Abstract: An operating table is shown, which comprises a table column with a column foot (10) and with a column head and also a bed connectable or connected to the column head, the column foot (10) having a floor-side baseplate (12) and a column-side footplate (14), the footplate (14) being mounted rotatably on the baseplate (12) and being secured, with a vertical play, by means of an abutment (24) against being lifted off from the baseplate (12), and at least one clamping cylinder (42) actuated by pressure medium being provided in order to tension the footplate (14) against the abutment (24).

Abstract: A brake mechanism is provided on one of four corners of a rectangular base of an operating table. Each brake mechanism has a cam fixed by a rotating shaft, an a hydraulic cylinder and a braking post. When braking, the hydraulic cylinder pushes the cam to rotate, and the cam abuts the braking post to press against the floor. Wheels on the base of the operating table depart upward a distance from the floor for braking. Detecting sheets are provided on the rotating shafts of two brake mechanisms which stand on the same sides. The detecting sheets match detectors to control action of the hydraulic cylinders.

Abstract: A bed and chair with commode for a patient is disclosed. The bed and chair with commode includes a rectangular main frame, which stands on at least four legs, four frames fitted on the main frame, patient's body over it when patient is lifted up off the bed, side guards being fixed on both sides of main frame for supporting the straps or nets over it and for avoiding the patient from falling down a lifting means for lifting the body of patient over the straps or nets, and a commode pan or pot being fitted under the middle frame with the help of hinge and linkage arrangement. The sliding back of the bed moves upwards and downwards by a mechanism when the back support frame is raised to chair position or lowered to bed position.

Abstract: A reconfigurable bed comprising: (a) a bed chassis; (b) a plurality of bed sections, each bed section including a removable universal bed cushion; (c) a plurality of actuators operatively coupled the plurality of bed sections and operative to reposition at least one of the plurality of bed sections, where at least one of the plurality of bed sections is laterally repositionable with respect to the bed chassis to expose an excrement receiver, and where the laterally repositionable bed section interposes two of the plurality of bed sections, these two bed sections are adapted to be, independently raised, thereby resulting in the laterally repositionable bed section being recessed with respect thereto and allow exposure of the excrement receiver.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a device that accurately communicates a subtle variation of an operation side to an action side. Specifically, in the present invention, an operating device is provided to perform a lock release operation of an extension device. The operating device feeds oil to a valve chamber by pressing a piston. When the flow rate of the fed oil is excessive, the valve is pressed to an opening resisting a biasing force of a compressed spring, thereby a rapid increase in the oil supplied to the action section is suppressed. Further, the supplied oil is suppressed to a very small amount by the throttle section, thereby an increase in the operation amount on the action section side is suppressed while maintaining the supply of the oil.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a base, a litter frame, and an elevation mechanism interconnecting the base to the litter frame and being configured to effect changes in elevation of the litter frame relative to the base. The elevation mechanism includes a pair of hydraulic actuators, each actuator covered by a telescoping shroud. The telescoping shroud is connected to the base and to the litter frame by a number of biased catches. The litter frame includes a pair of laterally spaced and longitudinally extending support rails and a plurality of laterally extending support rails interconnecting the longitudinally extending support rails so that the litter frame has a rectangular configuration. The litter frame includes a thigh section configured to be raised and lowered by use of one of a manually pumped hydraulic actuator or a gas-spring assisted lever actuator.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus having a base, a litter frame, an elevation mechanism interconnecting the base to the litter frame and being configured to effect changes in elevation of the litter frame relative to the base. The litter frame includes a pair of laterally spaced and longitudinally extending support rails and a plurality of laterally extending support rails interconnecting the longitudinally extending support rails so that the litter frame has a rectangular configuration. Selected ones of the laterally extending support rails are mounted to the elevation mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ambulance cots, cot systems and methods of using the same. In particular, the present invention provides an ambulance cot comprising a hydraulic system and a tip angle monitoring, recording and alert system, and methods of using the same (e.g., to transport subjects and/or to detect and/or record operational data related to cot usage).

Abstract: A patient support apparatus having a base, a litter frame, an elevation mechanism interconnecting the base to the litter frame and being configured to effect changes in elevation of the litter frame relative to the base. The litter frame includes a pair of laterally spaced and longitudinally extending support rails and a plurality of laterally extending support rails interconnecting the longitudinally extending support rails so that the litter frame has a rectangular configuration. Selected ones of the laterally extending support rails are mounted to the elevation mechanism.

