Patents by Inventor Frank E. Sauser

Frank E. Sauser 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).

  • PATIENT IMMERSION AND SUPPORT SURFACE LIFE DETERMINATION USING RADAR AND RFID
    Publication number: 20190167500
    Abstract: A patient support system for supporting a patient includes a core support structure which includes supportive foam. The support structure has an upper surface and a lower surface. A radar apparatus, including at least one antenna situated beneath the upper surface and spatially separated therefrom, is adapted to emit a pulse which travels through the support structure and is reflected, by either the upper surface or a surrogate thereof, as a reflected signal back to the radar antenna. The emitted pulse and reflected signal comprise a ranging signal. The patient support system also includes circuitry that determines a life parameter of the core support structure as a function of at least the ranging signal. The patient support system also includes an RFID tag having a memory. The RFID tag is in communication with the circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Steven D. Baker, Frank E. Sauser
  • Air fluidized therapy bed having pulmonary therapy
    Patent number: 10238560
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes an air supply and an air fluidization therapy bed including a fluidization space and a fluidizable medium positioned in the fluidization space. The air fluidization therapy bed receives a flow of pressurized air from the air supply. The flow of pressurized air operable to fluidize the fluidizable medium. The patient support apparatus is configured to provide other therapies, such as pulmonary therapies, in addition to the air fluidization therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. O'Keefe, Frank E. Sauser, Kristopher A. Klink
  • RFID TAG INLAY FOR INCONTINENCE DETECTION PAD
    Publication number: 20190060137
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Ryan S. Severns, James D. Voll, Brett A. Knittle, Gavin M. Monson, John V. Harmeyer, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Frank E. Sauser, Joseph T. Canter, Yongji Fu, Kirsten M. Emmons, David L. Ribble, Neal Wiggermann, John D. Christie, Dan R. Tallent, Marwan Nusair, Edward J. Koors
  • PATIENT IMMERSION SENSOR USING RADAR
    Publication number: 20190015277
    Abstract: A patient immersion sensor includes a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) apparatus to determine a time of flight (TOF) of a RADAR pulse and a reflected signal that is reflected by a patient or by a portion of a patient support surface supporting the patient. The TOF is indicative of an immersion depth or a distance toward bottoming out of a patient supported on the patient support surface, such as a mattress or a pad. The RADAR apparatus emits pulses of very short duration so as to be able to detect objects, such as a patient or a portion of a mattress or pad, at very close distances. The RADAR apparatus may use time-of-flight (TOF) between transmission of the pulse and receipt of a reflected signal to determine a distance toward bottoming out by the patient, thereby to determine if the patient is properly immersed into the patient support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Frank E. Sauser, Steven D. Baker
  • Patient support apparatus with sensor assembly
    Patent number: 10137044
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a patient support system includes a patient support surface having an air fluidizable section and a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly is configured to detect a temperature within the air fluidizable section. The sensor assembly includes a housing with an interior, a processor within the interior of the housing, a thermal conductor, and a thermal insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon P Fisk, Nicole Johannigman, Brian J Hoffman, Frank E Sauser, Jason B Grace, David L Bedel, Brian A Kirkish, Jason M Gilreath
  • Occupant Support and Mattress with Immersion Sensing Capability and Methods of Managing Bladder Pressure in the Occupant Support and Mattress
    Publication number: 20180228678
    Abstract: An occupant support system includes a framework, a mattress supported by the framework and having at least one bladder, an electromagnetic signal source, and an electromagnetic signal receiver. The receiver is spaced from the occupant facing side of the mattress. The signal source is configured to direct an electromagnetic signal at a target. The signal receiver is configured to receive a return signal from the target in response to the directed signal. The system also includes a processor adapted to determine immersion of the target as a function of the information content of the return signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Frank E. Sauser, Marwan Nusair, Nicholas C. Batta, James D. Voll
  • PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20180161225
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a base frame, lift mechanism supporting an upper frame relative to the base frame, a load frame, and a plurality of deck sections, a patient support surface, and a number of barriers positioned about the patient supporting surface. The patient support apparatus includes a notification system for visually notifying a caregiver of a condition or status of a component of the patient support apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Mark ZERHUSEN, Richard Henry HEIMBROCK, Arpit SHAH, Aziz A. BHAI, Bradley Thomas SMITH, Catherine Marie WAGNER, Charles A. LACHENBRUCH, Clay Gerome OWSLEY, Dan R. TALLENT, Daniel NACHTIGAL, David L. BEDEL, David J. BRZENCHEK, David J. HITCHCOCK, David P. LUBBERS, Douglas A. SEIM, Douglas E. BORGMAN, Eric David BENZ, Florin IUCHA, Frank E. SAUSER, Gavin M. MONSON, James W. PASCOE, James L. WALKE, Jared RUDE, John G. BYERS, John D. CHRISTIE, Jonathan D. TURNER, Joshua A. WILLIAMS, Karen LANNING, Kathryn SMITH, Kirsten M. EMMONS, Mary Kay BRINKMAN, Michael BUCCIERI, Nathaniel William HIXON, Neal WIGGERMANN, Richard Joseph SCHUMAN, Sr., Scott M. CORBIN, Sravan MAMIDI, Todd P. O'NEAL, Todd Steven VENTROLA, Travis PELO, Unnati OJHA, David Lance RIBBLE, Brian L. LAWRENCE, Douglas A. ECKSTEIN
