Patent Application
20140047641
Accommodation of patients of a wide girth on a patient support apparatus is an ongoing challenge. Transport of a patient support apparatus designed to accommodate patients of a wide girth through doorways not sized for transport of such apparatus is a continuing concern. While several systems and methods have been developed to provide the ability to change the width of a patient support apparatus, an opportunity exists for continued development in this area.
The present disclosure includes 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.
One embodiment of a system for changing width of a person support apparatus may comprise a control interface comprising a button for width alteration of the person support apparatus. A bed controller may be configured to communicate with the control interface the bed controller may be configured to receive a signal if the button is selected. A motor may be configured to be controlled by the bed controller the motor may be configured to alter the width of at least a portion of a deck section of the person support apparatus. A mattress controller may be configured to communicate with the bed controller. A fluid supply device may be configured to be controlled by the mattress controller. A mattress may be configured to be supported the person support apparatus, the mattress may comprise at least one chamber fluidly connected to the fluid supply device and may be configured to be inflated by the fluid supply device upon the fluid supply device receiving a control signal from the mattress controller.
One embodiment of a method for changing width of a person support apparatus may comprise monitoring a button for width alteration of the person support apparatus on a control interface. Sensing selection of the button by a bed controller. Sending at least one of inflate or deflate command to a mattress controller based on configuration of at least one deck section of the person support apparatus. Determining completion of at least one of inflation and deflation of a mattress and sending an indication to the bed controller of completion. Actuating at least one deck section to at least one of an extended and retracted position upon the bed controller sending a command to a motor.
Another embodiment of a method for changing width of a person support apparatus comprises determining position of at least one deck section of a person support apparatus. Monitoring a button on a control interface for width alteration of said person support apparatus. Controlling a fluid supply device to at least one of inflate and deflate a mattress in fluidic communication with said fluid supply device based on selection of said button.
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the claimed subject matter and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the claimed subject matter. In the drawings:
The embodiments of the claimed subject matter and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be briefly mentioned or omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the claimed subject matter described. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the claimed subject matter may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the claimed subject matter described herein. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
It is understood that the subject matter claimed is not limited to the particular methodology, protocols, devices, apparatus, materials, applications, etc., described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
The claimed subject matter discloses a variable width person support apparatus which is configured to support a mattress thereon. A system to inflate or deflate portions of the mattress to accommodate a wider or narrower deck section of the person support apparatus is disclosed herein.
U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/774,847, 11/775,083 and 13/468,424 disclosing variable width person support apparatus, related systems and methods of use are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Continuing to refer to
In one embodiment the deck extensions may be manually extended and retracted. When the deck extensions are retracted manually the side rails 26 would apply pressure on the side bolsters 52 as a user pushes the siderail 26 against the mattress 16. In one embodiment a signal from the pressure transducer 74 indicating a spike in pressure greater than a predetermined threshold in the side bolsters 52 is used to initiate deflation of the side bolsters.
If at operation 132, a determination is made by the bed controller 58 that the deck sections are completely retracted, the bed controller 58 now checks to determine whether button 56 is selected at operation 134. If not, the bed controller 58 communicates a stop signal at step 136. If the bed controller 58 determines that the button 56 is selected, it sends a signal to head deck width motor 70 and lower body deck width motor 72 to begin extending the deck extensions; the bed controller 58 monitors actuation of the deck extensions in operation 138. During actuation of the deck extensions the bed controller 58 determines whether the head deck width motor 70 and lower body deck width motor 72 are synchronized in operation 140. If the bed controller 58 determines that the motors are not synchronized it sends a signal to the control interface 54 to display an error message in step 142. If the bed controller 58 determines that the motors are synchronized, the bed controller 58 monitors whether the end of travel indicative of complete extension has been reached based on signals form the potentiometer and/or current readings from the motors in operation 144. If the bed controller 58 determines that complete extension of the deck extensions has been reached, the bed controller 58 sends a signal to the motors to stop actuation. If the bed controller 58 determines that the deck extensions have not been completely extended, the bed controller continues to monitor whether the motors are synchronized in step 140.
