Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, chair, or the like, includes a frame, a support surface supported by the frame, a plurality of load cells that detect weight supported on the support surface, at least one A/D converter, and a controller. The load cells output analog signals that are converted to digital by the A/D converters. The controller switches a sampling rate of the A/D converters between at least first and second rates. The outputs from the load cells are forwarded to a plurality of signal acquisition nodes that include the A/D converters. The nodes are positioned at locations that minimize the length of travel of the analog signals, thereby reducing noise interference. Shivering, occupant absence/presence, vital signs, occupant movement, and/or other parameters are detected by the load cells.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus is provided, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, or the like, that includes a sensor adapted to detect movement of the occupant while the occupant is supported on the support apparatus. A controller monitors outputs from the sensor in response to a mobility assessment control being activated. After monitoring the outputs for a period of time, the controller generates a mobility score based on the outputs from the sensor. In some embodiments, the controller use outputs from the sensor to determine which region of a defined surface area the patient has moved to. The controller records these visited regions over a time period and uses them to generate the mobility assessment. The mobility assessment provides an objective measure of an important factor used in predicting a patient's risk of developing pressure ulcers.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, or the like, uses the ability to communicate with a device via near field communication to determine that the device is physically proximate the support apparatus. The support apparatus uses this determination to associate itself with the device. In some instances, the associated device is a mattress positioned on the support apparatus; a footboard on the support apparatus; a medical device used with a patient supported on the support device; a nearby piece of furniture; another patient support apparatus; or an ID tag worn by a caregiver or patient, or attached to a piece of equipment. After the support apparatus and device are associated, they communicate information between each other using far field communication, which supports higher data transfer rates. Flux concentrators are added in some embodiments to extend and/or shape the range of near the field communication.

Abstract: Patient support apparatuses, such as beds, cots, stretchers, recliners, operating tables, and the like include wireless mesh network transceivers that enable them to communicate with each other, and other devices, via mesh networks and/or ad hoc networks. One or more additional wireless transceivers are included, such as WiFi transceivers, that enable direct communication with a healthcare facility network, such as an Ethernet. The mesh network communication between patient support apparatuses and other devices is used for any one or more of: extending the communication range of the existing IT infrastructure, efficiently routing data to the healthcare facility network, determining location of the patient support apparatuses and devices, transporting patient data from one patient support to the next as the patient moves, and for other aspects.

Abstract: A person support apparatus includes one or more thermal image sensors whose outputs are analyzed to perform one or more functions. Such functions include automatically turning on a brake, automatically turning on one or more lights, detecting when a patient associated with the person support apparatus has fallen, enabling a propulsion system of the patient support apparatus to be used, automatically controlling one or more environmental controls, and/or automatically arming an exit detection system after entry of a patient onto the person support apparatus. Multiple thermal images may be generated from multiple sensors to generate stereoscopic thermal images of portions of the person support apparatus and its surroundings.

Abstract: A location detection system for person support apparatuses includes multiple network wireless access points that communicate with a plurality of mobile transceivers positioned on board the person support apparatuses. Based upon signal strength data (e.g. RSSI or RCPI) of messages from the access points to the transceivers, the locations of the person support apparatuses are determined. In some embodiments, the person support apparatuses include an additional location detection system that utilizes fixed locators having short range transceivers to generate a second location determination of the person support apparatuses. In still other embodiments, the person support apparatuses utilize the second location detection system to determine the location of the wireless access points. The person support apparatuses may also broadcast their location to other devices that then utilize the received signal strengths of those messages to determine their own location.

Abstract: A person support apparatus includes one or more thermal image sensors whose outputs are analyzed to perform one or more functions. Such functions include automatically turning on a brake, automatically turning on one or more lights, detecting when a patient associated with the person support apparatus has fallen, enabling a propulsion system of the patient support apparatus to be used, automatically controlling one or more environmental controls, and/or automatically arming an exit detection system after entry of a patient onto the person support apparatus. Multiple thermal images may be generated from multiple sensors to generate stereoscopic thermal images of portions of the person support apparatus and its surroundings.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, cot, recliner, or the like, includes a support surface adapted to support a person, a litter, an accelerometer positioned below the support surface, and a controller that processes signals from the accelerometer to detect the presence or absence of a person on the support surface. In some embodiments, the controller also receives signals from a plurality of force sensors and uses them in combination with the accelerometer outputs to determine if the person has exited the person support apparatus. The controller may also be adapted to use outputs from the accelerometer to detect an impact against the person support apparatus, compare a magnitude of the detected impact with a threshold, and, if the threshold is exceeded, to issue a warning indicating potential damage to one or more of the plurality of force sensors.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes one or more units that are adapted monitor the radio frequency conditions of a facility or portion of the facility. The units include a packet sniffer and/or an RF spectrum analyzer. Sniffed packets and spectrum data are recorded and made available for analysis and display, either locally on the units or at one or more remote locations. The locations of the units are also gathered, thereby enabling correlation of the sniffed packets and/or RF spectrum data with locations within the facility. Real time RF conditions can thereby be gathered and used to improve the wireless communications within the facility and/or to ensure the wireless communication infrastructure of the facility is operating satisfactorily. The units may be person support apparatuses, such as beds, chairs, stretchers, cots, or the like.