Abstract: A foot control for controlling power-driven functions of a medical apparatus which positions a patient in a variety of examination and treatment positions. The foot control includes a membrane switch and a flexible keypad overlying the membrane switch. The flexible keypad is configured to actuate switch elements of the membrane switch in response to selective pressure applied on the keypad by a user's foot. Different configurations of keypads are interchangeable on the foot control to change the control functionality of the foot control while the membrane switch remains unchanged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining an adjusted traction force for the patient. The first body supporting portion is positioned in a non-horizontal configuration. A compensating force related to a weight of the first body supporting portion, a weight of an applicable portion of a patient's body, and an angle between the first body supporting portion and a horizontal plane is determined. The compensating force is applied to a desired traction force to determine the adjusted traction force. The adjusted traction force is applied to the patient by moving the first body supporting portion relative to the second body supporting portion along the longitudinal axis to affect the distance between the first body supporting portion and the second body supporting portion.

Abstract: A patient support is provided comprising a support surface, a base, and a lift assembly positioned to support the support surface above the base. The lift assembly includes an actuator configured to adjust the height of the support surface. The actuator includes a housing formed to include first and second cylinders. The actuator further includes a first piston positioned in the first cylinder and a second piston positioned in the second cylinder. The first piston includes a first fluid passage therein. The second piston includes a second fluid passage therein.

Abstract: A wheeled carriage having a patient support deck elevatable by a pair of hydraulic jacks controlled by a foot pedal arrangement. Brakes are provided for the wheels on the wheeled carriage activatable by additional foot pedals.

Abstract: There is provided a bedrest including an inflatable bladder, a compressor assembly and a microprocessor based controller for inflating and deflating the bladder. The compressor assembly has several stages reducing the volume of air. The compressor assembly includes a housing having an air intake, a motor and a centrifugal blower for passing air into a valve assembly. When inflating, the air passes under pressure through the centrifugal blower, past the motor and through a check valve into the valve assembly and through air outlet that is connected to an air supply tube. In a preferred embodiment, the valve assembly is equipped with a solenoid relief valve for use when deflating the bladder. The microprocessor based controller enables an individual to inflate or deflate the bladder to any desired amount with a simple control.

Abstract: A patient-support apparatus includes a base, a patient-support deck, a deck-positioning assembly coupling the patient-support deck to the base, and a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism having a first state to prevent longitudinal movement of the patient-support deck relative to the base, and a second state to allow longitudinal movement of the patient-support deck relative to the base.

Abstract: A spatially-adjustable patient positioning surface (1) of an operating table, for example, is connected to at least two hydraulic cylinders (2, 3, 3′, 24) which are separately controllable by two control elements. The control elements are combined in at least one rotary distributor (26, 27) that is adjustable by means of one common adjustment arrangement (25).

Abstract: An apparatus convertible to a chair or table comprises a support structure; first and second pairs of wheels rotatably supporting the support structure; and a platform supported by the support structure. The platform includes a seat support and a back support. The platform is positionable between a chair configuration and a table configuration. The first pair of wheels have inboard and outboard positions. The first pair of wheels are in the inboard position when the platform is in the table configuration. The first pair of wheels are in the outboard position when the platform is in the chair configuration.

Abstract: A patient support is provided comprising a support surface, a base, and a lift assembly positioned to support the support surface above the base. The lift assembly includes an actuator configured to adjust the height of the support surface. The actuator includes a housing formed to include first and second cylinders. The actuator further includes a first piston positioned in the first cylinder and a second piston positioned in the second cylinder. The first piston includes a first fluid passage therein. The second piston includes a second fluid passage therein.

Abstract: A stretcher includes an elongated base having a head end and a foot end, a plurality of floor-engaging casters rotatably mounted to the base, a radiolucent upper deck, head and foot end hydraulic cylinders coupled to the base adjacent to the head and foot ends thereof, and head and foot end connectors for coupling the head and foot end hydraulic cylinders to the head and foot ends of the upper deck. The head and foot end connectors secure the upper deck to the base while allowing (a) movement of the upper deck between a low position and a high position, (aa) translation of the upper deck toward the foot end of the base, and (aaa) rotation of the upper deck to a Trendelenberg position or to a reverse Trendelenberg position. The head end and foot end hydraulic cylinders are spaced apart to define a central imaging region above the base between the hydraulic cylinders which is free of structure that would interfere with imaging.

Abstract: In order to provide a table and an MR apparatus which allows moving of a cradle and scanning to be simultaneously performed, in a table 55 comprising a table body 57, a cradle 59 provided on the table body 57 and driving means 61 for driving the cradle 59, the driving means 61 has a hydraulic motor (i.e., a driving source utilizing fluid pressure) 69 as a driving source.

