Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a lower frame, a lift mechanism, a drive mechanism, and an upper frame. The lower frame includes a lift drive configured to at least one of expand and contract the lift mechanism. The lift mechanism is pivotably coupled with the lower frame to rotate about a rotational axis. A drive mechanism is coupled between the lift mechanism and the lower frame. The drive mechanism is configured to rotate the lift mechanism about the rotational axis. The upper frame is supported on the lift mechanism and responsive to the rotation of the lift mechanism to rotate a patient about the rotational axis.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a brake mechanism and a steer mechanism operated by a foot pedal. A gear reducer is coupled to the foot pedal. The gear reducer reduces the amount that the foot pedal is depressed to operate the brake mechanism and steer mechanism.

Abstract: A stretcher includes a brake mechanism and a steer mechanism operated by side actuator pedals and a brake-actuating bar and a wheel-actuating bar. The brake-actuating bar, wheel-actuating bar, and side actuator pedals are connected such that movement is coordinated.

Abstract: A stretcher includes a brake mechanism and a steer mechanism operated by side actuator pedals and a brake-actuating bar and a wheel-actuating bar. The brake-actuating bar, wheel-actuating bar, and side actuator pedals are connected such that movement is coordinated.

Abstract: A system for supporting patient care equipment alongside a patient support is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of arms supported by a support structure. The arms may be pivoted to either side of the patient support. The arms may be stored in a console. At least one of the arms may carry service conduits that provide medical air, oxygen, vacuum, nitrogen, nitrous oxide, or electricity.

Abstract: A surgical theater system includes a boom rotating about a hub and coupled to a counterbalance arm assembly having a counterbalance arm and a monitor mount assembly configured to permit a monitor or other device to be positioned horizontally and vertically within a surgical suite and maintain the vertical elevation selected. The counterbalance arm includes a proximal hub, a first parallel link, a second parallel link, a spring link, a spring and a distal hub. First, second and third proximal pivot axes extend through the proximal hub with the third pivot axis being movable along a radial line forming an angle with a line intersecting the first and second proximal pivot axes. The spring link is coupled to the third proximal pivot axis, spring and second parallel link.

Abstract: A system for supporting patient care equipment alongside a patient support is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of arms supported by a support structure. The arms may be pivoted to either side of the patient support. The arms may be stored in a console. At least one of the arms may carry service conduits that provide medical air, oxygen, vacuum, nitrogen, nitrous oxide, or electricity.

Abstract: A surgical theater apparatus for suspending from a ceiling structural member of a hospital includes a central hub mountable to the ceiling structural member to rotate about a rotation axis. The hub has a pivot axis spaced apart from the rotation axis. First and second devices, such as surgical lights, a cameras, and monitors, are mounted to a first end of a first device arm and a first end of a second device arm, respectively. A second end of the first device arm is mounted to the hub for movement about the rotation axis and about the pivot axis. A second end of the second device arm is mounted to the hub for movement about the rotation axis. The pivot axis and the rotation axis are parallel.

Abstract: A chair for transporting a patient includes a base frame, a plurality of casters mounted to the base frame, a patient support, and a push bar mounted to a back section of the patient support for use when transporting the patient. A wheel is coupled to the base frame for movement between a downward brake-steer position, facilitating steering the chair during transport of the patient, and an upward neutral position. The patient support includes articulated leg and seat sections. A handle is coupled to the patient support and is movable between a position in which movement of the handle moves the leg section relative to the seat section and a position in which movement of the handle does not move the leg section relative to the seat section.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame and a deck carried on the frame. The deck includes longitudinally-spaced apart and transversely-extending back, seat, thigh and foot sections, with at least the back, thigh and foot sections articulated relative to the frame. A back section drive is coupled to the back section to raise and lower the back section. A thigh section drive coupled to the back section and the thigh section to initially raise and then lower the thigh section as the back section is raised.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a base, a frame coupled to the base, and a deck coupled to the frame. The frame includes a storage portion. The deck includes a head section, a seat section and first and second laterally spaced apart outer leg support sections adjacent the seat section. The seat section and the first and second outer leg support sections being configured to define a central opening therebetween. The apparatus also includes a removable center leg support configured for movement between a first position located within the central opening and coupled to the deck to provide a portion of the deck and a second storage position detached from the deck and located in the storage portion of the frame and below the deck.

