Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a pinch event or obstruction to a movable component of a patient support. In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus may include a control system capable of controlling one or more actuator systems coupled to one or more movable components of the patient support apparatus. The control system may operate according to one or more modes of operation in controlling the actuator system to move a component from a first position to a second position. In one embodiment, the control system may receive sensor feedback indicative of one or more operating characteristics of an actuator system, and analyze the sensor feedback differently in one mode than in another. In one embodiment, the controller may receive sensor feedback indicative of both a speed of a component coupled to the movable component and a current of power supplied to an electric motor of the actuator system.

Abstract: A power transfer system comprises a patient transport apparatus and a power transfer device. The power transfer system provides convenience and ease of connection between a power source and the patient transport apparatus to provide power to one or more electrically powered devices on the patient transport apparatus or to provide energy for an energy storage device on the patient transport apparatus.

Abstract: A power transfer system comprises a patient transport apparatus and a power transfer device. The power transfer system provides convenience and ease of connection between a power source and the patient transport apparatus to provide power to one or more electrically powered devices on the patient transport apparatus or to provide energy for an energy storage device on the patient transport apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a pinch event or obstruction to a movable component of a patient support. In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus may include a control system capable of controlling one or more actuator systems coupled to one or more movable components of the patient support apparatus. The control system may operate according to one or more modes of operation in controlling the actuator system to move a component from a first position to a second position. In one embodiment, the control system may receive sensor feedback indicative of one or more operating characteristics of an actuator system, and analyze the sensor feedback differently in one mode than in another. In one embodiment, the controller may receive sensor feedback indicative of both a speed of a component coupled to the movable component and a current of power supplied to an electric motor of the actuator system.

Abstract: A power transfer system comprises a patient support apparatus and a power transfer device. The power transfer system provides convenience and ease of connection between a power source and the patient support apparatus to provide power to one or more electrically powered devices on the patient support apparatus or to provide energy for an energy storage device on the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A system is provided that comprises a patient support apparatus and a unit being independent from the patient support apparatus. The patient support apparatus comprises a support structure having a base and a patient support surface for a patient. The patient support apparatus also comprises an electrical distribution system, one or more electrical devices, and an energy storage device (ESD) configured to store energy to power the one or more electrical devices through the electrical distribution system. The unit is configured to autonomously interact with the patient support apparatus to remove the ESD from the patient support apparatus and/or to place a replacement ESD on to the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A power transfer system comprises a patient support apparatus and a power transfer device. The power transfer system provides convenience and ease of connection between a power source and the patient support apparatus to provide power to one or more electrically powered devices on the patient support apparatus or to provide energy for an energy storage device on the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A system is provided that comprises a patient support apparatus and a unit being independent from the patient support apparatus. The patient support apparatus comprises a support structure having a base and a patient support surface for a patient. The patient support apparatus also comprises an electrical distribution system, one or more electrical devices, and an energy storage device (ESD) configured to store energy to power the one or more electrical devices through the electrical distribution system. The unit is configured to autonomously interact with the patient support apparatus to remove the ESD from the patient support apparatus and/or to place a replacement ESD on to the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A power transfer system comprises a patient transport apparatus and a power transfer device. The power transfer system provides convenience and ease of connection between a power source and the patient transport apparatus to provide power to one or more electrically powered devices on the patient transport apparatus or to provide energy for an energy storage device on the patient transport apparatus.

Abstract: A power transfer system comprises a patient transport apparatus and a power transfer device. The power transfer system provides convenience and ease of connection between a power source and the patient transport apparatus to provide power to one or more electrically powered devices on the patient transport apparatus or to provide energy for an energy storage device on the patient transport apparatus.

Abstract: Energy harvesting and propulsion assistance techniques for a patient support apparatus are provided. The patient support apparatus comprises a base, a patient support surface supported by the base, and a powered device (e.g., propulsion device). An energy harvest and release system includes a harvesting device for harvesting energy, a storage device for storing and releasing the harvested energy, and a controller coupled to the harvesting device, the storage device, and the powered device. The controller is automated to selectively instruct the harvesting device to harvest energy and to selectively instruct release of the harvested energy from the storage device for consumption by the powered device (e.g., to assist in movement of the patient support apparatus).

