Patents by Inventor Charles A. Howell
Charles A. Howell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20160013837Abstract: Patient care equipment includes a wireless coupler that transfers power and/or data between an architectural unit and the patient care equipment. The patient care equipment may also include additional wireless couplers that transfer power and/or data between first and second components of the equipment. The second component may be movable relative to the first component. A structure or hot swapping batteries is also disclosed, the swapped battery being charged on an inductive charging mat.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: January 14, 2016Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, IncInventors: Charles A. HOWELL, William G. PITTENGER, Michael S. HOOD, Edward J. KOORS, Steven Alan DIXON, Richard Joseph SCHUMAN, Matthew D. MORGAN, Laurie Lee GUTZWILLER, Kelly F. WALTON
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Publication number: 20150136146Abstract: A method comprises determining a person's level of risk for developing an adverse condition; selecting a care protocol based on the level of risk; displaying a proposed configuration of a person support structure corresponding to the care protocol for a caregiver to approve; and upon approval by the caregiver, implementing the configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Michael Scott Hood, David L. Ribble, Laetitia Gazagnes, Pierre Deguignet, Aziz A. Bhai, Eric D. Agdeppa, Neal Wiggermann, Charles A. Howell, Varad N. Srivastava, Jason A. Penninger
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Publication number: 20140345060Abstract: A sleep apparatus, such as a mattress for example, is provided in one embodiment. The apparatus comprises a head support surface sized to support a person's head, and a torso support surface sized to support a person's torso. The head support surface is generally laterally sloped moving from the first side toward the second side, and the torso support surface is generally laterally sloped moving from the first side toward the second side. In some embodiments, the lateral slope of the head support surface is at least about 15°, the lateral slope of the head support surface is greater than the lateral slope of the torso support surface, and/or, the sleep apparatus slopes in the longitudinal direction as well.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: David Ribble, Charles A. Howell, Neal Wiggermann, Michael Scott Hood, Travis Pelo, Kirsten M. Emmons, Eric D. Agdeppa
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Publication number: 20140297327Abstract: A care system includes a mobile communication device, a remote server, and a patient support system in communication with either or both of the mobile communication device and the remote server. The mobile communication device operates as a user interface for the patient support system. The remote server provides computing power for the patient support system for resource intensive computing tasks. A system for use in a healthcare facility includes patient care devices located in a patient room. The system also includes an application server located remotely from the patient room. The application server stores application software associated with each patient care device. The system further includes a universal caregiver interface situated in the patient room and in communication with the application server. The universal caregiver interface receives application software from the application server.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Thomas F. Heil, Eric D. Agdeppa, Steven A. Dixon, Charles A. Howell, Thomas M. Gillis, Benjamin E. Howell, Christian Saucier, Kelli F. Rempel, Keith A. Huster, Irvin J. Vanderpohl, III, Andrew S. Robinson, Mary Butler, Bryan J. Bello, Michael S. Hood
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Patent number: 8701230Abstract: A system to cause instability for a person supported by a person support surface is disclosed. The system is configured to cause the person supported by the person support surface to compensate for the instability caused by the system in order to exercise their core or trunk region.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Zerhusen, John Sparkman, Charles A. Howell
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Patent number: 8677528Abstract: A siderail system of a patient support apparatus includes a siderail having a siderail opening formed therein. A sanitizer container is positioned within the siderail opening. The sanitizer container contains a sanitizer substance therein.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Scott Hookway, Dawn Michelle Riley, G. Brent Fagan, Dennis James Gallant, Charles A. Howell, Jack Barney Sing
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Publication number: 20130296769Abstract: A system for wound care using air fluidized therapy is disclosed. The system comprises a wound care device with a reservoir of beads and a filter sheet contains the beads within the reservoir while contacting the user's skin during use. Air flow through the reservoir of beads fluidizes the beads during use. The wound care device is equipped with a quick disconnect coupling and can be separated from the fluid line and disposed off.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2012Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Charles A. Howell, Charles A. Lachenbruch
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Publication number: 20130146601Abstract: A person-support apparatus can include a frame and a siderail. The frame is configured to support a person thereon. The siderail is coupled to the frame. The siderail includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is oriented such that the first surface faces towards a person supported on the person-support apparatus and the second surface is oriented such that the second surface faces away from the person supported on the person-support apparatus. At least one of the first surface and the second surface has a recessed portion that defines a storage area configured to receive and removably retain one or more objects therewithin.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2013Publication date: June 13, 2013Inventors: Robert M. Zerhusen, Charles A. Howell, Michelle L. Kovach, Timothy A. Stanley
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Publication number: 20130103421Abstract: A system to cause instability for a person supported by a person support surface is disclosed. The system is configured to cause the person supported by the person support surface to compensate for the instability caused by the system in order to exercise their core or trunk region.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2011Publication date: April 25, 2013Inventors: Robert M. Zerhusen, John Sparkman, Charles A. Howell
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Publication number: 20120311786Abstract: A person-support apparatus comprises a frame a deck, and an equipment support. The deck is movably coupled to the frame and configured to support a person thereon. The equipment support is coupled to the deck and configured to move with the deck. The equipment support is configured to maintain its orientation with respect to the deck as the deck moves with respect to the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Inventors: Steven A. Dixon, Richard H. Heimbrock, Thomas F. Heil, Charles A. Howell, Karen Lanning, Marcia E. Belcher, David W. Hornbach
