatable in order to introduce a minor increase or decrease in pressure while the main piston member remains in a stationary position.

Abstract: Apparatus for remotely displaying the inflation pressure within an inflator for inflating a balloon catheter. The apparatus comprises a pressure transducer positioned to sense pressure within the syringe, a transmission unit receiving a pressure signal from the transducer and transmitting by means of infrared light pulse sequences, a pressure message reflective of the pressure signal. A monitor positionable at a distance from the transmission unit receives and decodes the pressure messages, and provides a display thereof. A timer key for initiating the transmission of start/stop clock messages is located on the inflator unit. The monitor further includes a timer responsive to received clock messages, and an elapsed time display.

Abstract: A unique syringe useful in the inflation and rapid deflation of a balloon used in balloon catheterization (transluminal angioplasty) procedures is disclosed. The syringe has a uniquely actuated thread engaging block which is engaged and disengaged by a rotary cam member interacting with the thread-engaging block. The thread engaging block engages a threaded piston rod which is attached to the piston within the barrel of a balloon catheter syringe. A rotary cam member engages the block so as to exert a positive force on the block, either moving the block into a thread engaging position or moving into a thread disengaging position. The unique syringe may also contain a piston face which is segmented so that a portion of the piston face is separately actuatable in order to introduce a minor increase in pressure while the main piston member remains in a stationary position.

Abstract: Apparatus for remotely displaying the inflation pressure within an inflator for inflating a balloon catheter. The apparatus comprises a pressure transducer positioned to sense pressure within the syringe, a transmission unit receiving a pressure signal from the transducer and transmitting by means of infrared light pulse sequences, a pressure message reflective of the pressure signal. A monitor positionable at a distance from the transmission unit receives and decodes the pressure messages, and provides a display thereof. A timer key for initiating the transmission of start/stop clock messages is located on the inflator unit. The monitor further includes a timer responsive to received clock messages, and an elapsed time display.