A method of positioning an occupant (98) of a bed includes identifying (204) the presence of a discrepancy between an existing occupant position and a target occupant position, and establishing (206) an elevation gradient having a direction, magnitude and position compatible with moving the occupant from the existing occupant position to the target position. In one variant of the method the step of establishing an elevation gradient is one substep of a preordained sequence of bladder inflations and deflations. In another variant, the method includes determining (210) if the discrepancy has been corrected and responding to any noncorrection of the discrepancy.

The present disclosure provides a method of positioning a patient. The patient is provided on a support surface, an inflatable positioning mattress disposed between the patient and the support surface. Air flow into the inflatable positioning mattress is initiated to inflate the inflatable positioning mattress. A downward force is applied on the inflatable positioning mattress proximate to a first side of the support surface. A portion of the inflatable positioning mattress proximate to a second side of the support surface is raised. At least one wedge is positioned beneath the inflatable positioning mattress. Subsequently, the patient is lowered onto the at least one wedge.

The present disclosure relates to a patient support which can be used in a bed or flat surface and in particular to a system and method for support and offloading of the body and for turning and repositioning of a patient in a bed or on a flat surface. Features of the disclosure also relate to markings and other indicators used on the patient support which help guide caregivers in the proper use and correct patient positioning on the patient support.

A system for addressing sleep disordered breathing in a person, comprises an acoustic sensor, a processor, and a support apparatus for supporting the person. The support apparatus includes or is receptive to receiving a turn effector. The system also includes processor executable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the system to 1) determine upper airway orientation of the person based on information from the acoustic sensor, 2) determine, based on the information from the acoustic sensor, if the person is experiencing sleep disordered breathing, and 3) if the person is experiencing sleep disordered breathing, command operation of the turn effector to act on a component of the support apparatus thereby changing the orientation of the upper airway of the person from an initial orientation to a target orientation. The target orientation is an orientation more conducive to relieving the sleep disordered breathing than is the initial orientation.

A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, operating table, recliner, or the like, includes a litter frame, a support deck supported on the litter frame and adapted to support a mattress thereon, a touchscreen and a controller configured for carrying out various functions and to display various screens on the touchscreen, including screens for controlling a mattress therapy function or for controlling a non-mattress function of the patient support apparatus. A notification regarding the status of a mattress therapy function can be displayed on various screens. Status indications can be provided as a banner across a portion of the touchscreen.

The present invention particularly is an automated turning system for an immobile person and is aimed to reduce or avoid bedsores. The invention allows for appropriate turning of the immobile person on a regular schedule as well as when the system detects circumstances where pressure sores are likely to occur. The system can be adapted for use with an existing bed or can be manufactured together with a bed.

A bed device includes: an operation section that receives an operation input; a controller that controls a movement of the bed in accordance with the operation input; a detector that detects a position of a patient on the bed; and, a limitation table that stores a limitation area set on the bed in association with a limitation content, wherein when the position of the patient detected by the detector is included in the limitation area, the limitation content is read out from the limitation table so as to control the controller in accordance with the limitation content. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a higher safety bed device which can not only notify the danger based on the bed movement but also limit the movement of the bed in accordance with the status of the patient or the bed device.

A method for turning and positioning a patient includes placing a sheet under a patient, the sheet comprising a first portion having a first handle and a second portion having a second handle. The first portion is placed under the patient and the second portion is a free portion. The method further includes providing a pulling force to the first and second handles, wherein the pulling force to the first handle and the second handle are in opposing directions across the patient. The pulling force to the first handle is greater than the pulling force to the second handle whereby the pulling force to the first handle causes movement of the patient in the direction of the pulling force and the pulling force to the second handle is a resistance force. The first handle and the second handle are longitudinally offset.

A pumping apparatus includes a pump configured for moving air, a housing supporting and at least partially containing the pump, and an air output that includes a hose having a first end connected to the housing and in communication with the pump, such that the pump is configured to move air through the hose, and a second end configured for allowing air to exit the hose, wherein the hose has a length defined between the first and second ends. A switch is mounted on the hose and located along the length of the hose, and the switch is configured for controlling operation of the pump. The switch is located a distance from the second end of the hose that is less than 50% of the length of the hose.

A patient support system comprises a patient support apparatus for patients. The patient support apparatus comprises a base and a patient support surface supported by the base. The patient support apparatus also comprises powered devices that perform one or more predetermined functions on the patient support apparatus. Multiple input devices are employed to control the powered devices. The input devices are designed to enable caregivers to cause operation of the powered devices, as needed, while freeing the caregivers to perform other tasks.