Patent Grant
12102577
A patient support system includes a patient support apparatus and a support surface mounted on the patient support apparatus. The patient support apparatus is reconfigurable among a plurality of different configurations for supporting a patient on the support surface in a plurality of positions. The support surface is mounted on the patient support apparatus to move in response to reconfiguration of the patient support apparatus.
The present disclosure is related to patient support systems and methods of using patient support systems. Specifically, the present disclosure is related to a patient support system embodied as a hospital bed including a patient support apparatus (sometimes called a bed frame) and a support surface (sometimes called a mattress) mounted on the patient support apparatus.
Some modern hospital beds include patient support apparatuses that are reconfigurable to support a patient while laying flat or sitting up in bed. Some hospital beds include support surfaces that cushion a patient supported on the reconfigurable patient support apparatus. However, some support surfaces may be unable to properly cushion a patient when mounted on a patient support apparatus that is reconfigured via tilting, pivoting, expansion, and sliding of a multi-component deck.
The present application discloses one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter:
According to a first aspect of the present application, a patient support system may include a patient support apparatus, a support surface, and a controller. The patient support apparatus may include a moveable deck with a seat-deck section and a head-deck section. The head-deck section may be movable relative to the seat-deck section between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the head-deck section may be adjacent the seat-deck section. In the second position, the head-deck section may be spaced apart from the seat-deck section forming a gap between the seat-deck section and the head-deck section. The support surface may be mounted on the patient support apparatus to cover the movable deck. The support surface may include a cover, a plurality of support bladders positioned in the cover, and a fill bladder positioned in the cover. The fill bladder may be arranged over the interface of the seat-deck section and the head-deck section. The controller may be coupled to the movable deck, the support bladders, and the fill bladder. The controller may be configured to inflate the fill bladder in response to movement of the head-deck section from the first position to the second position so that the fill bladder covers the gap formed between the seat-deck section and the head-deck section.
In some embodiments, the cover may include a head-end section, a foot-end section, and expandable folds coupled between the head-end section and the foot-end section. The expandable folds may be arranged over the interface of the seat-deck section and the head-deck section so that the cover extends over the gap formed between the seat-deck section and the head-deck section when the head-deck section is moved from the first position to the second position.
In some embodiments, the support surface may include a plurality of lugs coupled to a bottom side of the cover. The lugs may be configured to be received in lug-receiving apertures formed in the moveable deck when the support surface is mounted on the patient support apparatus. The lugs may include a stem and a ball, the ball spaced apart from the cover. The lug-receiving apertures may include at least one keyhole slot with a wide portion and a narrow portion.
In some embodiments, the support surface may include a trunk carrying pneumatic and electrical lines. The trunk may extend downwardly from a bottom surface of the cover to be received by the patient support apparatus when the support surface is mounted on the patient support apparatus. In some embodiments, the seat-deck section may be formed to include a channel sized to receive the trunk of the support surface when the support surface is mounted on the patient support apparatus.
In some embodiments, the movable deck may include a foot-deck section. The plurality of support bladders may include a head-support bladder arranged to extend over the head-deck section, a seat-support bladder arranged to extend over the seat-deck section, and a foot support bladder arranged to extend over the foot-deck section.
In some embodiments, the foot-support bladder may include a plurality of cells that cooperate to form a left rail section a right rail section and a central section. The central section may have a diminishing cross-sectional area to form a space under the central section defined between the left rail section, the right rail section, and the central section.
In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to actively deflate the fill bladder in response to movement of the head-deck section from the second position toward the first position. The controller may be configured to deflate the fill bladder for a predetermined time period in response to movement of the head-deck section from the second position toward the first position.
In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to determine a desired pressure for the fill bladder based on a position of the head-deck section after movement from the second position toward the first position. The desired pressure may be determined based on one of a predetermined equation and a lookup table. The lookup table may include a plurality of head-deck section positions and a corresponding plurality of fill bladder pressures.
In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to inflate the fill bladder if the actual pressure of the fill bladder is less than the determined desired pressure and to deflate the fill bladder if the actual pressure in the fill bladder is greater than the determined desired pressure. The controller may be configured to passively deflate the fill bladder if the actual pressure in the fill bladder is greater than the determined desired pressure. The controller may be configured to actively deflate the fill bladder in response to movement of the head-deck section from the second position toward the first position.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a patient support surface may include a cover and a cushion. The cover may have a head end, a foot end, a left side, and a right side. The cushion may be encased in the cover and may include a first foam pad and a second foam pad and arranged below the first foam pad. The second foam pad may be formed to include a plurality of perforations extending through the second foam pad.
In some embodiments, the cushion may include a third foam pad extending from the foot end of the cover toward the head end of the cover. The second foam pad may be arranged between the third foam pad and the head end of the cover. The third foam pad may be formed to include a plurality of perforations.
In some embodiments, the cushion may include a first bolster arranged to extend along a first side of the second foam pad and a second bolster arranged along a second side of the second foam pad. The first and the second bolsters may each be formed to include slits extending upwardly from a bottom side of the left and the right bolsters toward a top side of the left and the right bolsters. The first and the second bolsters may each be formed to include slits extending downwardly from the top side of the left and the right bolsters toward the bottom side of the left and the right bolsters.
In some embodiments, the cover may include a head section, a foot section, and an expandable section coupled between the head section and the foot section. The expandable section may include an elastic material arranged to extend from the left side to the right side of the cover over a portion of a bottom surface of the cover. The expandable section may include a plurality of expandable folds arranged to extend from the left side to the right side of the cover over a portion of a bottom surface of the cover.
In some embodiments, the patient support surface may include a plurality of lugs extending downwardly from the cover. Each lug may include a stem extending from the cover and a ball spaced apart from the cover.
In some embodiments, a patient support surface may include an overlay arranged to extend over a top side of the cover. The overlay may include a head portion, a foot portion, and an expandable portion. The head portion may be arranged to extend from the head end of the cover toward the foot end of the cover. The foot portion may be arranged to extend from the foot end of the cover toward the head end of the cover. The expandable portion may be coupled between the head portion and the foot portion. The expandable portion may include a plurality of expandable folds arranged to extend from a left side to a right side of the overlay over a portion of a bottom surface of the overlay.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a patient support system may include a patient support apparatus, a patient support surface, and a controller. The patient support apparatus may be movable from a first configuration to a second configuration. The patient support surface may be mounted on the patient support apparatus and may include a cover and a plurality of inflatable bladders encased in the cover. The controller may be configured to adjust the pressure in at least one of the inflatable bladders during movement of the patient support apparatus from the first configuration to the second configuration, to monitor the pressure in the at least one of the inflatable bladders during movement of the patient support apparatus from the first position to the second position, and to adjust the speed of movement from the first configuration to the second configuration of the patient support apparatus based on the monitored pressure.
In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to stop movement from the first configuration to the second configuration of the patient support apparatus based on the monitored pressure if the rate of change of the monitored pressure is below a threshold. The controller may be configured to trigger an alarm if the rate of change of the monitored pressure is below a threshold.
In some embodiments, the first position may be a lie-flat configuration. The second position may be a chair-egress configuration.
