Abstract: One or more radar sensors can be used to monitor patients in a variety of different environments and embodiments. In one embodiment, radar sensors can be used to monitor a patient's breathing, including monitoring of tidal volume, chest expansion distance, breathing rate, etc. In another embodiment, a patient position can be monitored in a patient bed, which can be used as feedback for control of bladders of a patient bed. Additional embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A movement detection device includes a signal transmission device configured to transmit a radar signal transmission toward a target area and to receive reflected radar signals, and a signal analysis device configured to analyze the reflected radar signals to detect a movement in the target area that is indicative of micro-shivering. In response to detecting the micro-shivering, the movement detection device generates an alarm.

Abstract: One or more radar sensors can be used to monitor patients in a variety of different environments and embodiments. In one embodiment, radar sensors can be used to monitor a patient's breathing, including monitoring of tidal volume, chest expansion distance, breathing rate, etc. In another embodiment, a patient position can be monitored in a patient bed, which can be used as feedback for control of bladders of a patient bed. Additional embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame and a mattress positioned on the frame. The mattress has an electronic component positioned within an interior of the mattress. An inductive power transmitter is coupled to the frame. An inductive power receiver is positioned within the interior of the mattress and electrically coupled to the electronic component.

Abstract: An absorbent article has one or more fluid filter layers to inhibit electrode traces from being exposed to low volumes of fluid to reduce the number of false positives that are indicated by an RFID tag of the incontinence detection pad. An antenna inlay has a sacrificial trace portion to permit testing for proper operation of an RFID chip electrically coupled to the antenna inlay. After testing, the sacrificial trace portion is severed. A fluid barrier layer blocks fluid from reaching portions of electrode traces that are located on a backsheet outside a periphery of an absorbent core of an incontinence detection pad. The power at which an antenna transmits to wirelessly energize a passive RFID tag of an incontinence detection pad is controlled to reduce the number of false positives indicated by the RFID tag.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a cushion, a cover arranged over a top side of the cushion, and a sensor unit. The sensor unit is coupled to the cover and arranged to underlie a patient supported on the cover. The sensor unit includes a sensor configured to detect conditions near the interface of a patient's skin with the cover.

Abstract: Systems include a plurality of sensors coupled to a person support apparatus, at least one moisture sensor configured to sense a moisture level between the person and the support surface, and at least one computing device coupled to the plurality of sensors coupled to the person support apparatus and the at least one moisture sensor. The at least one computing device receives data from the plurality of sensors coupled to the person support apparatus and the at least one moisture sensor, obtains data from an electronic medical record associated with the person supported by the person support apparatus, calculates a pressure injury score indicative of a likelihood that the person will develop a pressure injury based on the data from the plurality of sensors, the at least one moisture sensor, and the electronic medical record, and alters a treatment plan for the person based on the calculated pressure injury score.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a support surface including a topper. An opening is formed in a side of the support surface. A cavity extends from the opening into the support surface. An inlet port is positioned within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the topper. A pneumatic blower is configured to removably position within the cavity and has an outlet port that couples to the inlet port.

Abstract: A warming device may include a batting layer having a phase change material. The batting layer may have a patient side and an upper side. A hot melt fabric adhesive may be applied to the patient side and upper side of the batting. A first fabric layer may be adhered to the hot melt fabric on the patient side of the batting. The first fabric layer may have a phase change material integrated coating. An insulation layer may be adhered to the hot melt fabric on the upper side of the batting. A second fabric layer may be coupled to the insulation layer.

Abstract: A heat exchange system includes a thermoelectric device operably coupled with a support apparatus. The thermoelectric device is configured to reduce a temperature at a first location and increase a temperature at a second location different than the first location. A fan is disposed adjacent to the thermoelectric device. The fan is configured to direct heat generated by the thermoelectric device toward the second location. A controller is communicatively coupled with the thermoelectric device and the fan. The controller is configured to activate the thermoelectric device and the fan to reduce the temperature at the first location and concurrently increase the temperature at the second location. The first location is configured to align with a first area on a patient and the second location is configured to align with a second area on the patient.