  • PERSON SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH INGRESS/EGRESS ASSIST
    Publication number: 20160367040
    Abstract: Embodiments include a person support apparatus including a plurality of air fluidizable material, a tub, a foam bolster disposed along at least one wall of the tub and extending over the at least one wall, and an inflatable air bladder disposed above the foam bolster along the at least one wall of the tub. A method of assisting a person with ingress or egress of a person support apparatus by deflating the inflatable air bladder and adjusting a level of fluidization of the air fluidizable material such that the surface supporting the portion of the person is substantially level with a top of the foam bolster is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell Borgman, Frank E. Sauser, Joshua A. Williams
  • PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH SENSOR ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20160331616
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a patient support system includes a patient support surface having an air fluidizable section and a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly is configured to detect a temperature within the air fluidizable section. The sensor assembly includes a housing with an interior, a processor within the interior of the housing, a thermal conductor, and a thermal insulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Brandon P. Fisk, Nicole Johannigman, Brian J. Hoffman, Frank E. Sauser, Jason B. Grace, David L. Bedel, Brian A. Kirkish, Jason M. Gilreath
  • SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR TREATMENT OF SLEEP DISORDERS
    Publication number: 20150335507
    Abstract: A sleep apparatus, such as a mattress, 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 a first side toward a second side of the mattress, 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: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Kirsten M. Emmons, David L. Ribble, Yongji Fu, Michael S. Hood, Frank E. Sauser, Eric D. Agdeppa, Joshua A. Williams, John V. Harmeyer
  • Varying depth fluidized bed
    Patent number: 9060908
    Abstract: A varying depth fluidized bed comprises a tank assembly containing fluidizable medium. The tank assembly comprises at least one step such that the depth of fluidizable medium is greater in one region of the tank assembly relative to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank E. Sauser, Kristopher A. Klink
  • AIR FLUIDIZED THERAPY BED HAVING PULMONARY THERAPY
    Publication number: 20140259428
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes an air supply and an air fluidization therapy bed including a fluidization space and a fluidizable medium positioned in the fluidization space. The air fluidization therapy bed receives a flow of pressurized air from the air supply. The flow of pressurized air operable to fluidize the fluidizable medium. The patient support apparatus is configured to provide other therapies, such as pulmonary therapies, in addition to the air fluidization therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. O'KEEFE, Frank E. SAUSER, Kristopher A. KLINK
  • FABRIC DIFFUSER FOR FLUIDIZED BED
    Publication number: 20140259427
    Abstract: A fabric diffuser for use with a fluidized person support apparatus is disclosed. A fluidized bed comprises a tank assembly containing fluidizable medium. The tank assembly comprises a fabric diffuser through which fluid is introduced into the fluidizable medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristopher A. Klink, Frank E. Sauser
  • Pressure Sensing Pad, Method of Making the Same, Pressure Sensing System, and Pressure Map Display
    Publication number: 20140243709
    Abstract: A pressure sensing pad or mat comprises a piezoresistive layer, a top electrically conductive layer comprising a plurality of electrically conductive top strips extending in a first direction along one side of the piezoresistive layer, a bottom electrically conductive layer comprising a plurality of electrically conductive bottom strips extending in a second direction, nonparallel to the first direction, along the other side of the piezoresistive layer, and top and bottom adhesive layers holding the top and bottom strips against the piezoresistive layer so as to inhibit relative displacement of the strips relative to the piezoresistive layer and relative to each other. Also disclosed are a method of manufacturing the pressure sensor pad, a pressure sensing system that employs the a sensor mat, and a pressure map display for displaying a pressure distribution of an object resting on the pressure sensing mat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Gibson, James N. Hoffmaster, Timothy J. Receveur, Frank E. Sauser, Gregory J. Shannon, Joshua A. Williams, Bryan W. Wuebker
  • VARYING DEPTH FLUIDIZED BED
    Publication number: 20140201922
    Abstract: A varying depth fluidized bed comprises a tank assembly containing fluidizable medium. The tank assembly comprises at least one step such that the depth of fluidizable medium is greater in one region of the tank assembly relative to another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank E. Sauser, Kristopher A. Klink