In some embodiments, the patient support system may include a plurality of sensors configured to detect pressure in the plurality of bladders and the position of the patient support apparatus. The sensors may be coupled to the controller.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, A patient support system may include a patient support apparatus, a support surface, a valve box, and a controller. The patient support apparatus may include an articulatable deck movable from a lie-flat configuration to a chair-egress configuration and a footboard removably coupled to the deck. The support surface may include a seat-support bladder arranged to underlie the buttocks of a patient on the patient support system. The valve box may be coupled to the seat-support bladder and configured to selectively couple the seat-support bladder to the atmosphere so that the seat-support bladder deflates. The controller may be coupled to the valve box.
In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to operate the valve box to couple the seat-support bladder to the atmosphere in response to receipt of a chair-egress request for movement of the articulatable deck toward the chair-egress configuration, if the controller determines that the footboard is removed from the deck. The controller may be configured to open the vent valve if the controller determines that the footboard was removed from the deck within a predetermined time period.
In some embodiments, the patient support system may include an air source coupled to the controller. The air source may be coupled to the foot-support bladder. The controller may be configured to inflate the seat-support bladder in response to a request for movement of the articulatable deck from the flat position to the chair-egress configuration if the controller determines that the footboard is not removed from the deck.
In some embodiments, the support surface may include a foot-support bladder arranged to underlie the feet of a patient on the patient support system. The valve box may be coupled to the foot-support bladder and may be configured to selectively couple the seat-support bladder to the atmosphere so that the seat-support bladder deflates. The controller may be configured to operate the valve box to couple the foot-support bladder to the atmosphere in response to a request for movement of the articulatable deck from the flat position to the chair-egress configuration if the controller determines that the footboard was removed from the deck during the predetermined time period.
In some embodiments, the support surface may include a boost bladder arranged to underlie the torso of a patient on the patient support system. The boost bladder may be coupled to the air source. The controller may be configured to operate the air source to inflate the boost bladder in response to receipt of a boost request when the deck is in the chair-egress configuration and the seat-support bladder is deflated. The boost request and the chair-egress request may be generated by a user pressing a single button.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a patient support system may include a support surface, an air source, and a controller. The support surface may include a head-support bladder, a seat-support bladder, and a foot-support bladder. The air source may be coupled to the head-support bladder, the seat-support bladder, and the foot support bladder. The controller may be coupled to the air source.
In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to inflate the head-support bladder to a head-bladder egress pressure and to inflate the foot-support bladder to a foot-bladder egress pressure in response to receipt of a side-egress request. The head-bladder egress pressure and the foot-bladder egress pressures may be based, at least in part, on a weight of a patient associated with the patient support system.
In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to inflate the seat-support bladder to a seat-bladder egress pressure in response to receipt of the side-egress request. The seat-bladder egress pressure may be based, at least in part, on a weight of a patient associated with the patient support system. The controller may be configured to inflate the head-support bladder to the head-bladder egress pressure and to inflate the foot-support bladder to the foot-bladder egress pressure before inflating the seat-support bladder to the seat-bladder egress pressure.
In some embodiments, the patient support system may include a patient support apparatus. The patient support apparatus may include a lower frame, an upper frame, and a lift system coupled to the lower frame and the lower frame to raise and lower the upper frame relative to the lower frame. The controller may be coupled to the lift system and may be configured to lower the upper frame relative to the lower frame in response to receipt of the side-egress request.
In some embodiments, the patient support system may include a patient support apparatus. The patient support apparatus may include a patient support apparatus including an articulatable deck that underlies the support surface. The articulatable deck may be movable between a lie-flat configuration in which a top side of the support surface is generally flat and a plurality of other positions in which the top side of the support surface is not flat. The controller may be coupled to the head-deck section. The controller may be configured to move the articulatable deck to the lie-flat configuration in response to receipt of the side-egress request.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a patient support system may include a support surface, an air source, a bleed valve, and a controller. The support surface may include a head-support bladder, a seat-support bladder, and a foot-support bladder. The air source may be coupled to the head-support bladder, the seat-support bladder, and the foot-support bladder of the support surface. The bleed valve may be coupled to the air source. The bleed valve may be configured to be selectively opened to connect the air source to atmosphere. The controller may be coupled to the air source and the bleed valve.
In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to open the bleed valve and to operate the air source to inflate at least one of the head-support bladder, the seat-support bladder, and the foot-support bladder to inflate the at least one bladder to a therapy pressure. Accordingly, inflation may occur at an inflation rate slower than if the bleed valve was closed in response to receiving an alternating-pressure therapy request.
In some embodiments, the patient support system may also include a valve box. The valve box may be coupled to the head-support bladder, the seat-support bladder, and the foot-support bladder and may be configured to selectively couple one or more of the head-support bladder, the seat-support bladder, and the foot-support bladder to the atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to operate the valve box to couple the at least one of the head-support bladder, the seat-support bladder, and the foot-support bladder to the atmosphere. The controller may couple the at least one of the head-support bladder, the seat-support bladder, and the foot-support bladder to the atmosphere after the at least one of the head-support bladder, the seat-support bladder, and the foot-support bladder are inflated to the therapy pressure so that the at least one of the head-support bladder, the seat-support bladder, and the foot-support bladder deflates.
In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to open the bleed valve and to operate the air source to inflate another of the at least one of the head-support bladder, the seat-support bladder, and the foot-support bladder to inflate the other at least one of the head-support bladder, the seat-support bladder, and the foot-support bladder to a therapy pressure. Accordingly, inflation may occur at an inflation rate slower than if the bleed valve was closed in response to receiving an alternating-pressure therapy request.
In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to operate the valve box to couple the other of the at least one of the head-support bladder, the seat-support bladder, and the foot-support bladder to the atmosphere. The controller may couple the other of the at least one of the head-support bladder, the seat-support bladder, and the foot-support bladder to the atmosphere after the other of the at least one of the head-support bladder, the seat-support bladder, and the foot-support bladder is inflated to the therapy pressure so that the other of the at least one of the head-support bladder, the seat-support bladder, and the foot-support bladder deflates.
In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to close the bleed valve when the at least one of the head-support bladder, the seat-support bladder, and the foot-support bladder reaches the therapy pressure. The bleed valve may be coupled between the support surface and the air source. The controller may be configured to operate the valve box to stop deflation of the at least one of the head-support bladder, the seat-support bladder, and the foot-support bladder when the at least one of the head-support bladder, the seat-support bladder, and the foot-support bladder reaches a baseline pressure established prior to inflation to the therapy pressure.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a patient support system may include a support surface, an air source, a bleed valve, and a controller. The support surface may include a right-turn inflatable cell and a left-turn inflatable cell. The air source may be coupled to the right-turn inflatable cell and the left-turn inflatable cell of the support surface. The air source may be configured to actively inflate and actively deflate the right-turn inflatable cell and the left-turn inflatable cell. The bleed valve may be coupled to the air source, the bleed valve may also be configured to be selectively opened to connect the air source to the atmosphere. The controller may be coupled to the air source and the bleed valve.
In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to open the bleed valve and to operate the air source to actively deflate the right-turn inflatable cell. The controller may actively deflate the right-turn inflatable cell during the application of a lateral rotation therapy in which the controller operates the air source to actively inflate the right-turn inflatable cell and the left-turn inflatable cell to rotate a patient about a longitudinal axis of the support surface.
In some embodiments, the patient support system may also include a valve box. The valve box may be coupled to the right-turn inflatable cell and may be configured to selectively couple the right-turn inflatable cell to the atmosphere to passively deflate the right-turn inflatable cell.