In operation 144 if it is determined by the bed controller 58 that the deck sections are completely extended, the bed controller senses selection of the button 56 in operation 146 after which the system waits for a predetermined time, in one embodiment 2 seconds, in other embodiments, any amount of time in operation 148. The bed controller 58 sends a signal to the mattress controller 64 to inflate the mattress side bolsters 52 in operation 150. Mattress controller 64 monitors inflation of the mattress side bolsters 52 in operation 152. Mattress controller 64 determines if the mattress side bolsters 52 are completely inflated in operation 154. In one embodiment the mattress controller 64 makes this determination by comparing a pressure derived from the signal supplied by pressure transducer 74 with a predetermined threshold which in one embodiment may be defined by a user though control interface 54. In another embodiment the mattress controller 64 determines if the mattress side bolsters 52 are completely inflated by tracking the time spent inflating the mattress side bolsters 52. In operation 154 if the mattress controller 64 determines the mattress side bolsters 52 are not completely inflated, it sends a corresponding signal to the bed controller 58. The bed controller 58 sends a signal to the control interface 54 through which an audio indication and/or a visual indication on display 76 of ongoing mattress side bolster 52 inflation is communicated in operation 156. If mattress controller 64 determines that inflation is complete it communicates with the bed controller 58. The bed controller 58 sends a signal to the control interface 54 through which an audio indication and/or a visual indication on display 76 of completion of mattress side bolster 52 inflation is communicated in operation 158.
In this embodiment the mattress side bolsters 52 are configured to toggle between a fully inflated state and a fully deflated state. In one embodiment the pressure indicative of full inflation is variable based on weight of the patient supported by the mattress to a predetermined pressure relief set point. In another embodiment the pressure indicative of full inflation may be input by a user via the control interface 54.
In
Block 206 tests whether or not the deck extensions (e.g. extensions 36) are at their limit of retraction. If so, the method proceeds to block 208 and stops except for continuing the tests of blocks 202 and 302. If the deck extensions are not at their limit of retraction the method proceeds along paths 210A and 210B to blocks 230 and 212 respectively. First considering path 210A, at block 230 the bed controller monitors whether the deck width adjustment motors (which are operating as a result of a user continuing to press the retract button) are synchronized. If not the method proceeds to block 234 and stops the motors. If so the method branches to block 228. Now considering path 210B, at block 212 the method pauses or delays for a brief time interval (a second or two) while continuing to monitor whether or not the retract button is still being pressed. If the user has continued to apply pressure to the retract button throughout the pause interval, the method proceeds to block 214. However if user pressure on the retract button is discontinued during the pause interval the method does not proceed to block 214. The pause interval enables the method to distinguish between a genuine user command and a brief inadvertant touch of the retract button.
Block 214 tests whether or not deflation of the side bladders 52 has begun. If not the bed controller issues a “deflate” command to the mattress controller at block 216. The mattress controller responds by beginning deflation of the side bladders. At block 218 the mattress controller monitors deflation progress and proceeds to block 220. At block 220 the method tests whether or not deflation is complete either as a result of the actions at blocks 216 and 218 or as a result of having arrived directly at block 220 from block 214. If the test at block 220 reveals that deflation is not complete the method continues the deflation process and sends a visual and/or aural indication of the ongoing deflation. One example of a visual indication is the flashing yellow illumination of one of lights LE and LR as described above. If the test at block 220 reveals that deflation is complete the method proceeds to block 224 where the mattress controller signals the bed controller that deflation is complete and sends a visual and/or aural indication of the fact that deflation is complete. One example of a visual indication is the steady green illumination of light LR as described above.
Irrespective of whether the method has followed path 210A through blocks 230 and 232 or has followed path 210B through the appropriate blocks beyond block 212, the method arrives at block 228 where it tests whether or not the deck sections are at their limit of retraction. If not, the method returns to block 202. If so, the method proceeds to block 226 and stops, except for continuing to monitor for whether or not the extend and retract buttons are being pressed.