Abstract: A bed including a frame, an articulating deck on the frame having head, seat, and foot deck sections, and a mattress on the deck. The deck foot section and mattress foot portion have a first length when the foot section is in the up position and a second length shorter than said first length when the foot section is in the down position. A first driver varies the length of the deck foot section, and a second driver moves the foot section relative to said seat section between the generally horizontal up position and the generally vertically downwardly extending down position.

Abstract: A stretcher for supporting a patient includes an elongated frame having an upper frame and a lower frame having a head end, a foot end, and first and second elongated sides. The stretcher also includes a drive mechanism coupled to the upper frame and to the lower frame for supporting the upper frame above the lower frame and for vertically positioning the upper frame relative to the lower frame between an upward raised position and a downward lowered position.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to support a mattress. The apparatus includes a base platform that is formed to rest on a box spring and to include slots therethrough, a plate hinged to the base platform, and a bladder fastened between the plate and the base platform. In addition, the apparatus includes a fastener mechanism coupled to the plate and adapted to block sliding movement of the mattress relative to the plate and a strap coupled to the base platform. The strap extends through the slots and is configured to extend about the box spring to hold the base platform on the box spring.

Abstract: An invalid bed arrangement with bed pan facility including a bed frame. Also included is a seat assembly for allowing a user to be selectively uprighted. The seat assembly further has a bottom portion with U-shaped cut out formed in an end thereof. Further provided is a leg rest assembly adapted to be selectively positioned remote the seat assembly. The leg rest assembly comprises a U-shaped protrusion, whereby the leg rest assembly may be maneuvered between a first orientation with the leg rest situated adjacent the seat assembly and the U-shaped protrusion thereof engaging the U-shaped cut out of the bottom portion of the seat assembly and a second orientation with the leg rest situated distant the seat assembly. Finally, a bed pan is situated adjacent the U-shaped cut out of the bottom portion of the seat assembly.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for hydraulically actuating a vertically adjustable ambulance lifting table used for receiving thereon a stretcher and adapted to be selectively switched to a cushioned mode of operation comprises a cylinder for actuating the lifting table, a hydraulic accumulator for cushioning the lifting table, a pump, a three-way valve, and a discharge valve connected to a reservoir of the hydraulic system on the outlet side thereof.

Abstract: With reference to FIG. 1 , there is described a support apparatus (1) for supporting a patient at an adjustable position. A handle (5) is provided by which an operator may apply an adjusting force to the support apparatus (2). A locking mechanism (12) retains the support apparatus at a required position. A release mechanism is also provided to release the locking mechanism (12) to allow adjustment. This release mechanism comprises a cable (19), a portion of which extends in proximity to part of the handle (5) so that in use the operator may clasp the cable (19) to the handle (5) thereby to pull the cable (19) and activate the release mechanism.

Abstract: A patient transfer trolley has a pivoted top mounted at the upper end of an hydraulic support column of adjustable height. Two hydraulic cylinders connected to one end of the table top are connected to respective hydraulic pumps mounted at opposite ends of the trolley base so that angle of the top can be altered and either end can be put into a Trendelenburg position. A third pump is connected to both the support column and the cylinders for adjusting the angle of the top. An overpressure valve diverts pressure from the third pump initially to the cylinders for adjusting the angle so that the top is returned to a horizontal position. The valve then opens to allow pressure to flow to the support column and raise the trolley top.

Abstract: A method for converting a patient bed or chair to a patient manipulating device by selecting a kit including a subframe having a central hinge plate carrying a pair of left and right articulated wing support devices for complementary conformity to the underlying support surface. An opening is cut in the back support of the bed and chair, the subframe installed thereover and a pair of left and right actuators inserted behind such support surface and coupled with such wing devices to selectively raise the respective wings upwardly relative to the sub-frame and patient support surface.

Abstract: A nursing bed having a plurality of mattress sections. Each mattress section is independently adjustable in the vertical direction and tiltable in the lateral direction of the human body.

Abstract: A patient support table utilized when a target such as the circulatory organs of a patient is radiographed with an X-ray camera includes a hydraulic multi-stage piston-cylinder unit of which the top piston is driven in the vertical direction by at least two stages for supporting the patient for a sufficient distal mounted upright on the base of the table; a drive unit for driving the pistons in the axial direction; a multi-stage supporting device of which top moves together with the top of the piston-cylinder unit by at least two stages for supporting an overhanging load exerted by the patient, mounted upright on the base beside the piston-cylinder unit; and, a table top supported by the piston-cylinder unit and the support device, for supporting a patient lying on its surface.

Abstract: An operating table with a support column (12) and a patient support surface means (14) removably mounted on the column, which patient support means includes a base section (16) releasably connectable with the support column (12) and at least one further support surface providing section (18, 20) pivotally connected with the base section (16), which further section is pivotally movable by means of a drive mechanism relative to the base section (16), the operating table being so designed that the drive mechanism has at least one pressure medium actuatable positioning cylinder (26) and that a pressure medium pump (30) for actuating the positioning cylinder (26) is arranged on the patient support surface means (14).