Abstract: A location detection system identifies the locations of medical devices such as patient support apparatuses and/or patient care devices within a medical facility. The devices communicate via a wired connection to one or more medical facility systems (e.g. nurse call system, computer network, etc.), and/or via a wireless connection to such systems. The location detection system automatically determines location information of the devices and communicates the location information so that the recipient of any outgoing alerts and/or other information sent from the devices is apprised of the location of the particular device sending the alert or other information. Caregivers are thereby able to respond to the correct location of an alert, and software systems such as EMR systems, admission discharge and transfer (ADT) systems, etc. are able to correlate transmitted device data with the location and/or patient assigned to that location.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, cot, recliner, or the like, includes an exit detection system having a plurality of force sensors that support the weight of an occupant positioned on a support surface. The force sensors are part of an exit detection system that issues an alarm when the occupant exits, or is about to exit, the person support apparatus. The distribution of weight applied to the force sensors is used to determine if the occupant is about to exit the person support apparatus. Compensation is made to the exit detection system for changes in the weight distribution that are not caused by movement of the occupant. Such changes may be due to siderail movement, support surface pivoting, and/or movement of other components of the person support apparatus.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, or the like, includes an exit detection system that utilizes an occupant motion parameter to determine whether to issue an alert or not. The motion parameter may be based on the weight and motion of the occupant. Successive positions of the occupant are determined in order to calculate a velocity of the occupant. In some embodiments, the kinetic energy of the occupant is used to determine if an alert should be issued. Objects positioned on the person support apparatus may also be detected and tracked. Auto-zeroing of a built-in scale, as well as automatic recognition of the removal, movement, and/or addition of objects is also provided.

Abstract: A person support apparatus includes one or more thermal image sensors whose outputs are analyzed to perform one or more functions. Such functions include automatically turning on a brake, automatically turning on one or more lights, detecting when a patient associated with the person support apparatus has fallen, enabling a propulsion system of the patient support apparatus to be used, automatically controlling one or more environmental controls, and/or automatically arming an exit detection system after entry of a patient onto the person support apparatus. Multiple thermal images may be generated from multiple sensors to generate stereoscopic thermal images of portions of the person support apparatus and its surroundings.

Abstract: Patient support apparatuses, such as beds, cots, stretchers, recliners, operating tables, and the like include wireless mesh network transceivers that enable them to communicate with each other, and other devices, via mesh networks and/or ad hoc networks. One or more additional wireless transceivers are included, such as WiFi transceivers, that enable direct communication with a healthcare facility network, such as an Ethernet. The mesh network communication between patient support apparatuses and other devices is used for any one or more of: extending the communication range of the existing IT infrastructure, efficiently routing data to the healthcare facility network, determining location of the patient support apparatuses and devices, transporting patient data from one patient support to the next as the patient moves, and for other aspects.

Abstract: Patient care devices, such as person support apparatuses and thermal control units, include one or more internal high speed networks, such as an Ethernet, for transmitting data between internal nodes or modules. A lower speed network may also be included with the Ethernet for redundantly transmitting some, but not all, types of data. Devices external to the patient care device can be granted limited access to the internal high speed network. Such devices may connect to the high speed network to utilize one or more user interfaces of the patient care device and/or to piggyback onto the patient care device's connection to an external local area network (e.g. a hospital LAN), or the patient care device's connection to yet another device. Some nodes may include web servers for serving up web pages of diagnostic information relevant to that node. The web servers are accessible via an external web browser.

Abstract: A location detection system for person support apparatuses includes multiple network wireless access points that communicate with a plurality of mobile transceivers positioned on board the person support apparatuses. Based upon signal strength data (e.g. RSSI or RCPI) of messages from the access points to the transceivers, the locations of the person support apparatuses are determined. In some embodiments, the person support apparatuses include an additional location detection system that utilizes fixed locators having short range transceivers to generate a second location determination of the person support apparatuses. In still other embodiments, the person support apparatuses utilize the second location detection system to determine the location of the wireless access points. The person support apparatuses may also broadcast their location to other devices that then utilize the received signal strengths of those messages to determine their own location.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, or the like, uses the ability to communicate with a device via near field communication to determine that the device is physically proximate the support apparatus. The support apparatus uses this determination to associate itself with the device. In some instances, the associated device is a mattress positioned on the support apparatus; a footboard on the support apparatus; a medical device used with a patient supported on the support device; a nearby piece of furniture; another patient support apparatus; or an ID tag worn by a caregiver or patient, or attached to a piece of equipment. After the support apparatus and device are associated, they communicate information between each other using far field communication, which supports higher data transfer rates. Flux concentrators are added in some embodiments to extend and/or shape the range of near the field communication.

Abstract: Patient support apparatuses, such as beds, cots, stretchers, recliners, operating tables, and the like include wireless mesh network transceivers that enable them to communicate with each other, and other devices, via mesh networks and/or ad hoc networks. One or more additional wireless transceivers are included, such as WiFi transceivers, that enable direct communication with a healthcare facility network, such as an Ethernet. The mesh network communication between patient support apparatuses and other devices is used for any one or more of: extending the communication range of the existing IT infrastructure, efficiently routing data to the healthcare facility network, determining location of the patient support apparatuses and devices, transporting patient data from one patient support to the next as the patient moves, and for other aspects.