A variable-pressure support, a patient bed having such a variable-pressure support, and a method for operating such a variable-pressure support. A plurality of supporting elements is provided. A guiding arrangement is provided which has two guides arranged opposite one another in a transverse direction and extend in a longitudinal direction. The supporting elements are movably mounted at opposite ends in the guides.

A variable-pressure support, a patient bed having such a variable-pressure support, and a method for operating such a variable-pressure support. A plurality of supporting elements is provided. A guiding arrangement is provided which has two guides arranged opposite one another in a transverse direction and extend in a longitudinal direction. The supporting elements are movably mounted at opposite ends in the guides.

This invention relates to a pressure relieving mattress including an elongate support 11 having a base 12, a pressure relieving overlay 15 and an inflatable inlay 16. The inlay 16 has a plurality of laterally extending inflatable cells 23. At least some of the cells, in at least their un-inflated state, have an inflatable volume which is wider adjacent its ends than its mid portion. This reduces the likelihood of gaps appearing between the pressure overlay and the walls of the tray.

A patient support apparatus includes a cushion, a cover arranged over a top side of the cushion, and a sensor unit. The sensor unit is coupled to the cover and arranged to underlie a patient supported on the cover. The sensor unit includes a sensor configured to detect conditions near the interface of a patient's skin with the cover.

A patient support apparatus includes a cushion, a cover arranged over a top side of the cushion, and a sensor unit. The sensor unit is coupled to the cover and arranged to underlie a patient supported on the cover. The sensor unit includes a sensor configured to detect conditions near the interface of a patient's skin with the cover.

A mattress overlay apparatus is provided for use with a mattress. The mattress overlay apparatus includes an overlay configured for placement atop the mattress and having a plurality of inflatable bladders, a blower, and first and second rotary plate valves pneumatically coupled to the plurality of bladders and the blower. The first and second rotary plate valves are arranged in series between the plurality of bladders and the blower. The first and second rotary plate valves and the blower are operated to provide the overlay with percussion and vibration (P&V), left and right turn assist, and microclimate management (MCM) functionality.

A system for monitoring medical conditions including pressure ulcers, pressure-induced ischemia and related medical conditions comprises at least one sensor adapted to detect one or more patient characteristic including at least position, orientation, temperature, acceleration, moisture, resistance, stress, heart rate, respiration rate, and blood oxygenation, a host for processing the data received from the sensors together with historical patient data to develop an assessment of patient condition and suggested course of treatment, including either suspending or adjusting turn schedule based on various types of patient movement. Compliance with Head-of-Bed protocols can also be performed based on actual patient position instead of being inferred from bed elevation angle. The sensor can include bi-axial or tri-axial accelerometers, as well as resistive, inductive, capacitive, magnetic and other sensing devices, depending on whether the sensor is located on the patient or the support surface, and for what purpose.

A system for monitoring medical conditions including pressure ulcers, pressure-induced ischemia and related medical conditions comprises at least one sensor adapted to detect one or more patient characteristic including at least position, orientation, temperature, acceleration, moisture, resistance, stress, heart rate, respiration rate, and blood oxygenation, a host for processing the data received from the sensors together with historical patient data to develop an assessment of patient condition and suggested course of treatment, including either suspending or adjusting turn schedule based on various types of patient movement. Compliance with Head-of-Bed protocols can also be performed based on actual patient position instead of being inferred from bed elevation angle. The sensor can include bi-axial or tri-axial accelerometers, as well as resistive, inductive, capacitive, magnetic and other sensing devices, depending on whether the sensor is located on the patient or the support surface, and for what purpose.

A medical battery module for vacuum mattresses and heating mats includes a battery compartment and a battery that is removable from and insertable into the battery compartment. The battery is electrically connectable or connected to a heating support of the vacuum mattress or of the heating mat. The battery compartment is padded with a shock-resistant material and the shock-resistant material is at least partly sheathed by a liquid-repellent film. The battery module is either separate from the heating support or lies on the heating support.

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.