A support cushion to ameliorate the incidence of pressure ulcers, the support cushion comprising: an open or closed cell support structure; at least one cavity formed within the support structure; at least one vibrational device located within at least one of the cavities and imparting vibration to the support structure; a controller controlling operation of the vibrational device to adjust one or more of intensity, duration and location of vibrations in a predetermined manner according to one of a number of selected programmes, and at least one sensor adapted to map a pressure (weight) distribution map of a user. The support cushion may be adjustable in vibration intensity, duration, and location depending on the mapped pressure distribution. The mapped pressure distribution and history of vibrational intensity, duration, and location may also be logged for diagnosis and treatment purposes.

A person support apparatus includes a base, a controller, and a barrier having at least one electrical device. The base includes mounting structures for releasably mounting the barrier to the base. A first electrical connector is in communication with the at least one electrical device and mounted to the barrier. A second electrical connector is in communication with the controller and mounted at one of the mounting structures for connection with the first electrical connector when the barrier is mounted to the base at the mounting structures.

A load cell apparatus for use with a bed includes a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion, and a load cell device held by the bottom portion of the housing. The load cell device is structured to generate a signal having a magnitude that is proportional to a first force being applied to the load cell device. The load cell apparatus also includes a button member held by the housing in a manner wherein the button member is structured to engage the load cell device and apply the first force to the load cell device in response to a second force being applied to the top portion of the housing. Also, various systems for monitoring parameters such as weight, sleep quality, fall risk, and/or pressure sore risk that may incorporate such a load cell apparatus.

An automated system and methods are provided for coordinating a transfer of a patient between patient support apparatuses. The method can include establishing communication between a transferring patient support apparatus and a receiving patient support apparatus. The method can further include adjusting a position of at least one of the receiving patient support apparatus and the transferring patient support apparatus. The method can include locating and aligning the receiving patient support apparatus adjacent the transferring patient support apparatus.

Described herein is a smart bed system, which includes a number of different elements that operate together or may operate independently in connection with an existing conventional bed frame and/or mattress. Bed system includes an inclinable bed apparatus, which is configured to be situated on an existing bed frame or mattress and provide selective inclining/reclining of a patient or user. A sensor mat system is adapted to be situated on mattress. Sensor mat system includes a plurality of different layers to sense the position and movement of a patient. An inflatable bladder system includes a plurality of inflatable cells for selectively adjusting the position or pressure experienced by a patient using bed system. A support rail system supports a user in a bed. A microcontroller performs various control and data processing operations associated with system. User input for various controls of system may be provided from a remote control, which is in data communication with microcontroller.

A configuration for moving a bed, in particular a care bed, sick bed, or intensive-care bed, from a horizontal position into an inclined position with respect to the longitudinal sides of the bed. A receiving device for receiving the bed and a stand device for ensuring a stable stand of the configuration are operatively connected via an adjusting mechanism which inclines the receiving device relative to the stand device. The verticalization process is decoupled from the respective existing bed and thus allows a large degree of flexibility for care personnel during a routine therapy session, allowing a safe and comfortable therapy for a patient confined to a bed. The configuration according to the invention is suitable for both a new installation as well as for retrofitting medical and/or care device equipment and advantageously saves on the otherwise necessary expenditures on beds with their own verticalization mechanism.

A user module for a patient support apparatus is provided. The user module has a user interface operably coupled thereto. The user interface includes an input device and an output device. The output device includes a visual display including textual and non-textual elements. The non-textual elements include enhanced, graphical, and animated portions relating to one or more operational features of the patient support or to a person positionable on the patient support. The input device includes one or more touch sensors corresponding to defined regions of the visual display.

An assistance device that enables a caregiver or care receiver to understand a degree to which a load is applied in the front-rear direction of a body supporting member. The assistance device includes: the body supporting member configured to support the upper body of the care receiver; a load detecting device provided on the body supporting member and configured to detect a load applied by the care receiver; and a display device configured to display an extent to which a load is applied to the body supporting member in a front-rear direction of the body supporting member based on the load detected by the load detecting device.

An adjustable patient support apparatus comprises a base, a support frame, and a patient support deck. The patient support deck comprises articulating deck sections, such as a leg section, seat section, and a back section pivotally coupled together. One or more actuators may be configured to move the leg and/or back section between a lowered position and one or more raised positions. The seat section may include one or more articulating seats to assist with ingress and egress from the patient support apparatus. The one or more seats may be articulated manually or electrically via a lever or actuator.

A patient support apparatus, such as a hospital bed, communicates with an electronic medical record (EMR) system in healthcare facility. The hospital bed includes a patient support structure to support a patient, a graphical user interface coupled to the patient support structure, and control circuitry coupled to the graphical user interface. The graphical user interface displays at least one input that may be used by a caregiver to chart data into an electronic medical record (EMR) of a patient supported by the patient support structure.