Described herein are systems and apparatuses for enhanced comfort through contact pressure reduction. In particular, the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein prevent or otherwise mitigate pressure by actively orienting a patient over an anatomy-specific pressure-mitigating contact surface on which the patient rests. A pressure-mitigating contact portion of the contact surface includes a plurality of independently pressurized chambers configured in a specific geometric pattern that is designed to mitigate contact pressure between a support surface (e.g., bed or chair) and a specific anatomic region of a patient's body when the specific anatomic region of the patient's body is oriented over an epicenter of the geometric pattern. Additionally, a plurality of elevated side support portions and a wedge interconnected on the base material are configured to actively orient the specific anatomic region of the patient's body over the epicenter of the geometric pattern.

Described herein are systems and apparatuses for enhanced comfort through contact pressure reduction. In particular, the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein prevent or otherwise mitigate pressure by actively orienting a patient over an anatomy-specific pressure-mitigating contact surface on which the patient rests. A pressure-mitigating contact portion of the contact surface includes a plurality of independently pressurized chambers configured in a specific geometric pattern that is designed to mitigate contact pressure between a support surface (e.g., bed or chair) and a specific anatomic region of a patient's body when the specific anatomic region of the patient's body is oriented over an epicenter of the geometric pattern. Additionally, a plurality of elevated side support portions and a wedge interconnected on the base material are configured to actively orient the specific anatomic region of the patient's body over the epicenter of the geometric pattern.

A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, cot, or the like, includes a frame, a support surface, a control, a controller, and a transceiver. The patient support apparatus employs one or more machine learning techniques to perform one or more of the following: automatically implement one or more user-preferred settings, automatically predict the occurrence of one or more events based on analyses of prior events, and/or automatically improve one or more algorithms based on analyses of additional sensor data. The machine learning techniques may be implemented onboard the patient support apparatus and/or may be implemented at a remote computer device (e.g. a server) that collates and analyzes data from multiple patient support apparatuses, and then sends the results of the analyses back to the patient support apparatuses.

A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, cot, or the like, includes a frame, a support surface, a control, a controller, and a transceiver. The patient support apparatus employs one or more machine learning techniques to perform one or more of the following: automatically implement one or more user-preferred settings, automatically predict the occurrence of one or more events based on analyses of prior events, and/or automatically improve one or more algorithms based on analyses of additional sensor data. The machine learning techniques may be implemented onboard the patient support apparatus and/or may be implemented at a remote computer device (e.g. a server) that collates and analyzes data from multiple patient support apparatuses, and then sends the results of the analyses back to the patient support apparatuses.

A formed therapeutic tool has a base in a generally heart-shaped configuration with a narrow arcuate front, a wide rear, tapering sides, and a concave bottom. A rearward support is formed of two similarly configured projections. The projections are laterally spaced. Each projection has a linear high point and a semicircular surface. The tool has a forward support formed of two similarly configured inclines. Each incline has an arcuate high point adjacent to one of the projections and an arcuate low point adjacent to the front. A ovoid shaped central recess extends downwardly between the inclines and the projections. The central recess terminates in an ovoid shaped floor with a lower surface constituting a portion of the concave bottom of the base. The tool having a Durometer of from 36 to 45 on a Shore A scale and an Indentation Force Deflection of from 8 to 9.

A non-restraining collar can include a unitary pillow having extending from a collar body first and second collar straps that extend opposite one another and terminate in respective distal ends separated by a space having a first distance in a relaxed state. The non-restraining collar can also include an elastically deformable spring member embedded in the unitary pillow, the elastically deformable spring member having portions extending into both of the first and second collar straps. The elastically deformable spring member can be deformed such that the first distance is increased to a second distance.

Implementations of a head and neck cradle comprise an upper platform, a middle platform (or middle portion), and a lower platform. In some implementations, a method of using the head and neck cradle comprises placing the lower platform under a hospital bed mattress such that the upper platform rests adjacent to the end of the mattress and extends away from the hospital bed, and may further comprise placing a patient in a prone position on the hospital bed mattress with the patient's head placed on the upper platform.

A cover assembly for a patient support including a top portion with the top portion defining a patient support surface and a sealing surface opposite the patient support surface. The cover assembly further includes a bottom portion defining a plurality of open face chambers with each open face chamber including a floor and a plurality of walls extending from the floor towards the top portion. Each open face chamber is connected to, and integral with, at least one additional open face chamber by a hinge. The sealing surface of the top portion covers the open face chambers and is coupled to the bottom portion at each hinge.

An actuating mechanism for lumbar support in an articulating bed incorporates a support frame for an articulating section having a seat section and an upper body support section. An actuator with a ram is pivotally attached to the upper body support section with a bracket. A lumbar actuation lever is pivotally attached to the ram and extends from a torque tube rotatable in bearing blocks mounted to the upper body support section. A second actuator is pivotally attached to the upper body support section with a second bracket and includes a second ram. At least one angled lifter arm extends from the torque tube and pivotally attaches to at least one lever engaging a lumbar support element through at least one aperture in the upper body support section. An actuator element extends from at least one lever and is connected to the second ram. The actuator element and associated lever rotate about a pivot point on the associated angled lifter arm.

An actuating mechanism for lumbar support in an articulating bed incorporates a support frame for an articulating section having a seat section and an upper body support section. An actuator with a ram is pivotally attached to the upper body support section with a bracket. A lumbar actuation lever is pivotally attached to the ram and extends from a torque tube rotatable in bearing blocks mounted to the upper body support section. A second actuator is pivotally attached to the upper body support section with a second bracket and includes a second ram. At least one angled lifter arm extends from the torque tube and pivotally attaches to at least one lever engaging a lumbar support element through at least one aperture in the upper body support section. An actuator element extends from at least one lever and is connected to the second ram. The actuator element and associated lever rotate about a pivot point on the associated angled lifter arm.