Abstract: A patient turning device for a patient support apparatus. The patient turning device includes a first and second bladder assembly each including a plurality of layers and seals defining a bladder volume. The bladder volumes are selectively inflatable with fluid to expand the respective bladder assembly, and consequently move a patient support surface of the patient support apparatus. A portion of a lower layer of the first bladder assembly and a portion of an upper layer of the second bladder assembly define an overlapping region of the bladder volumes. The patient turning device is coupled to an underside of a carrier sheet and positioned between a crib assembly and a bottom cover. An augmenting feature is configured to resiliently expand as at least one of the first and second bladder assemblies receives the fluid to move at least a portion of the crib assembly away from a patient support deck.

Abstract: A system for supporting and positioning a person. A flexible cover layer defines a support surface for the person, and a formable layer is coupled to the flexible cover layer. The formable layer includes a sealed bladder adapted to be in fluid communication with a vacuum source, and particles disposed within the sealed bladder. The system is operable in a first configuration in the absence of the vacuum, and a second configuration in the presence of the vacuum. In the first configuration, the particles are substantially movable relative to one another such that a contour may be provided to the support surface. In the second configuration, substantially immovable relative to provide rigidity to the formable layer to maintain the contour. A controller coupled to sensors may control the vacuum source to move said system between the first and second configurations. Methods of supporting and positioning the person are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mattress cover for a mattress providing movement therapy to a patient. A patient support portion covers the upper surface of the mattress, and a bottom portion is coupled to the patient support portion. The mattress cover may substantially encase the mattress. An augmenting feature is associated with a peripheral portion with the augmenting feature adapted to move between a stored configuration, and a deployed configuration in response to increasing thickness of the mattress during the movement therapy. The augmenting feature may include concertinaed material, such as thermoformed plastic, and/or a fold of material coupled to the peripheral portion. The patient support portion and the bottom portion may at least partially overlap and be moveable relative to one another. The mattress cover may be included on a mattress overlay having a patient turning device, or on the mattress supported on a patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A patient support includes a conformable layer having a lattice of cells. Each cell having a base and extending to a top portion disposed opposite the base to form a column, and at least some of the cells within the lattice having a fluid passage extending from the base through the top portion of the cell. The patient support having a fluid flow path defined by a port connector configured to direct a fluid to a low air loss manifold, the low air loss manifold configured to direct and release the fluid towards the fluid passages of the conformable layer with the fluid passages configured to direct the fluid into a reduced zone having a surface area, and a spacer layer configured to receive the fluid in the reduced zone and disperse the fluid underneath a cover across a surface area larger than the surface area of the reduced zone.

Abstract: A method of securing a pediatric patient to a patient transport apparatus includes providing an adult harness, coupling the adult harness to the patient support and the frame, providing a pediatric restraint assembly, and coupling the pediatric restraint assembly to the adult harness wherein the pediatric restraint assembly moves with the adult harness.

Abstract: A system for supporting and positioning a person. A flexible cover layer defines a support surface for the person, and a formable layer is coupled to the flexible cover layer. The formable layer includes a sealed bladder adapted to be in fluid communication with a vacuum source, and particles disposed within the sealed bladder. The system is operable in a first configuration in the absence of the vacuum, and a second configuration in the presence of the vacuum. In the first configuration, the particles are substantially movable relative to one another such that a contour may be provided to the support surface. In the second configuration, substantially immovable relative to provide rigidity to the formable layer to maintain the contour. A controller coupled to sensors may control the vacuum source to move said system between the first and second configurations. Methods of supporting and positioning the person are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mattress cover for a mattress providing movement therapy to a patient. A patient support portion covers the upper surface of the mattress, and a bottom portion is coupled to the patient support portion. The mattress cover may substantially encase the mattress. An augmenting feature is associated with a peripheral portion with the augmenting feature adapted to move between a stored configuration, and a deployed configuration in response to increasing thickness of the mattress during the movement therapy. The augmenting feature may include concertinaed material, such as thermoformed plastic, and/or a fold of material coupled to the peripheral portion. The patient support portion and the bottom portion may at least partially overlap and be moveable relative to one another. The mattress cover may be included on a mattress overlay having a patient turning device, or on the mattress supported on a patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A patient support for supporting a patient includes an inflatable mattress defining a support surface and a pneumatic system for inflating the inflatable mattress. The pneumatic system includes a pressurized reservoir for holding pressurized air and selectively releases pressurized air from the reservoir to the mattress.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a patient support including a top portion with the top portion defining a patient support surface and a sealing surface opposite the patient support surface. The cover assembly further includes a bottom portion defining a plurality of open face chambers with each open face chamber including a floor and a plurality of walls extending from the floor towards the top portion. Each open face chamber is connected to, and integral with, at least one additional open face chamber by a hinge. The sealing surface of the top portion covers the open face chambers and is coupled to the bottom portion at each hinge.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus is provided, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, or the like, that includes a sensor adapted to detect movement of the occupant while the occupant is supported on the support apparatus. A controller monitors outputs from the sensor in response to a mobility assessment control being activated. After monitoring the outputs for a period of time, the controller generates a mobility score based on the outputs from the sensor. In some embodiments, the controller use outputs from the sensor to determine which region of a defined surface area the patient has moved to. The controller records these visited regions over a time period and uses them to generate the mobility assessment. The mobility assessment provides an objective measure of an important factor used in predicting a patient's risk of developing pressure ulcers.