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Publication number: 20120177448Abstract: A grout delivery device which includes a body which defines an internal volume (18), opposing first (34) and second (26) apertures in the body, in communication with the volume, through which a rock support tendon (50) extends, and a grout formation (44) on the body for connection to a grout source.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2009Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: Aveng (Africa) LimitedInventors: Johann Steyn, Michael Martin Charles Howell
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Publication number: 20120090091Abstract: A siderail system of a patient support apparatus includes a siderail having a siderail opening formed therein. A sanitizer container is positioned within the siderail opening. The sanitizer container contains a sanitizer substance therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Inventors: Scott Hookway, Dawn Michelle Riley, G. Brent Fagan, Dennis James Gallant, Charles A. Howell, Jack Barney Sing
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Patent number: 8143846Abstract: A charging system comprises an accessory module and a charging system. The accessory module includes a housing with a coupling portion and a power source. The coupling portion includes an engagement surface and a coupler configured to removably couple the accessory module to a person-support apparatus. The power source is positioned within the housing and includes a recharging assembly. The charging station includes a docking portion configured to receive the accessory module and a charging assembly configured to communicate power to the recharging assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2010Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Fred Herman, Thomas F. Heil, Charles A. Howell, Michelle Kovach, Timothy Stanley
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Patent number: 8100061Abstract: An item support apparatus, such as an overbed table, for example, includes a support surface assembly, a base assembly, and a vertical column coupled to each of the support surface and base assemblies. A side assembly is coupled to the base assembly and configured to remain stationary while the support surface assembly moves upwardly and downwardly relative to the base assembly. The overbed table may further include a hand sanitizer container coupled with the support surface assembly and configured to receive a removable hand sanitizer container unit. The base assembly may include weight-activated casters. Other embodiments are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2009Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Scott Hookway, Dawn Michelle Riley, G. Brent Fagan, Dennis James Gallant, Charles A. Howell, Jack Barney Sing
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Publication number: 20110247134Abstract: A siderail assembly comprises a siderail and a removable module. The siderail has a siderail body and a grip portion. The grip portion includes a grip and a grip opening located between the grip and the siderail body. The removable module is removably coupled to the siderail such that the removable module is positionable substantially within the grip opening. The removable module includes a gas blower configured to direct a flow of gas at least one of toward and away from a person-support apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Inventors: Charles A. Howell, Fred Herman, Thomas F. Heil
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Publication number: 20110248672Abstract: A charging system comprises an accessory module and a charging system. The accessory module includes a housing with a coupling portion and a power source. The coupling portion includes an engagement surface and a coupler configured to removably couple the accessory module to a person-support apparatus. The power source is positioned within the housing and includes a recharging assembly. The charging station includes a docking portion configured to receive the accessory module and a charging assembly configured to communicate power to the recharging assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Inventors: Fred Herman, Thomas F. Heil, Charles A. Howell, Michelle Kovach, Timothy Stanley
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Publication number: 20110247137Abstract: An apparatus comprises a housing and a communication system. The housing includes a front portion and a rear portion. The rear portion has an engagement surface and a coupler configured to cooperate with a portion of a person-support apparatus to removably couple the housing to the person-support apparatus. The communication system includes at least one communication device coupled to the housing. The communication device is configured to at least one of transmit and receive at least one of a data signal and a power signal to/from the person-support apparatus and an external device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2011Publication date: October 13, 2011Inventors: Fred Herman, Thomas F. Heil, Charles A. Howell, Michelle Kovach, Timothy Stanley, Timothy J. Receveur, Josh Williams, John D. Christie, James L. Walke
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Publication number: 20110247135Abstract: A siderail assembly for a person support apparatus comprises a siderail body, a grip portion, and a power communication device. The siderail body includes a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface extending between the front surface and the back surface. The side surface defines a perimeter of the siderail body. The grip portion includes a siderail opening through a portion of the siderail body. The grip opening has an upper grip opening portion that cooperates with the side surface to define a grip. The power communication device is configured to communicate power wirelessly to a device in communication therewith.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Inventors: Fred Herman, Thomas F. Heil, Charles A. Howell
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Patent number: 7975337Abstract: A person-support apparatus comprises a frame, a container, a gas permeable cover, a rigid diffuser, a fluidizable medium, and a cushion. The container is supported on a frame and includes a base and a plurality of sides coupled to the base. The base cooperates with the sides to define an opening opposite the base. The gas permeable cover is removably coupled to the container and covers the opening to define a chamber. The rigid diffuser is positioned within the chamber proximate the base. The fluidizable medium is positioned between the rigid diffuser and the gas permeable cover. The cushion is coupled to the diffuser and positioned between the gas permeable cover and the rigid diffuser. The cushion is configured to provide cushioning support between a person supported on the gas permeable cover and the rigid diffuser.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2009Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventor: Charles A. Howell
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Publication number: 20110138538Abstract: A person-support apparatus comprises a container and a gas permeable support. The container is supported on a frame. The container includes a base and sides extending from the base to define an opening opposite the base. The gas permeable support is positioned within the container and cooperates with the base to define a chamber. The gas permeable support includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is generally parallel the base. The second portion is coupled to the first portion and forms an obtuse angle therewith. The gas permeability of the second portion varies as a function of the distance between the second portion and the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventor: Charles A. Howell