Abstract: A backrest pivoting system can have a backrest and an actuator for pivoting the backrest. The actuator is pivotably connected to the backrest by a pivot defining a first pivot axis. The backrest can pivot about a guide member which defines a second pivot axis coaxial with the first pivot axis. A backrest pivoting system can include an actuator and a resilient member mounted in series with the actuator. There is also provided an extendable user support assembly comprising a lower body support panel and a core support panel supported by a frame, the lower body support panel being translatable relative to the frame such that an opening is created between the lower body support panel and the core support panel when the lower body support panel is translated away from the core support panel. There is also provided a method for placing a bed in a vascular position.

Abstract: Methods of data encryption using a mutating encryption key are disclosed. The methods generate an encryption key and utilize a codex to mutate or vary the encryption key value. The encryption key may be generated using a random number generator. The encryption key value in pre-mutation state, together with the codex, is used to generate the next valid value for the encryption key. Unencrypted message data may be used together with the codex to mutate the encryption key. A valid encryption key and the unencrypted or successfully deciphered message are thus required to mutate the encryption key to the next key post-mutation state at each end.

Abstract: A system and method for distributed settlement of a transaction among a plurality of participants without smart contracts is disclosed. The method utilizes a system that includes: a plurality of blockchains each having a plurality of nodes; and a coordinator for transferring messages between the nodes and maintaining status values so that all operations of the transaction are either committed or rolled back. The method includes: receiving a request for the transaction generated from one of the participants; posting the transaction request on a billboard; reading the transaction request by the nodes from the billboard; synchronizing among the participants; receiving transaction votes from the participants to either commit or roll back the request; and executing the transaction based on the transaction votes by either committing transaction or rolling back the request.

Abstract: A system for implementing distributed blockchain transactions that includes: a first participant blockchain comprising a first node; second participant blockchain comprising a second node; and a coordinator blockchain comprising a coordinator node is disclosed. The distributed transaction involves a first transaction on the first participant blockchain, and a second transaction on the N second participant blockchain.

Abstract: A backrest pivoting system can have a backrest and an actuator for pivoting the backrest. The actuator is pivotably connected to the backrest by a pivot defining a first pivot axis. The backrest can pivot about a guide member which defines a second pivot axis coaxial with the first pivot axis. A backrest pivoting system can include an actuator and a resilient member mounted in series with the actuator. There is also provided an extendable user support assembly comprising a lower body support panel and a core support panel supported by a frame, the lower body support panel being translatable relative to the frame such that an opening is created between the lower body support panel and the core support panel when the lower body support panel is translated away from the core support panel. There is also provided a method for placing a bed in a vascular position.

Abstract: There is provided a backrest pivoting system having a backrest and an actuator for pivoting the backrest. The actuator is pivotably connected to the backrest by a pivot defining a first pivot axis. The backrest is configured to pivot about a guide member which defines a second pivot axis coaxial with the first pivot axis. There is also provided a backrest pivoting system including an actuator and a resilient member mounted in series with the actuator. There is also provided an extendable user support assembly comprising a lower body support panel and a core support panel supported by a frame, the lower body support panel being translatable relative to the frame such that an opening is created between the lower body support panel and the core support panel when the lower body support panel is translated away from the core support panel. There is also provided a method for placing a bed in a vascular position.

Abstract: A hospital bed comprising: a frame; a plurality of extendable patient support panels mounted to the frame, each patient support panel including a central section and at least one side section selectively movable laterally towards and away from the central section; a movement transmission assembly including at least one transmission member connecting at least two of the movable side sections for laterally moving at least one of the movable side sections when another one of the movable side sections is moved.

Abstract: A hospital bed comprising: a frame; a plurality of extendable patient support panels mounted to the frame, each patient support panel including a central section and at least one side section selectively movable laterally towards and away from the central section; a movement transmission assembly including at least one transmission member connecting at least two of the movable side sections for laterally moving at least one of the movable side sections when another one of the movable side sections is moved.

Abstract: There is provided a backrest pivoting system having a backrest and an actuator for pivoting the backrest. The actuator is pivotably connected to the backrest by a pivot defining a first pivot axis. The backrest is configured to pivot about a guide member which defines a second pivot axis coaxial with the first pivot axis. There is also provided a backrest pivoting system including an actuator and a resilient member mounted in series with the actuator. There is also provided an extendable user support assembly comprising a lower body support panel and a core support panel supported by a frame, the lower body support panel being translatable relative to the frame such that an opening is created between the lower body support panel and the core support panel when the lower body support panel is translated away from the core support panel. There is also provided a method for placing a bed in a vascular position.

Abstract: There is provided a backrest pivoting system having a backrest and an actuator for pivoting the backrest. The actuator is pivotably connected to the backrest by a pivot defining a first pivot axis. The backrest is configured to pivot about a guide member which defines a second pivot axis coaxial with the first pivot axis. There is also provided a backrest pivoting system including an actuator and a resilient member mounted in series with the actuator. There is also provided an extendable user support assembly comprising a lower body support panel and a core support panel supported by a frame, the lower body support panel being translatable relative to the frame such that an opening is created between the lower body support panel and the core support panel when the lower body support panel is translated away from the core support panel. There is also provided a method for placing a bed in a vascular position.

Abstract: There is provided a backrest pivoting system having a backrest and an actuator for pivoting the backrest. The actuator is pivotably connected to the backrest by a pivot defining a first pivot axis. The backrest is configured to pivot about a guide member which defines a second pivot axis coaxial with the first pivot axis. There is also provided a backrest pivoting system including an actuator and a resilient member mounted in series with the actuator. There is also provided an extendable user support assembly comprising a lower body support panel and a core support panel supported by a frame, the lower body support panel being translatable relative to the frame such that an opening is created between the lower body support panel and the core support panel when the lower body support panel is translated away from the core support panel. There is also provided a method for placing a bed in a vascular position.

