A system includes an inflatable device having a top sheet of material and a bottom sheet of material, wherein the top sheet of material is connected to the bottom sheet of material thereby defining a cavity therebetween to be inflated. The device further includes a plurality of passages in the bottom sheet extending from the cavity to an exterior of the device, wherein the passages are configured to permit air to pass from the cavity to the exterior of the device. The inflatable device further includes a plurality of inflation-limiting members connecting the top sheet to the bottom sheet, and an input configured for receiving air to inflate the device. The system further includes an absorbent body pad configured to be positioned between the top sheet of material and a patient positioned on the inflatable device.

A sleep apparatus, such as a mattress, comprises a head support surface sized to support a person's head, and a torso support surface sized to support a person's torso. The head support surface is generally laterally sloped moving from a first side toward a second side of the mattress, and the torso support surface is generally laterally sloped moving from the first side toward the second side. In some embodiments, the lateral slope of the head support surface is at least about 15°, the lateral slope of the head support surface is greater than the lateral slope of the torso support surface, and/or, the sleep apparatus slopes in the longitudinal direction as well.

A patient support system includes independently adjustable end columns supporting a centrally hinged, jointed or breaking patient support structure. At least one column includes a powered rotation assembly. The patient support includes at least two sections. A coordinated drive system provides for both upwardly and downwardly breaking or jointed orientations of the two sections in various inclined and tilted positions. Cable, cantilevered and pull-rod systems are included.

Guard rail for a bed, guide rack for a guard rail and a bed with such guard rail The invention relates to a guard rail with bars intended for extending along a side of the bed. Guide racks are arranged along opposing ends of the bars. The guide racks include fastening means for securing the guide racks to the bed. Each end of the bars is adapted for engaging a suspension element. Each of the guide racks has a hook at a top position of the guide rack. A top suspension element has a pawl capable of engaging and disengaging the hook of the guide rack. Between a top suspension element and a neighbouring lower suspension element, a connecting element is provided, having a variable extension and a maximum extension between the top suspension element and the neighbouring first lower suspension element. The invention also relates to a guide rack, a method of operating the guard rail and to a bed with a guard rail.

A lateral rotation apparatus may include a person support surface having a head segment and a torso segment. An adjustable leg may have a head support positioned below the head segment. The adjustable leg may have a torso support positioned below the torso segment. The head support may be adjustable to rotate the head segment. The torso support may be adjustable to rotate the torso segment. A linkage assembly may be coupled to the head support and the torso support. The linkage assembly may have a sliding link that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The sliding link may also be rotatable between a first rotational position and a second rotational position. An actuator is operable to move the sliding link.

A mattress structure including a base, an air bag structure and a fluid driving device is provided. The air bag structure is disposed on the base. The air bag structure includes a plurality of independent sub air bag structures. A plurality of supporting structures are disposed in each of the sub air bag structures. The fluid driving device is connected to the sub air bag structures so as so inject fluid to the sub air bag structures selectively. When the fluid driving device injects the fluid to at least one of the sub air bag structures so as to make the at least one of the sub air bag structures expand, each of the supporting structure is connected to two opposite surfaces of the expanded sub air bag structure.

A method of rotating a subject includes arranging a lifting aid underneath the subject such that a midline of the subject is off center from a centerline of the lifting aid in a direction opposite of the rotation direction. The lifting aid includes a first loop extending in the rotation direction and a second loop extending in the opposite direction. The method further includes connecting the loops to a sling bar coupled to an overhead lift and directing the overhead lift to raise, where the subject rotates towards the direction of rotation due to the off center location of the subject. The method further includes repositioning the subject when the subject has rotated to a lateral recumbent position and directing the overhead lift to lower, thereby causing the subject to continue rotating.

A patient turning sheet includes a flexible rectangular bottom sheet that has a surface area sized to support the majority of the body of a person lying on the patient turning sheet. A flexible rectangular top sheet is sewn to the bottom sheet and has a surface area less than the surface area of the bottom sheet. The top sheet is sewn to the bottom sheet, offset toward the head end of the turning sheet to be positioned at the area of maximum contact and load of the patient on the turning sheet. A foam pad is disposed between the bottom sheet and the top sheet that is relatively less flexible than the bottom or top sheets.

A mattress includes a pair of first panels connected to each other and defining a first air pocket therebetween; and a pair of second panels connected to each other and defining a second air pocket therebetween. The pair of first panels and the pair of second panels are operatively connected to each other defining a space between the pair of first panels and the pair of second panels. The pair of first panels and the second pair of panels each have collapsible pleats to control a volume of the space.

A patient turning apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a reconfigurable support platform comprising a plurality of laterally extending support slats configured for pivotal movement about a longitudinally extending central region of the platform. At least one support slat is configured to follow a pivotal movement of a longitudinally adjacent support slat about the central region, through at least a portion of a pivotal range of movement of the longitudinally adjacent support slat. The apparatus further comprises means operable to control pivotal movement of at least one support slat of the platform about the central region.