A method for reprocessing a patient positing system, the system comprising inflatable device and a high-friction pad configured to attach to the inflatable device. The method includes removing the high-friction pad from the inflatable device, at least one of cleaning or sterilizing the inflatable device, and providing a replacement for at least one component of the patient positioning system.

Support pad assemblies and person support apparatuses are disclosed. A person support apparatus includes a base frame, a longitudinal frame coupled to the base frame, and a support deck supported on the longitudinal frame. The longitudinal frame extends in a longitudinal direction and the support deck is adjustable from a planar configuration to a concave configuration or a convex configuration.

A system for supporting a patient on an inclined surface includes an inflatable device. The inflatable device includes a top sheet of material connected to a bottom sheet of material, the top sheet and the bottom sheet defining a cavity to be inflated, wherein the bottom sheet of material is configured to permit air to pass from the cavity to the exterior of the device and to flow between a bottom surface of the device and a support surface upon which the device is configured to rest, and an input configured for receiving air to inflate the device. The system further includes a high-friction pad configured to attach to the top sheet of material, and at least one attachment system configured to maintain the device on a support surface.

The presence or absence of objects (e.g., medical implements, medical supplies) tagged with transponders may be determined in an environment in which medical procedures (e.g., surgery) are performed via an interrogation and detection system which includes a controller and a plurality of antennas positioned along a patient support structure. The antennas may, for example, be positioned along an operating table, bed, a mattress or pad or a sheet and may be radiolucent. Respective antennas may successively be activated to transmit interrogation signals. Multiple antennas may be monitored for responses from transponders to the interrogation signals. For example, all antennas other than the antenna that transmitted the most recent interrogation signal may be monitored.

A head restraining device is provided for securing a patient's head to a bed. The head restraining device has a frame, a lower compliant support strap, and an upper compliant support strap. The frame has a first anchor assembly, a second anchor assembly, and a connecting mechanism for connecting the frame to the bed. The compliant support straps have a first end and a second end and support a portion of the patient's head. The first end of the upper compliant support strap and the first end of the lower compliant support strap are securable by the first anchor assembly and the second end of the upper compliant support strap and the second end of the lower compliant support strap are securable by the second anchor assembly. The head restraining device may be used for any surgical procedure where head fixation is needed.

An actuating system including at least one actuation section that includes a plurality of actuating supports. Each of the actuating supports includes a shaft assembly and configured to be actuated individually. The shaft assembly of each of the plurality of actuating supports is configured to translate between a first position and a second position. In the first position an actuated actuating support is aligned with the remaining of the plurality of actuating supports and in the second position the actuated actuating support is misaligned with the remaining of the plurality of actuating supports.

A method for positioning a patient in a prone position including the following steps: positioning a patient in a supine position, attaching to the chest of the patient an inflatable chest cushion in a deflated state, attaching to the pelvic region of the patient an inflatable pelvis cushion in a deflated state, transferring the patient from the supine position to a prone position, with the chest cushion attached to the chest and the pelvic cushion attached to the pelvic region and the patient in the prone position, inflating the chest cushion and the pelvis cushion, thereby providing that the chest cushion and the pelvis cushion together bear the weight of the torso of the patient with the abdominal region of the patient being decompressed. The method provides reliable positioning the patient, which is safe for the patient and safe, hygienic and user friendly for the medical team.

A system for securely positioning a cervical spine during surgery includes a donut-shaped frame to receive and hold a patient's head, straps integrated into the donut-shaped frame to securely hold a patient's head within the harness at least one of a patient's chin and forehead, a rubber bladder can integrated with the harness locatable beneath a patient's neck, and a pump to provide air into the rubber bladder. Air pumped into the rubber bladder by the pump can cause a patient's neck to be lifted into an arch in preparation for and during cervical spine surgery. A release valve can be provided to release air from the rubber bladder and lower a patient's neck during and after surgery. Rods can be integrated into the donut-shaped frame at each side of the rubber bladder. The rods can affix the harness to an operating table.

A radiolucent circumduction joint that has one, two, or three degrees of axis move movement about a central point that is able to mirror human joint movement.

Apparatus and methods related to an underbody support for supporting a body of a being, such as during surgery to prevent contact pressure injuries. In certain embodiments, the underbody support may include one or more inflatable chambers enclosing a volume. At least one of the inflatable chambers may include one or more compression sensitive switches for monitoring the volume of the inflatable chamber, and the one or more compression sensitive switches may be located within the inflatable chamber. In some embodiments the one or more compression sensitive switches are sized to close when the said inflatable chamber is deflated to a desired residual volume.