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a pinch event or obstruction to a movable component of a patient support. In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus may include a control system capable of controlling one or more actuator systems coupled to one or more movable components of the patient support apparatus. The control system may operate according to one or more modes of operation in controlling the actuator system to move a component from a first position to a second position. In one embodiment, the control system may receive sensor feedback indicative of one or more operating characteristics of an actuator system, and analyze the sensor feedback differently in one mode than in another. In one embodiment, the controller may receive sensor feedback indicative of both a speed of a component coupled to the movable component and a current of power supplied to an electric motor of the actuator system.

Abstract: A power transfer system comprises a patient transport apparatus and a power transfer device. The power transfer system provides convenience and ease of connection between a power source and the patient transport apparatus to provide power to one or more electrically powered devices on the patient transport apparatus or to provide energy for an energy storage device on the patient transport apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a pinch event or obstruction to a movable component of a patient support. In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus may include a control system capable of controlling one or more actuator systems coupled to one or more movable components of the patient support apparatus. The control system may operate according to one or more modes of operation in controlling the actuator system to move a component from a first position to a second position. In one embodiment, the control system may receive sensor feedback indicative of one or more operating characteristics of an actuator system, and analyze the sensor feedback differently in one mode than in another. In one embodiment, the controller may receive sensor feedback indicative of both a speed of a component coupled to the movable component and a current of power supplied to an electric motor of the actuator system.

Abstract: A power transfer system comprises a patient transport apparatus and a power transfer device. The power transfer system provides convenience and ease of connection between a power source and the patient transport apparatus to provide power to one or more electrically powered devices on the patient transport apparatus or to provide energy for an energy storage device on the patient transport apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a pinch event or obstruction to a movable component of a patient support. In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus may include a control system capable of controlling one or more actuator systems coupled to one or more movable components of the patient support apparatus. The control system may operate according to one or more modes of operation in controlling the actuator system to move a component from a first position to a second position. In one embodiment, the control system may receive sensor feedback indicative of one or more operating characteristics of an actuator system, and analyze the sensor feedback differently in one mode than in another. In one embodiment, the controller may receive sensor feedback indicative of both a speed of a component coupled to the movable component and a current of power supplied to an electric motor of the actuator system.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a patient support surface for patients. The patient support apparatus comprises a user input device, a controller, and an ultrasonic generator system. The controller is configured to control the ultrasonic generator system to provide haptic sensations to the user. The haptic sensations, in some cases, provides tactile stimuli to a user associated with a virtual button.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a pinch event or obstruction to a movable component of a patient support. In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus may include a control system capable of controlling one or more actuator systems coupled to one or more movable components of the patient support apparatus. The control system may operate according to one or more modes of operation in controlling the actuator system to move a component from a first position to a second position. In one embodiment, the control system may receive sensor feedback indicative of one or more operating characteristics of an actuator system, and analyze the sensor feedback differently in one mode than in another. In one embodiment, the controller may receive sensor feedback indicative of both a speed of a component coupled to the movable component and a current of power supplied to an electric motor of the actuator system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a pinch event or obstruction to a movable component of a patient support. In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus may include a control system capable of controlling one or more actuator systems coupled to one or more movable components of the patient support apparatus. The control system may operate according to one or more modes of operation in controlling the actuator system to move a component from a first position to a second position. In one embodiment, the control system may receive sensor feedback indicative of one or more operating characteristics of an actuator system, and analyze the sensor feedback differently in one mode than in another. In one embodiment, the controller may receive sensor feedback indicative of both a speed of a component coupled to the movable component and a current of power supplied to an electric motor of the actuator system.

Abstract: Energy harvesting and propulsion assistance techniques for a patient support apparatus are provided. The patient support apparatus comprises a base, a patient support surface supported by the base, and a powered device (e.g., propulsion device). An energy harvest and release system includes a harvesting device for harvesting energy, a storage device for storing and releasing the harvested energy, and a controller coupled to the harvesting device, the storage device, and the powered device. The controller is automated to selectively instruct the harvesting device to harvest energy and to selectively instruct release of the harvested energy from the storage device for consumption by the powered device (e.g., to assist in movement of the patient support apparatus).