Spring modules for an adjustable sleeping system. At least some of the example embodiments are spring modules comprising: a spring rail, and a plurality of adjustable spring assemblies spaced along the length of the spring rail. Each adjustable spring assembly may comprise: a motor with a stator coupled to the spring rail, a lead screw coupled to the rotor of the motor, and the lead screw extending above an upper surface of the spring rail, a spring plate coupled to the lead screw, and a main spring coupled to the spring plate. Thus, the weight or force carried by each adjustable spring assembly along the spring rail is separately adjustable by a bed controller.

A customer’s affinity towards a plurality of mattresses displayed in a brick and mortar store is determined. The probability of the customer purchasing at least one of the displayed mattresses is extrapolated based on the customer’s affinity towards each of the mattresses. Customer engagement with each of the mattresses is determined based on the pressure data obtained from embedded pressure sensors responsive to the body pressure. The pressure data and the information indicative of a total number of positions taken up by the customer on each of the mattresses, time spent by the customer on each of the mattresses in each of the positions, and the total time spent by the customer on each of the mattresses are fed to a neural network as inputs, with the neural network determining an affinity score indicative of the customer’s affinity towards each of the mattresses.

A bedding system uses machine vision to makes adjustments for comfort and/or support. In one aspect, a pressure mapping engine measures a two-dimensional pressure image of a sleeper on the bedding system while the sleeper is sleeping on the bedding system. A machine vision process analyzes the pressure image. A comfort and support engine adjusts a comfort and/or support of the bedding system based on the machine vision analysis.

A respiratory assistance component is disclosed that changes shape when an electrical charge is provided. The amount of electrical charge that is applied may be based on values, characteristics, or user controlled parameters of the respiratory assistance system. The component may be all or part of a patient interface, a tube, a flow generator, and/or a sleep mat.

Active comfort controlled bedding systems and processes of operating the bedding systems generally include a variable firmness control. The active comfort controlled bedding system can include a control unit in electrical communication with a signal generating layer configured to generate heat and alter a firmness property of at least one viscoelastic foam layer, wherein the amount of heat is based on a decrease of the glass transition temperature as a function of the percentage of humidity in the environment. In other embodiments, the bedding system is provided with at least one foam layer comprising a phase change material stratified in a foam structure of the at least one foam layer; and the at least one foam layer is heated to a temperature greater than a melt temperature of the paraffin wax to soften the at least one foam layer. In other embodiments, ambient humidity conditions can be changed.

An improved bed and method of forming with the required profile and localised support for a user by the improved bed at various sections of the bed including shoulder (A), lumbar (B) hip and lower body (C) such as by the mattress (15) having selected forms or voids a Shoulder Pressure Attenuation Area (SPAAM) a Lumbar Pressure Attenuation Area (LPAAM) a Hip Pressure Attenuation Area (HPAAM) and the base (26) having a Shoulder Pressure Attenuation Area (SPAAB) a Lumbar Pressure Attenuation Area (LPAAB) a Hip Pressure Attenuation Area (HPAAB) locatable at different locations along the longitudinal extension of the bed (32,42,52) with a Shoulder Pressure variation means (31) a Lumbar Pressure variation means (41) and a Hip Pressure variation means (51) comprising adjustable slats driven by electric motors.

A body state determination device includes a detection unit that is configured to detect a plurality of pressure distributions formed by a body weight of a user, and a determination unit that is configured to determine a state of a body of the user by comparing the plurality of pressure distributions detected by the detection unit with each other.

A method for customizing a mattress includes acquiring a three dimensional image of a body of a user and preparing, by a processor, a three dimensional model of the body of the user using the three-dimensional image. The method also includes dividing, by the processor, the three dimensional model into a plurality of sections arranged parallel to each other and arrayed along a height of the three dimensional model, and determining a downward pressure to be exerted by each of the plurality of sections on the mattress. The method further includes determining, by the processor, one or more parameters associated with at least one portion of the mattress adapted to be arranged underneath an associated section when person lies on the mattress based on the determined downward pressure or topography.

It is disclosed foam mattresses or toppers, and methods of using them, comprising a top surface defining lateral deflective areas thanks to structural modifications of the foam comprising a plurality of slots, grooves, voids or channels. The invention (mattresses, toppers or methods) allows controlling postural alignment while providing ultra-low mattress-body interface pressures for all body areas regardless of recumbent position. The method comprises the step of providing into a core section of the mattress a plurality of structural modifications comprising slots, and/or voids, to form transversal deflective areas into the mattress. The invention is preferably achieved by CNC (Computer Numerical Control) cutting the structural modifications (channels, slots and voids) into the mattress foam which support each area of the body. It is also disclosed mattresses or toppers in which foam inserts are kept or removed from the channels to modulate the deflections on one or both sides of the mattress.

Patient transport apparatus with defined transport height comprises a support structure and a litter that are interconnected by a lift mechanism. The support structure comprises a base frame and a plurality of articulable support members or legs. The litter comprises a litter frame and a patient support surface with articulating back and leg sections. The lift mechanism may comprise one or more actuators configured to raise and lower the litter between a lowered position and one or more defined raised positions. The Patient transport apparatus may further comprise a controller coupled to one or more sensors and the lift mechanism. The controller may be configured to define a transport height for the litter based, at least in part, on a characteristic detected by the one or more sensors, and to manipulate the lift mechanism to adjust the litter to the defined transport height.