In some embodiments, the controller may be coupled to the valve box. The controller may be configured to operate the valve box to couple the right-turn inflatable cell to the atmosphere to passively deflate the right-turn inflatable cell. The controller may be configured to operate the valve box to couple the right-turn inflatable cell to the atmosphere to passively deflate the right-turn inflatable cell before opening the bleed valve and operating the air source to actively deflate the right-turn inflatable cell.
In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to open the bleed valve and to operate the air source to actively deflate the left-turn inflatable cell. In some embodiments, The patient support system may also include a valve box. The valve box may be coupled to the left-turn inflatable cell and may be configured to selectively couple the left-turn inflatable cell to the atmosphere to passively deflate the left-turn inflatable cell. The controller may be coupled to the valve box. The controller may be configured to operate the valve box to couple the left-turn inflatable cell to the atmosphere to passively deflate the left-turn inflatable cell. The controller may be configured to operate the valve box to couple the left-turn inflatable cell to the atmosphere before opening the bleed valve and operating the air source to actively deflate the left-turn inflatable cell.
In some embodiments, the right-turn inflatable cell may include a right head-turn bladder arranged to underlie the right side of a patient torso when a patient is supported on the support surface and a right seat-turn bladder arranged to underlie a right side of a patient's seat when a patient is supported on the support surface. The right head-turn bladder may be pneumatically coupled to the right seat-turn bladder and is moveable away from the right seat-turn bladder.
In some embodiments, the left-turn inflatable cell may include a left head-turn bladder arranged to underlie the left side of a patient torso when a patient is supported on the support surface and a left seat-turn bladder arranged to underlie a left side of a patient's seat when a patient is supported on the support surface. The left head-turn bladder may be pneumatically coupled to the left seat-turn bladder and is moveable away from the left seat-turn bladder.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a patient support surface may include a cover and a cushion. The cushion may be encased in the cover. The cushion may include a first foam pad having a head section, a seat section, and an expandable section coupled between the head section and the seat section. The expandable section may be configured to allow the head section to move away from the seat section.
In some embodiments, the expandable section may be a serpentine foam band configured to expand when the head section moves away from the seat section. The expandable section may include a honeycombed foam section forming a plurality of holes extending through the cushion from a top side to a bottom side of the cushion. The first pad may be a monolithic foam component.
In some embodiments, the cushion may include a second foam pad coupled to the seat section of the first foam pad. The second foam pad may be formed to include a plurality of perforations extending through the second foam pad.
In some embodiments, the support surface may include a plurality of lugs coupled to the cover and adapted to couple the support surface to a patient support apparatus. Each lug may include a stem and a ball coupled to the stem. Each ball may spaced apart from the cover. Each lug may be coupled to a bottom side of the cover.
Additional features, which alone or in combination with any other feature(s), including those listed above and those listed in the claims, may comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
Referring to
The patient support apparatus 12 illustratively includes a lower frame 16, an upper frame 18, and a lift system 20 coupled to the lower frame 16 and the upper frame 18, as shown in
The patient support apparatus 12 also includes a deck 26 coupled to the upper frame 18 and repositionable to a plurality of positions as suggested in
With regard to movement of the deck 26, the head-deck section 30 is mounted to the upper frame 18 to pivot about an axis relative to the seat-deck section 32 and to slide relative to the seat-deck section 32 and the upper frame 18 as described in U.S. Publication Nos. U.S. 2010/0122415 A1 and U.S. 2012/0005832 A1, both incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, except as they are inconsistent with the present disclosure. The seat-deck section 32 is coupled to the upper frame 18 to move with the upper frame 18. The thigh-deck section 34 is coupled to the seat-deck section 32 to pivot relative to the seat-deck section 32. The foot-deck section 36 is coupled to the thigh-deck section 34 to pivot relative to the thigh-deck section 34. The foot-deck section 36 is also extendable and retractable to lengthen or shorten the deck 26 as desired by a caregiver or to accommodate repositioning of the deck 26.
The control system 15 illustratively includes a controller 25, a plurality of user interfaces 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, a plurality of sensors 78, an air source 79, and a bleed valve 85 as shown in
Sensors 78 illustratively include pressure sensors, load cells, and potentiometers positioned throughout the bed 10. In particular, the pressure sensors are configured to detect the pressure in each bladder of the support surface. The load cells are positioned between the upper frame 18 and the deck 26 and are configured to detect patient weight. The potentiometers are configured to detect the angle of the deck sections 30, 32, 34, 46 and the angle of the upper frame 18 relative to the floor underlying the bed 10.
The support surface 14 is coupled to the deck 26 and moves with the deck 26 as the deck 26 is repositioned as suggested in
The inflatable bladders 42 included in the support surface 14 illustratively include support bladders 50, rotation bladders 52, percussion and vibration bladders 54, and a fill bladder 56 as shown in
The support bladders 50 include head-support bladder 60, seat-support bladder 62, and foot-support bladder 64 as shown, for example, in
The rotation bladders illustratively include left and right head-turn bladders 80, 81 and seat-turn bladders 82, 83 as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, the left head-turn bladder 80 and the left seat-turn bladder 82 are plumbed together to provide left and right inflatable cells for concurrent inflation but in other embodiments may be separately plumbed. Similarly, in the illustrative embodiment, the right head-turn bladder 81 and the right seat-turn bladder 83 are plumbed together for concurrent inflation but in other embodiments may be separately plumbed. The left and right head-turn bladders 80, 81 are spaced apart from the left and right seat turn bladders, 83 to accommodate formation of the gap G2 when the deck 26 of the patient support apparatus is repositioned as suggested in
The cover 44 illustratively includes a topper 86, a fire barrier 88, and a lower ticking 90 as shown in
The lower ticking 90 includes a head-end section 92, a foot-end section 94, and a series of folds 96 coupled to the head-end section 92 and the foot-end section 94 as shown in
Turning now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Turning now to
The controller 25 is configured to inflate the fill bladder 56 to a level corresponding to the movement of the head-deck section 30 relative to the seat-deck section 32 as suggested in
Correspondingly, the controller 25 is configured to deflate the fill bladder 56 in response to a decrease in the angle of the head deck section 30. Specifically, when the head-deck section 30 is moved from the fully-inclined position (shown in
A program 1000 performed by the controller 25 during movement of the head-deck section 30 to fill any gap G between the head-deck section 30 and the seat-deck section 32 is shown in
If the incline of the head-deck section 30 is decreasing, the controller 25 activates the air source 79 to actively deflate (vacuum) the fill bladder 56 for a predetermined time T in a step 1006 as shown in
The controller 25 compares the current pressure in the fill bladder 56 to the determined desired pressure in a step 1012 as shown in
If the incline of the head-deck section is increasing, the controller 25 activates the air source 79 to actively inflate (blower) the fill bladder 56 in a step 1024 as shown in
In addition to the fill bladder 56 inflating, the folds 96 of the lower ticking 90 expand during movement of the head-deck section 30 away from the seat-deck section 32. The expansion of the folds 96 between the head-end section 92 and the foot-end section 94 of the lower ticking 90 prevents tearing or over-stretching of the lower ticking 90 during movement of the deck 26.