Abstract: A surgical operating table has a cover resiliently supported on a base assembly and microswitches that detect displacement of the cover to prevent lowering of the patient support platform. The base assembly has a castor plate and a base plate which is lowered to brake movement of the table over the floor. A pneumatic tube around the base plate senses the presence of an object under the plate and causes the plate to be raised. A tilt switch in a leaf of the platform prevents angular displacement of the platform when its angle exceeds a safe limit.

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: A portable device for facilitating the performance of radiographic procedures. The device has a free-standing base; a patient support table with a substantially flat torso support surface; structure mounting the table to the base for selective movement relative to the base between (a) a first operating position wherein the torso support surface is in a substantially horizontal orientation to support a patient in a prone position and (b) a set-up/second operating position in which the torso support surface is substantially vertically oriented so that a patient in an upright position can lean against the torso support surface; and structure for fixing the position of the table relative to the base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic table for the treatment of spinal ailments which consists of a horizontal platform or table divided into three segments. An upper segment supports the patient's torso and head, a center segment supports the pelvic region of the patient and a lower segment supports the legs of the patient. The patient, while lying on his or her back, is securedly strapped to the upper and center segments, whereupon the center segment is caused to move upward diagonally at approximately a 45 degree angle. This linear, angled motion, which is reciprocally repeated, results in simultaneous arching and tractioning of the patient's spine, thereby decompressing the vertebrae and providing therapeutic treatment.

Abstract: An operating table or the like has a platform supported by a hydraulically adjustable column. Castors contact the floor through apertures in a base plate that supports a guide wheel. Application of hydraulic fluid to raise the platform causes the base plate to be lowered first to an intermediate position in which the guide wheel contacts the floor. Additional hydraulic pressure brings the base plate into contact with the floor so that the table is braked before the platform rises.

Abstract: An apparatus for patient elevation above a fluidized surface includes a web of filter sheet material disposed beneath the patient and between the patient and the main filter sheet that covers the fluidized surface. The web is loosely mounted about a pair of support rods which are connected via a pair of splice bar linkages to a pair of dual acting hydraulic cylinders. Activation of the cylinders causes the two rods to separate from one another. The separation takes up the slack in the web and renders it taut about the two support rods. Further activation of the cylinders elevates the two support rods above the fluidized surface by pivoting them through the splice bar linkages. This raises the web and the patient supported on the web. A solenoid valve is provided in the hydraulic circuit to enable rapid lowering of the support rods and the web when an emergency procedure such as CPR must be administered to the patient.

Abstract: Bedding configurations are disclosed having supporting surfaces the firmness of which may be selectively adjustable by remote control means, providing for a supporting surface which may be quickly and easily adjusted by a user for maximum comfort. Various air chambers, cylinders, and tubes are disclosed for use in the central or "lumbar" portions of the mattresses of such bedding configurations, which may be selectively inflated or deflated in order to provide corresponding firmness levels. In a preferred embodiment a body support is comprised of an array of barrel-shaped coils that define elongate gaps at their top and bottom portions, with an elongate, inflatable tube positioned at least in the gaps defined in the top portion of the body support.

Abstract: An adjustable care bed includes a base frame which supports a mattress frame. The mattress frame includes a head section, a seat or intermediate section and a foot or leg section all of which are pivotally interconnected. A first link and positioner subassembly interconnects the head section with the seat section. A second link and positioner subassembly interconnects the seat section with the leg or foot section. Each link and positioner subassembly includes a link fixed to one of the sections and having a free end. A bracket is fixed to the intermediate section. An elongated rod has an end pivoted to the bracket and a free end which extends through a lock housing. The lock housing is pivoted to the free end of the fixed link. A lock mechanism selectively locks or positions the rod with respect to the lock housing. The bed further includes an extendable caster subassembly, and a hi/low mechanism for raising the mattress frame with respect to the base frame, and a leg lift mechanism.

Abstract: An automatic care-taking system for a bed-ridden patient comprising a bed body having three rectangular, horizontally disposed bed plates arrayed on a bed frame in planar relationship to each other, the three bed plates being pivotally connected to each other, the first bed plate to the second bed plate and the second bed plate to the third bed plate. The pivotally connected bed plates are adapted to be driven by bars and rockable rods. When the rod connecting the first and second bed plates is driven, the first and second bed plates tilt to form a V-shape while the third bed plate remains horizontal. When the bar connecting the second and third bed plates is driven, the second and third bed plates tilt to form a V-shape while the first bed plate remains in a horizontal position.