A rotating and articulating bed has a fixed bed frame, a rotation assembly mounted on the fixed bed frame, a pivot assembly mounted on the rotation assembly and an articulating bed frame mounted on the pivot assembly. The articulating bed frame contains a plurality of pivotally connected distinct portions. The rotation assembly rotates the pivot assembly and the articulating bed frame with respect to the fixed bed frame on a plurality of discrete wheel bearings around a vertical axis passing through the rotating and articulating bed. The articulating bed frame articulates the distinct portions and the pivot assembly tilts the articulating bed frame with respect to a horizontal plane that is perpendicular to the vertical axis independent of rotation by the rotation assembly and articulation by the articulating bed frame.

Patient-support systems and apparatuses for supporting patients, including for example hospital beds.

A patient support apparatus (20) including a patient support surface (22) and a repositioning mechanism (24) for vertically and angularly repositioning the surface (22). The apparatus (20) including sensors (84) for automatically detecting and inhibiting attempts to vertically reposition the surface (22) when it is at a particular angular position, and attempts to angularly reposition the surface (22) when it is at a particular vertical position. The apparatus (20) also includes a tilt control system (88) for limiting the extent to which head or foot ends (36,38) of the surface (22) can be angularly repositioned, a scale (92) and a warning system (120) for communicating a warning when a change in the weight on the surface (22) is indicative of a patient moving or attempting to move off of the surface (22), a sensor (122) for detecting an increase in amperage during an operation and stopping the operation, and an ability to update microcontroller programming via a controller area network bus (102).

A number of patient beds are disclosed. Some patient beds have siderails that are movable by a patient so that the patient can egress from the bed without interference from the siderails. Various caregiver control panels and patient control panels for controlling features and functions of a patient bed are also disclosed. For example, a cart with caregiver control inputs, including hand inputs on a graphical user interface (GUI) and foot inputs, is disclosed. Patient positioning and transfer devices are also disclosed. Various types of in-bed physical therapy devices are also disclosed.

A patient bed has a siderail that is movable to a raised position elevated over a central region of a mattress of the patient bed for use as part of a patient lift of the patient bed. In a lowered position, the siderail blocks egress of a patient from the mattress. In the raised position of the siderail, a sling arm is coupleable to the siderail and a sling is coupleable to hooks of the sling arm.

The bed consists of a frame, mattress platform and removable bed guard assembly. The bed guard assembly includes a main support which at the lower end has a mounting for connection to the bed, a guard permanently fixed to the main support and a locking mechanism for fixing the main support in relation to the bed. The locking mechanism is located inside the guard assembly and includes a sleeve and blocking element which moves between two positions. In one position the blocking element engages in the sleeve, and in the second position the blocking element is released from the sleeve, where in one of these positions it allows the movement of the main support in relation to the sleeve, and in the second of these positions it prevents the movement of the main support in relation to the sleeve, the movement of the blocking element of the locking mechanism is controlled by the actuator.

A first transport apparatus includes a deck for supporting a patient thereon and a lift mechanism supporting the deck. The deck is removable from the lift mechanism for use as a second transport apparatus or part of a second transport apparatus. The first transport apparatus further includes an electrically powered device at the first transport apparatus, and a user input device for wireless control of the electrically powered device, which is operable at or near the first transport apparatus and the second transport apparatus.

An MRI compatible stretcher has a plurality of non-magnetically susceptible and electrically conductive metal members in physically overlapping sections, each having electrically non-conductive spacers separating the overlapping sections to prevent electrical conductivity there between. The insulators break electrical conductivity and thereby prevent the formation of large and continuous metal current loops, while the overlap ensures continuous metal strength and integrity. In particular embodiments, flanges terminate longitudinally extensive metal members, and the electrically non-conductive spacers separate the flanges from adjacent metal members. Fasteners secure the flanges, spacers and adjacent metal members together.

Extendable mobility assistance devices for use with a bed are disclosed herein. The mobility assistance devices include base legs that are inserted between a mattress and a box spring and a support rail that extends upward from the base legs. The support rail has an adjustable longitudinal dimension. The support rail and base legs are configured to be reversibly arranged in a first orientation or a second orientation, for use on either side of a bed.

A patient support apparatus (20) including a patient support surface (22) and a repositioning mechanism (24) for vertically and angularly repositioning the surface (22). The apparatus (20) including sensors (84) for automatically detecting and inhibiting attempts to vertically reposition the surface (22) when it is at a particular angular position, and attempts to angularly reposition the surface (22) when it is at a particular vertical position. The apparatus (20) also includes a tilt control system (88) for limiting the extent to which head or foot ends (36,38) of the surface (22) can be angularly repositioned, a scale (92) and a warning system (120) for communicating a warning when a change in the weight on the surface (22) is indicative of a patient moving or attempting to move off of the surface (22), a sensor (122) for detecting an increase in amperage during an operation and stopping the operation, and an ability to update microcontroller programming via a controller area network bus (102).