Abstract: There is provided a backrest pivoting system having a backrest and an actuator for pivoting the backrest. The actuator is pivotably connected to the backrest by a pivot defining a first pivot axis. The backrest is configured to pivot about a guide member which defines a second pivot axis coaxial with the first pivot axis. There is also provided a backrest pivoting system including an actuator and a resilient member mounted in series with the actuator. There is also provided an extendable user support assembly comprising a lower body support panel and a core support panel supported by a frame, the lower body support panel being translatable relative to the frame such that an opening is created between the lower body support panel and the core support panel when the lower body support panel is translated away from the core support panel. There is also provided a method for placing a bed in a vascular position.

Abstract: There is provided a backrest pivoting system having a backrest and an actuator for pivoting the backrest. The actuator is pivotably connected to the backrest by a pivot defining a first pivot axis. The backrest is configured to pivot about a guide member which defines a second pivot axis coaxial with the first pivot axis. There is also provided a backrest pivoting system including an actuator and a resilient member mounted in series with the actuator. There is also provided an extendable user support assembly comprising a lower body support panel and a core support panel supported by a frame, the lower body support panel being translatable relative to the frame such that an opening is created between the lower body support panel and the core support panel when the lower body support panel is translated away from the core support panel. There is also provided a method for placing a bed in a vascular position.

Abstract: There is provided a backrest pivoting system having a backrest and an actuator for pivoting the backrest. The actuator is pivotably connected to the backrest by a pivot defining a first pivot axis. The backrest is configured to pivot about a guide member which defines a second pivot axis coaxial with the first pivot axis. There is also provided a backrest pivoting system including an actuator and a resilient member mounted in series with the actuator. There is also provided an extendable user support assembly comprising a lower body support panel and a core support panel supported by a frame, the lower body support panel being translatable relative to the frame such that an opening is created between the lower body support panel and the core support panel when the lower body support panel is translated away from the core support panel. There is also provided a method for placing a bed in a vascular position.

Abstract: A system for determining a location of a patient on a hospital bed comprising: at least one deformation sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative of a deformation of a frame of the bed; a location determination unit for determining a lateral and/or longitudinal location of the patient based on the deformation of the frame. A method for monitoring an exit of a patient from a hospital bed comprising: determining a patient location on the bed based on measured deformation and generating an alarm signal if the determined location is outside a predetermined area. A weight sensing system for a hospital bed having a base with a suspended frame suspended from a fixed frame comprising: a load sensor connecting the suspended frame and the fixed frame via a suspension member which is unsecured from the fixed frame to allow free vertical movement of the suspended frame relative to the fixed frame.

Abstract: A hospital bed comprising: a frame; a plurality of extendable patient support panels mounted to the frame, each patient support panel including a central section and at least one side section selectively movable laterally towards and away from the central section; a movement transmission assembly including at least one transmission member connecting at least two of the movable side sections for laterally moving at least one of the movable side sections when another one of the movable side sections is moved.

Abstract: A system for determining a location of a patient on a hospital bed comprising: at least one deformation sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative of a deformation of a frame of the bed; a location determination unit for determining a lateral and/or longitudinal location of the patient based on the deformation of the frame. A method for monitoring an exit of a patient from a hospital bed comprising: determining a patient location on the bed based on measured deformation and generating an alarm signal if the determined location is outside a predetermined area. A weight sensing system for a hospital bed having a base with a suspended frame suspended from a fixed frame comprising: a load sensor connecting the suspended frame and the fixed frame via a suspension member which is unsecured from the fixed frame to allow free vertical movement of the suspended frame relative to the fixed frame.

Abstract: A system for determining a location of a patient on a hospital bed comprising: at least one deformation sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative of a deformation of a frame of the bed; a location determination unit for determining a lateral and/or longitudinal location of the patient based on the deformation of the frame. A method for monitoring an exit of a patient from a hospital bed comprising: determining a patient location on the bed based on measured deformation and generating an alarm signal if the determined location is outside a predetermined area. A weight sensing system for a hospital bed having a base with a suspended frame suspended from a fixed frame comprising: a load sensor connecting the suspended frame and the fixed frame via a suspension member which is unsecured from the fixed frame to allow free vertical movement of the suspended frame relative to the fixed frame.

Abstract: A system for determining a location of a patient on a hospital bed comprising: at least one deformation sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative of a deformation of a frame of the bed; a location determination unit for determining a lateral and/or longitudinal location of the patient based on the deformation of the frame. A method for monitoring an exit of a patient from a hospital bed comprising: determining a patient location on the bed based on measured deformation and generating an alarm signal if the determined location is outside a predetermined area. A weight sensing system for a hospital bed having a base with a suspended frame suspended from a fixed frame comprising: a load sensor connecting the suspended frame and the fixed frame via a suspension member which is unsecured from the fixed frame to allow free vertical movement of the suspended frame relative to the fixed frame.

Abstract: A system for determining a location of a patient on a hospital bed comprising: at least one deformation sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative of a deformation of a frame of the bed; a location determination unit for determining a lateral and/or longitudinal location of the patient based on the deformation of the frame. A method for monitoring an exit of a patient from a hospital bed comprising: determining a patient location on the bed based on measured deformation and generating an alarm signal if the determined location is outside a predetermined area. A weight sensing system for a hospital bed having a base with a suspended frame suspended from a fixed frame comprising: a load sensor connecting the suspended frame and the fixed frame via a suspension member which is unsecured from the fixed frame to allow free vertical movement of the suspended frame relative to the fixed frame.