Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring a patient on an air support system. The system comprises a capacitive sensor system having a capacitive sensor positioned at the underside of an air filled mattress, and a respiration signal processing module that receives the output of the capacitive sensor system and is configured to monitor patient respiration. Respiration is monitored by: periodically sampling the capacitive sensor system output to obtain measurements of incremental body displacement; analyzing a plurality of the samples to determine one or more values for parameters of patient respiratory rate; and determining when one or more of the parameter values indicate abnormal respiration. A corresponding method and computer program are also provided.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a substantially rigid support deck for supporting a patient support element, a first sensing element and a second sensing element arranged on the support deck and separated from one another in a direction along the width of the patient support apparatus. Each sensing element is configured to determine, in use, the force or pressure applied to it by the patient support element and a patient on the patient support element. One or more processors, coupled to the sensing elements, are configured to determine the location of the center of gravity of a patient on the patient support element, along the width of the patient support apparatus, based upon outputs of the first and second sensing elements. An alarm may be activated when the location of the center of gravity along the width of the patient support apparatus is outside a predetermined range of values.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a substantially rigid support deck for supporting a patient support element, a first sensing element and a second sensing element arranged on the support deck and separated from one another in a direction along the width of the patient support apparatus. Each sensing element is configured to determine, in use, the force or pressure applied to it by the patient support element and a patient on the patient support element. One or more processors, coupled to the sensing elements, are configured to determine the location of the center of gravity of a patient on the patient support element, along the width of the patient support apparatus, based upon outputs of the first and second sensing elements. An alarm may be activated when the location of the center of gravity along the width of the patient support apparatus is outside a predetermined range of values.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a substantially rigid support deck for supporting a patient support element, a first sensing element and a second sensing element arranged on the support deck and separated from one another in a direction along the width of the patient support apparatus. Each sensing element is configured to determine, in use, the force or pressure applied to it by the patient support element and a patient on the patient support element. One or more processors, coupled to the sensing elements, are configured to determine the location of the center of gravity of a patient on the patient support element, along the width of the patient support apparatus, based upon outputs of the first and second sensing elements. An alarm may be activated when the location of the center of gravity along the width of the patient support apparatus is outside a predetermined range of values.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring a patient on an air support system. The system comprises a capacitive sensor system having a capacitive sensor positioned at the underside of an air filled mattress, and a respiration signal processing module that receives the output of the capacitive sensor system and is configured to monitor patient respiration. Respiration is monitored by: periodically sampling the capacitive sensor system output to obtain measurements of incremental body displacement; analyzing a plurality of the samples to determine one or more values for parameters of patient respiratory rate; and determining when one or more of the parameter values indicate abnormal respiration. A corresponding method and computer program are also provided.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a substantially rigid support deck for supporting a patient support element, a first sensing element and a second sensing element arranged on the support deck and separated from one another in a direction along the width of the patient support apparatus. Each sensing element is configured to determine, in use, the force or pressure applied to it by the patient support element and a patient on the patient support element. One or more processors, coupled to the sensing elements, are configured to determine the location of the center of gravity of a patient on the patient support element, along the width of the patient support apparatus, based upon outputs of the first and second sensing elements. An alarm may be activated when the location of the center of gravity along the width of the patient support apparatus is outside a predetermined range of values.

Abstract: A lateral tilting device for a patient lying on a mattress is capable of being inserted between the mattress and a level bed base or bed frame on which the mattress rests. The lateral tilting device comprises at least two independent first and second inflatable cells, pneumatically independent and positioned at least partly symmetrically from one another in relation to a median axis of the tilting device. The lateral tilting device includes two ‘U’ shaped inflatable compartments that are fitted into one another. A method for the lateral tilting of the mattress includes inflating a said first or second cell and concomitant deflation of the other second or respectively first cell of the tilting device laid out under the mattress.

Abstract: A lateral tilting device for a patient lying on a mattress is capable of being inserted between the mattress and a level bed base or bed frame on which the mattress rests. The lateral tilting device comprises at least two independent first and second inflatable cells, pneumatically independent and positioned at least partly symmetrically from one another in relation to a median axis of the tilting device. The lateral tilting device includes two ‘U’ shaped inflatable compartments that are fitted into one another. A method for the lateral tilting of the mattress includes inflating a said first or second cell and concomitant deflation of the other second or respectively first cell of the tilting device laid out under the mattress.

Abstract: A support device capable of supporting a patient, includes a mattress resting or capable of resting on a bed base or bed frame and further includes means for adjustment of the length of the mattress by means of pneumatically independent inflatable transverse cells comprising an area known as a retractable area, means for grouped movement of an end area adjacent to said retractable area, and means for adjustment of the width of the mattress, including at least one lateral inflatable cell, extending in the longitudinal direction of the mattress.

Abstract: A lateral tilting device for a patient lying on a mattress is capable of being inserted between the mattress and a level bed base or bed frame on which the mattress rests. The lateral tilting device comprises at least two independent first and second inflatable cells, pneumatically independent and positioned at least partly symmetrically from one another in relation to a median axis of the tilting device. The lateral tilting device includes two ‘U’ shaped inflatable compartments that are fitted into one another. A method for the lateral tilting of the mattress includes inflating a said first or second cell and concomitant deflation of the other second or respectively first cell of the tilting device laid out under the mattress.