The present invention relates to a mat for use in lateral positioning. The invention provides an inflatable mat for use in lateral positioning in angled lateral decubitus, the mat comprising: a mat foil with a longitudinal direction, the mat foil having an upper side and a first side extending in the longitudinal direction, and a second side extending in the longitudinal direction, a first longitudinal section, comprising one or more inflatable air chambers, being arranged on the upper side of the mat foil along the first side of the mat foil, and a second longitudinal section, comprising one or more inflatable air chambers, being arranged on the upper side of the mat foil along the second side of the mat foil, the mat foil having a centre in the longitudinal direction, one or more first transverse sections, each comprising one or more inflatable air chambers, being arranged successively in a row in the longitudinal direction, the first transverse sections extending from the centre out towards the first side, so that the one or more transverse sections are arranged lying above the first longitudinal section away from the mat foil, one or more second transverse sections, each comprising one or more inflatable air chambers, being arranged successively in a row in the longitudinal direction, the transverse sections extending from the middle out towards the second side, the transverse sections being arranged lying above the second longitudinal section away from the mat foil, wherein the first longitudinal section, the second longitudinal section and the one or more first transverse sections and the one or more second transverse sections are connected to one or more air ducts arranged in each of the inflatable air chambers of said longitudinal and transverse sections, wherein the longitudinal and transverse sections can be individually inflated, the first side of the mat having a total first lateral height, which is the sum of a height of the first longitudinal section in the inflated state and a height of the first transverse section in the inflated state, the second side of the mat having a total second lateral height, the second lateral height being the height of the second longitudinal section in the inflated state, or the second side of the mat having a total second lateral height, which is the sum of a height of the second longitudinal section in the inflated state and a height of the second transverse section in the inflated state, and the first side of the mat having a total first lateral height, the first lateral height being the height of the first longitudinal section in the inflated state.

A support apparatus for a person includes a main cushion having a bottom surface, a top surface to form a support surface for a person supported on the main cushion, and a length having a perimeter that has longitudinal and lateral sides extending around the perimeter. In addition, the support apparatus has at least one sleeve located along one of the sides of the man cushion. The sleeve is configured between a stowed state, where the sleeve is closely adjacent to the one side, and a deployed state, where the sleeve forms an extension of the top surface of the main cushion to thereby increase the width or the length of the support surface.

A system for use with a bed having a frame and a supporting surface includes a sheet having a bottom surface placed above the supporting surface of the bed, a top surface, and a plurality of tether straps connected to and extending from the sheet. Each tether strap is configured for connection to the bed. The bottom surface is at least partially formed of a low friction material, and the top surface is at least partially formed of a high friction material, such that the top surface provides greater slipping resistance than the bottom surface. The tether straps include at least two pairs of tether straps, with one pair connected proximate a top edge of the sheet and another pair connected proximate a bottom edge of the sheet. The sheet may further include a sliding member on the bottom surface to assist in lateral sliding of the sheet.

Apparatus and methods for adjusting a support to a body are described in which a portable support assembly may be worn or used by a bed-stricken or wheel-chair restricted individual around particular regions of the body where pressure ulcers tend to form. The portable support assembly may generally include adjustable supports which conform the assembly to the patient's body and which also help to distribute one or more fluid pad assemblies relative to the body. The support assembly may be incorporated into a design for a wheelchair or a bed.

A patient support apparatus that is adaptable to multiple modes of transport includes a variable length base and a drive system that includes two independently drivable wheels that are responsive to inputs from a user to steer the patient support apparatus.

A person support system including a person support surface. The person support surface may include a blower subassembly and a surface foundation layer. The person support surface may further include a turn assist bladder layer, a working cushion layer, and a support cushion layer positioned between a first lateral side bolster and a second lateral side bolster of the surface foundation layer, a foot bladder layer positioned proximally adjacent the surface foundation layer, and a microclimate management (MCM) layer, where the blower subassembly may be configured to supply air to the MCM layer. A top encasement portion of the person support surface may be removably coupled to a bottom encasement portion of the person support surface to enclose such included components within the person support surface.

A system for use with a bed having a frame and a supporting surface includes a sheet having a bottom surface placed above the supporting surface of the bed, a top surface, and a plurality of tether straps connected to and extending from the sheet. Each tether strap is configured for connection to the bed. The bottom surface is at least partially formed of a low friction material, and the top surface is at least partially formed of a high friction material, such that the top surface provides greater slipping resistance than the bottom surface. The tether straps include at least two pairs of tether straps, with one pair connected proximate a top edge of the sheet and another pair connected proximate a bottom edge of the sheet. The sheet may further include a sliding member on the bottom surface to assist in lateral sliding of the sheet.

A sleep system is provided comprising a head support section, a torso support section, a leg support section, and a cradle surface provided on at least an upper portion of the torso support section. The head support section is generally laterally angled at an angle greater than the lateral angle of the torso support section and the leg support section. The cradle surface has at least a partial curvature and a lateral width of from about 12 inches to about 36 inches. The lateral angle of the head support section is at least about 10 degrees, the lateral angle of the torso support section is greater than the lateral angle of the leg support section, and the lateral angle of the leg support section is less than about 10 degrees.

A patient repositioning system (10) for a bariatric bed (12) includes a mattress (14) having a head end (54), a foot end (52), and an upper surface (46), a sheet (16) residing on the upper surface (46), a drive mechanism (22) operatively coupled to the sheet (16) and adapted to pull the sheet (16) toward the head end (54), and a housing (20) which holds the drive mechanism (22). The mattress (14) further includes a body portion (114) and at least one operatively coupled attached side bolster (112a) located along one longitudinal side (62a) of the body portion (114), thereby to widen the upper surface (46) of the mattress (14) so as to accommodate standard bariatric dimensions. Alternatively, instead of a side bolster (112a), the invention contemplates the use of transition pieces (136a, 136b) near the head end (54), a rotatable housing (20), or a telescopically expandable/contractable housing (20), thereby to expand to accommodate bariatric dimensions and contract to reduced dimensions so as to fit through a standard size doorway.

A transfer device has a carriage supported on a base, movable between a home position and an extended position. A table assembly includes a lower table fixed to the carriage and an upper table coupled to the lower table, movable between a downward position in forcible contact with the lower table and an upward position having no contact with the lower table. The table assembly moves toward the extended position with the tables in forcible contact to place the table assembly underneath the object to be transferred while keeping the base stationary. The plates are separated to lift the object on the upper table while the lower table remains resting upon the support surface. The table assembly returns to the home position while supporting the object on the upper table and keeping the upper and lower tables separated. The device may operate in a bidirectional manner.