Referring now to
In the illustrative embodiment, if a caregiver presses and holds the chair-egress button 101, the controller 25 performs a program 2000 as shown in
If the footboard 37 has been removed, the controller 25 begins deflation of seat and foot bladders 62, 64 in a step 2006 as shown in
Before moving to the chair-egress configuration, the controller 25 determines if the seat and foot bladders 62, 64 are deflated in a step 2010 as shown in
When the chair-egress configuration is reached, the controller 25 determines if the chair-egress button 101 is still (or again) pressed in a step 2014. If the chair-egress button 101 is still pressed, the controller inflates the head-turn bladders 80, 81 so that a patient is gently pushed forward out of the bed 10 in a step 2016. In the illustrative embodiment, air inflating the head-turn bladders 80, 81 is also supplied to the seat-turn bladders 82, 83 since the turn bladders 80/82 and 81/83 are plumbed together. However, since a patient supported on the bed 10 while in the chair-egress configuration is sitting on the seat-turn bladders 82, 83, the head-turn bladders 80, 81 will inflate first to provide a gentle push.
If the footboard 37 has not been removed during time T prior to a user pressing the chair-egress button, the controller 25 determines is the patient support apparatus 12 is near the full-chair configuration in a step 2018 as shown in
If the controller 25 determines that the patient support apparatus 12 is near the full-chair configuration, the controller 25 checks to see if the footboard 37 has been removed in a step 2024. If the footboard 37 is not removed, the controller 25 checks to confirm that the chair-egress button 101 is still pressed in a step 2026. If the chair-egress button 101 is still pressed, the controller 25 requests footboard removal in a step 2028. In the illustrative embodiment, footboard removal is requested via a message displayed on the user interface 74. However, in other embodiments, removal may be requested via audio or other signals. If the footboard 37 is removed, the controller 25 proceeds to steps 2006-2014 of the program 2000 to properly adjust the support surface 14 of the bed 10 as suggested in
In some embodiments, the controller 25 coordinates movement of the deck 26 to the chair-egress configuration with deflation of the seat-support bladder 62 and the foot-support bladder 64. More specifically, the controller 25 simultaneously moves the deck 26 toward the chair-egress configuration while deflating the seat-support bladder 62 and the foot-support bladder 64. During movement of the deck 26 and deflation of the seat-support bladder 62 and the foot-support bladder 64, the controller 25 monitors progress of deflation via pressure sensors in the seat-support bladder 62 and the foot-support bladder 64. The controller 25 may slow or pause movement of the deck 26 if pressure in the seat-support bladder 62 and the foot-support bladder 64 are not at a predetermined level corresponding to the position of the deck 26 or if the pressure is not dropping at a predetermined rate. Further, the controller 25 may stop movement of the deck 26 and trigger an alarm to communicate an error or a fault to a caregiver if deflation of the seat-support bladder 62 and the foot-support bladder 64 is not progressing. Thus, the controller 26 prevents movement of the deck 26 to the chair-egress configuration without full deflation of the seat-support bladder 62 and the foot-support bladder 64. Similarly, the controller 25 may coordinate movement of the deck 26 from the chair-egress configuration to the flat position with inflation of the seat-support bladder 62 and the foot-support bladder 64.
As a result of deflating the seat-support bladder 62, a patient supported on the bed 10 is lowered and supported on the hard surface of the seat-deck section 32 and the thigh-deck section 34 when the chair-egress configuration is reached. Supporting the patient on the hard surfaces of the seat-deck section and the thigh-deck section 34 provides stability to the patient so that the patient can stand up out of the bed 10. Additionally, because the foot-support bladder 64 is deflated, the patient is able to place her feet on the floor adjacent to the foot-deck section 36 when exiting the bed 10 as suggested in
When the chair-egress configuration is reached, the controller 25 is configured to operate the air source 79 and the valve box 45 to inflate the head-turn rotation bladders 80, 81 (sometimes called boost bladders) to assist a patient exiting the bed 10 as suggested in
Referring now to
In the illustrative embodiment, if a caregiver presses and holds the side-egress button 117 after the patient support apparatus 12 reaches the side-egress configuration, the controller 25 is configured to operate the valve box 45 and the air source 79 to inflate the head-support bladder 60 and the foot-support bladder 64 to an exit pressure as shown in
As a result of inflating the head-support bladder 60 and the foot-support bladder 64 to the exit pressures, a patient supported on the bed 10 able to push downwardly with his hands to push himself up out of the bed 10 as suggested in
In the illustrative embodiment, the algorithm for determining the exit pressures of the head-support bladder 60, the seat-support bladder 62, and the foot support bladder 64 are dependent upon patient weight determined by the controller 25 based, at least in part, on information from the load cells sensors 78. The exit pressures are illustratively determined according to the following equations wherein PWSP=patient weight for set points in pounds. All pressures are determined in inches of water and are limited to 32 inches of water.
Turning now to
The controller 25 executes a program 3000, shown in
The controller 25 then opens the bleed valve 85 between the air source 79 and the valve box 45 in a step 3012 and inflates a second set of bladders to an opti-rest pressure in a step 3014 as shown in
Referring now to
The controller 25 executes a program 4000, shown in
After inflation of the right turn bladders 80, 82, the controller 25 passively deflates the right turn bladders 81, 83 by opening the vent valve 97 included in the valve box 45 in a step 4006 as shown in
In a step 4014, the controller 25 inflates the left turn bladders 82, 84 by engaging the air source 79 as a blower and adjusting the valve box 45 to couple the air source 79 to the left turn bladders 80, 82 as shown in
After inflation of the left turn bladders 81, 83, the controller 25 passively deflates the left turn bladders 80, 82 by opening the vent valve 97 included in the valve box 45 in a step 4016 as shown in
Referring now to
As suggested in
In the illustrative embodiment, the keyhole slots 136, 137, 138, 139 have a wide portion 146 and a narrow portion 148 as shown in
Referring again to
Turning now to
Referring now to
Referring back to
The user interface 68 is a push-button panel coupled to an inner side of the siderail 71 included in the patient support apparatus 12. The user interface 70 is a push-button panel pivotably coupled to an outer side of the siderail 73 included in the patient support apparatus 12. The user interface 72 is a push-button panel coupled to an outer side of the headrail 77. The user interface 74 is a touch screen graphical user interface coupled to the outer side of the side rail 73.
Turning now to
The outer ticking 290 illustratively includes a head-end section 292, a foot-end section 294, and an elastic section 296 coupled to the head-end section 292 and the foot-end section 294 as shown in
Turning now to
The top pad 252 forms a portion of a top surface 268 of the cushion 250 and is arranged to extend from the head end 215 of the surface 214 toward the foot end 216 of the patient support surface 214 as shown in
The expandable bottom pad 262 forms a portion of a bottom surface 269 of the cushion 250 and underlies the top pad 252, the head pad 254, the air pad 256, the knee-joint pad assembly 258, a portion of the foot pad 260 and the side bolsters 264, 266 as shown in
The knee joint pad assembly 258 illustratively includes a knee block 274, a first knee wedge 276, and a second knee wedge 278 as shown in
The foot pad 260 forms a portion of the top and bottom surfaces 268, 269 of the cushion 250 as shown in
The expandable bottom pad 262 includes a perforated portion 280 and a solid portion 282 as shown in
The perforated portion 280 of the expandable bottom pad 262 is formed to include a plurality of perforations 285 as shown in
Each of the side bolsters 264, 266 is formed to include a plurality of top-side slits 286 and bottom-side slits 288 as shown in
The patient support surface 214 also includes a plurality of lugs 231-234 configured to be received in corresponding lug-receiver apertures 136-139 included in the deck 26 of the patient support apparatus 12. A first pair of lugs 231, 232 is coupled to the head-end section 292 of the ticking 290 and to the expandable bottom pad 262 of the cushion 250 along the head end 215 of the support surface 214. The first pair of lugs 231, 232 is configured to be received in the corresponding pair of keyhole slots 136, 137 formed in the head-deck section 30 of the deck 26 shown in
Turning now to
In operation, the expandable portion 316 of the overlay 310 expands during movement of the deck 26 from the flat position (shown in
Referring now to
Unlike the support surface 214, the support surface 414 includes an interior cushion 450 having a torso pad 452 and a foot pad 560 as shown in
Referring now to
Unlike the support surface 214, the support surface 514 includes an interior cushion 550 having a torso pad 552 and a foot pad 560 as shown in
Although certain illustrative embodiments have been described in detail above, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of this disclosure as described and as defined in the following claims.
