A support cushion liner includes a liner body having a cavity disposed between an outer layer and an inner layer and a plurality of artificial muscles disposed in the cavity of the liner body. Each of the plurality of artificial muscles include a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode fixed to a first surface of the housing and a second electrode fixed to a second surface of the housing. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region thereby applying pressure to the outer layer of the liner body.

A convertible patient support apparatus includes a patient support bed and a removable patient contact disposed in a hole in the patient support bed. The hole is defined by a support frame. A static membrane is attached to the support frame. One of a plurality of removable patient contacts can be removably attached to the support frame to convert the convertible patient support apparatus based on the patient and/or therapy.

A support cushion liner includes a liner body having a cavity disposed between an outer layer and an inner layer and a plurality of artificial muscles disposed in the cavity of the liner body. Each of the plurality of artificial muscles include a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode fixed to a first surface of the housing and a second electrode fixed to a second surface of the housing. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region thereby applying pressure to the outer layer of the liner body.

A pad assembly, system and method of securing a patient onto an operating table when the patient is in the Trendelenburg position. The pad assembly and system is used to support and hold a patient on a medical procedure table during a medical procedure performed while the table, and thus the patient lying thereon, is in an inclined position, such as the Trendelenburg position. The pad assembly and system has characteristics which promote improved securing to eliminate shifting and/or sliding due to gravitational forces when the patient's body is in the Trendelenburg position, as well as promote a secure holding of the patient in a desired position on the table, in order to minimize injury to the patient. The pad assembly and system further has improved channels to allow for drainage of fluids that may otherwise be trapped between the patient's body and the OR Table during the surgical procedure.

A method for controlling an angular orientation of a person support apparatus including a bladder portion containing fluidized particulate material, an upper frame, and a base frame may include adjusting a height of the upper frame with respect to the base frame with at least one of a first and second actuator at respective speeds, determining a dynamic angular orientation of the upper frame with respect to the base frame based on at least one of a respective operating characteristic of the first and second actuator, determining a corrected angular orientation based on the dynamic angular orientation and a floor angle indicative of the orientation of the base frame with respect to horizontal, comparing the corrected angular orientation with an orientation reference range, and adjusting at least one actuator speed when the corrected angular orientation is outside the orientation reference range until it is within the orientation reference range.

Multi-layer cushion supports are described which may generally comprise a first support having a first contact surface for contacting a portion of a body and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first support defining a central chamber and a peripheral chamber surrounding the central chamber, wherein the first support is filled with a first gas or liquid and a second support attached to the first support along the first contact surface. The second support may be filled with a second gas or liquid which is relatively more viscous than the first gas or liquid. In particular, the first support may be filled with a volume of air and the second support may be filled with oil which is less than the volume of air.

An ergonomic pad includes a bladder formed of a pliable material and a granular material disposed within the bladder and at least partially filling the bladder. A port is coupled to the bladder and configured to enable evacuation of air from the bladder. The bladder also includes a sealable opening distinct from the port to add or remove the granular material.

An ergonomic pad includes a bladder formed of a pliable material and a granular material disposed within the bladder and at least partially filling the bladder. A port is coupled to the bladder and configured to enable evacuation of air from the bladder. The bladder also includes a sealable opening distinct from the port to add or remove the granular material.

Multi-layer cushion supports are described which may generally comprise a first support having a first contact surface for contacting a portion of a body and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first support defining a central chamber and a peripheral chamber surrounding the central chamber, wherein the first support is filled with a first gas or liquid and a second support attached to the first support along the first contact surface. The second support may be filled with a second gas or liquid which is relatively more viscous than the first gas or liquid. In particular, the first support may be filled with a volume of air and the second support may be filled with oil which is less than the volume of air.

The present disclosure relates to medical pads and methods of manufacturing medical pads.