A mattress system is provided that is optimized for the hospital setting and includes a guiderail system that accepts a variety of accessories for attachment thereto. The guiderail system may have integrated data lines, power lines, gas lines, and/or fluid lines. Also provided are radioabsorbant shields, trays and other components designed for optimal use with the mattress system.

A method of securing a patient onto an operating table when the patient is in a position such as the trendelenburg position and apparatus therefor including a kit. A viscoelastic pad is used to support and hold a patient on a medical procedure table during a medical procedure performed while the table, and thus the patient lying thereon, is in an inclined position, such as the Trendelenburg position. The viscoelastic pad has characteristics which promote a minimization of pressure forces on the patient's body, as well as promote a secure cushioning and holding of the patient in a desired position on the table, in order to minimize injury to the patient.

Method and system allowing more accurate detection and identification of unwanted arcing include novel processing of signal voltage representing recovered power-line current. In one implementation, arc-faults are detected based on numerical analysis where individual cycles of line voltage and current are observed and data collected during each cycle is processed to estimate likelihood of presence of arc-event within each individual cycle based on pre-defined number of arc-events occurring within pre-defined number of contiguous cycles. In another implementation, fast transient current spikes detection can be done by: computing difference values between consecutive line-current samples collected over a cycle, average of differences, and peak-to-peak value of line-current; comparing each difference value to average of difference; comparing each difference value to peak-to-peak value; and, based on calculation of composite of two comparisons, using thresholds to determine if arcing is present within processed cycle.

Various embodiments concern locking release mechanisms that allow an articulated support arm to be moved between various vertical orientations. A locking release mechanism may include a handle release mechanism positioned within the handle of the articulated support arm, and a gas spring release mechanism positioned within the body of the articulated support arm. The articulated support arm can include a gas spring that remains locked until the handle release mechanism is activated, e.g. by applying pressure to a grip actuator. Other embodiments concern cable management techniques for articulated support arms. Oftentimes, an articulated support arm will include cables routed through the arm that are configured to support an attachment. For example, the cable(s) may be adapted for audio signals, video signals, power, etc. The cable(s) can be readily cleaned and/or serviced when routed through an articulated support arm composed of one or more removable pieces.

A method of securing a patient onto an operating table when the patient is in a position such as the trendelenburg position and apparatus therefor including a kit. A viscoelastic pad is used to support and hold a patient on a medical procedure table during a medical procedure performed while the table, and thus the patient lying thereon, is in an inclined position, such as the Trendelenburg position. The viscoelastic pad has characteristics which promote a minimization of pressure forces on the patient's body, as well as promote a secure cushioning and holding of the patient in a desired position on the table, in order to minimize injury to the patient.

A movement-tolerant wiring arrangement for, among other things, a stand device configured for arrangement in an operating room incorporates a mounting apparatus for movement-tolerant mounting of at least one line, for example a cable, about an axis of rotation between two connection components that are displaceable, such as being twistable, relative to one another; and a fastening apparatus for arranging the at least one line relative to one of the connection components, for example at a socket of the stand device; wherein the mounting apparatus is fixable to the fastening apparatus and configured for movement-tolerant, such as, rotation-tolerant guidance of the at least one line about the axis of rotation and/or in the direction at least approximately parallel to the axis of rotation. Furthermore, a rotary joint, a socket or a stand device, respectively, can incorporate such a wiring arrangement, and can use of such a wiring arrangement at a stand device, for example, in the operating room.

A method of securing a patient onto an operating table when the patient is in a position such as the trendelenburg position and apparatus therefor including a kit. A viscoelastic pad is used to support and hold a patient on a medical procedure table during a medical procedure performed while the table, and thus the patient lying thereon, is in an inclined position, such as the Trendelenburg position. The viscoelastic pad has characteristics which promote a minimization of pressure forces on the patient's body, as well as promote a secure cushioning and holding of the patient in a desired position on the table, in order to minimize injury to the patient.

A method of securing a patient onto an operating table when the patient is in a position such as the trendelenburg position or in a non-inclined position and apparatus therefor including a kit, which kit comprises a viscoelastic pad structured to be used to support and hold a patient on a medical procedure table during a medical procedure performed while the table, and thus the patient lying thereon, is in an inclined position, such as the Trendelenburg position or in a non-inclined position. The viscoelastic pad has characteristics which promote a minimization of pressure forces on the patient's body, as well as promote a secure cushioning and holding of the patient in a desired position on the table; said pad structure being in combination with a cleaning device configured to clean an operating instrument, in order to minimize injury to the patient.

Various embodiments concern locking release mechanisms that allow an articulated support arm to be moved between various vertical orientations. A locking release mechanism may include a handle release mechanism positioned within the handle of the articulated support arm, and a gas spring release mechanism positioned within the body of the articulated support arm. The articulated support arm can include a gas spring that remains locked until the handle release mechanism is activated, e.g. by applying pressure to a grip actuator. Other embodiments concern cable management techniques for articulated support arms. Oftentimes, an articulated support arm will include cables routed through the arm that are configured to support an attachment. For example, the cable(s) may be adapted for audio signals, video signals, power, etc. The cable(s) can be readily cleaned and/or serviced when routed through an articulated support arm composed of one or more removable pieces.

Method and system allowing more accurate detection and identification of unwanted arcing include novel processing of signal voltage representing recovered power-line current. In one implementation, arc-faults are detected based on numerical analysis where individual cycles of line voltage and current are observed and data collected during each cycle is processed to estimate likelihood of presence of arc-event within each individual cycle based on pre-defined number of arc-events occurring within pre-defined number of contiguous cycles. In another implementation, fast transient current spikes detection can be done by: computing difference values between consecutive line-current samples collected over a cycle, average of differences, and peak-to-peak value of line-current; comparing each difference value to average of difference; comparing each difference value to peak-to-peak value; and, based on calculation of composite of two comparisons, using thresholds to determine if arcing is present within processed cycle.