A patient support system includes a scale system, an air system, and a lift system. The patient support system also includes a control system configured to graphically communicate information about the scale system, the air system, and the lift system to a user.
The present disclosure is related to patient support systems and methods of using patient support systems. Specifically, the present disclosure is related to the patient support systems including user interfaces that communicate information to a user and that receive instructions from the user.
Some modern patient support systems include user interfaces for communicating operational information about the patient support system to a user. Some operational information may be unintelligible for inexperienced users.
The present application discloses one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter:
According to the present disclosure, a patient support system may include a patient support apparatus and a control system. The patient support apparatus may include a base, a deck, and a scale. The deck may include a head-deck section movable relative to the base and a deck sensor configured to detect a head-deck position corresponding to the position of the head-deck section. The scale may be coupled to the deck and configured to detect the weight of a patient supported on the deck. The control system may include a user interface and a controller coupled to the deck sensor, the scale, and the user interface.
In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to display an icon including a first portion that graphically indicates if the head-deck section of the patient support apparatus is in one of a set of predetermined head-deck positions that allow an accurate weight of the patient to be detected by the scale. The icon may graphically indicate which direction the head-deck section should be moved to assume one of the predetermined head-deck positions.
In some embodiments, the deck may include a foot-deck section movable relative to the base. The deck sensor may be configured to detect a foot-deck position corresponding to the position of the foot-deck section. The icon may include a second portion that graphically indicates if the foot-deck section of the patient support apparatus is in one of a set of predetermined foot-deck positions that allow an accurate weight of the patient to be detected by the scale.
In some embodiments, the base may include a lower frame adapted to engage a floor, an upper frame coupled to the deck to support the deck above the floor, and a lift system coupled to the lower frame and to the upper frame. The lift system may be configured to move the upper frame relative to the lower frame. The icon may include a third portion that graphically indicates if the upper frame of the base is in one of a set of predetermined frame positions that allow an accurate weight of the patient to be detected by the scale.
In some embodiments, the icon may include an illustration of the patient support apparatus and a first graphic indicator associated with the head-deck section. The first graphic indicator may be displayed in a first color if the head-deck section is in one of the set of predetermined head-deck positions and may be displayed in a second color if the head-deck section is not in one of the set of predetermined head-deck positions.
In some embodiments, the icon includes a first directional indicator associated with the head-deck section showing a direction to move the head-deck section toward the set of predetermined head-deck positions. The directional indicator may be an arrow.
In some embodiments, the base may include a lower frame adapted to engage a floor, an upper frame coupled to the deck to support the deck above the floor, and a lift system coupled to the lower frame and to the upper frame. The lift system may be configured to move the upper frame relative to the lower frame. The icon may include a second graphic indicator associated with the upper frame and a second directional indicator associated with the upper frame. The second graphic indicator may be displayed in a first color if the upper frame is in one of the set of predetermined frame positions and may be displayed in a second color if the upper frame is not in one of the set of predetermined frame positions. The second directional indicator associated with the upper deck may show a direction to move the upper frame toward the set of predetermined frame positions.
In some embodiments, the deck may include a second deck section movable relative to the base. The deck sensor may be configured to detect a second-deck position corresponding to the position of the second deck section. The icon may include a third graphic indicator associated with the second deck section and a third directional indicator associated with the second deck section. The third graphic indicator may be displayed in a first color if the second deck section is in one of the set of predetermined second-deck positions and may be displayed in a second color if the second deck section is not in one of the set of predetermined second deck positions. The third directional indicator associated with the second deck section may show a direction to move the second deck toward the set of predetermined second deck positions.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a patient support system may include a patient support apparatus and a control system. The patient support apparatus may include a base, a deck, and an air source. The deck may include a head-deck section movable relative to the base and a deck sensor configured to detect a head-deck position corresponding to the position of the head-deck section. The air source may be configured to provide pressurized therapeutic air to a patient support surface mounted on the patient support apparatus. The control system may include a user interface and a controller coupled to the deck sensor, the air source, and the user interface.
In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to display an icon graphically indicating if the head-deck section of the patient support apparatus is in one of a set of predetermined head-deck positions that allow a pressurized air therapy to be applied to a patient. The icon may graphically indicate which direction the head-deck section should be moved to assume one of the predetermined head-deck positions.
In some embodiments, the deck may include a foot-deck section movable relative to the base. The deck sensor may be configured to detect a foot-deck position corresponding to the position of the foot-deck section. The icon may graphically indicate if the foot-deck section of the patient support apparatus is in one of a set of predetermined foot-deck positions that allow a pressurized air therapy to be applied to a patient.
In some embodiments, the icon may include an illustration of the patient support apparatus and a first graphic indicator associated with a representation of the head-deck section included in the illustration of the patient support apparatus. The first graphic indicator may be displayed in a first color if the head-deck section is in one of the set of predetermined head-deck positions and may be displayed in a second color if the head-deck section is not in one of the set of predetermined head-deck positions. The graphic indicator may be wedge-shaped and may extend between the representation of the head-deck section and a representation of the base included in the illustration of the patient support apparatus. The icon may include a first directional indicator associated with the representation of the head-deck section showing a direction to move the head-deck section toward the set of predetermined head-deck positions.
In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus may include a siderail movable between a lowered position and a raised position. A siderail portion of the illustration may be displayed in a first color if the siderail is in a predetermined position that allows a pressurized air therapy to be applied to a patient and is displayed in a second color if the siderail is not in the predetermined siderail position.
In some embodiments, the deck may include a second deck section movable relative to the base. The deck sensor may be configured to detect a second-deck position corresponding to the position of the second deck section. The icon may include a second graphic indicator associated with the second deck section and a second directional indicator associated with the second deck section. The second graphic indicator may be displayed in a first color if the second deck section is in one of a set of predetermined second-deck positions that allow a pressurized air therapy to be applied to a patient and may be displayed in a second color if the second deck section is not in one of the set of predetermined second deck positions. The second directional indicator associated with the second deck section may show a direction to move the second deck toward the set of predetermined second deck positions.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a patient support system may include a patient support apparatus and a control system. The patient support apparatus having a head end, a foot end, a left side, and a right side. The patient support apparatus may include a lower frame adapted to engage a floor, an upper frame supported over the lower frame, a lift system coupled to the lower frame and to the upper frame, and an obstruction sensor configured to detect obstructions between the lower frame and the upper frame. The control system may include a user interface and a controller coupled to the obstruction sensor, the air source, and the user interface.
In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to display an icon graphically indicating if an obstruction is detected by the obstruction sensor and indicating a location of the obstruction. The icon may include an illustration of the patient support apparatus and a first graphic indicator associated with one of the head end, the foot end, the left side, and the right side of the patient support apparatus.