Abstract: A protective dressing includes an outer dressing and an adhesive layer. The outer dressing includes an opening and a cavity sized to receive a phase-change material (PCM) insert inserted through the opening. The adhesive layer is configured to adhere to a patient's skin surrounding an anatomic site. When adhered to the patient's skin, the PCM insert modifies the patient's skin at the anatomic site. The PCM insert may be removed and replaced with another PCM insert. For example, a warm PCM insert may be replaced with a refrigerated PCM insert. The opening of the outer dressing may be self-sealing. The opening of the outer dressing may be sealed with an upper layer dressing coupled to the PCM cooling insert.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus may include a support surface configured to conduct air along a top face of the support surface so that heat and moisture from a patient lying on the support surface are drawn away from the top face of the support surface. An opening may be formed in a side of the support surface. A cavity may extend from the opening into the support surface. An inlet port may be positioned within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the top face. A blower assembly may be configured to position within the cavity. The blower assembly may have an outlet port that couples to the inlet port when the blower assembly is positioned within the cavity. The blower assembly may conduct air through the inlet port to the top face of the support surface.

Abstract: An absorbent article has one or more fluid filter layers to inhibit electrode traces from being exposed to low volumes of fluid to reduce the number of false positives that are indicated by an RFID tag of the incontinence detection pad. An antenna inlay has a sacrificial trace portion to permit testing for proper operation of an RFID chip electrically coupled to the antenna inlay. After testing, the sacrificial trace portion is severed. A fluid barrier layer blocks fluid from reaching portions of electrode traces that are located on a backsheet outside a periphery of an absorbent core of an incontinence detection pad. The power at which an antenna transmits to wirelessly energize a passive RFID tag of an incontinence detection pad is controlled to reduce the number of false positives indicated by the RFID tag.

Abstract: An absorbent article has one or more fluid filter layers to inhibit electrode traces from being exposed to low volumes of fluid to reduce the number of false positives that are indicated by an RFID tag of the incontinence detection pad. An antenna inlay has a sacrificial trace portion to permit testing for proper operation of an RFID chip electrically coupled to the antenna inlay. After testing, the sacrificial trace portion is severed. A fluid barrier layer blocks fluid from reaching portions of electrode traces that are located on a backsheet outside a periphery of an absorbent core of an incontinence detection pad. The power at which an antenna transmits to wirelessly energize a passive RFID tag of an incontinence detection pad is controlled to reduce the number of false positives indicated by the RFID tag.

Abstract: A system for detecting pressure sores includes an artificial skin configured to be coupled to a patient's skin. The artificial skin includes a substrate and a strain sensor configured to detect deformation of the substrate. A transmitter is configured to transmit signals indicative of the deformation of the substrate. A control system is configured to receive the signals from the transmitter. The control system includes a timer to track a period of time that the substrate is deformed.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame and a mattress positioned on the frame. The mattress has an electronic component positioned within an interior of the mattress. An inductive power transmitter is coupled to the frame. An inductive power receiver is positioned within the interior of the mattress and electrically coupled to the electronic component.

Abstract: An occupant support structure for supporting an occupant includes an orientation adjustable torso section, a lower body section, and a control system. The lower body section includes a heel region subsection which supports the heel region of an occupant of the occupant support. The control system is adapted to A) cause the heel region subsection to temporarily substantially disengage from the heel region of the occupant in response to a change of angular orientation of the torso section which begins at a time t0, and B) cause the heel region subsection to subsequently re-engage with the heel region of the occupant, the re-engagement occurring at a time tB which is later than t0.

Abstract: A moisture management apparatus monitors an area for moisture events and wirelessly transmits moisture-related information to one or more notification devices. An embodiment of the moisture management apparatus includes a substrate and one or more sensors supported by the substrate. The sensor(s) emit wireless signals indicative of the moisture-related information. A sensor event communication system forwards the sensor signals to another device, such as a notification device. The sensor event communication system may monitor other types of patient events. Portions of the moisture management apparatus and/or the moisture event communication system may be embodied in a patient support apparatus, such as a bed.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus may include a foam frame defining a space. A bladder assembly may be positioned in the space. The bladder assembly may include a plurality of foam filled bladders. Each of the foam filled bladders may be interconnected by a manifold. A plurality of mutually exclusively selectable pressure relief valves may be provided to release air from the bladder assembly.

Abstract: A topper (38) for a bed extends in longitudinal and lateral directions and includes a fluid flowpath (60) for channeling fluid through the topper from an inlet (62) to an outlet (64). The flowpath is configured to distribute the fluid to a preferred target region (50) of the topper. A bed which includes the topper has a blower (72) connected to the topper inlet for supplying air (88) to the flowpath.