Support panel pivoting system for a patient support device

A support panel pivoting system for a bed, said bed having a frame, a backrest pivotably connected to the frame and a lower body support panel pivotably connected to the frame, the support panel pivoting system comprising:

• a backrest actuator having a first actuator portion connected to the frame and a second actuator portion connected to the backrest for pivoting the backrest relative to the frame, the backrest actuator further having a transmission adapted for operatively coupling the second actuator portion to the first actuator portion;
• a release operatively connected to said transmission, the release being movable between a locked position in which the first actuator portion is coupled to the second actuator portion and an unlocked position in which the second actuator portion is decoupled from the first actuator portion to allow free pivoting of the backrest towards the frame;
• a sensor for determining that the release is in the unlocked position;
• a lower body actuator operatively connecting the lower body support panel to the frame for pivoting the lower body support panel relative to the frame, the lower body actuator being further operatively connected to the sensor for pivoting the backrest towards the frame when the release is in the unlocked position and that the backrest is pivoted downwardly.

A method for placing a bed in a vascular position, the bed having a patient support assembly mounted onto a frame having a head end and a foot end, the patient support assembly including a backrest located near the head end, a lower body surface located near the foot end and a core body surface located between the backrest and the lower body surface, the core body surface being pivotably interconnected to the lower body surface, the method comprising:

• receiving a command to place the bed in the vascular position;
• pivoting the core support panel at a thigh angle above the frame;
• pivoting the lower body support panel at a lower body angle above the frame;
• pivoting the backrest at a back angle above the frame;
• tilting the frame at a tilt angle relative to the horizontal such that the head end of the frame is located below the horizontal, said pivot angle being within a predetermined range of said foot angle, thereby placing the bed in the vascular position.