Abstract: A patient support for supporting a patient includes an inflatable mattress defining a support surface and a pneumatic system for inflating the inflatable mattress. The pneumatic system includes a pressurized reservoir for holding pressurized air and selectively releases pressurized air from the reservoir to the mattress.

Abstract: A cover system includes a base sheet, which is adapted to cover an underlying mattress, and a top sheet configured to wick away moisture and to cooperate with the base sheet to reduce shear on a patient supported on the cover system.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus is provided with selective stiffening features. The patient support apparatus may include a support substrate defining a patient support surface. The support substrate may include a magnetorheological material providing selective reinforcement support of at least a portion of the patient support surface to redistribute pressure about a surface of a patient. The magnetorheological material may include a distribution of ferromagnetic particles disposed within a polymeric material and exhibits a shape conforming, variable stiffness in response to exposure to a magnetic field. A controller may be provided and configured to create a correlation of patient specific data with an optimal stiffness or inflection force deflection (IFD) of the patient support surface, and generate a strength of the magnetic field based on the correlation.

Abstract: A cover includes a wear detection component. The wear detection component includes a wear layer and a visual wear indicator. The wear layer is designed and configured to reduce its thickness to a threshold thickness, or to disintegrate, after a preselected number of cleanings have been experience by the cover. The visual wear indicator is configured to indicate to the user that the cover has been through a threshold number of cleanings. When the wear layer has reduced its thickness to the threshold thickness, or has disintegrated, the wear layer reveals the visual wear indicator, indicating to the user that the cover is ready for replacement.

Abstract: A patient support, such as a mattress, includes a plurality of inflatable bladders. Depth sensors are included in the support that measure the degree of penetration of a patient into the mattress. An air pressure sensor is also included that measures the pressure inside at least one bladder. A suitable inflation level of the mattress is determined by monitoring the rate of change of the depth with respect to air pressure as the bladder is either inflated or deflated. By detecting an inflection point in the graphical relationship of the depth and pressure outputs, a suitable inflation point for the bladders is determined that reduces interface pressures experienced by the patient, yet does not overly sink the patient into the mattress to a degree of discomfort. Analyzing the outputs of the depth and pressure sensors can also be used to detect a patient's heart rate and respiration rate.

Abstract: A patient support, such as a mattress, includes a plurality of inflatable bladders. Depth sensors are included in the support that measure the degree of penetration of a patient into the mattress. An air pressure sensor is also included that measures the pressure inside at least one bladder. A suitable inflation level of the mattress is determined by monitoring the rate of change of the depth with respect to air pressure as the bladder is either inflated or deflated. By detecting an inflection point in the graphical relationship of the depth and pressure outputs, a suitable inflation point for the bladders is determined that reduces interface pressures experienced by the patient, yet does not overly sink the patient into the mattress to a degree of discomfort. Analyzing the outputs of the depth and pressure sensors can also be used to detect a patient's heart rate and respiration rate.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a person support formed from an elastomeric composition. The elastomeric composition includes a polymer blend with the polymer blend consisting essentially of a first and second SEEPS copolymer. The first and second SEEPS copolymers are present in the polymer blend in an amount of from 75 to 95 percent by weight and 5 to 25 percent by weight, respectively, based on the total weight of the polymer blend. In addition, the sum of the first and second SEEPS copolymers in the polymer blend is 100 percent by weight. The first and second SEEPS copolymers have a weight average molecular weight of weight of at least 200,000 and 125,000 to 175,000, respectively. The disclosure also provides a patient support for supporting a patient with the patient support formed from the elastomeric composition.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a patient support for supporting a patient. The patient support comprises a lattice of cells each having a base, a top disposed opposite the base, and one or more buckling elements having a thickness and extending from the base to the top to form a column.

Abstract: A patient support includes a conformable layer having a lattice of cells. Each cell having a base and extending to a top portion disposed opposite the base to form a column, and at least some of the cells within the lattice having a fluid passage extending from the base through the top portion of the cell. The patient support having a fluid flow path defined by a port connector configured to direct a fluid to a low air loss manifold, the low air loss manifold configured to direct and release the fluid towards the fluid passages of the conformable layer with the fluid passages configured to direct the fluid into a reduced zone having a surface area, and a spacer layer configured to receive the fluid in the reduced zone and disperse the fluid underneath a cover across a surface area larger than the surface area of the reduced zone.