Abstract: A support pin matrix features a number of support pins densely two dimensionally arrayed and individually springily suspended such that a patient's body or body portions may be bedded directly on the support pins. The pins are preferably pressurized by a fluid pressure system for highly balanced contact pressure irrespective the individual pins' load deflection. A control system may provide a pin retraction wave of the support pins. A body resting surface accessing device may be moved across the support pin matrix and beneath a bedded patient in conjunction with the pin retraction wave. The resting surface accessing device may be configured for cleaning, drying, inspecting, irradiating, and/or massaging the body resting surface and/or for maintaining the body support pin matrix. A body carrying net may be retracted and raised in between the body support pins to lift the patient off the support pin matrix.

Abstract: A preferred patient examination table (10) includes a selectively engageable, pivot mechanism (14) allowing the table (10) to be pivoted about an upright pivot axis (98) in order to position the table (10) as needed for ready access to examination equipment (88) by performing a procedure with either a left or right hand.

Abstract: A sectional bed (10) having a bedframe (34), a mattress section holder (16) attached to the bedframe (34) and a number of independent mattress sections (14) for support, removably attachable to the mattress section holder (16). A traveling frame (36) movably connected to the bed (10) and a shuttle (48) connected to the traveling frame (36) for use in removing and replacing each of the several independent mattress sections (14) are provided. By this means, the ability to independently separately remove sections of the bed (10) is provided. As a result, this present invention eliminates and/or alleviates four of the major problems associated with the care of bedridden patients; those being: 1) bedsores; 2) bedpan usage; 3) linen changing; and 4) patient bathing.

Abstract: A sleep support surface includes a mattress having at least two bladders located adjacent a foot end. The bladders each have a predetermined, adjustable internal pressure. The pressure in at least one of the bladders is selectively and independently reduced to provide pressure relief on the heels of the patient lying on the mattress. The pressure in a bladder located toward the head end of the mattress and adjacent the at least one bladder is increased. This pressure increase advantageously provides the lifting force under the calves of the patient to reduce further pressure on the patient's heels. A visual indication of the location each of the at least two bladders in the mattress is provided to facilitate selection of the at least one bladder in which to reduce pressure during the pressure reducing step, thereby providing pressure relief on the heels of the patient lying on the mattress.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing or treating bed sores is disclosed which includes a mattress arrangement having a mattress and depressing means for depressing from underneath the mattress at least one area in the mattress to relieve pressure on at least one bed sore area of a patient. The depressing means includes at least one depression pad connected to a cable threaded through the mattress and attached to a pulling means. Further, a plurality of depression pads can be used to alternatively tilt the patient to relieve pressure from a bed sore area and may be used in conjunction with a mattress raising means to further tilt the patient. An optional conveyor sheet is provided for positioning the patient over the various depressed areas and/or for transferring the patient off the mattress to a wheelchair or other support area.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multipurpose sickbed including a head section which may be pivotally raised at a front end to form an inclination by means of a first control mechanism, a middle section which can be lowered by means of a fifth control mechanism to form a recess for accommodating a bedpan or a urinal, a rear section which may be pivotally raised at a rear end to form an inclination by means of a third control mechanism to more comfortably support the patient's feet; the head and the middle sections both consisting of a plurality of alternately disposed fixed boards and movable boards such that the movable boards may be lowered by a second control mechanism to disengage from the fixed boards to facilitate air ventilation of the sickbed; and all the head, middle, and rear sections being divided into a left and a right halves such that all the left halves can be synchronously inward inclined or all the right halves can be synchronously inward inclined to help the patient to either comfortably lie on his/her left s

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing the development of bed sores, and once developed, successfully treating them, composed partly of an rigid elongate member which is transversely disposed across a hospital bed, wherein each end of the elongate member is engaged with a respective side rail of the hospital bed. The apparatus is further composed partly of a depression member which substantially vertically depends from the elongate member so as to depressably abut the mattress of the hospital bed. The depression member may be selectively located anywhere along the elongate member, and is preferably held abuttingly with respect to the elongate member by a frictional interface therebetween.

Abstract: A patient-supporting bed (20) especially adapted for cardiac sonography is provided which includes a frame assembly (22) and mattress (24) which are configured to present a pair of marginal, axially offset access openings (49, 54) and a corresponding pair of shiftable bed filler sections (26, 28) disposed within the openings (49, 54). Each of the sections (26, 28) includes a latching assembly (86) serving to normally maintain each of the sections (26, 28) in an upper, generally horizontal position so that the bed (20) presents a generally horizontal and uninterrupted patient-supporting top surface. A patient is positioned on the bed with the patient's heart region located generally above the first filler section (26). The sonographer then manipulates the associated latching assembly (86), allowing the section (26) to pivot downwardly and thus expose an access opening (49). The second filler section (28) is similarly manipulated to expose the opening (54).