Abstract: A system for supporting patient care equipment alongside a patient support is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of arms supported by a support structure. The arms may be pivoted to either side of the patient support. The arms may be stored in a console. At least one of the arms may carry service conduits that provide medical air, oxygen, vacuum, nitrogen, nitrous oxide, or electricity.

Abstract: A surgical theater system includes a boom rotating about a hub and coupled to a counterbalance arm assembly having a counterbalance arm and a monitor mount assembly configured to permit a monitor or other device to be positioned horizontally and vertically within a surgical suite and maintain the vertical elevation selected. The counterbalance arm includes a proximal hub, a first parallel link, a second parallel link, a spring link, a spring and a distal hub. First, second and third proximal pivot axes extend through the proximal hub with the third pivot axis being movable along a radial line forming an angle with a line intersecting the first and second proximal pivot axes. The spring link is coupled to the third proximal pivot axis, spring and second parallel link.

Abstract: A patient-support apparatus comprises a lower frame having a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side. The patient-support apparatus also has an upper frame supported above the lower frame and movable relative to the lower frame. A plurality of casters are coupled to the lower frame. A mattress is carried by the upper frame. Elevation adjustment pedals are adjacent both of the first and second sides of the lower frame and are adjacent only one of the first and second ends of the lower frame. The elevation adjustment pedals are movable to change the elevation of the upper frame relative to the lower frame.

Abstract: A stretcher includes a brake mechanism and a steer mechanism operated by side actuator pedals and a brake-actuating bar and a wheel-actuating bar. The brake-actuating bar, wheel-actuating bar, and side actuator pedals are connected such that movement is coordinated.

Abstract: A hospital stretcher includes a patient support deck having an upwardly-facing patient support surface, and at least one sideframe adjacent to a first side of the stretcher, and movable between (i) a first raised position where the top of the at least one sideframe is generally disposed above the patient support surface at a first adult patient-restraining height, (ii) a second fully-raised position where the top of the at least one sideframe is generally disposed above the patient support surface at a second pediatric patient-restraining height greater than the first adult patient-restraining height, and (iii) a third out-of-the-way down position where the top of the at least one sideframe is generally disposed below the patient support surface. Sideframe locking mechanisms are provided for selectively locking the at least one sideframe in the first adult patient-restraining raised position and the second pediatric patient-restraining fully-raised position.

Abstract: An illustrative patient support apparatus includes a first section adapted to support a first portion of a patient, a second section adapted to support a second portion of the patient and pivotably movable relative to the first section about a first pivot axis, a third section adapted to support a third portion of the patient and pivotably movable relative to the second section about a second pivot axis that is parallel with the first pivot axis, a first locking mechanism that, when locked, prevents the second section from pivoting relative to the first section, a first lever that is movable to unlock the first locking mechanism to allow the second section to pivot relative to the first section, a second locking mechanism that, when locked, prevents the third section from pivoting relative to the second section, and a second lever that is movable to unlock the second locking mechanism to allow the third section to pivot relative to the second section.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame and a deck carried on the frame. The deck includes longitudinally-spaced apart and transversely-extending back, seat, thigh and foot sections, with at least the back, thigh and foot sections articulated relative to the frame. A back section drive is coupled to the back section to raise and lower the back section. A thigh section drive coupled to the back section and the thigh section to initially raise and then lower the thigh section as the back section is raised.

Abstract: A hospital stretcher includes a patient support deck having an upwardly-facing patient support surface, and at least one sideframe adjacent to a first side of the stretcher, and movable between (i) a first raised position where the top of the at least one sideframe is generally disposed above the patient support surface at a first adult patient-restraining height, (ii) a second fully-raised position where the top of the at least one sideframe is generally disposed above the patient support surface at a second pediatric patient-restraining height greater than the first adult patient-restraining height, and (iii) a third out-of-the-way down position where the top of the at least one sideframe is generally disposed below the patient support surface. Sideframe locking mechanisms are provided for selectively locking the at least one sideframe in the first adult patient-restraining raised position and the second pediatric patient-restraining fully-raised position.

Abstract: A mattress for a stretcher comprises a mattress back portion supported on the stretcher back frame, a mattress shoulder portion supported on the stretcher head frame and a mattress head portion supported on the stretcher head rest. The thickness of the mattress shoulder portion is reduced relative to the thickness of the mattress back portion so that upwardly facing top surfaces of the mattress back and shoulder portions are generally coplanar.