Adjustable beds are commonly used in hospitals to help patients change position and get up with minimal help. Now Charles Filipi, a surgeon at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, wants to take them a step further, literally.He says that many obese patients are required to exercise as part of their treatment. But getting them into a standing position can involve numerous staff and finding a treadmill for them to work out on can be even more time consuming.
So, Filipi suggests building the treadmill into the hospital bed. When not in use the treadmill sits in a vertical position at the end of the bed (see image, above).
When the patient needs to exercise, the bed slowly tips into the vertical position, planting the treadmill onto the ground ready to be used. That means a person can always access the treadmill easily, with minimal assistance from anyone else.
Read the full hospital bed treadmill patent application.
Justin Mullins, New Scientist consultant
