A stretcher with a heated section, the heated section of the stretcher comprising: two opposing electrically conductive elements positioned at, or towards, opposing sides of the stretcher, wherein the opposing electrically conductive elements are connectable to a power source; an electrically conductive layer in electrical contact with the opposing electrically conductive elements, to heat up when the opposing electrically conductive elements are powered by the power source; such that the electrically conductive layer is X-ray transparent to allow a patient to be X-rayed whilst on the stretcher.

Certain aspects relate to systems, devices and techniques for vessel sealing and cutting. In particular, an instrument is provided that is capable of performing multiple functions, including sealing and cutting. The instrument can be robotically controlled, and can include a shaft, a multi-DOF wrist, and an end effector. The end effector is capable of generating and delivering heat via different energy modalities to perform the various functions at different temperatures.

A patient warming system for stabilizing and/or heating and cooling a patient includes a plurality of solid-surface sections arranged for attachment to a surgical table and a warming pad layer comprising a plurality of warming pads configured for removable connection to the plurality of solid-surface sections. At least one of the plurality of solid-surface sections includes a power connector for connection to an external power source. Each warming pad of the plurality of warming pads includes a foam insulation layer, a distributed heating element layer having a warming-pad power connection for connection to the power connector, an isothermal layer, and a flexible waterproof layer. Power supplied to the warming-pad power connection of the distributed heating element layer of the respective warming pad can be used to provide a user-selected uniform temperature over the surface of the flexible waterproof layer in order to prevent hot spots.

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.

A coffin, in particular for burial in the ground, includes a bottom, side walls, a lid, a mattress and collecting means capable of receiving vital fluids under the mattress. The coffin also has oxygen-storage means enabling oxygen to be introduced into the coffin, humidifying means and heating means so as to generate, over time, conditions which allow rapid decomposition of the body.

The present invention provides a combined patient handling and surgical positioning system for use with a mechanical lift for positioning a patient on a surgical table. A pad assembly has a base with a top surface. The base has a plurality of handles attached thereto. The handles have openings defined therein. A foam top is fixedly mounted to the top surface of the base. At least one strap is attached to the pad assembly. The pad assembly is configured to prevent bunching when lifting or repositioning the patient during surgical table positioning changes required during surgery and the pad assembly is configured for movement in multiple directions during surgery. An elongate support member is configured to extend through the openings in the plurality of handles on the pad assembly. A plurality of lifting slings are configured to removably attach to the elongate support bar to the mechanical lift in a surgical theater.

An inflatable mattress that has multiple chambers is disclosed that includes a first section with a first pressure valve, and a second section that has a plurality of collapsible airtight vertical cylindrical chambers displaced across the first section and which defines a top surface and each vertical chamber includes valves, controlled by a central controller that is programmable and controls the flow of air in and out of each chamber, thereby providing a method to alter the vertical dimension of each chamber and affect movement to a person on the top surface mattress.

Methods and apparatus for artificial kangaroo care supporting and promoting health needs in premature babies, babies in neonatal intensive care, and other newborn infants are disclosed. The artificial kangaroo care apparatus may imitate a pre-birth maternal environment and may include an odor-absorbent material imitating a mother's smell, a means for imitating a mother's heartbeat, a means for imitating a mother's breathing pattern, a means for imitating a mother's body temperature, or any combination thereof. The shape and structure of the artificial kangaroo care apparatus may support stand-alone use or use within an incubator or other structure. The shape and structure of the artificial kangaroo care apparatus may suggest a mattress, a mattress covering, or a pillow.

A mattress assembly includes: multiple gas-filled chambers each having a top surface, the top surfaces of the chambers collectively composing a top surface of the mattress assembly; multiple composite sensors each associated with a corresponding chamber. Each composite sensor includes a pressure sensor to measure a pressure at a wall of the corresponding chamber and a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the corresponding chamber. The assembly includes chamber regulators each in communication with a corresponding chamber, each regulator configured to pump gas at a first, higher temperature and gas at a second temperature to the corresponding chamber. The assembly includes a controller in communication with the composite sensors and chamber regulators, programmed to: receive, from composite sensor(s), state data including pressure and temperature information for the chamber corresponding to the composite sensor; determine, based upon the received state data, information about a patient's position relative to the corresponding chamber; and based on the patient's position, control the chamber regulator for the chamber to modify a pressure and/or a temperature of the chamber.

A temperature modulation system for a bed, blanket, or other furniture includes a fluid for moderating temperature change, a number of conduit circuits for directing the fluid through respective zones, a control unit including a thermoelectric device for modulating temperature of the fluid, and a pump. Each of the conduit circuits selectively and independently directs fluid through its respective zone in order to produce a temperature within the zone that is independent of the temperature outside the zone. The system also includes an arrangement of one or more zones in an arrangement in which the control unit is programmed to vary the zone temperature over time according to a schedule.