In some embodiments, the first graphic indicator may be arranged along one of the head end, the foot end, the left side and the right side of the illustration of the patient support apparatus to indicate the location of a first obstruction.
In some embodiments, the icon may include a first directional indicator associated with the first graphic indicator arranged to indicate the location of the obstruction. The directional indicator may be an arrow overlying the first graphic indicator.
In some embodiments, first graphic indicator may be rectangular. The first graphic indicator may be displayed in one of yellow and red.
In some embodiments, the icon may include a second graphic indicator arranged along one of the head end, the foot end, the left side and the right side of the illustration of the patient support apparatus to indicate the location of a second obstruction. The icon may include a first arrow overlying the first graphic indicator and a second arrow overlying the second graphic indicator.
Additional features, which alone or in combination with any other feature(s), including those listed above and those listed in the claims, may comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
A patient support system 10 illustratively includes a patient support apparatus (sometimes called a bed frame) 12, a patient support surface (sometimes called a mattress) 14, and a control system 16 integrated into the patient support apparatus 12 as shown in
The control system 16 is coupled to each of the systems 18, 20, 22 and is coupled to a user interface 25 as shown in
More specifically, the control system 16 displays an icon 241 (shown in
Referring again to
The base 34 illustratively includes a lower frame 42 and an upper frame 44 as shown in
The scale system 18 is illustratively made up of load cells coupled between the upper frame 44 and the deck 36 as suggested in
The air system 20 illustratively includes an air source such as a blower, compressor, or the like housed in the lower frame 42 as suggested in
The lift system 22 illustratively includes lift arms 61, 62, 63, 64 that pivot relative to the lower frame 42 and the upper frame 44 to raise and lower the upper frame 44 relative to the lower frame 42 as shown in
The deck 36 illustratively includes a head-deck section 46, a seat-deck section 48, a thigh-deck section 50, and a foot-deck section 52 as shown in
In addition to the deck sections, the deck 36 illustratively includes deck actuators 54 and deck sensors 56 as shown diagrammatically in
The control system 16 illustratively includes a controller 60, the user interface 25, and user inputs 66, 68, 70 as shown in
Referring now to
Referring to
Referring now to
To begin operation of the scale system a user presses a scale button 210 included in the menu 208 as suggested in
If the control system 16 determines that an accurate weight cannot be determined a scale operation screen 230 (shown in
The scale operation screen 230 includes a non-verified weight display 232 showing the information available (even though the weight detected may not be accurate), an initial weight display 234, and a weight trend display 235 as shown in
If a user presses a displayed out of position warning display 236, as suggested in
The fault indicators 243, 244, 245 are illustratively a head-section indicator 243, a foot-section indicator 244, and an upper-frame indicator 245 that are displayed in yellow to indicate that a corresponding component 46, 52, 44 is out of position as shown in
The directional indicators 246, 247, 248 are illustratively a head-section arrow 246, a foot-section arrow 247, and an upper-frame arrow 248 as shown in
Turning now to
The first reminder screen 250 includes an icon 251 that shows which portions of the patient support system 10 should not be supporting items not supported when the scale system 18 was last zeroed as shown in
The new weight screen 260 includes a weight display 262 and an initial weight display 264 as shown in
Referring now to
On the rotation therapy screen 330, a user can adjust the rate, magnitude of the rotation, and duration of therapy that will be applied to a patient as suggested in
The could not start CLRT screen 340 illustratively includes a graphic icon 341 that indicates which components of the patient support apparatus 12 are causing the out of position fault and indicates how to rearrange the patient support apparatus 12 to be in one of the predetermined positions that would the therapy to be applied. The icon 341 includes an illustration 342 of the patient support system 10, fault indicators 343, 344, 345 showing components that are out of position, and directional indicators 346, 347, 348 showing how to move the components out of position into position to allow an accurate weight to be detected.
The fault indicators 343, 344, 345 are illustratively a head-section indicator 343, a foot-section indicator 344, and a siderail indicator 345 that are displayed in yellow to indicate that a corresponding component 46, 52, 38 is out of position as shown in
The directional indicators 346, 347, 348 are illustratively a head-section arrow 346, a foot-section arrow 347, and a siderail arrow 348 as shown in
Referring now to
The warning screens 410 are illustratively displayed when a user tries to lower the upper frame 44 toward the lower frame 42 and the obstruction sensor 49 detects an obstruction between the upper frame 44 and the lower frame 42. By indicating to a user where an obstruction is located, the user can quickly clear the obstruction to allow lowering of the upper frame 44. This feature may be helpful when nuisance obstructions such as bed sheets trigger the obstruction sensor 49 and prevent lowering of the upper frame 44.
Although certain illustrative embodiments have been described in detail above, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of this disclosure as described and as defined in the following claims.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/784,281, filed Oct. 16, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,806,655, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/409,271, filed Dec. 18, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,833,369, which is a U.S. national counterpart application of international application serial no. PCT/US2013/046796 filed Jun. 20, 2013, which claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61/662,711 filed Jun. 21, 2012, 61/663,311 filed Jun. 22, 2012, and 61/722,663 filed Nov. 5, 2012, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. U.S. application Ser. No. 15/784,281, filed Oct. 16, 2017, also claimed priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 120, as a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/798,359, filed Mar. 13, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,228,885, and Ser. No. 13/828,186, filed Mar. 14, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,329,076, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1772310 | Hart | Aug 1930 | A |