The portion of the method outlined in
Block 306 tests whether or not the deck extensions (e.g. extensions 36) are at their limit of extension. If so, the method proceeds to block 308 and stops except for continuing the tests of blocks 202 and 302. If the deck extensions are not at their limit of retraction the method proceeds along paths 310A and 310B to blocks 330 and 312 respectively. First considering path 310A, at block 330 the bed controller monitors whether the deck width adjustment motors (which are operating as a result of a user continuing to press the extend button) are synchronized. If not the method proceeds to block 334 and stops the motors. If so the method branches to block 328. Now considering path 310B, at block 312 the method pauses or delays for a brief time interval (a second or two) while continuing to monitor whether or not the extend button is still being pressed. If the user has continued to apply pressure to the extend button throughout the pause interval, the method proceeds to block 314. However if user pressure on the extend button is discontinued during the pause interval the method does not proceed to block 314. The pause interval enables the method to distinguish between a genuine user command and a brief inadvertant touch of the retract button.
Block 314 tests whether or not inflation of the side bladders 52 has begun. If not the bed controller issues a “inflate” command to the mattress controller at block 316. The mattress controller responds by beginning inflation of the side bladders. At block 318 the mattress controller monitors inflation progress and proceeds to block 320. At block 320 the method tests whether or not inflation is complete either as a result of the actions at blocks 316 and 318 or as a result of having arrived directly at block 320 from block 314. If the test at block 320 reveals that inflation is not complete the method continues the inflation process and sends a visual and/or aural indication of the ongoing inflation. One example of a visual indication is the flashing yellow illumination of one of lights LE and LR as described above. If the test at block 320 reveals that inflation is complete the method proceeds to block 324 where the mattress controller signals the bed controller that inflation is complete and sends a visual and/or aural indication of the fact that inflation is complete. One example of a visual indication is the steady green illumination of light LR as described above.
Irrespective of whether the method has followed path 310A through blocks 330 and 332 or has followed path 310B through the appropriate blocks beyond block 312, the method arrives at block 328 where it tests whether or not the deck sections are at their limit of extension. If not, the method returns to block 302. If so, the method proceeds to block 326 and stops, except for continuing to monitor for whether or not the extend and retract buttons are being pressed.
As previously noted the deck extensions can be extended and retracted manually. In the case of manual operation the step of determining whether or not the extend or retract buttons are pressed (blocks 202 and 302) will not yield a “yes” answer. However the bed controller is still able to monitor current readings or potentiometer signals to track the position of the deck extension, including whether or not the deck extension is at its extend limit or retract limit. As a result the method for manual operation is the same except that instead of being initiated by the bed controller sensing whether or not the retract or extend button is being pressed (blocks 202, 302) it is initiated by changes in the current readings or potentiometer signals. Similar to the case of push-button operation, manual operation generates a width alteration command. If a user pushes on the deck extender (or a component attached to the extender) to cause the deck extender to retract, the command is a retract command. If a user pulls on the deck extender (or a component attached to the extender) to cause the deck extender to extend, the command is an extend command. The retract and extend commands are of opposite polarity.
The foregoing description and associated
The method monitors response of the mattress to operation of the fluid supply device at blocks 218, 318. The method of curtails operation of the actuator in response to the extender reaching a limit consistent with the polarity of the command at blocks 208, 308. The issuing step is conditioned on continued presence of the command during a pause interval (blocks 212, 312). The method also includes the step of providing an indication distinguishing between completion and incompletion of width adjustment (blocks 222, 322).
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the subject matter (particularly in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation, as the scope of protection sought is defined by the claims as set forth hereinafter together with any equivalents thereof entitled to. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illustrate the subject matter and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the subject matter unless otherwise claimed. The use of the term “based on” and other like phrases indicating a condition for bringing about a result, both in the claims and in the written description, is not intended to foreclose any other conditions that bring about that result. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention as claimed.
Preferred embodiments are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventor for carrying out the claimed subject matter. Of course, variations of those preferred embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the claimed subject matter to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this claimed subject matter includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
The disclosures of any references and publications cited above are expressly incorporated by reference in their entireties to the same extent as if each were incorporated by reference individually.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61684275 | Aug 2012 | US |
