Abstract: A manually or automatically controlled adjusting bed-chair combination for persons suffering limited mobility due to accident, disease, or age who thus require intensive caregiving efforts by others. This portable body supporting device provides a patient with greater mobility and self-care even if he/she is confined therein for weeks, months, or longer. The bed-chair includes an upper frame for supporting the invalid's body in a large number of postures ranging from side, supine, sitting, reclining or standing. In turn, this upper frame is articulated by lower supporting frames powered by linear actuators, or the equivalent, and controlled by the patient control or the caregiver's override and automatically preset control to provide a timed regimen of turning or tilting according to the occupant's needs. Whether in bed or chair mode, the support frame consists of an upper body, middle and leg-foot segment. The mid-section provides a base to which the other two sections are pivotally mounted.

Abstract: A surgery table is provided in which a patient support portion may be tilted about a longitudinal and a lateral axis and in which torso and leg supporting portions of the table may be pivoted relative to a trunk supporting portion. A new headrest locking mechanism is disclosed whereby supporting ball and socket connections for the headrest may be locked in position with a minimum of applied torque force. In addition, a lift mechanism incorporating telescoping members is provided whereby a large variation in table height may be obtained.

Abstract: A patient examination table, of the type used in an x-ray examination apparatus, has one end secured to a ceiling or floor stand via a tilt mechanism which permits the longitudinal axis of the table to be tilted upwardly or downwardly. The table can be tilted around an imaginary axis, the imaginary axis being movable roughly in the middle of the examination table. The tilt mechanism includes a driven element, which may be a part of the housing for the tilt mechanism, a first gear which is rigidly attached to the stand, a second gear which is rigidly attached to the examination table and a transmission linkage between the first and second gears which permits the second gear to be movable around the drive shaft of the first gear as the driven element is rotated. The second gear is rotated in an opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the driven element.

Abstract: In order to present patients in the correct position for surgical or investigative procedures and in order to reduce the time required to place on and remove from operating surfaces on which such procedures are carried out on patients, a wheelchair of novel configuration is described. The wheelchair has a seating arrangement comprising a back rest portion, a seat portion and foot rest means, adapted to receive a patient in a semi-recumbent or sitting position. The seating arrangement can be tilted so that the back rest portion is substantially horizontal and the seat portion is divided so that the patient's legs can be moved apart, while still supported, to present the patient's ano-genital region for surgical or investigative procedures.

Abstract: A bed comprises a base framework, an intermediate framework and a mattress framework which comprises a central frame, a head frame and a foot frame. Main rams connect the intermediate framework to the base framework for raising and lowering and tilting the intermediate framework relative to the base framework. The rams pivotally engage the intermediate framework by shafts. The ram is rigidly mounted to the main framework. A pivot frame pivotally mounts the ram about a pair of pivot axes relative to the base framework to accommodate tilting of the intermediate framework.

Abstract: The vertical displacement of a patient support table for a radiology apparatus is obtained by means of an electromechanical device constituted by arms which are connected to each other and to the support table by means of powered articulations with synchronized movements of rotation. A relatively small minimum height of the order of 60 centimeters is thus obtained.

Abstract: A birthing bed has a base, an intermediate frame mounted on the base with a power-actuated linkage to raise and lower the intermediate frame with respect to the base. A main frame is pivotably mounted on the intermediate frame so that it can be shifted from a horizontal position to an inclined Trendelenburg position. The intermediate frame is adapted to be lowered to bring the patient support surface to a very low level. In that level, the bed can be shifted to a Trendelenburg position with limit switches causing the intermediate frame to rise in order to accommodate the shift of the main frame to the inclined Trendelenburg position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for selectively raising and lowering the entire mattress of a nursing home or hospital bed without changing the angle or tilt thereof, raising and lowering the head of the mattress, and raising and lowering the foot of the mattress, all without affecting the longitudinal configuration of the mattress itself. The invention further provides a nursing home or hospital bed incorporating the apparatus of the invention, and still further provides a method of achieving the various possible mattress configurations enabled by the invention. The apparatus of the invention includes a lifting bar longitudinally disposed relative to the stationary frame of the bed of the invention, and interconnected between moveable mattress supporting components and the stationary frame of the bed through separately operable pivotal interconnections.

Abstract: A patient support table comprising a first patient support surface. The first patient support surface, in a preferred embodiment, is comprised of an x-ray translucent material such as carbon fiber. In a preferred embodiment, the top of the first patient support surface is for supporting a patient and is slightly concave. The patient support table also comprises a support, with the support being affixed to the first end of the first patient support surface at a first end of the support and extends beyond the third end of the first patient support surface. The support is affixed in such a manner that the first patient support surface may be interchanged with a second patient support surface, wherein the second patient support surface has all of the properties of the first patient support surface. The patient support table also comprises a base. The base is affixed to a second end of the support.

Abstract: A transfer system including a specially-equipped bed for transferring a patient from a reclining position on the bed to a seated position on a wheelchair or to a standing position on the floor.

Abstract: A computer-controlled exercise sit up machine has a frame supporting a bed on which a user may rest his or her body, knee support posts for resting the user's knees, and foot rest support posts for receiving the user's feet and ankles. The exercise sit up machine has a triangular-shaped housing which acts as a fulcrum for pivoting the frame about a transverse axis so that the bed is inclined to a position where the user performs sit ups with the head at a higher vertical level than the feet. A computer controls a motor housed in the triangular-shaped housing for pivoting the frame about the fulcrum. The user may select a desired sit up routine. The computer then operates the machine through the chosen sit up routine and calculates and displays a sit up coefficient score to apprise the user of his or her performance.