| 2538993 | Travis | Jan 1951 | A |
| 3340550 | Hopkins et al. | Sep 1967 | A |
| 3340551 | Hopkins | Sep 1967 | A |
| 3354476 | Scales et al. | Nov 1967 | A |
| 3428973 | Hargest et al. | Feb 1969 | A |
| 3434165 | Keane | Mar 1969 | A |
| 3485240 | Fountain | Dec 1969 | A |
| 3492988 | De Mare | Feb 1970 | A |
| 3644950 | Lindsay, Jr. | Feb 1972 | A |
| 3674019 | Grant | Jul 1972 | A |
| 3757366 | Sacher | Sep 1973 | A |
| 3775781 | Bruno | Dec 1973 | A |
| 3778851 | Howorth | Dec 1973 | A |
| 3822425 | Scales | Jul 1974 | A |
| 3867732 | Morrell | Feb 1975 | A |
| 4127906 | Zur | Dec 1978 | A |
| 4193149 | Welch | Mar 1980 | A |
| 4224706 | Young et al. | Sep 1980 | A |
| 4279044 | Douglas | Jul 1981 | A |
| 4347633 | Gammons et al. | Sep 1982 | A |
| 4357722 | Thompson | Nov 1982 | A |
| 4391009 | Schild et al. | Jul 1983 | A |
| 4394784 | Swenson et al. | Jul 1983 | A |
| 4411035 | Fenwick | Oct 1983 | A |
| 4435864 | Callaway et al. | Mar 1984 | A |
| 4483030 | Flick et al. | Nov 1984 | A |
| 4525409 | Elesh | Jun 1985 | A |
| 4525885 | Hunt et al. | Jul 1985 | A |
| 4628557 | Murphy | Dec 1986 | A |
| 4638519 | Hess | Jan 1987 | A |
| 4803744 | Peck et al. | Feb 1989 | A |
| 4852195 | Schulman | Aug 1989 | A |
| 4862529 | Peck | Sep 1989 | A |
| 4897890 | Walker | Feb 1990 | A |
| 4944060 | Peery et al. | Jul 1990 | A |
| 4951335 | Eady | Aug 1990 | A |
| 4953247 | Hasty | Sep 1990 | A |
| 4962552 | Hasty | Oct 1990 | A |
| 4970743 | Wride et al. | Nov 1990 | A |
| 4977633 | Chaffee | Dec 1990 | A |
| 4982466 | Higgins et al. | Jan 1991 | A |
| 4986738 | Kawasaki et al. | Jan 1991 | A |
| 4991244 | Walker et al. | Feb 1991 | A |
| 4993920 | Harkleroad | Feb 1991 | A |
| 4999867 | Toivio et al. | Mar 1991 | A |
| 5003654 | Vrzalik | Apr 1991 | A |
| 5005240 | Vrzalik | Apr 1991 | A |
| 5007123 | Salyards | Apr 1991 | A |
| 5010608 | Barnett et al. | Apr 1991 | A |
| 5018786 | Goldstein et al. | May 1991 | A |
| 5022110 | Stroh | Jun 1991 | A |
| 5023967 | Ferrand | Jun 1991 | A |
| 5044029 | Vrzalik | Sep 1991 | A |
| 5044364 | Crowther | Sep 1991 | A |
| 5052068 | Graebe | Oct 1991 | A |
| 5060174 | Gross | Oct 1991 | A |
| 5060896 | Hobbins | Oct 1991 | A |
| 5062169 | Kennedy et al. | Nov 1991 | A |
| 5068933 | Sexton et al. | Dec 1991 | A |
| 5083335 | Krouskop et al. | Jan 1992 | A |
| 5095568 | Thomas et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
| 5103519 | Hasty | Apr 1992 | A |
| 5129117 | Celestina et al. | Jul 1992 | A |
| 5142719 | Vrzalik et al. | Sep 1992 | A |
| 5142720 | Kelso | Sep 1992 | A |
| 5152021 | Vrzalik et al. | Oct 1992 | A |
| 5157800 | Borders et al. | Oct 1992 | A |
| 5170364 | Gross et al. | Dec 1992 | A |
| 5179742 | Oberle | Jan 1993 | A |
| 5216768 | Bodine et al. | Jun 1993 | A |
| 5251349 | Thomas et al. | Oct 1993 | A |
| 5267364 | Volk | Dec 1993 | A |
| 5269030 | Pahno et al. | Dec 1993 | A |
| 5277474 | Hannagan et al. | Jan 1994 | A |
| 5325551 | Tappel et al. | Jul 1994 | A |
| 5331698 | Newkirk et al. | Jul 1994 | A |
| 5335384 | Foster et al. | Aug 1994 | A |
| 5367728 | Chang et al. | Nov 1994 | A |
| 5370439 | Lowe et al. | Dec 1994 | A |
| 5375273 | Bodine et al. | Dec 1994 | A |
| 5438721 | Pahno et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
| 5454126 | Foster et al. | Oct 1995 | A |
| 5479666 | Foster et al. | Jan 1996 | A |
| 5483709 | Foster et al. | Jan 1996 | A |
| 5487196 | Wilkinson et al. | Jan 1996 | A |
| 5493742 | Klearman et al. | Feb 1996 | A |
| 5509155 | Zigarac et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
| 5513406 | Foster et al. | May 1996 | A |
| 5539943 | Romano | Jul 1996 | A |
| 5542136 | Tappel | Aug 1996 | A |
| 5560057 | Madsen et al. | Oct 1996 | A |
| 5586346 | Stacy et al. | Dec 1996 | A |
| 5592706 | Pearce | Jan 1997 | A |
| 5603133 | Vrzalik et al. | Feb 1997 | A |
| 5606754 | Hand et al. | Mar 1997 | A |
| 5611096 | Bartlett | Mar 1997 | A |
| 5630238 | Weismiller et al. | May 1997 | A |
| 5647079 | Hakamiun et al. | Jul 1997 | A |
| 5664270 | Bell et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
| 5666681 | Meyer et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
| 5669094 | Swanson | Sep 1997 | A |
| 5687438 | Biggie et al. | Nov 1997 | A |
| 5699570 | Wilkinson | Dec 1997 | A |
| 5715548 | Weismiller | Feb 1998 | A |
| 5729853 | Thompson et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
| 5755000 | Thompson et al. | May 1998 | A |
| 5781949 | Weismiller et al. | Jul 1998 | A |
| 5787534 | Hargest et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
| 5790997 | Ruehl | Aug 1998 | A |
| 5815864 | Sloop | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5829081 | Pearce | Nov 1998 | A |
| 5870785 | Hoorens | Feb 1999 | A |
| 5882349 | Wilkerson et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
| 5887304 | von der Heyde | Mar 1999 | A |
| 5904172 | Gifft et al. | May 1999 | A |
| 5926884 | Biggie et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
| 5983429 | Stacy et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
| 6008598 | Luff | Dec 1999 | A |
| 6012186 | Soltani et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6021533 | Ellis et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
| 6047424 | Osborne et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
| 6056353 | Meara | May 2000 | A |
| 6062215 | Leininger et al. | May 2000 | A |
| 6073291 | Davis et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
| 6079090 | Ongaro | Jun 2000 | A |
| 6085372 | James et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
| 6115860 | Vrzalik | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6119291 | Osborne et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6126152 | Santos et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
| 6145142 | Rechin et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
| 6148461 | Cook et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
| 6155641 | Frost | Dec 2000 | A |
| 6163903 | Weismiller et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
| 6202239 | Ward et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
| 6282737 | Vrzalik | Sep 2001 | B1 |
| 6295675 | Ellis et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6339410 | Milner et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
| 6347420 | Elliott | Feb 2002 | B2 |
| 6370716 | Wilkinson | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6421859 | Hicks et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
| 6430763 | Kosumsuppamala et al. | Aug 2002 | B2 |
| 6499167 | Ellis et al. | Dec 2002 | B1 |
| 6510573 | Grabe | Jan 2003 | B1 |
| 6516480 | Elliott | Feb 2003 | B2 |
| 6536056 | Vrzalik et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
| 6584628 | Smith et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
| 6698046 | Wu | Mar 2004 | B1 |
| 6708352 | Salvatini et al. | Mar 2004 | B2 |
| 6715171 | Grabe | Apr 2004 | B2 |
| 6721980 | Price et al. | Apr 2004 | B1 |
| 6730115 | Heaton | May 2004 | B1 |
| 6735799 | Ellis et al. | May 2004 | B1 |
| 6745996 | Guthrie | Jun 2004 | B1 |
| 6782574 | Totton et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
| 6813790 | Flick | Nov 2004 | B2 |
| 6855158 | Stolpmann | Feb 2005 | B2 |
| 6892405 | Dimitriu | May 2005 | B1 |
| 6928681 | Stacy | Aug 2005 | B1 |
| 6942687 | Heaton et al. | Sep 2005 | B1 |
| 6953439 | Kabemba | Oct 2005 | B1 |
| 7007330 | Kuiper | Mar 2006 | B2 |
| 7036166 | Kramer et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
| 7036171 | Wu | May 2006 | B2 |
| 7086107 | Ellis et al. | Aug 2006 | B2 |
| 7171711 | Gowda | Feb 2007 | B2 |
| 7216389 | Ellis et al. | May 2007 | B2 |
| 7253366 | Bhai | Aug 2007 | B2 |
| 7260860 | Chambers et al. | Aug 2007 | B2 |
| 7296312 | Menkedick et al. | Nov 2007 | B2 |
| 7296315 | Totton et al. | Nov 2007 | B2 |
| 7319386 | Collins, Jr. et al. | Jan 2008 | B2 |
| 7330127 | Price et al. | Feb 2008 | B2 |
| 7334280 | Swartzburg | Feb 2008 | B1 |
| 7346945 | Phillips | Mar 2008 | B2 |
| 7441290 | Flick | Oct 2008 | B1 |
| 7458119 | Hornbach et al. | Dec 2008 | B2 |
| 7469436 | Meyer et al. | Dec 2008 | B2 |
| 7512998 | Martin et al. | Apr 2009 | B2 |
| 7515059 | Price et al. | Apr 2009 | B2 |
| 7520012 | Robins | Apr 2009 | B2 |
| 7538659 | Ulrich et al. | May 2009 | B2 |
| 7587776 | Poulos | Sep 2009 | B2 |
| 7610637 | Menkedick | Nov 2009 | B2 |
| 7610638 | Kramer et al. | Nov 2009 | B2 |
| 7644460 | Calvo | Jan 2010 | B2 |
| 7712171 | Butler | May 2010 | B2 |
| 7779547 | Townsend | Aug 2010 | B2 |
| 7797771 | Bossen et al. | Sep 2010 | B1 |
| 7861334 | Lemire et al. | Jan 2011 | B2 |
| 7926131 | Menkedick | Apr 2011 | B2 |
| 8028359 | Parson et al. | Oct 2011 | B2 |
| 8037563 | Richards et al. | Oct 2011 | B2 |
| 8051512 | Teeter | Nov 2011 | B2 |
| RE43193 | Osborne | Feb 2012 | E |
| 8108957 | Richards et al. | Feb 2012 | B2 |
| 8127380 | Wurdeman | Mar 2012 | B2 |
| 8245341 | Oh | Aug 2012 | B2 |
| 8381337 | Zerhusen et al. | Feb 2013 | B2 |
| 8413273 | Hornbach et al. | Apr 2013 | B2 |
| 8474074 | O'Keefe et al. | Jul 2013 | B2 |
| 8474921 | Newkirk et al. | Jul 2013 | B2 |
| 8555438 | Turner et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8640285 | Heimbrock et al. | Feb 2014 | B2 |
| 8677535 | Turner | Mar 2014 | B2 |
| 8756735 | Heimbrock et al. | Jun 2014 | B2 |
| 8844078 | Hornbach et al. | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 8997287 | Lanning et al. | Apr 2015 | B2 |
| 9228885 | Zerhusen et al. | Jan 2016 | B2 |
| 9329076 | Meyer et al. | May 2016 | B2 |
| 9833369 | Meyer et al. | Dec 2017 | B2 |
| 10806655 | Meyer et al. | Oct 2020 | B2 |
| 20010033925 | Trapp et al. | Oct 2001 | A1 |
| 20020111701 | Borders | Aug 2002 | A1 |
| 20020152551 | Perez et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
| 20040163181 | Wu | Aug 2004 | A1 |
| 20040189073 | Chadwick et al. | Sep 2004 | A1 |
| 20060019581 | Zhang et al. | Jan 2006 | A1 |
| 20060026765 | Hornbach et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
| 20060085914 | Peterson et al. | Apr 2006 | A1 |
| 20060101581 | Blanchard et al. | May 2006 | A1 |
| 20070050910 | Blanchard et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
| 20070143928 | Biggie et al. | Jun 2007 | A1 |
| 20070157385 | Lemire et al. | Jul 2007 | A1 |
| 20070163043 | Lemire et al. | Jul 2007 | A1 |
| 20070169268 | Lemire | Jul 2007 | A1 |
| 20070174965 | Lemire et al. | Aug 2007 | A1 |
| 20070210917 | Collins et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
| 20080109964 | Flocard | May 2008 | A1 |
| 20080201851 | Menkedick | Aug 2008 | A1 |
| 20090000033 | Hempker | Jan 2009 | A1 |
| 20090038074 | Barthelt | Feb 2009 | A1 |
| 20090044334 | Parsell et al. | Feb 2009 | A1 |
| 20090212925 | Schuman, Sr. et al. | Aug 2009 | A1 |
| 20090212926 | Du et al. | Aug 2009 | A1 |
| 20090217080 | Ferguson et al. | Aug 2009 | A1 |
| 20100064439 | Soltani | Mar 2010 | A1 |
| 20100244522 | Fukai | Sep 2010 | A1 |
| 20100293718 | Wurdeman | Nov 2010 | A1 |
| 20110035879 | Grinstead et al. | Feb 2011 | A1 |
| 20110047704 | DeBraal et al. | Mar 2011 | A1 |
| 20110277242 | Dionne et al. | Nov 2011 | A1 |
| 20120005832 | Turner et al. | Jan 2012 | A1 |
| 20120023673 | Hornbach | Feb 2012 | A1 |
| 20120047655 | O'Keefe | Mar 2012 | A1 |
| 20120054965 | Kummer et al. | Mar 2012 | A1 |
| 20120060290 | Jones et al. | Mar 2012 | A1 |
| 20120079662 | Dzioba | Apr 2012 | A1 |
| 20120089419 | Huster et al. | Apr 2012 | A1 |
| 20120096644 | Heimbrock | Apr 2012 | A1 |
| 20120124744 | Hornbach | May 2012 | A1 |
| 20120124746 | Andrienko | May 2012 | A1 |
| 20120144584 | Vrzalik et al. | Jun 2012 | A1 |
| 20120144588 | Heimbrock | Jun 2012 | A1 |
| 20120198627 | Turner et al. | Aug 2012 | A1 |
| 20150182400 | Meyer et al. | Jul 2015 | A1 |
| 20170224560 | Meyer et al. | Aug 2017 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2433605 | Mar 2012 | EP |
| 2574322 | Sep 2012 | EP |
| 932779 | Jul 1963 | GB |
| 1545806 | May 1979 | GB |
| 2134379 | May 1984 | GB |
| 2001-513384 | Sep 2001 | JP |
| 2004-57601 | Feb 2024 | JP |
| 8809651 | Dec 1988 | WO |
| 9427544 | Dec 1994 | WO |
| 9909865 | Mar 1999 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Extended EP Search Report for Application No. 13807132.9, dated Sep. 8, 2015 (9 pages). |
| User Manual, Total Care Bed System and Total Care Duo 2 System, by Hill-Rom, Inc., 2008. |
| Service Manual, Total Care Bed System, by Hill-Rom, Inc., 2008. |
| PCT International Search Report for PCT/US2013/046796, dated Jun. 20, 2013, 5 pages. |
| Supplemental Partial European Search Report for Application No. 13807132.9 completed on May 12, 2015 (9 pages). |
| JP Office Action with English translation dated Jan. 12, 2016 (6 pages). |
| EP partial supplementary search report for Application No. 13807132.9, dated May 20, 2015 (5 pages). |
| Communication pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC for European Patent Application No. 13807132.9 dated Jul. 23, 2018; 4 pages. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20210000669 A1 | Jan 2021 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61722663 | Nov 2012 | US | |
| 61663311 | Jun 2012 | US | |
| 61662711 | Jun 2012 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15784281 | Oct 2017 | US |
| Child | 17024858 | US | |
| Parent | 14409271 | US | |
| Child | 15784281 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13828186 | Mar 2013 | US |
| Child | 15784281 | US | |
| Parent | 13798359 | Mar 2013 | US |
| Child | 15784281 | US |
